How to go
What: Music Cafe
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Fitton Center, 101, S. Monument Ave. Hamilton
Cost: Free
HAMILTON — Anna Beljin never thought she would be in a music group with her father.
When Beljin was younger she loved N’Sync, Britney Spears and the Spice Girls. But her parents didn’t allow their music in their home because her father preferred the sounds of the blues and artists like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton.
“I thought it was boring,” said Beljin, now 22. “I couldn’t play N’Sync. It had to be that old music.”
Beljin has since learned to appreciate “that old music’’ and her father, Milovan, has changed his mind about pop music. They now play weekly gigs in Kentucky and Southwestern Ohio, including a Dec. 28 show at the Fitton Center’s monthly Music Cafe.
The father and daughter team sing a mix of folk, blues and pop tunes that include original songs written by Anna Beljin and covers of tracks by Bob Dylan, Sonny and Cher and even Lady Gaga.
“We trying to appeal to everyone and pass the blues on to a new generation,” Milovan Beljin said.
Milovan Beljin said he and his daughter decided to form a group about five years ago after he pulled out his acoustic guitar on a vacation and she began singing along.
“I liked what I heard, so the first time I performed on stage was with my daughter and when I was 55,” Beljin said laughing.
“Most fathers lose their daughters when they become teenagers, but I gained my daughter. We play everywhere.”
Anna Beljin, a Miami University student who has classical vocal training, said singing with her father is cool.
The Beljins have recorded two CDs, and Anna has accomplished a feat she wouldn’t have imagined as a child.
“My parents watch VH1 Countdown now (to find new songs for them to cover). They watch it more than I do.”
Other scheduled performers include Dan Erdman (acoustic originals, pop, jazz); Keith Jones (Native American Flute) Torben Asp (instrumental, ambient, progressive); and Nik Goff (ecletic mix).
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