By JAN McLAUGHLIN<\/strong><\/p>\n BG Independent News<\/strong><\/p>\n It began as a covert effort to shame a co-worker\u2019s relentless singing of Christmas carols in the office, starting well before Thanksgiving and into the new year.<\/p>\n It became a celebration of spirited singing \u2013 regardless of the skill \u2013 while helping local children whose holidays aren\u2019t bright.<\/p>\n And this holiday season, \u201cback by popular demand,\u201d the gang is making a comeback tour with more songs to raise more money for helping more families.<\/p>\n The first \u201cBrian Sings Christmas\u201d recordings in 2023 featured Brian Boos on vocals and Chas McDonald on keyboard and production. Boos and McDonald are both assistant prosecuting attorneys with the Wood County Prosecutor\u2019s Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n This year some \u201ccelebrity\u201d singers and musicians have lent their voices and instruments to make \u201cBrian Sings Christmas Part Two: Duets.\u201d<\/p>\n Special guests this year include Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson singing \u201cWhat Child is This,\u201d Chief of the Civil Division Jim Hoppenjans on electric bass, Ashley Lindsley a paralegal at the law firm of Eastman & Smith singing \u201cIt\u2019s Christmastime,\u201d and Caleb Chalfin from the adult probation department on guitar.<\/p>\n Boos is accompanied by groups on two of the songs. The \u201cchildren\u2019s choir\u201d lent their angelic voices to one carol. \u201cThey are my children and nephew, so they really didn\u2019t have a choice,\u201d McDonald confessed.<\/p>\n And reminiscent of a slightly smaller \u201cWe Are the World,\u201d a community choir brought together voices in the county courthouse atrium to sing \u201cJoy to the World.\u201d<\/p>\n That choir included a couple highway patrol troopers, a handful of community members, and several county employees from the board of elections, prosecutor\u2019s office, Job and Family Services \u2013 and anyone unlucky enough to walk by during the rehearsal who was shamed into participating.<\/p>\n By the time rehearsal began there were 35 vocalists with varying degrees of talent, plus Norie the courthouse dog, who politely refrained from howling during the taping.<\/p>\n The original \u201cBrian Sings Christmas\u201d recording in 2023 raised approximately $2,100 \u2013\u00a0 enough to provide for four local families over the holidays. \u201cThe response was overwhelming,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n McDonald and Boos are hoping that with a series of duets \u2013 possibly drowning out Boos\u2019 voice \u2013 that they will be able to double the families on their Christmas list.<\/p>\n Though a big sap for Christmas carols, Boos for years declined the opportunity to make a recording until McDonald suggested they use the music to raise money for local kids in need.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t get Brian to sing until I added the charity component,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n In that first year, the pair recorded five Christmas carols using McDonald\u2019s home studio equipment.<\/p>\n While Boos was a novice, McDonald is a trained keyboard musician, starting piano lessons in first grade. But what Boos lacked in experience, he made up for in exuberance.<\/p>\n Boos confided, \u201cIf you ignore the singing, the music is actually good.\u201d<\/p>\n Not being overly sensitive, Boos is well aware of his vocal limitations. To be honest, he welcomed sharing the spotlight this year.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery headliner has an opening act,\u201d Boos said with a smile.<\/p>\n Besides, as someone who is \u201corganically talented,\u201d he believes \u201cyou\u2019ve got to keep them wanting more.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley Lindsley acknowledged it could be a little intimidating to share the metaphorical stage with a talent like Boos.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the opportunity to participate in something like this,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s a great big beam of light I have to stand next to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo one outshines Brian,\u201d McDonald said with a grin.<\/p>\n But Lindsley\u2019s bonafide talent definitely adds to the Christmas recording this year.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s got some pipes,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cIt was good to have some discernable talent.\u201d<\/p>\n Dobson lent his voice to the community choir and a solo.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a little bit outside my normal wheelhouse,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the thing is, I love to sing. I\u2019m not sure people love hearing me.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoppenjans dusted off his electric guitar to add back up. \u201cI don\u2019t get it out that often. It was fun to test the chops.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI got conned into it,\u201d he said, acknowledging that he should have been more scam savvy since he previously worked in the criminal division of the prosecutor\u2019s office.\u00a0<\/p>\n And Chalfin, who has written and recorded music, was thrilled to add in his guitar. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of talent floating around,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n If poking fun at Boos\u2019 \u201cvocal stylings\u201d raises money for kids at Christmas, he\u2019s fine with that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe chuckle at his expense, but we keep the big picture in focus,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n Like last time, 100% of the proceeds will go toward buying presents and essentials for local families recommended by Wood County Job and Family Services.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEvery single penny goes to a family in need,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n Boos and McDonald do the shopping, working off lists submitted by families. The last time, the lists included items like snow boots, toys and educational materials for kids.<\/p>\n \u201cThings that kids need just to be a kid,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cIt\u2019s a direct link to Christmas morning.\u201d<\/p>\n For the adults in the family, past requests have included toiletries, work boots, Carhartt coats, and items for the kitchen like an airfryer.<\/p>\n Once all the purchases are made, staff in the prosecutor\u2019s office volunteer to wrap over lunch. \u201cWe have our Christmas elves here wrap,\u201d with the paper being donated.<\/p>\n Eastman-Smith not only loaned out Lindsley for the program, but is also doing a charitable food drive to help out.<\/p>\n \u201cTimes are tough for families and for people wanting to make donations,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n Donations can be made through Venmo (@briansingschristmas) or with cash or check in the prosecutor\u2019s office, prior to Dec. 1 if possible. Donors will be emailed a link to the music once funds are received.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/bgindependentmedia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0-10-e1763142724759.jpg\")
Ashley Lindsley records Christmas song.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/bgindependentmedia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0-11-e1763142672732.jpg\")
Paul Dobson records Christmas song.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/bgindependentmedia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_7807-e1763142701280-1024x670.jpg\")
Chas McDonald\u2019s children and nephew prepare to record song.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/bgindependentmedia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wp-17544283135645837416265714929361-e1754434959173-1024x770.jpg\")
Brian Boos leads volunteer singers who showed up for recording in the courthouse atrium.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/bgindependentmedia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0-12-e1763142653590.jpg\")
Brian Boos in Chas McDonald\u2019s recording studio.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"More](\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4342fdac0dc274af4781d292e8e9fbe7?s=32&d=https%3A%2F%2Fsecure.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32&r=G\")
<\/a><\/div>\n