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More times than I can count in this column I have mentioned the wealth of talented youngsters in the area.

Parents that foster creativity in their children, along with music schools like Music Unlimited and Jesse & Friends, as well as great venues like Awendaw Green, The Windjammer and The Village Tavern making their stages available to young local artists has led to a wave of additions to our local music scene.

Not only does this widen the spectrum of available entertainment, but it also fosters family oriented events that are as much fun for the parents as for the kids.

Seventeen year old Rohan Shirali is a good example. This Academic Magnet School senior has been playing guitar for 10 years.

His first foray into music was playing guitar in a metal band, but as time went on, he eventually found his voice as a singer/songwriter.

Shirali has played shows: Iacofano's, Seewee Restaurant, The Music Farm, The Village Tavern, the Farmer's Market, and weddings with Winship Productions (to name a few) and is now taking it a step further by releasing a CD.

Recorded and produced in the bedroom of Shirali's friend, Andre Van Parys, the CD was recorded over this summer and features songs that Shirali wrote over the past two years.

I took a listen to three tracks and found his songs filled with vivid emotional imagery backed with sparse acoustic guitar, which is (in my opinion) the perfect vehicle for his beautiful voice.

While his playing and singing are great, it is clear that his approach to the music puts the emphasis where it belongs, on the songs.

This weekend, Shirali will play two cd release shows.

On Friday at 6 p.m., he'll be at the Halsey Institute Of Contemporary Art with opening acts Michael Moore and Nate Merli (from the 2011 March Madness Battle of the Bands winners Hey Rocco!).

Saturday night, 8 p.m., Shirali will perform at Iacofano's in Mount Pleasant.

The CD will be available on itunes starting this Friday.

Speaking of Iacofano's, this Friday at 9 p.m., my friends and I (collectively known as Allnightkungfu) will be playing our first show there with the new line up that features: Andy Vitucci on lead guitar, Chris Baker on drums, Jerry Beale on bass and myself handling rhythm guitar as well as most of the singing.

This will be a no cover charge, no holds barred barrage of classic rock inspired audacity.

Our first set will be mostly cover tunes from our favorite artists over the years, but be sure to stick around for our second set which will contain entirely original songs that we are currently recording for our first CD.

Until next time, be nice to each other and support live music.

To get your establishment listed in the East Cooper Music Scene, email Stu Johnson at allknightjohnson@gmail.com .