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Run to the River 3:280:00/3:28
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Dance 3:240:00/3:24
I come from a long line of professional musicians! My father was a working musician and on my mother's side (the Seamans side) I would be the 5th generation!
My Great Great Grandpa John Seamans and his Brother Ed Seamans
Son of Silas Seamans
John Seamans began playing bass violin (contrabass/double bass) at age 14. He took music very seriously, sometimes practicing 10 hours a day. He became a prolific sight reader and an accomplished player. He started playing with the B. A. Rose Orchestra throughout the Midwest. While attending a show by Thomas Q. Seabrook, a celebrated producer of musical comedies, John wandered on stage, saw a double bass, and played a few bars, Thomas hired him on the spot, and he spent years trooping with the Seabrook Opera Company.
Later John would take up brass instruments and join the National Guard 7th Regiment Band as a Bariton Horn player. He served in the Spanish American war before falling ill and returning to Minnesota.
Throughout all of that, John somehow found time to also become a tenor vocalist of some reputation. First singing with the Andrews Opera Company and then in 1893 joining the Ideal Opera Company and set out on a tour to the east coast. As they returned to the Midwest (after a long stint in Salt Lake City) preparing to perform in Nebraska, John got excited to see the Andrews Opera Company coming through town, to which his brother Ed was the tenor vocalist. Although, upon arrival he found that Ed (who was well known in most US cities for his roles in Operas) had left to run his own Opera Company, the Merrie Belle Opera Company. George Andrews had greeted John and offered him the Tenor role his brother had left. John would stay with Ideal (he didn’t want to leave them on short notice) and would continue to sing with them until the late 1890’s when Vaudeville Started taking over as the popular form of entertainment. He later settled back in Excelsior with his wife Sarah and continued to raise his family. He passed (on my birthdate) Feb 8th, 1940, and was remembered as a Loving family man and lover of music!
My great grandma and grandpa pearl and ade seamans
ade is the son of John
Ade Seamans started his professional music career singing and playing guitar with his brothers, Phil, and John Seamans. The Seaman's Brothers entertained and performed around the Hennepin County area for a number of years.
In 1919 Ade met Pearl Husted while picking Raspberries and later that year they got married. The couple settled down in Excelsior to raise a family. As the radio became more popular and accessible, Ade became fascinated with it and the music coming out of it. In 1931 Phil and Ade would land a radio show on WDGY. After a little more than a year Phil took a job that would no longer allow him to perform on the radio (Fireman) and Ade was left without a partner.
After his short radio career with Phil, Pearl and Ade decided to enter a talent contest for WCCO and ended up winning the $25 1st prize. WDGY and the Town Market Furniture Company wasted no time and signed them to a contract. Pearl and Ade continued with WDGY Radio for quite a while (12 years), becoming one of the more popular morning shows in the area, earning them quite a bit of regional success and they were said to have a 5000-song repertoire! After that they did a short stint as "Hank and Martha" on WTCN radio before changing to their given names "Pearl and Ade" when signed by KSTP.
Pearl and Ade moved to KSTP radio and TV station in 1945 and continued to grow their fan base throughout the upper Midwest. The move to KSTP would allow the couple's sons (Bill and John Seamans) to join them on the radio when possible and it also landed them a spot on the KSTP Sunset Valley Barn Dance, a popular TV show of the time focusing on Hillbilly music (now known as “Country Music”). The show ran until 1960 when, much like Vaudeville singled the end for Opera, Rock N Roll put an end to all the Hillbilly programs, (except the Grand Ole Opry, the only one that made it through), and the Barn Dance was no Different. Pearl and Ade retired in 1955 and Ade would continue to play and sing in church until his death in 1965.
Pearl, while looking back in a later interview admitted Ade loved the music life, but it was a grind for her, being away from home sometimes Thursday-Sunday and up at 4:30 for a 6:30 radio call time took its toll. In retirement she remained an avid music lover, she really enjoyed Johnny Cash and Eddy Arnold, and took great pride in her 3 sons, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren until she passed in 1977.
My grandpa Bill Seamans and his Brother John seamans
Both sons of ade
Bill, was a celebrated singer and guitarist whose life was deeply rooted in music. Raised in a household where music was a constant presence, Bill was profoundly influenced by his parents, Pearle and Ade Seamans, who enjoyed successful careers spanning decades in radio and live entertainment. Their musical legacy provided Bill and his brother, John, with a rich foundation that would shape their own careers.
