KUSA - It's a Saturday in July, the temperature is nearing 90, and I'm humming Christmas songs.
PHOTOS: THE MAKING OF OPIE GONE CHRISTMAS
I'm not alone. Jake Schroeder, Randy Chavez, Tarrell Martin and Paul McDaniel's are with me. Otherwise known as the band "Opie Gone Bad," the guys are experimenting with keys, chords and drum beats to the song "We are Santa's Elf's" from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
I find it ironic watching them get into the holiday spirit as sweat drips down the back of my neck. Gosh, it's hot. Are we nuts? Perhaps, but that's not the reason we are assembled.
Jake and I have been friends for years. During NBC's surprise hit "The Voice" last spring, Jake would join me for a live web chat during the show. We would comment on everything from the performances to what Christina Aguilera was wearing. It was a fun way to interact with our viewers at 9NEWS.
During that time, Jake had mentioned to me the band wanted to record a Christmas CD and asked that I be a part of it. I had done some backing vocals on their last record, but now it was time to step up to the mic upfront.
I consider myself a pretty good "shower singer" and have performed here and there over the years. But to be asked about this I was honored and terrified. I also know that producer Randy Chavez would use ever studio trick in the book to make me sound good enough to join them.
I like to think big. Sometimes it works sometimes is doesn't.
With Jakes invitation in mind, I got an idea. When I pitched it to the band, they didn't hesitate.
"Opie Gone Christmas" was born. A CD that would bring together some of the finest Colorado Musicians for a great cause. A charity CD with proceeds going to 9Cares Colorado Shares. The largest and most successful one-day food drives in the region.
Over the course of the next few months, the band recorded, Randy produced and Jake and I started the process of recruiting special guests that would appear on the record.
The result was astonishing. John Common, Lannie Garrett, Hazel Miller, Danielle Anderson, Steve Watts, Chris Daniels, Masa Ito, Urban Method, and Denver's own first lady Mary Louise Lee to name a few all volunteering their time and talent to the cause.
With the help and power of 9NEWS we found a sponsor and after months of hard work the finished product was released - "Opie Gone Christmas." King Soopers immediately ordered 10,000 copies to be sold in all of their stores exclusively. It is also available for download on iTunes.
What an honor and a thrill to work with such talented people for a great cause. And, yes, thanks to the genius of producer Randy Chavez. You will also hear me perform the Joni Mitchell classic "River" - thank god for auto tune, overdub and all of the other weapons in his studio arsenal.
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