By Elizabeth Bennett
It all started as a song for RC Willey - a song for a Christmas CD that RC Willey wanted to distribute through their stores.
RC Willey asked Kurt Bestor to do a song. Kurt Bestor asked James Conlee to work with him. James Conlee took the experience and ran with it.
The next year, RC Willey asked Conlee to do the Christmas CD by himself. He called a couple of his friends and asked if they would want to be on the CD with him - and so one of the most popular Christmas albums on the Wasatch front was born: A Wasatch Christmas.
'They came to me asked me to do ,' Conlee said, ' and I thought, hey, we might as well do one good enough that we can sell it in stores.'
And sell it they have. The first album proved so popular that follow-up albums have been released each year. Each album has continued to sell well in Utah.
Of course, it helps that his friends aren''t just your average BYU schmoes - he called in Jon Schmidt, Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe, three powerhouses of Mormon popularity.
'After the first collaboration, I thought, ''This would be a killer concert,''' Conlee said. ' said they''d love to do it.'
' wanted to do a big show with a lot of artists who had Christmas songs, but maybe didn''t have enough songs to a whole Christmas concert,' Shupe said. 'Not everyone really knows we have Christmas stuff, but we do ... and we thought it would be really cool to be involved.'
The first concert was staged at Thanksgiving Point and played to a sold out audience. The next year the show had two scheduled performances - and, once again, both sold out. This year, the concert has been moved to the McKay Events Center at UVSC. Only one performance is scheduled, however, the organizers feel confident that the space will be large enough to accommodate their audience.
'I love because it really gets me into the Christmas spirit,' Shupe said. 'Singing all the Christmas songs ... just getting out there, and being a part of what''s going on.'
The show contains a combination of styles and moods, from the folksy sounds of Breinholt to the classical/new age compositions of Schmidt, to the pop/country/bluegrass style of Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband. Performers James Conlee and Cherie Call will also participate.
' combines the two feels of Christmas: the traditional Christmas, and also a very acoustic feel that Pete and Ryan have,' Conlee said. 'My favorite song is ''Still, still, still,'' which I get to do with Jon, and my favorite song to see is one Ryan and the boys do called Christmas Bluegrass Mayhem ... it''s these smashed together, and it''s so fun and quick ... the audience just dies for it, because they all just rock.'
The groups also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and crossover.
'We''ll play some songs with Breinholt, he''ll play with Schmidt ... you know, it''s just kind of fun to kind of mix it up that way,' Shupe said. ' don''t usually get to play all the time with these people.'
Although the concert is for fun, there''s another dimension that it brings for the popular Utah performers.
'You get to see a different side of these guys,' Conlee said. 'I almost want to say spiritual ... you see this religious side to them, whether it''s Mormon or not, it''s just a feel for Christmas because at heart they are Christian themselves.'
As for what people should expect: 'Not pretty boys,' Conlee said. 'John and Ryan and I are bald. None of us are pretty boys ... if people are coming for pretty boys than they''re coming to the wrong concert.' Better to expect good music and a celebration of Christmas.
Side box: The concert will take place at the McKay Events Center Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $9 and are available through the McKay Box Office.