Stockwood brings Christmas spirit to Arden

“In Newfoundland, we had salt fish on Christmas Eve with 14 kinds of bread. No vegetables. I know it sounds kind of weird. But in the last couple of years my Uncle Harold has been making chilli,” laughs Kim Stockwood.

Born on the Rock, the Toronto-based singer loves to reminisce of the home she left behind to pursue a singing career. In fact, in March 2011, she released her fourth album, Back to the Water, a foray that closely plumbs her roots.

“It’s a magnet and I’m not sure I’m happier than when I’m walking down St. John’s to the Duke of Duckworth Pub. It’s the one they film Republic of Doyle,” she adds.

However, back in 2006 Stockwood’s I Love Santa album hit the shelves. Even after five years, the pop/jazz/folk artist is still crazy busy singing those holiday standards. Maybe it’s all those wacky jokes and funny stories she tells in between songs, but on Dec. 9 and 10, she’ll get dolled up to give St. Albert’s Arden Theatre a taste of her Christmas spirit.

Accompanying Stockwood is cellist Kevin Fox and Tim Bovaconti, all-around guitarist, pianist, drummer and mandolin/banjo player.

Borrowing tunes from her Yule CD, she sets out to create old-fashioned family memories.

“I got the idea to record a Christmas album after I heard a John McDermott compilation. I called my folks and asked them to suggest some songs. They had a lot of Christmas records – Elvis, Dean Martin, Bonanza, Charley Pride and several others.”

Dean Martin’s It’s a Marshmallow World grabbed her attention and she recorded it.

“Not a lot of people had heard it and it got a lot of attention. It was almost as successful as Jerk.”

Others that floated to the top of the pile were Elvis’ Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me, Bing Crosbie’s Wish You the Merriest and the beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But it’s the title song, I Love Santa, an ode to people thinking about going home that completely captures her essence.

Much of the inspiration for the album Back to the Water actually comes from home and children.

“When you have kids, you want them to know where you are from, where you are born and your roots. It’s a special place. I grew up near water and I want them to grow up near it.”

Stockwood’s husband’s family is from Kelowna and Christmas holidays tend to be rotated. This year, Newfoundland is the Christmas command centre.

“It’s been a long road and in the midst of it all I’ve had a good time. I wanted success as a singer and I found a way.”

As for the Arden concert, “I want it to be fun. Maybe I’ll kick it up a notch and play games the way Carol Burnett did.”

The evening includes an exhibit from the Art Gallery of St. Albert and poetry readings from Art Out Loud.