Bill often reflected on his childhood memories of sneaking with his brother into the cabins where Hawaiian performers stayed while playing at the Excelsior Amusement Park. There, by firelight, they would hear the enchanting rhythms and melodies of Hawaiian music. The sounds left a lasting impression on the brothers, sparking a lifelong love for the genre. For John, this early exposure to Hawaiian music would have a lasting influence on his musicianship, particularly his mastery of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar. While some accounts suggest that John turned to the lap steel after contracting polio as a child, which limited his ability to play other instruments, his connection to Hawaiian music remained central to his artistry.
Under the guidance of their parents, Bill and John honed their musical skills, regularly performing together on KSTP radio and television, furthering the family’s legacy in the public eye. In time, the brothers formed the Seamans’ Orchestra, a band that performed for over 40 years throughout Minnesota. Their unique blend of musical genres—including country, jazz, swing, folk, and the Hawaiian-inspired lap steel guitar—captivated audiences and earned the brothers a cherished place in the hearts of listeners across the region.
Throughout his life, Bill Seamans balanced his musical career with a deep love for his family. He cherished his wife, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, passing down not only his musical talents but also the values of creativity, dedication, and connection. Bill’s life and career reflect a multigenerational passion for music, leaving an indelible mark on Minnesota’s cultural history. His legacy continues to inspire future generations, ensuring the Seamans family's influence on the state’s musical heritage will be felt for years to come.
My Uncle Steve "Stymie" Seamans
Son of Bill
STeve (Stymie) was born and raised in Excelsior, Minnesota, and grew up immersed in music and creativity. As a member of the renowned Seamans family, Steve inherited a rich musical legacy. This deep familial connection to music shaped Steve’s passion for performance, songwriting, and the arts.
Even as a child, Steve displayed remarkable artistic talent, excelling in both music and visual arts. His ability to draw and paint complemented his musical endeavors, fueling his creativity as a songwriter and performer. This multifaceted artistic perspective became a defining feature of his career, setting him apart as a unique voice in the world of music.
Steve’s professional career took off when he co-founded the Daisy Dillman Band. The group gained widespread recognition in the 1970s and 1980s for its distinctive blend of country rock and rich harmonies. With a record deal and an ambitious touring schedule, the band earned a devoted following across the Midwest and beyond. Steve’s contributions as a songwriter and performer were pivotal to the band’s success, including multiple Minnesota Music Awards and being inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
Today, Steve "Stymie" Seamans continues to embody the Seamans family’s love of music and art. His work as a performer, songwriter, studio owner, and mentor is a living testament to the power of creativity and the importance of sharing it with others. His influence resonates through the many lives he has touched, both on and off the stage.
Jason Paulson
Stymie's nephew, Bill's Grandson, Ade's great-grandson and John's great great grandson
Jason Paulson, also aExcelsior Minnesota native, has cultivated a rich and multifaceted career that seamlessly weaves together his family’s legacy, personal artistry, and a commitment to community impact. Though he does not share the Seamans surname, Jason proudly carries forward their musical heritage while forging his own distinct path through performance, songwriting, and mentorship.
Jason’s musical journey was deeply influenced by his upbringing. His father, a professional musician, gave him his first taste of life as a working artist by employing him in his band at the age of 15. This early exposure to performing sparked Jason’s passion for music and laid the foundation for his career. He was also inspired by the Seamans family’s storied contributions to music. His grandfather was one of his biggest inspirations, the way he balanced creativity and family! His uncle, Steve "Stymie" Seamans, played a pivotal role as a mentor, offering Jason guitar lessons and studio time at *Stymie Studios*. These formative experiences helped Jason shape his artistic voice and establish a strong foundation for his future work.
Jason went on to form the Jason Paulson Band, which has become known for its distinctive blend of country and Americana music. His heartfelt lyrics and authentic storytelling have resonated with audiences, leading to several successful albums, strong sales, and songs charting on regional and independent music charts. His achievements have earned him awards and recognition in the country and Americana genres, cementing his reputation as a respected artist in the industry.
Jason is also the founder and operator of *Daddy’s Studio*, a recording space where he writes, records, and produces music. The studio serves as a hub for creativity and a resource for mentoring emerging artists. Jason takes pride in guiding the next generation of musicians, sharing the lessons imparted to him by his grandfather, father, uncle, and the Seamans family legacy.
While his professional achievements are significant, Jason’s greatest pride lies in his family. He cherishes his role as a father and strives to balance his musical career with his devotion to his wife and children. Jason’s life is a testament to the enduring power of family, love, and music. Honoring his roots while forging new paths, Jason continues to shape the musical landscape of Minnesota and beyond, ensuring that the Seamans’ legacy thrives for generations to come.