Our founders and history
The house was founded by Al Sears and has grown to include all forms of artists. This house is the only one that has a dedicated House song- “Castle Rock” which was written and performed with Big Al Sears playing the saxophone. It was a big hit in 1951. Al was a veteran and a record producer, too. He made sure artists were paid for the songs they wrote and performed.
Take the history challenge
Challenge 1
Albert Omega Sears was born in Macomb, Illinois, in 1910. He lives at 712 East Adams. The birth certificate indicates that he was born at home. In 1910 was it common to be born at home?
Answer: In 1909, Mary Johnston, a local nurse, opened the Lying-in Hospital on East Jackson Street. Prior to this time, the norm was that women of the county had their children at home, and medical assistance came to them. Women now had an alternative place where they could go to have their babies and receive obstetrical care. The concept was something new. At St. Francis Hospital, it was not until 1919 that there were more than 20 births in a year recorded, and not until 1930 that 100 babies were born during the year.
Challenge 2
Al Sears’s record Castle Rock was a hit in 1951. While you might think this record was a “rock and roll” song because it has the word, “rock” in the title. Rock and roll music was not really invented yet. This record was called Rhythm and Blues or R & B. Al Sears could play both the Jazz and the newly developing R & B styles. Can you name some other types of music styles?
Answer: Country, Classical, Rock and Roll, Gospel, Rap, Electronica, Folk, and Bluegrass are just a few.
Challenge 3
Al Sears led a band on USO tours in 1942 and ’43. USO stands for “United Service Organization” and they work to lift the morale of our military. They bring musicians, like Al Sears, to entertain the troops. What war would Al Sears’ tour have been a part of?
Answer: WWII
