Close This Window

The Searsons' CD send-off in Wilno
 By Steve Newman - Staff Reporter

You could call the Searsons' CD release celebration a house party for the House Party.

The Friday evening event takes place at the Wilno Tavern where The Searsons will release their second compact disc House Party.

"I love that all the songs are ours. It took a lot of work... and I like the improvement," says Erin Searson, comparing the CD the the band's first one released in the 1990's.
At the recent Ottawa Valley Music Association awards in Barry's Bay, the Searsons were one of the liveliest and best-received of the bands playing.
"I just think the main thing is that we all love to play music. We like to express it and jump around and it's moer exciting for teh audience," says Miss Searson, 23.

She plays piano for a group completed by her father Mike, 46, on bass as well as her sister Colleen, 18 on fiddle, sister Heather Searson, 21, on bass, and Jamie Gardner, 20, of Pembroke, on fiddle.

The release party is actually the first of two for The Searsons, who have another event on May 25 at G'Days in Pembroke.

Of Fridays' 9 p.m. gathering in Wilno, Mike Searson says, "We want to play all the music and just have a good time and meet old friend and new friends."
Among the 11 new songs will be 186 Alice Street, Give'R and Friday Night - three of Mr. Searson's favourite songs on House Party. The 186 Alice Street song referes to the address of his parents who still live at that address in Eganville, not far from Mike Searson's home in the hamlet of Hyndford.
186 Alice St. was home to many parties at which music was often the focal point.

years later, the Searsons have developed their on style of muic taht incorporates aspects of Ottawa Valley, Celtic, country, Scottish and, to a lesser extent, folk music.

During the summer, The Searsons travel extensively performing an average of four or five times a week. Last summer they also started putting House Party together.

"When we did the first CD, Jamie wasn't in the group and we were a lot younger," Erin says, looking back.

Naturally, House Party reflects a growth in their music, she says. "Everyone has matured, along with our voices and the level of musicianship," she adds. "Everyone is working a lot harder as a group to become better musicians and we're very dedicated to what we are doing."
The Wilno Tavern gets underway about 9 p.m., If you can't make it, check out www.searson.org on the Internet

Close This Window