A Christmas suite written by Dave LeMieux. I’ve done dozens upon dozens of songs, projects, and performances with Dave over the last 25 years. He’s one of my favorite writers ever, and has a lyric sensibility that just defies common description. He had written this four-movement suite, and he wanted it arranged for full orchestra. We talked for a while about instrumentation, and ended up going with a standard string quartet and a modified pop horn section. I want to say it was tpt, tpt, tbn, tenor, oboe, horn, and I’m forgetting something. But, it ended up being SUCH a great experience.

This was the first major project that Chris Carter and I worked on. Musically, he and I match like nobody before. He’s become my best friend, and if I’m doing a project, he’s probably involved somehow. Chris is an absolute MONSTER on keys and piano, and he’ll absolutely save your soul on an organ.

There are some hilarious stories about recording that project. We did most of the rhythm section recording at my house, though some was done in Denver. Most of the lead vocals were done in Denver, some of the BGVs, also. Some of the vocals were done at my house, I think. We did the horn sessions at The Grove and the string sessions at Ardent Studio, both in Memphis. It’s such a great, GREAT work. I’d love to do this whole thing live someday. It’s a LOT of pieces, though, hahaha.