Born and raised in Erwin, Tennessee, Abraham Vidrio first took piano lessons with his brother at his church and then switched to the accordion, mentioning he had begged his parents for the instrument after being inspired by Weird Al, famous accordion player and parody producer.
Although naturally shy, his music journey started when he participated in his high school’s talent show where he sang and played the accordion to Weird Al’s parody of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” His five years of experience since starting to play in 2017 allow him to now break out of his shell and share his talent with the world.
“I’ve only been busking for three weeks,” Vidrio said. “It’s something I’ve been planning on doing ever since I got here, but I’ve just spent a year trying to muster up the courage.”
He said his father was especially happy for him, since, as a member of a Mexican household, they enjoyed a lot of Ranchera music which Vidrio translates into his playing.
“It’s very interesting because that kind of music that he listens to while he’s working and fixing up a car is inspired by the German bands and the bohemian bands from the 1800s,” Vidrio said.
Along with his love for the accordion, Vidrio also has a passion for polka music which was what ignited his devotion to the instrument. He performs polkas when busking, pulling out songs from traditional polka bands such as Walter Ostanek, Eddie Blazonczyk and some Pulaski polkas.
“I’ve always had this kind of crazy dream of trying to start up a polka band,” Vidrio said. “But every time I’ve tried, it’s very hard to find the people. Well, that’s the good thing about the accordion is that how the instrument works is this hand melody, this hand accompanying instrumental, so I can just be a one-man band.”
Vidrio’s future with the accordion is bright, and he has already turned campus tourists’ heads, made tips from busking and even got the attention of the ETSU Marching Band.
