Local Musician Produces Christmas CD to Help BBP
Phyllis Cole-Dai, Brookings composer and musician, has announced the November release of 'Tis a Gift: Christmas by Guitar, a new holiday album she produced as a fundraiser for BBP. This 16-song, 49-minute CD features her own arrangements of timeless Christmas classics, along with one original composition.
“No, I haven't suddenly learned how to play guitar," Cole-Dai laughs, acknowledging her reputation for solo piano music. "Believe it or not, I made these acoustic guitar recordings, by digital magic, without ever plucking a real guitar string. But it will be some of the most peaceful Christmas music you'll ever hear."
Cole-Dai, who sits on the BBP Management Team, created 'Tis a Gift to raise funds for BBP. For each holiday CD she sells ($10 each), she will donate $6 to the organization, thereby providing a weekend's supply of food to at least one schoolchild who is at risk of hunger here in Brookings.
“Buy a CD for yourself, buy another for a friend," she encourages. "It may seem a little early to be thinking about holiday gifts, but it's never too early to be thinking about hungry kids."
Cole-Dai notes that this is her first CD with 100% recyclable packaging. "No more plastic jewel cases, no more shrink-wrapping," she says. "This CD's `eco-pack,' as the manufacturer calls it, is at once protective of the disk and friendly to the environment." An unexpected side benefit of going green has been decreased production costs, allowing Cole-Dai to lower her traditional sales price.
If you would like to sample some of the music on 'Tis a Gift, click here. To purchase the CD, visit Cole-Dai's online Store or contact her directly (692-7001). Copies will also be for sale at the Mission Coffeehouse at First Lutheran Church and various other Brookings locations.
