It’s pretty cool. It’s all original music. They don’t play any covers. They write really good songs. These kids are going to go somewhere if they stick together and keep it up.”

Paul Wane

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – When Duval County Line plays for Food Truck Friday on May 3, it will be more than another job for founder and lead guitarist Paul Wane.

It will mark the first time some of his Rising Stars Give a Kid a Guitar program recipients will get a paycheck for their first gig.

The band Shopping Mall Gorillas will play at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion, while DCL, which includes guitarist Travis Bryan, bassist Cole Beasley and drummer Jacob Smart, will follow an hour later.

For Wane, he partnered with guitar builder Jay Murphy in 2020 to repurpose musical instruments and equipment like guitars, amps, cords, straps, picks, tuners, lights, strings, cases, charts, keyboards, drums, keyboards and mixers to improve attitudes and behaviors in schools, homes and the communities. Paul, his wife Lisa, and Murphy donated about 400 instruments throughout Northeast Florida.

Their work has come full circle with the Shopping Mall Guerrillas getting paid to play.

“It’s pretty cool,” Wane said. “It’s all original music. They don’t play any covers. They write really good songs. These kids are going to go somewhere if they stick together and keep it up.

“Austin is their drummer and he's very artistic. Their bass player, Matthew, didn’t even know how to play bass until December. I gave him a bass guitar in December. Robert and his friends were forming a band, and he didn’t want to be without his friends. So, he basically got himself in the band. And he’s kicking butt. Dylan is a guitar player. He’s excellent, an extremely talented young man. Henry, the frontman, writes the music. You watch him for five minutes and see he will be famous someday.”

Wane said he’s more excited to see the students from Keystone Heights High perform than performing in front of thousands who are expected for the busy weekend at Spring Park, which allows beer and wine with more than 20 food trucks and local vendors. “I’m more excited for them than I am for the program just because I know they’ve worked so hard,” Wane said. “I’m like a proud pop. We’ve had such a great bunch of kids. It’s nice to see them succeed.” He also will perform with one of his Rising Star bands at the Melrose May Faire and Music Festival on Saturday,

May 4, at Heritage Park and Mossman Hall from noon to 8 p.m. at 301 State Road 26.

That event will include a car show, Maypole dancing, food trucks, a petting zoo and children’s activities.