IN THE SPOTLIGHT

day while the preteen band was practicing the Guns N’ Roses song “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” He then joined in with young guitarist Brandon Niederauer, who seemed delighted.

Singer Bobbi MacKenzie didn’t notice the musician until after the song, covering her mouth in surprise. After shaking hands with the kids, Slash joined them on “Paradise City.”

The musical stays close to the plot of the Jack Black-led 2003 film, in which a wannabe rocker enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

Slash is touring with Guns N’ Roses.

Earls of Leicester lead bluegrass award nominations

NASHVILLE, TENN. » The Earls of Leicester are nominated for eight awards individually and as a group, including entertainers of the year, at this year’s International Bluegrass Music Awards.

The Grammy-winning musical group is the reigning entertainer of the year and leads the nominations announced Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee. The Del McCoury Band follows with six nominations for individual members and as a group and Flatt Lonesome has five nominations. Becky Buller, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull and Frank Solivan have three nominations each.

Other entertainer of the year nominees include the Del McCroury Band, Flatt Lonesome, Balsam Range and the Gibson Brothers.

The awards show will be held on Sept. 29 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

From left, Jerry Douglas, Shawn Camp, John Warren and Charlie Cushman, of The Earls Of Leicester, in Los Angeles.