Jim Brickman brings annual Christmas show to the Paramount

It was like deja vu all over again, as baseball legend Yogi Berra would say, for Jim Brickman when he initially toured Iowa as a pianist-songwriter during the '90s.

Prior to reaching the Top 10 of the Adult Contemporary chart 16 times and touring annually behind a much anticipated Christmas show, Brickman was a jingle writer who visited Cedar Rapids and Des Moines each year during the '80s.

"I was in advertising and I got to speak at a couple of events and that brought me to Iowa back then," Brickman said while calling from his Cleveland home. "I was basically a motivational speaker. I spent a lot of time in Cedar Rapids back then, and I really enjoyed that city and the people. When I look back I'm amazed that anyone would let a 20-something give them advice, but they allowed me to speak and they listened."

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That experience prepared him for his entertaining Christmas show, which returns Tuesday, Dec. 9, to the Paramount Theatre. 

"What I did then was a precursor to what I do now," Brickman said. "I became comfortable standing in front of people talking, and that's part of why my show works today since I enjoy interacting with an audience."

Brickman, 63, understands the dynamic of give and take from the stage, and it makes a difference as an entertainer. Many recording artists talk at the crowd. However, Brickman speaks with the audience. Brickman's show has an old school feel. His concerts are reminiscent of the holiday Christmas specials by such legends as Bing Crosby and Andy Williams.

"When you look back at those television specials hosted by people like Perry Como, you felt like you had a special relationship with that person," Brickman said. "They felt like part of the family. It was like they were in your living room talking with you. They broke that fourth wall, and it's so important to be able to do that. I'm up there for much of the show by myself behind the piano, so I had to figure out how to be entertaining."

Brickman, who will perform with vocalists Luke McMaster and John Trones, enjoys playing songs of the season. His favorite tunes are the classics.

"I love doing versions of 'Joy to the World" and ‘Little Drummer Boy,’“ Brickman said. "Those are the most challenging songs to play and also the most satisfying tunes to perform. You also can't beat ‘Noel.’ Those songs have stayed with us for years for a good reason. They're incredible songs."

The two-time Grammy nominee is an inveterate writer who has crafted a number of winter-themed songs. Some of his finest works, "Angels," "Winter Peace" and "Starbright," grace his 1997 album, "The Gift."

"I've tried my luck at writing songs that I hope will one day be holiday classics," Brickman said. "They're not typical songs you might hear. They're not songs about Santa making his way down the chimney, but they have that holiday feel to them. I mix in those songs with the hymns and the traditional songs, since they're a natural extension of what I do, which is writing love songs."

The classically trained pianist had his first taste of Christmas more than a half century ago.

Brickman was mother's little helper back in December 1972. His mom, who was a journalist with the Cleveland Plain Dealer then, was asked to write about her Christmas traditions. It wasn't an easy task since the Brickman family is Jewish.

"My mother had no idea what to do since we had no Christmas traditions," Brickman recalled. "We had to come up with something, and I came up with this concept. 'How about we get together around the piano? I'll play and it will look like we're happy singing Christmas carols.' I told her that the photo of us would look good in the paper."

The Brickmans pulled it off.

"Even though none of us could even sing 'Happy Birthday' well," Brickman cracked. "But it worked. We fooled the entire city.“

When it comes to delivering Christmas carols these days, Brickman isn't fooling anyone. The charismatic entertainer, who has released nine Christmas albums, embraces the holiday season.

"It's funny how Christmas became part of my life," Brickman said. "I really love it or I wouldn't make the Christmas albums or go on the Christmas tours. In some ways, playing Christmas songs live is my favorite thing to do. It has a completely different feel from everything else. There is an energy at my Christmas shows. It brings out multiple generations. It's an event."

Brickman looks forward to his return to Cedar Rapids since he reconnects with old friends.

"I keep in touch with a lot of people from those advertising days," Brickman said. "I spent a lot of time in those cities I visited back then, and I have relationships with people. How can I not continue those relationships?"