David Myles – It's Christmas

You better watch out. You better not pout. Santa Claus is coming to town.

And one of his biggest boosters, David Myles, is stopping by St. Albert’s Arden Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to spread some holiday cheer.

Last year the Fredericton-raised Halifax resident released a holiday album titled It’s Christmas, a 13-track effort including three originals.

Throughout his career, Myles has delved into jazz, Latin, country, folk, doo-wop and even bluegrass. Across the album, you can hear these disparate elements at work.

His traditionals – I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Let It Snow, Sleigh Ride, White Christmas and Silent Night – are saturated with freshness.

But it’s his originals that define who he is. It’s Christmas is a ballad about our core values and The Gift is a story song revolving around a drifter. But it’s the humorous Santa Never Brings Me a Banjo that is a hit with audiences.

“When I wrote Banjo, I set the bar high. I wrote the chorus when I was raking leaves. The idea just came to me. I was chuckling as I was working. I wanted to write a light-hearted song.”

And while some artists get tired of performing the saccharin festive songs year after year, Myles nixes the thought.

“I love it. As a band, we chose music we liked. I don’t sing the songs for 10 months of the year so they’re still fresh. This is my work. When I get inside a song, it gives me a tremendous amount back. I enjoy seeing the audience react. It’s nice to take people to a place of nostalgia and fond memories.”

Myles’ own Christmas is blessed with the joy of celebrating with two young daughters. This year the family will head out to Fredericton for a couple of weeks.

On Christmas Eve, his father will cook up a storm with his famous seafood chowder and his mother chips in with brown bread and baked ham.

“Fredericton is usually pretty snowy at this time of year. A lot of people have moved away and people come home from surrounding towns. Especially at Christmas people show up. It’s very social. Carollers still stop by and there’s all those things you associate with Christmas.”

But before the family parties shift into high gear, the award-winning artist continues his seventh annual Singing for Supper Tour in Eastern Canada.

The concerts take place in a variety of malls in New Brunswick raising money and food for those in need.

“It’s amazing how music pulls audiences together. Originally I’d have 10 people stopping by. Now I play in front of hundreds. The malls are transformed. Everybody shows up with money and food and I’m very proud.”

Myles developed a social conscience during his teenage years.

“I knew there were people in need. I was faced with delivering turkeys – I was about 12 – and it was a shock. I was completely unaware of the level of poverty in the city, let alone the province. That planted a seed that this was an important thing to do. It’s important to be generous every year. It’s fundamental and it reminds us of who we are. Giving is a simple transaction from those who have to those who have not.”

In fact, his album evolved from those concerts and a portion of sales from It’s Christmas continues to be donated to food banks where the CD is for sale.

Myles’ Arden concert is a planned blend of old chestnuts and new tunes. Accompanying him are guitarist Alan Jeffries and bassist Kyle Kujak.