The Naked Vibes Show

The Naked Vibes Show


Singer / Songwriter, Kelly Brown – Producer of The Local Honey Holiday Mix (Pt 1) – Music & Conversation – Ep036

December 07, 2022

Singer / Songwriter, Kelly Brown, produces the Local Honey Holiday Mix, her eclectic, long-running holiday show she considers a "gift" and a "party" for all involved. Musicians and fans alike have been an integral part of what makes this show so successful, as it really is a magical affair of talent and camaraderie. The spirit of the season is alive and well in Kelly's capable and creative hands...and voice.

Become a Premium Subscriber and get a bonus episode of The Naked Vibes Show every month! Go “backstage” with us as Kelly & I prep for the Local Honey Holiday Mix this month. Your subscription helps me create the show and I'm grateful for your support.

Every year, for 13 years, I’ve had the privilege to be a part of an amazing eclectic holiday show produced by my sister, Kelly Brown. And, I thought I’d make December a month of sharing some behind-the-scenes from the show, because it touches on a lot of things - the business of creating a successful, long-running show and what it takes to do that as an entrepreneur. The leadership skills involved in wrangling a bunch of musicians, though they’re all top-notch professionals, is a feat, as we’re talking about pulling together a bunch of individual entrepreneurial souls to collaborate in a concentrated amount of time in order to make magic happen.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation with Kelly.

Show Notes:**Links to songs will be updated later today.

3:15 - Sisters!

3:40 - Introduction of Kelly Brown, Artist & Producer of The Local Honey Holiday Mix.

Kelly talks about what has been the driving force for her to continue producing such a time and labor intensive show for thirteen years. She considers it a gift to work and play with such talented, well-known artists.

6:30 - The inception of the show in 2006 and the way it has evolved into a tradition for many fans who have made the show a part of their holiday tradition year after year.

7:29 - Prior to the live show, we got so tired of hearing the same tired versions of Christmas songs, we finally recorded our first holiday CD.

8:24 - Frankly Scarlet's recording of "Coventry Carol" was included on a compilation of holiday songs from Deep Ellum bands.

8:39 - Kelly purchased Pro Tools and learned it while recording the CD. Musicians loved being a part of it because the songs were joyful. Then, great producers like David Castell could come in and mix it. It’s been one of our most loved music offerings.

11:12 - Kelly talks about the process of making the decisions necessary to launch a large production and holiday music event. The first year, she collapsed from fatigue and learned a major lesson about pacing!

13:04 - SONG: “If We Make It Through December” - Local Honey from Jingle CD/music compilation - Get it on Apple Music

16:45 - Kelly talks about the choice to record “If We Make It Through December”. She tells a fun story about starting the process with Kenny Withrow (New Bohemians), going through a snow storm, adding Hunter Hendrickson to the mix, then cutting her favorite lick with her Telecaster. Reggie Rueffer’s fiddle tops it off.

19:30 - Kelly’s Wire-Fox Terrier, Winston, joins in the conversation.

20:04 - Having fun with great players capable of pulling off the Western swing the song calls for. Playing live with Chad Rueffer and Reggie Rueffer.

21:18 - Our first holiday CD, Rejoice, includes my favorite holiday song to perform - “Holiday Cheer”.

Kelly talks about how the song was born out of her work as a session singer, writing and recording for her client, The National Cheerleader Association, and their performance at the Hula Bowl.

23:30 - A Carpenter’s song started as a jingle and became a huge hit. Lots of silly mayhem ensues in this segment.

26:14 - SONG: “Holiday Cheer” (Live) - from the Jingle CD/music compilation - Get it on Apple Music

31:04 - The choice to record a song that I don’t like. Kelly doesn’t like it either! So…why?