Xmas 2002
Ya see, what happens is this: I work myself until I’m comatose each year. Well, I manage to get through the show, collapsing into the coma the day AFTER the gig(s). Then, a few days follow of people calling or writing me congratulations on another really fun show and then I basically would rather avoid the topic completely for as long as I can get away with.
Well, I somehow managed to not get around to writing up the 2002 Xtravaganza details for the website’s “History Of Xmas Past” until now, October 2004. (A greater procrastinator than I, you will never meet.) Of course, the problem here is that reminiscing about something requires a MEMORY – of which I seem to have less Ram than everyone else in the world. So I will now do my best to go over the details of my notes – which are all probably inaccurate!
In 2002 I moved the Xmas Xtravaganza to a new and different venue. Finally. There were many reasons for doing it. I had been thinking about it for years. But there were also almost as many reasons NOT to do it. I guess I got antsy and wanted to try the show somewhere other than the Bottom Line. Two years later – it was closed.
BB King Blues Night Club is on Times Square in the heart of mid-town Manhattan. It seats more people, so we can raise more for the charities. It has a large backstage – which really makes the show more civilized for such a large number of performers. And, instead of charging us for drinks, they actually fed us! The Bottom Line, as quaint and historic as it was, always had a well-known reputation as not being especially ‘Artist Friendly’.
I knew there was a risk in changing the venue. But I grew tired of feeling taken for granted. I believe this is a special show and deserves the best situation I can provide for the audience and performers involved. So I made the move and didn’t regret a minute. BB King’s welcomed us and we fit more people in to see our show. I wasn’t 100% sure the audience would follow us uptown, so, to be safe, I booked two shows in one night.
In order to promote the 2002 Xtravaganza, Kathy Wagner set up my interviews with Sal Tuzzeo of the BERGEN RECORD and Jody Serner (who has two music websites: www.411mania.com and www.rawfeedonline.com). I also spoke with Michelle Amibile and Chris Jordan, who wrote another great piece about the show in the Hone News Tribune.
A few of us made it up to Scott & Todd’s morning show on WPLJ. Patty Smyth, GE Smith, Tony Shanahan, Charlie Giordano, my son Beau and I did a live medley of “CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE AGAIN”, “THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY” and “RUN RUDOLPH RUN” before Patty Smyth led us with “WINTER WONDERLAND”.
We rehearsed at S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios in Manhattan on Wednesday December 4, and Thursday December 5.
The band this year included Dave Anthony, Steve Conte, Plink Giglio, Charlie Giordano, Jimmy Leahey, Graham Maby and Tony Shanahan.
The 8pm show probably began with The Burtnix singing “NAMES WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH”, which was my poor attempt at a humorous rewriting of a Christmas Carol. No one got it, and my kids were pissed at me for forcing them to sing 4-part harmony. The next tune was “SMELLS LIKE XMAS SPIRIT” another lyrical rewrite – this time turning Nirvana’s classic into a cheery holiday tune. Sometime after that (give or take a few songs) it was my great pleasure to bring on Billy J. Kramer who sang Elvis’ “BLUE CHRISTMAS”. Next was wonderful Everett Bradley singing his “X-MAS IS KICKING IN” followed by our favorite, Christine Ohlmann and “ROCK & ROLL SANTA”. Then came Carlton Brown and “MERRY XMAS BABY” followed by handsome Tony Shanahan singing “PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”, the ever energetic Willie Nile’s “O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL”, John S. Hall with “JESUS IS WAY COOL” and the Rebel Angels vocal group doing “LOST IN THE STARS” and “HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS”. Amazing guitarist Vicki Genfan performed “JOY TO THE WORLD”, Syd Straw sang her “XMAS TWIST”, Patty Smyth sang “WINTER WONDERLAND”, Marshall Crenshaw sang Roy Orbison’s “PRETTY PAPER”, Jigs performed the “12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS” with Grace and Molly,
The XX Orchestra (featuring Lorenza Ponce) performed the rocked up version of “JOY (Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desire)”, Christine Ohlmann and Joe Hurley sang “NYC FAIRY TALE”, Antonique Smith, as usual brought down the house with “O HOLY NIGHT”, Billy Squier appeared to sing his “CHRISTMAS IS TIME TO SAY I LOVE YOU” and the Patti Smith Band closed the show with “HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER)”.
The 10:30 Show went something like this…the Burtnix probably opened again followed by “SMELLS LIKE XMAS SPIRIT” before the Patti Smith Band performed “HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER)”. I believe Curtis Stigers came next (was he there that year?) then Patty Smyth then Billy J. Kramer then Antonique Smith then the great Everlounge followed by Billy Squier before Steve Conte sang “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR” (backed with most of the Rebel Angels) followed by The Rebel Angels then Carlton Brown, the great Joy Askew singing Joni Mitchell’s “RIVER”, then Christine Ohlmann, Syd Straw, Marshall Crenshaw and Willie Nile.
Next came my son Beau’s group, dibs, singing their arrangement of Leonard Cohen's “HALLELUJAH” followed by Spiraling’s arrangement of “DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?” followed by Bernie BB Brausewetter ripping through “BACK DOOR SANTA” followed by Vicki Genfan, then Tony Shanahan and our annual visit from Santa Claus (Chuck Buck) before the XX Orchestra, Jigs and finally Christine Ohlmann with Joe Hurley doing “NYC FAIRY TALE”.
The show was extremely successful in the new venue. We made a pile of doe for the charities and the room was packed. Looked like we had a found a new place to do the show the following year...
Special thanks for the XX02 go to PhotoBarb Svachak, Fiona, Plinky, Dave Anthony and Mark Zorn. Jeannie Stahlman once again helped with talent, as did Tony Shanahan. Kathy Wagner did an incredible job with Publicity and Promotion coordination as well as coordinating with the charities. Mark and Doreen Sullivan helped Publicity and Promotion photography. Jeff Hoffberger was audio engineer, and Dave Yackoboskie was the crew.
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