Parents form family band to please kids

Blue Diamond Highway showcases Ouradas

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Parents do crazy things to keep their children happy.

And what seems to be going too far for some is just another way to enhance a child's life to others.

Mike and Lisa Ourada were in such a situation about five years ago, and from it came Blue Diamond Highway -- also known as The Ourada Family Band.

"They wanted a band," Lisa Ourada said from the family's Blue Diamond home. "And we want to support them, so we started a band and we back them up."

So, as it turned out, JB, 13, and Sarah, 12, the Ourada's children, talked their parents into forming a band so they could showcase their musical talent.

"We didn't even play any instruments," Mike Ourada said, referring to himself and his wife. "People kept saying, 'Learn how to play.' "

Mike and Lisa Ourada decided that if they were going to do their best for their children's dreams, they needed to learn how to play the guitar and bass, respectively. Lisa plays the upright bass and sings and Mike plays the rhythm guitar.

As for the children, they had already honed their musical abilities before approaching their parents with the idea of a band.

JB began playing the guitar at the age of 6 and started to play the mandolin at 8.

"I was at a competition and I won third place (for guitar)," JB said. "I was 8 years old and that's where I saw the mandolin and I liked the music. And I had a mandolin at home so I started playing it."

Sarah plays the fiddle, which she first picked up in 2001, and shares lead and back-up vocal duties with her brother.

Blue Diamond Highway plays throughout the valley for charities, churches and for both public and private functions. JB, who considers Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman a friend, also played at the Fremont Street Experience during the Las Vegas Centennial celebration.

"A lot of people want to mentor them and do their part to help, and we appreciate that," Lisa Ourada said.

"It's nice when someone else gives them advice," Mike Ourada agreed. "Because kids don't always like listening to their parents. Sometimes it sounds better coming from someone else."

The Ourada children are home schooled, which makes it much easier when the family is traveling. The family travels for most the competitions they take part in. And although they have traveled as far as Texas to compete, the majority of their travels are within the West and Southwest including Arizona, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana, among others.

"They are pretty strong in geography and history," Mike Ourada said grinning. "It's a fun way to tie in school work. And when we're in a different town and the kids know some of the local history it just blows the adults away."

JB and Sarah are excited about their trip this summer to compete in the International Modeling and Talent Association, often referred to as the IMTA, in New York City in July.

"It's been very exciting for them," Mike Ourada said. "Only 25 kids from Nevada are going. This way the agents and executives actually get to see the kids perform. Rather than trying to find a way for them to hear the kids, they're right there. And the kids are looking for sponsors for the trip."

Competitions generally are not inexpensive undertakings, which is why the kids are seeking sponsors, Mike said. But he also assured that since the children were accepted to compete -- being weeded out of a group of hundreds -- they will undoubtedly be present for the showcase and competition.

As for future aspirations, JB hopes "to live in Nashville and be a big entertainer like Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson," he said.

Sarah, who has a horse and is enthralled with riding, has different goals.

"I want to do something with horses, maybe a veterinarian," she said enthusiastically. "Maybe music will be my hobby."

More information about the band can be found at www.bluediamondhighway.com.