As President of St. George Musical Theater for nearly nine years, Bruce Bennett has helped guide the non-profit back to becoming one of the most successful community theaters in Utah. A musician in his own right, Bennett has released his first recording just in time for the Christmas holiday.
“Most of these songs are lesser-known Christmas tunes I’ve been playing and singing for up to 15 years at private gigs, business parties, holiday festivals and even local schools,’ Bennett noted. “And like my live shows, either solo or part of my band “Acoustic Jukebox” they are acoustic in nature, stripped down to basic guitar, keyboards and a few enhancements, hence the album title “Christmas Unplugged.”
As Bennett tells it, it was time for him to go into a studio to record some music after he lost his singing voice for over three years due to a serious bacterial infection, he thinks he contracted during a freezing winter trip in New York City. “I literally could barely sing for years, it was incredibly debilitating,” Bennett said. But a serious surgery provided a miraculous cure. “I’m so grateful to Dr. Kent Gardner,” notes Bennett, “his diagnosis and recommended solution was very comprehensive but still conservative, hopeful without being too enthusiastic and in the end, it did the trick, and my voice came back as strong as ever.” Bennett even credited Dr. Gardner on the records’ CD liner notes.
“Christmas Unplugged” is mostly covers of what Bennett calls “hidden gems” including a song that is always popular when he plays live: “I Want An Alien For Christmas.” “We made it our own version and put in a little homage to some sci-fi movies that fans will recognize immediately.”
Bennett cherished the opportunity to collaborate with sound engineer and local musician John Houston. “Every musician around here knows, respects and loves John,” he’s a massive talent whether at the recording knobs or playing any number of instruments at which he is remarkably proficient.” Houston has recorded hundreds and hundreds of local musicians at his home studio in Hurricane where he stays constantly busy along with steady gigs in Las Vegas and the Phoenix area that take advantage of his sizeable music chops. “We had so much fun recording,” remarked Bennett, “I’d come up with an idea, an accordion here, a piano solo there, and John would make it come alive.”
Bennett is particularly proud of “On Christmas Eve,” an original he wrote for the record. “You can definitely hear my affection for Bryan Adams on that one,” notes Bennett. “The record reflects my love for rock and roll but also more reverent nods that express my faith in what the season is all about…and I hope it brings some joy and a good spirit into the lives of everyone who hears the record.”
“Christmas Unplugged” by Bruce Bennett is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music and many other platforms. A link with samples if available here: https://brucerbennett.hearnow.com/