John Landry's Christmas wish

Thursday December 13, 2001

This year’s Christmas Wish show was held to benefit the Big Brother’s Association of Guelph and Wellington County and took place at the beautiful River Run Centre. As usual, a star studded lineup would be featured - this year guests would be Gil Grand, Rich Baker, Jake Leiske (of Farmer’s Daughter fame), Jay Riehl and of course, the host himself - Mr. John Landry. If anyone out there has attended this incredibly entertaining series you know what inevitably happens when you put all of these talented, fun loving, professional musicians on a stage together...hilarity, lots of teasing and of course lots and lots of beautiful, heartwarming Christmas music. We were looking forward to this show for a long time, having attended last year’s tons-of-fun event and we knew we’d be enjoying some of Canada’s best entertainers...and much loved friends.

The chance to see some of our friends is always a welcome addition when we head out to cover an event and we weren’t disappointed, when we ran into Linda Martelli (from 820 CHAM) in the lineup at the door. At the merchandise table set up in the lobby we spotted some more familiar faces, songwriter Bruce Madole having a chat with Heather and Kristi, joined very shortly by John’s extremely capable (and very lovely) manager, Sheila. Among the many very generous sponsors of the event was ‘Pristine Water Source’, who provided complimentary bottles of water to everyone who attended – a much-appreciated touch for those of us who belong to what we call ‘the bottled water crowd’.

When the show began we were treated to a welcome by Linda Martelli, who spoke briefly about the history of the event and the performers who we would soon be enjoying…including pianist/keyboardist/songwriter Tim Louis, who began a lovely opening piece which led into John emerging to sing his first song, “Alleluia”.

Following his song John took a seat in the middle of the row of stools set up on stage, flanked on one end by a drum set and on the other by the piano and a keyboard. To great applause emerged the ‘accompanists’ for the show, the aforementioned Tim and another very recognizable guy to those who follow country music, guitar wizard David Kalmusky. As David took his seat John mentioned to the crowd that David is known to be one of the flashiest dressers in the music industry and he is, this evening decked out in a fantastic red sequined dress shirt under a black jacket with black pants. Next to emerge was Jay Riehl, who for many years has been one of Canada’s premier musicians with a variety of accomplishments to his credit. He spent some time as the drummer for Farmer’s Daughter and is also the owner/producer of an Ontario recording studio. Yes, the drums were for Jay. John next brought out Jake Leiske, one of the beautiful members of Farmer’s Daughter. John had to tell us a story about something that happened when he was getting to know Jake, when she’d ordered a martini and asked the server if they’d had any martini glasses…yes, there is a difference. When the response was no, they didn’t have any Jake calmly opened her purse and withdrew her own martini glass, which she then handed to the server. John was amazed, to say the least.

Jake performed her first song next, “If We Make It Through December” with Jay and Dave helping her out. She felt the need to apologize for her song choice, explaining that she’d been asked for her songs well in advance of the show and the timing was during a decidedly un-Christmas like time for her, but once she’d committed it was too late. Honesty and candor is what I like most about Canadian country artists and I’ve never encountered anything but. John begins to introduce the next guest as a figure strides onto the stage, with one hand up shielding his face while he heads for the row of seats. As John mentions the name of the guest – Gil Grand – the figure turns and hot foots it back out of sight as Gil steps out, with a broad smile for the antics of…the now last-to-emerge guest. John mentions that he supposes that Gil and he are ‘label mates’ now, with Gil being among the latest artist to be working out of the famous Cedartree Studio, home to roughly half of the successful Canadian performers. John related how the recording of his newest CD was ‘stalled’ a bit by the creativity he’d discovered with Gil, when they wrote three songs together that John liked better than some on his CD, so he began again and included the three new songs and had to bump some of the others. Oh, problems to have I guess…most have trouble finding good songs, not having a surplus to choose from (especially when you’ve written them yourself). Next the attention of the two was drawn to their clothing as both John and Gil had chosen to wear leather pants for the evening. Gil replied that he wouldn’t slide off the stool with leather on, so that validated his choice. He found it interesting that during their working at Cedartree (which is undergoing some renovation) the artists would take turns ‘working’ on the actual renovations themselves…or trying to. John apparently is a better musician/songwriter than he is carpenter and has put a nail both into his hand and into his rear, the later being attached to an eight-foot long board at the time. John added that he had to show everyone there too, since he found it kind of neat…good thing that medical training isn’t all that far behind him. Gil performed “Meet Me Under The Mistletoe” as his first song.

