By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
It began as a covert effort to shame a co-worker’s relentless singing of Christmas carols in the office, starting well before Thanksgiving and into the new year.
It became a celebration of spirited singing – regardless of the skill – while helping local children whose holidays aren’t bright.
And this holiday season, “back by popular demand,” the gang is making a comeback tour with more songs to raise more money for helping more families.
The first “Brian Sings Christmas” recordings in 2023 featured Brian Boos on vocals and Chas McDonald on keyboard and production. Boos and McDonald are both assistant prosecuting attorneys with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office.
This year some “celebrity” singers and musicians have lent their voices and instruments to make “Brian Sings Christmas Part Two: Duets.”
Special guests this year include Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson singing “What Child is This,” Chief of the Civil Division Jim Hoppenjans on electric bass, Ashley Lindsley a paralegal at the law firm of Eastman & Smith singing “It’s Christmastime,” and Caleb Chalfin from the adult probation department on guitar.
Boos is accompanied by groups on two of the songs. The “children’s choir” lent their angelic voices to one carol. “They are my children and nephew, so they really didn’t have a choice,” McDonald confessed.
And reminiscent of a slightly smaller “We Are the World,” a community choir brought together voices in the county courthouse atrium to sing “Joy to the World.”
That choir included a couple highway patrol troopers, a handful of community members, and several county employees from the board of elections, prosecutor’s office, Job and Family Services – and anyone unlucky enough to walk by during the rehearsal who was shamed into participating.
By the time rehearsal began there were 35 vocalists with varying degrees of talent, plus Norie the courthouse dog, who politely refrained from howling during the taping.
The original “Brian Sings Christmas” recording in 2023 raised approximately $2,100 – enough to provide for four local families over the holidays. “The response was overwhelming,” McDonald said.
McDonald and Boos are hoping that with a series of duets – possibly drowning out Boos’ voice – that they will be able to double the families on their Christmas list.
Though a big sap for Christmas carols, Boos for years declined the opportunity to make a recording until McDonald suggested they use the music to raise money for local kids in need.
“I couldn’t get Brian to sing until I added the charity component,” McDonald said.
In that first year, the pair recorded five Christmas carols using McDonald’s home studio equipment.
While Boos was a novice, McDonald is a trained keyboard musician, starting piano lessons in first grade. But what Boos lacked in experience, he made up for in exuberance.
Boos confided, “If you ignore the singing, the music is actually good.”
Not being overly sensitive, Boos is well aware of his vocal limitations. To be honest, he welcomed sharing the spotlight this year.
“Every headliner has an opening act,” Boos said with a smile.
Besides, as someone who is “organically talented,” he believes “you’ve got to keep them wanting more.”
Ashley Lindsley acknowledged it could be a little intimidating to share the metaphorical stage with a talent like Boos.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in something like this,” she said. “He’s a great big beam of light I have to stand next to.”
“No one outshines Brian,” McDonald said with a grin.
But Lindsley’s bonafide talent definitely adds to the Christmas recording this year.
“She’s got some pipes,” McDonald said. “It was good to have some discernable talent.”
Dobson lent his voice to the community choir and a solo.
“It was a little bit outside my normal wheelhouse,” he said. “But the thing is, I love to sing. I’m not sure people love hearing me.”
Hoppenjans dusted off his electric guitar to add back up. “I don’t get it out that often. It was fun to test the chops.”
“I got conned into it,” he said, acknowledging that he should have been more scam savvy since he previously worked in the criminal division of the prosecutor’s office.
And Chalfin, who has written and recorded music, was thrilled to add in his guitar. “There’s a lot of talent floating around,” he said.
If poking fun at Boos’ “vocal stylings” raises money for kids at Christmas, he’s fine with that.
“We chuckle at his expense, but we keep the big picture in focus,” McDonald said.
Like last time, 100% of the proceeds will go toward buying presents and essentials for local families recommended by Wood County Job and Family Services.
“Every single penny goes to a family in need,” McDonald said.
Boos and McDonald do the shopping, working off lists submitted by families. The last time, the lists included items like snow boots, toys and educational materials for kids.
“Things that kids need just to be a kid,” McDonald said. “It’s a direct link to Christmas morning.”
For the adults in the family, past requests have included toiletries, work boots, Carhartt coats, and items for the kitchen like an airfryer.
Once all the purchases are made, staff in the prosecutor’s office volunteer to wrap over lunch. “We have our Christmas elves here wrap,” with the paper being donated.
Eastman-Smith not only loaned out Lindsley for the program, but is also doing a charitable food drive to help out.
“Times are tough for families and for people wanting to make donations,” McDonald said.
Donations can be made through Venmo (@briansingschristmas) or with cash or check in the prosecutor’s office, prior to Dec. 1 if possible. Donors will be emailed a link to the music once funds are received.
