By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Brian Boos is no Burl Ives or Bing Crosby. But give him a Santa hat and a makeshift music studio, and Boos sounds, well, almost in tune.
Chas McDonald and Boos, both assistant prosecuting attorneys with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office, hatched the idea about recording Christmas music about six years ago.
Though a big sap for Christmas carols, Boos declined the opportunity until this year, when McDonald suggested they use the recording to raise money for local kids in need.
“I couldn’t get Brian to sing until I added the charity component,” McDonald said.
The result was a recording called “Brian Sings Christmas.”
Boos’ singing is reportedly well known in the prosecutor’s office – especially around the holidays.
“Brian loves Christmas carols. I’ve heard him singing,” McDonald said.
Boos admitted that he starts playing holiday tunes before the acceptable post-Thanksgiving season.
“My co-workers may think it’s too soon,” he said.
The pair recorded five Christmas carols using McDonald’s home studio equipment. The songs were chosen to “show off the pipes,” Boos said.
Boos belts out Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells, and O Holy Night – an ambitious choice for even trained vocalists.
While Boos was a novice, McDonald is a trained keyboard musician, starting piano lessons in first grade. But what Boos lacked in experience, he maked up for in exuberance.
“Generally, Brian is a one-take wonder,” McDonald said. However, the harmonizing parts in Carol of the Bells, did take multiple takes.
“Chas had to duck behind the screen so I couldn’t see him laughing,” Boos said. “We knew where it was going then.”
The pair didn’t have high expectations for “Brian Sings Christmas.” They hoped to raise about $100 in their office for kids served by Wood County Job and Family Services.
“I thought maybe my mom would listen,” Boos confided.
“If you ignore the singing, the music is actually good. This was my best effort,” Boos said, assuring that he gave it his best shot.
“It was done earnestly,” McDonald echoed. “Though we’ve had some people who think otherwise.”
One attorney jokingly gave the recording a harsh review. “He said it caused his paralegal to quit,” Boos said.
But motivated by the desire to help children celebrate the holidays, local attorneys, judges and law enforcement had donated $1,410 as of last week for the privilege of listening to “Brian Sings Christmas” by contributing $5 or more on Venmo.
The donations grew so rapidly, that the money is now being stored in the evidence room, McDonald said.
“We were really taken aback by the generosity,” Boos said. “The Christmas spirit moved people. We’re really happy to help Wood County families.”
Given its popularity, McDonald and Boos decided to open the recording up to the public for a very limited time at this link: https://on.soundcloud.com/UAhdY. Those who want to listen to Boos’ seasonal serenade and help raise money for Christmas gifts for youngsters served by Wood County Children’s Services may donate via the Venmo account at https://venmo.com/u/Chas-Mcdonald.
The cut-off date for donations is Dec. 4. McDonald and Boos plan to shop for the families themselves, then hold a wrapping party in the office.
Meanwhile, Boos has no illusions about becoming a musical sensation.
“Brian’s not singing Easter,” McDonald said.
“Unless someone notices me and I’m on tour,” Boos said.