As John looked up and down the line he mused out loud that he supposed that was everybody and the show could continue, as the others looked back and forth at each other and laughed. Still one stool remained empty and was brought to John’s attention and he sheepishly figured that he’d have to bring the next guest out, since he’d invited him. Dave remarked that he’d thought the stool was there for him, to hold his drink. As everyone laughed poor Rich Baker strode out, this time without his hand over his face, and took his seat. Now if you’ve ever been to any show featuring Rich you know that no one is safe, especially not John…what’s a best friend for if you can’t put ‘em in their place once in a while? As Rich settled himself in he told the crowd that it’s his “15^th year out to John’s shows; he doesn’t know why John keeps asking him “cause I only know 2 freaking Christmas songs”. As everyone burst out laughing, including John, Rich looked around the large stage and mentioned how it’s about as big as John’s living room. They related how they would all gather around in the living room, playing, writing and talking while drinking endless cups of coffee (which Rich does not make very well). This led into Rich’s first song, “New Kid In Town” with John helping out with the harmony. Beautiful job guys! Very well done.

Now that Rich was ‘out’ the fun would begin. Talk between the group on stage led to Rich’s hair, which John describes as ‘purty’ – to John and Gil’s pants (Tim started this one) and Rich wanted to know if they’d called each other to ask what each would be wearing for the show. Gil explains that the starched Wranglers he would usually wear weren’t good for staying on the stool, hence his choice. No word from John about his decision.

Jake tells the crowd about her childhood, traveling on the family’s bus (they were gospel singers ‘on the road’) with her and her brother acting the way kids usually do on family trips, and her mother would sing the next song to them but in a very different way than it was intended. “Wonderful Peace” would take on a decidedly wishful tone when her mother would sing it to them, but Jake’s version was wonderful indeed. The thing about being part of ‘three’ (and Lace is another example of this) is that you really have a hard time realizing how incredible each member is on their own and this was a great time to appreciate Jake by herself.

John’s turn next and along with Dave he gave a gift of “Old Time Christmas”, followed by Gil who performed “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and dedicated it to his mom and dad up in Sudbury. Rich stepped up with “Leroy The Red-Nose Reindeer”, having explained that since he had a limited knowledge of Christmas songs he’d gone to his ‘extensive’ collection of CD’s, taken his two Christmas CD’s down and said “Joe Diffie, don’t fail me now…” For some reason, Rich ended up on the ‘teasing end’ again, with John asking everyone how they like Rich’s ‘big belt buckle’…and this led into John’s saying that he’d heard big buckles like that have been called ‘tombstones, ‘cause what’s underneath is dead’ which brought a lot of laughs and a challenge from Rich, who has three kids while John hasn’t any.

John’s next song was ‘Wasn’t His Child’ and it’s a beautiful song whether sung by a female (you may have heard the Trisha Yearwood version) or by a male. During this stirring performance the only sounds you heard were John’s voice and guitar and the applause at the end was almost startling. Jay took a turn next and he brought the room back to life with “Ay, Ay, Ay, It’s Christmas” helped out by everyone on stage and the audience helping out too. The song was capped off by a wild impromptu dancing number by Jay, out front and centre by himself and to the delighted laughter of John who was visible crumpled in a ball behind Jay. This interlude was explained by Jay as, “I figure if we’re here to entertain, then I’m gonna entertain!” And he sure did, I won’t forget that one anytime soon. By the way, Jay chose music over his other ‘career’ of figure skating – he was one of the best skaters in the country and while I’m a big fan of skating I’m a bigger fan of country music so I am very glad he did.

Gil’s next song continued the ‘participation’ theme with everyone on stage helping out again and the crowd helping out with the handclaps for the duration of the song.

Rich’s turn was next and he told the background of his song, called “Please Mr. Santa Clause”. He’d decided that this year he would give writing a Christmas song a try, and started out with an effort that he’d been satisfied with for about four days, then he decided he didn’t like it anymore. So, he started again. He thought about the kids who would line up and wait to see Santa and what they might be saying when they finally got up to see him and an idea took shape. It took the shape of one of the most beautiful songs that I’ve heard in a very long time and Rich should be very proud of his accomplishment. Behind that wide smile and endless kidding is a heart of gold that peeks out and reminds you of what a special man he is (not to mention what an amazing songwriter). If you like the song about the ‘Christmas Shoes’ then you’ll love Rich’s song when you hear it (‘cause it’s better).

