Shelby Keller of Clintonville will get the opportunity to rock Lambeau Field, Saturday, Aug. 2, as part of the Green Bay Packers Family Night.
Keller and the band she plays in, VIP, will be playing at Family Night from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Keller, 15, who is the drummer for the band, said she is excited for the opportunity.
“It’s going to be our biggest crowd so far,” she said.
The band did perform on TV during a CP Telethon, but that was a different feeling.
“That didn’t feel like much because the crowd that was actually in the building wasn’t any bigger than what we’re used to. So it didn’t really set in while we were playing that there were how many TVs turned on watching us,” Keller said.
She said her musical background includes learning the play the piano when she was in second grade. She began playing drums when she was in middle school and now has two years of drumming experience. She’s also been taking guitar lessons a year ago.
“I started drums because I always wanted to be in a band,” Keller said. “With drums you can kind of lead everyone, even though we kind of get forgotten at times. I love being in a band.”
About a year ago, Keller got involved with Appleton Rock School.
“It’s a program in Appleton that puts kids together in bands,” Keller said.
She said the first band she was placed in didn’t work out. She was then placed in a different band. She didn’t know any of the other band members prior to being placed in the band.
“It was exciting but scary,” Keller said. “At first everyone was quiet and we didn’t talk to each other at all. We only talked when our band coach asked us a question.
“That was kind of scary and weird. Then we got to know each other. The band I’m in right now, we’re all really close so it’s really nice to be able to make music with them and also hang out and have a good time as friends.”
All the other band members are from the Appleton area. Members include: Jordan Vanstrom, 15, guitar; Hannah Geller, 12, vocals/keyboard; Rachal Lawrynk, 14, bass; and Luke LaCosse, 15, guitar.
Each week Keller goes to Appleton to practice with the band and a band coach at Appleton Rock School. The band also plays a gig at least once a month. Venues include cafes and coffee shops in the Appleton area, different parks, and benefits. VIP most recently performed at Paperfest in Kimberly.
Keller said she enjoys the friendship she has with the other band members.
“We’re close knit and talk to each other outside of band,” she said. “It’s also nice that we’re close and comfortable with each other when we have band practice because if we mess up it’s not super embarrassing and we’re not afraid to share our ideas with each other.”
She also enjoys when her friends come watch VIP perform.
“They all just love to watch me,” she said.
Keller has been in VIP for only a year, but she said she doesn’t get nervous anymore before performances, except for a few occasions. She’s anticipating being nervous for the Packers Family Night performance, but also excited.
“I’m definitely going to be nervous playing in front of that many people,” Keller said.
When looking at the future, she said she hopes to stay with her current band, and that they keep getting bigger gigs. She added that she hopes playing in a band will be part of her future, even if it is only a band on the side.
“No matter how big it is, we’re still playing in front of people, and that’s my favorite thing, is playing in front of a large crowd and getting the immediate feedback they give,” Keller said.