“It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
Each year, Carl and I look forward to, and dread this time of the year, both at the very same time. It is in the back of our minds, always, I believe; as an unspoken specter, looming over our shoulders, waiting in the shadows to pop out and exclaim, “Well, what do you have new for us this year?”
And so it goes for the Bob and Carl Holiday Extravaganza tour. Each year, our goal is to bring something special to the kids that are the reason for our season.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the opportunity we have of bringing music to kids at Christmas. Nothing that we ever do is more important, or more rewarding.
Our only problem is that next year will be our twentieth year doing the show, and it gets pretty difficult to find new ways to celebrate a two-thousand year old holiday.
All the credit, and when I say that, I truly mean, ALL the credit goes to Carl and his wife, Kim. They seem to outdo themselves each year at this time with new props, gags and show elements that keep the kids, enthralled, elated, riveted and thoroughly amazed.
Kim, being a former teacher possesses tremendous incite into the intricate workings of young minds at this time of year. A time when it becomes continually difficult to get students to focus on anything outside of the North Pole.
Although the new elements are not technically the the meat of the show, they allow us to put a new twists on familiar music that at times may be shall I say, a little old and tired . . .
And, that ain’t easy!
While the music always has been and hopefully always will be the star of the show, it is continually on our minds to add new elements, surprises and themes. After all, each one of us knows that every year, there is usually some new toy, or buzz or gimmick that is being marketed to our unsuspecting youth.
So while we might be sitting quietly between sets, poolside or at summer picnic, the “Holiday Extravaganza” wheels are always turning.
To say that it is truly worth it, is an giant understatement. Nothing we do is more rewarding. Nothing.
As I work in a school, I can tell you there is not a day that goes by, when a student doesn’t stop me and say something kind about the show.
That is a wonderful feeling.
While we get lots of compliments on our singing and musicianship throughout the year, at gigs and shows; the very best is when we see those faces lit up with the reflection of Christmas joy, once the music begins.
This year was really no different that most. We did visit a new school in another district, thanks in part to a our longtime friend and incomparable educator, Jennifer. Its always good to get the very first show under our belts. To “open out of town”, so to speak.
Carl and I usually feel that the first show of the year seems a bit clunky. We feel that way, however, we have learned that no one else perceives it as such. Its primarily that we don’t have the timing down pat. What song is next, or what gag goes where. How the kids will react. Things like that.
So, we do the first show, and hope for the best. By the end of the week, everything is polished and running at maximum speed. Nearly effortlessly at that point. Nearly effortlessly, if we weren’t so exhausted, by then.
Try doing eight or nine shows in one week.
After our first show in garden City, it was time to bring it home to the unsuspecting kids of Fraser Schools. We played sometimes three shows a day, for the remainder of the week, in what most people would consider a whirlwind of Frosty-nosed rain deer and Ho, Ho Hoes!
By all accounts, this years’ show was the best of the best, with acclaim being showered on us by kids of all ages.
For Carl and I, there is nothing more rewarding that playing for delighted kids and adults. everyone happy, everyone smiling and singing.
Its one thing to hear a teacher or PTO president, principal or parent tell you how they look forward to our show all year round; but when a little girl or boy stops us, and looks up with a smile as bright as the star on the tree, to tell us our show is the best show of year, it means more than anything that I have ever been able to convey in writing.
Kinda like a snowman, who comes to life. Trouble is . . . now, there is only 364 days until next year!
Rb
Andy Williams
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of the
Christmases long, long ago
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There’ll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling…
