Eve Selis concert launches her ‘Family Tree’ album

By Kathy Day

kday@lajollalight.com

San Diego recording artist Eve Selis rocked the house at MCASD’s Sherwood Auditorium on Nov. 11, for the debut of her CD “Family Tree.” The sell-out crowd was treated to a first set of all 15 songs from the album and a second set with Sara Petite and Berkle Hart joining the fun. The first part of the show also featured Selis’s daughter, Sara De La Isla, singing backup on the second song “Any Day,” her first live performance with her mom.

Among the family and friends in the audience was Jessica Smith, a friend of Selis’s who is in remission from leukemia. Selis is dedicating part of the proceeds to Cancer Research UK, an organization she became involved with when she performed at Abbey Road Studios in London with Tom Jones earlier this year.

Selis also paid tribute to producer Steve Churchyard and executive producers John and Patty Conkle. The recording of the CD was financed entirely by fans of the Eve Selis band via the crowdfunding web sites Kickstarter and PledgeMusic.

A video appeal on both sites asking everyone to be a part of her “record label” brought in donations from $10 to $10,000. This allowed Selis to not only record at Big Fish studio with Grammy Award-winning producer Steve Churchyard, but to hire Albert Lee, described by Eric Clapton as “...the greatest guitarist in the world.” She also brought in acclaimed sidemen, Dennis Caplinger on fiddle, mandolin, dobro and banjo, and Rick Schmidt on pedal steel guitar.

www.eveselis.com.