Glen Burtnik's 5th Annual Xmas Xtravaganza
December 22, 1995 - The Bottom Line, NYC - Two Shows
Tickets $15
This was the first year we played ONLY in New York City. Alan Pepper came up with some ideas I liked a lot and continue to employ, including inviting the audience to contribute new toys, warm clothes and canned food as they enter the club (on a volunteer basis). At the end of each night I’ve taken these items and distributed them to those in need: the toys and clothes to the Ozanam Catholic Charities Women & Children’s Shelter in Piscataway, NJ and the canned foods to Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen in New Brunswick, NJ. A tip of the hat should be made at this point to the sweet Ms. Jill Davis, who not only was Alan Pepper’s able-bodied assistant for a number of years, but also supplied homemade cookies for us. Also, a word of gratitude is due to the Bottom Line’s stage manager of a number of years, Jim Croce – a great guy and always a pleasure to see.
ENTER ELENA
I showed up with crayon red hair, freshly bleached then dyed bright red. This was the first year of many when I’d endure this long, scalp scorching process for the show. I deserve a medal (for stupidity in the name of showbiz). Ever helpful sis-in-law Elena Mattey is responsible for my colorization. Incidentally, something surreal takes place in the week or two following: the red fades to a cotton candy pink and I notice how I make small children smile and point. Call me Clowney.
The band this year included pretty much the usual suspects: Tony Shanahan on bass, Mark Sacco and Pat Petrillo on drums, Dusty Micale on keyboards, Plinky on Hammond B3 organ, Mindy Jostyn, Jimmy Leahey and Mark Muller on guitars, Joey Stann, Ed Manion, and Dave Anthony on percussion. After rehearsal on Sunday night, Dec 17th, I recall a few of us stopping by Vin Scelsa’s IDIOT’S DELIGHT radio program (probably the last we did at WXRK “K-ROCK”). I believe Tony Shanahan sang E’s EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE COOL THIS CHRISTMAS. I sang my JESUS WAS A REBEL, THE DAY YOUR SHIP GETS THRU and John & Yoko’s HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) accompanied by Tony and one background singer - Dee.
ENTER DEE MCGOWAN
We met long ago. I think we mighta both been in cover bands at the time. She’s one upbeat spirit to have around, a very good singer (she’s on my PALOOKAVILLE CD) and just a lovely girl. Dee also plays mandolin, as she did at this show as well as sang with the other two background voices.
ENTER BRITT SAVAGE
Another great singer, a beauty and a dear friend. I’ve worked with Britt every so often since the ‘80’s. She’s a killer and a pro that now sings backup for Reba Macintyre. The background singers this year were wonderful and solid, between Dee, Britt and returning “Rock of Gibraltar” Nancy Sebastian.
The band this year consisted of Tony Shanahan on bass, Mindy Jostyn on violin & harmonica, Bernie Brausewetter, Jimmy Leahey and myself on guitars. Now, I’m not certain, but I believe that Plinky played a Hammond B3 organ, Donna Dior might’ve played keyboards and a combination containing any of the following drummers: Pat Petrillo, Mark Sacco, Jerome Tyus and Arthur Scammacca. Being that it was an all NYC show it got a little easier to entice a few higher profile artists to appear. In addition to some of our usual prominents, this year’s list of performers included a few larger than lifers.
10 year old Darla Rose Burtnick opened the show by singing THE FIRST NOEL accompanied only by her proud dad on guitar, after which I sang my JESUS WAS A REBEL segueing into the instrumental CAROL OF THE BELLS. Next came the Whirling Dervishes/Everlounge doing their classic GRINCH.
ENTER FREEDY JOHNSTON
Freedy Johnston is a highly regarded singer/songwriter responsible for a number of critically praised solo albums (my personal fave is THIS PERFECT WORLD). It was an honor to have Freedy join us in singing HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS accompanied by guitarist Mark Spencer.
Next, Bernie “BB” Brausewetter fronted BOOGIE SANTA before Mindy Jostyn did her LOOKING 4 JESUS AGAIN tune. Then one of my all time favorite singers, John Waite returned to perform his ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU.