A surprise guest was up next, requested by many people who had attended last year’s show. It seems that the Christmas Wish show was establishing a trend where one of the attendees would be ‘imminently expecting’ and everyone would be teasing that person about the wait. For the first show it was Rich Baker’s wife Jennifer, who actually had her water break during the show. Last year it was the next guest, brought back by popular demand. Guitarist/songwriter/singer Jason Barry had spent last year’s show with a pager and a phone on stage with him ‘just in case’ while he waited to hear from wife Annie, who was at home and due anytime. He took a lot of kidding last year and this year he and Annie returned to present the daughter born a couple of days after the show on December 21^st - Camryn. She was carried out (to great applause) and gave a mystified wave before being taken backstage again by her mom so dad could get on with singing the song he’d sung last year, dedicated to his wife and little girl. Very nice surprise and it’s always fun to run into the Barry’s, they’re some of our favourites.

John next announced that he was very pleased to have another friend who had been able to make it and had agreed to do a song for everyone. A beautiful lady known as one of the members of Lace – Giselle – had come out with her friend Rebecca, who would play piano. Giselle stood at the microphone John had brought out for her and as she began singing “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” not a sound could be heard. Rebecca did an incredible job on harmony and piano and if I were to imagine an angel singing she’d sound like Giselle. To thunderous applause Giselle turned a radiant smile on everyone and with a wave and a bow she and Rebecca hurried off stage. Now that’s entertainment!

John wanted to dedicate the next song (one of his mother’s favourites) to Kelly Barker, a young lady in the audience who had encountered John ‘out on the town’ one evening and asked him to dance. John had to decline, but told her if she would come out to the Christmas show he would make sure he’d sing a song for her. Now, there’s a bargain! Kelly was treated to “Christmas Carol” and a show I’m sure she won’t forget anytime soon.

Jake and Jay took over for “Go Tell It On The Mountain”, leading into “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and getting full stage support for “Silent Night”, with acoustics and harmonies going full out. Beautiful medley and a wonderful job by everyone, I really enjoyed this little different twist.

What would a Christmas show be without Rich Baker’s wholehearted version of “The Grinch” anyway? As the gang on stage were bopping along enjoying the song a sneaky little green face peeked around the curtain, then danced across the stage behind the row of seats. Laughter from the crowd at the innovative dance steps of this ‘mysterious’ visitor brought the Grinch a little closer, even getting a special welcome from John before the end of the song and the final wave from the hot-footed guest.

The last song would be John’s and the seasonal favourite “Lonesome Christmas”, bringing an end to another very enjoyable show. The crowd wasn’t about to let them get away that easily, making enough fuss that everyone re-emerged for an encore before leaving the stage for good this time to allow some representatives from the Big Brother’s organization to bring out ‘Santa’ to give some presents away to children in the crowd. It was announced by Linda Martelli, who was also still on hand to say thanks to the audience for attending, that the artists would be out in the front hall to meet anyone who would like to say hello on their way out – a truly ‘Canadian’ touch that is the performers way of saying how much their fans mean to them. And that is very much a two way street.

Time again to say ‘Thank You’ to all responsible for putting this amazing event together. I’m sure it’s hard to imagine the time (months, believe me!), the dedication and the details involved in arranging an evening of this magnitude and to do it year after year for such worthwhile causes deserves a mighty ‘hats off’. To the beautiful River Run Centre staff, everyone had a great time and you covered all the bases; we will look forward to coming out again. To the many sponsors of this effort - thanks for helping to make a lot of people happy. To the guest performers – Jay, Jake, Gil, Jason, Rich and Giselle – to share your incredible music and talent with us is a priceless gift, at any time of the year; thank you. To Dave and Tim, you keep it all together and add just the right touch (and I loved the sequins Dave). For the lovely Linda from 820 CHAM, whose enthusiasm knows no bounds; country music is very lucky to have you. And Bob Picard, how could we forget you Bob? Sound systems everywhere are better for having had you at their helm. And for John, Sheila, Kristi, Heather and ‘the Baker gang’, there aren’t words enough to say what you all mean to us. You touch more people than you know just by being yourselves and when we see each other, whether it’s been weeks or months in between, it’s like we’d never been apart. Thanks for another timeless memory; we’ll always be here for you.

Written by Kim Jamieson

Photos by Wayne Tozzi