Lake Orion resident Reggie Harrison said she has always wanted to release a CD of her own, and now she has one that will benefit the Orion Art Center as well.
Harrison’s ‘Fearless? CD is available for $15, and proceeds will benefit the art center on Anderson Street in downtown Lake Orion.
Harrison has been OAC’s executive director for the past four years.
A CD release party takes place May 6 at Tatum Studios, located on Broadway in downtown Lake Orion in the former Art of Living location, at 8 p.m.
Harrison, who has in the past performed with the ensemble ‘Axis,? had never done a project of her own.
When she recently turned 40, she decided it was time.
‘Someone suggested last summer that I do it,? she said. ‘Musical projects are everywhere. Everyone has a different opinion.I thought about something that Tom Brokaw said, ‘It’s easy to make a buck, it’s a lot harder to make a difference.??
Harrison said it’s been a challenge raising funds for the art center, and she hopes the CD will help raise money for the Joan Brace Scholarship fund, which is currently awarded to art students.
‘It was good for me,? she said of the creation of ‘Fearless.?
‘Someday we would like to open up the scholarship to all of the arts, music and theater.
‘As the art center is growing, we’re doing those types of things also.?
Axis member Phyllis Bengry collaborated with Harrison for ‘Fearless,? as did Oakview Middle School teacher Carl Zoolkoski.
Zoolkoski made a CD called ‘The Comet,? which helped raise funds for the Steven Crowder Memorial Fund.
Crowder was a Scripps Middle School student who was killed in a bicycle/car accident several years ago on Heights Road.
‘I saw what he was able to do,? Harrison said of Zoolkoski. ‘And it’s nice to play with different people. I’ve been writing songs probably my whole adult life.?
Harrison said she chose ‘Fearless,? which is also a song on the CD, as the title because it was the first song she can remember writing.
‘It’s probably the best message to someone struggling…We’re in some pretty uncertain times right now,? she said.
Harrison said ‘Lighthouse? is the only love song on the 10-song CD.
‘One is about a developer and one is about my dad, who passed away 20 years ago,? she said.
‘Some of them are about my kids, and friends going through hard times.?
OAC artist Char Follis provided the cover photograph and portrait photography for the CD.
Harrison knew she had found the right photo for the CD cover because Follis called it ‘Fear Not.?
‘I felt funny about putting my face on the cover,? Harrison said.
‘I also liked the fact that all of the photos were done locally.?
According to Harrison, the CD is a mixture of ‘folk, jazz and soft rock,? and doesn’t really fit into any one genre.
‘We’ve gotten positive response so far,? she said.
‘We gave them out as gifts at the Snowflake Ball.
‘With state funding getting cut, we have to find other creative ways to generate funds. The board approved the CD, and we’ll be performing the songs at different places around the area.?
Upcoming performances include, besides the CD release party , a performance at the Chatauqua Series in the Gazebo at Children’s Park on July 20.
There will also be a Music on the Porch at the Orion Art Center performance on Aug. 22.
Some performances in Oxford are being planned as well.
Harrison and Bengry will perform May 20 at the Mystery Tour and Wine Tasting, beginning at 7 p.m. at Poppyseed Deli in Lake Orion.
The CD release party May 6 is $10 and includes hors ‘d oeuvres and beverages.
‘Fearless? will be available for sale, and can also be purchased at the art center.
For more information call 693-4986.