ENTER LARRY KIRWAN
Larry Kirwan, talented author, singer/songwriter and leader of the NYC Celtic rock band Black47 sang a moving song written by Ewen Macoll, JESUS, THE WORKING MAN, completely solo and a cappella. Next, I sang the drum-oriented arrangement of LITTLE DRUMMER BOY.
ENTER JEFFREY GAINES
While recruiting talent for the ‘95 show, I called Karel Hannak (Ron Weisner’s assistant in Los Angeles) to ask for her suggestions. She came up with Jeffrey Gaines, who has had a number of nationally released recordings (but might best be known for his live solo acoustic guitar recording of Peter Gabriel’s IN YOUR EYES). Once Jeffrey agreed to do the show, he became very hard to pin down. We kept trying to get him to pick a song and maybe rehearse with the band or give us an arrangement. At the very last minute, he walked in the door of the Bottom Line as the opening song began and talked through an arrangement of SILENT NIGHT with Dusty, Shanahan, Pat Petrillo & Plinky. When it came time for Jeffery’s song, he walked on and sang it for the first time. I was simultaneously relieved, perplexed and thrilled.
Willie Nile performed next with OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL and CHRISTMAS THING. This year’s annual visit from Santa (Chuck Buck) was replaced with that of a drunken, pill popping Elvis Claus, complete with typically irreverent Chuck Buck humor. Tony Shanahan, still in pajama bottoms after having spent the preceding few days in bed with the flu, didn’t feel up to singing BLUE CHRISTMAS at the 7pm show. So Chuck as Elvis Claus sang it for the early go ‘round and Tony, the trooper, pulled it together to do it for the late show.
ENTER CHRISTINE OHLMAN
Jeannie suggested Christine, who I knew was involved with the Saturday Night Live Band as lead singer. She comes with high credentials. I was all for Christine doing the show, but once she took the stage and performed with us for the first time I finally truly GOT IT. She’s a great and soulful singer. By the way, not only is Ms. Ohlman the real thing musically speaking, she comes with personality galore. Here’s a great thing: every year Christine shows up at rehearsal wearing a charming vintage Santa jacket. This is what’s left of her Grandfather’s Santa costume, which he wore when she was a little girl. She tells the story of how he’d pop out from a darkened upstairs bedroom unexpectedly, disguised wearing the complete get up WITH A HIDEOUS HOMEMADE MASK which frightened little Christine and her brother. She talks about it to this day with a slight trauma in the telling. Along with her, she brought Huey “Piano” Smith’s kooky ROCK N ROLL SANTA to the show, which has become a positive staple every year since her first appearance. There’s a twisted kinda geography in the songs lyric.
ENTER JULES SHEAR
I have always liked Jules’ songwriting since Jules And The Polar Bears. Most know him for his hits by such acts as Cyndi Lauper and the Bangles but he’s also had a wonderful batch of solo albums and a group named The Wreckless Sleepers. I was pretty charged up when Jeannie informed me that he’d be participating in the Xtravaganza. Shear decided to sing CHRISTMAS IN JAIL, this first year backed by the full band.
Marshall Crenshaw sang the Commander Cody oddity DADDY’S DRINKING UP OUR CHRISTMAS, and the Orioles’ IT’S GONNA BE A LONELY CHRISTMAS. As usual, Marshall educated. He stayed on stage to join us in the multi-guitar rendition of the Ventures’ SLEIGHRIDE. Next, Richard Barone returned to once again sing Darlene Love’s CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME), followed by James Mastro doing JESUS CHRIST and Lenny Kaye with I WISH IT COULD BE XMAS EVERYDAY.
I’m fairly sure our visit from Tommy Conwell this year included RUN RUDOLPH RUN and his CHRISTMAS IS HERE, but at this moment I’m typing, I cannot be certain. Wrapping up yet another successful and rewarding Xtravaganza, I sang MUST BE SANTA before Jigs mimed to 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS backed by the choir, ending the show again with HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over).
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