Raymond Searson
The Fiddlers Irish Pub in Bonn has long been a favourite place for english speakers both visiting and resident to relax. It’s not just a cool pint of Murphy’s Irish Stout or a plate of Fish & Chips that brings people to Endenich though. It’s also the many events that take place all year round. From Karaoke to Pub Quizzes. Football to Poker. TV Sport to Comedy. The Irish also love a good sing song, so naturally music is also high on the agenda. 3SongsBonn asked Fiddlers owner Raymond Searson about the pub and his own thoughts on music and it’s part in his locations success.
Raymond, I remember you telling me of seeing a young Phil Lynott in the local Dublin Record shop. What other memories do you have of live music and musicians from your past?
RS: Getting to near retirement I have many memories of going to the local club to see Bob Geldof, Phil Lynott and the Animals play. I also remember the Beatles arrival in Dublin and as a promoter in Portarlington over a long period, the Ruane Family,The Fureys, Horslips, and most of the Irish Showbands. Boxer Jack Dempsey “Manassa Mauler” was the strangest. He was so drunk he could not sing. Meeting Marc Quinquandon, the world snail champion, in 1979 was certainly different too.
Greta Lansen at The Fiddlers
What role does Music play at ‘The Fiddlers’?
RS: Music in an Irish Pub is a Critical part of the Pub and the atmosphere. Economics have changed in that there was a time when every Irish Pub had music on every Friday and Saturday; speaking to Irish Musicians now they tell me that there are very few gigs in Germany and so we have tried to re-adjust. We have had a most successful Irish session every Wednesday for over 10 years and it continues to produce great musicians. We even have a children’s session four times a year. Thursday has one of Bonn top musicians Fraser Gartshore & his Band 1,& 3 rd Thursday every month at 21.00. Saturday the King of Karaoke Marco has his show, and on Sunday The Queen of Karaoke Dot Fagan
Would you like more Live Music?
RS: Yes we would like to have more music . The Pub is in the Kulturmeile and the perfect venue for small concerts. It’s available for any Musicians or Band to have a concert any time and we have 10 bands a year doing their own concert at the pub. Jazzin in Bonn organizes six Concerts a year and they are successful. the Fiddlers is equipped with its own amplification system, and it seats 100 persons. So any musicans that want to play have to do a little work to get a crowd.
Fiddlers at the Fiddlers
Are there any future plans/projects you can tell me about?
RS: Our next project is to have Bingo in the Conservatory every Tuesday Night from September and and a Thursday Night Karaoke in the Cellar from October. Our Cellar can take 60 and our Wintergarden can take 60 people so we have a multiple choice for any band or musican wanting to play at the Fiddlers.
The Fiddlers Irish Pub