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Thursday, A pril 2, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 29 ENTERTAINMENT A couple of 12-year olds from Georgetown, Ethen Edwards and Blaine Abel, have recorded a four- song CD called "Tonight, The Ford Fairlanes" to help raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy. The red-headed Ethen, whose singing style is said to be reminis- cent of old-time American record- ings, is a Grade 6 student at Silver Creek Public School in George- town South who is also fighting his own stoic but deteriorating battle with Muscular Dystrophy.  Last November, Ethen men- tioned to Silver Creek educational assistant Bart Manierka how Mus- cular Dystrophy once benefited from a great deal of public atten- tion. Unfortunately, he said, that support is now often going to- wards cancer research and au- tism instead. While acknowledg- ing those are both very important causes, Ethen couldn't hide a heartfelt wish for a little help with his own burden, Muscu- lar Dystrophy. In that mo- ment, the idea to record a CD took root. Ethen and guitarist Blaine Abel first came to- gether in the fall of 2014 under rather unlikely circumstances. Manier- ka had recently started teaching Blaine the acous- tic guitar and after a few lessons, Blaine's natural ability caught Ethen's at- tention. Hearing the faint strumming of chords com- ing from behind a closed door, he politely knocked before asking what was going on. Upon hearing that Blaine was learning to play the guitar, Ethen instantly replied, "I can sing." It was a sincere self- appraisal, without boast- ing or attempting to draw attention to himself. Ethen was immediately invited to join the session and The Ford Fairlanes were born. The two young mu- sicians were absolutely determined to learn the songs Manierka intro- duced. Twice a day dur- ing school recess, they devoted themselves to memorizing song lyrics and guitar chords. Blaine began taking the guitar home every night to prac- tise, while Ethen kept pages of lyrics on his bedside table. Before long, they began to im- press one another. The Ford Fair- lanes cover tunes including Blue Christmas, I'll be Home for Christ- mas, Mad World and Evil Ways. On the strength of Blue Christmas alone, Ethen's plaintive vocals against Blaine's steady hand on the guitar, make this recording a small miracle. The Tears for Fears song, Mad World is another mel- ancholy number performed. The Ford Fairlanes have pressed 300 copies of their de- but album. The CD is priced at $10 with proceeds going towards Muscular Dystrophy. The boys are thrilled with the beautiful sounds they have created together and for the support they hope this CD will bring to Ethen's important cause. For information on how to ob- tain a copy of Tonight, The Ford Fairlanes, send an e-mail to Bart Manierka at manierkab@hdsb.ca Local duo create CD to raise Muscular Dystrophy funds Guitarist Blaine Abel and singer Ethen Edwards formed The Ford Fairlaines to raise cash for Muscular Dystrophy-- a disease that Ethen is battling.