I first met Glen Burtnik at his rehearsal for his Christmas Show in 2005. We had been introduced by Kathy Wagner who had seen me perform on Star Search with Arsenio Hall in 2003, and recommended that Glen consider me for the show. From the moment I met Glen, I liked him, I just knew he good people and the felt like kindred spirit. I was so moved by his generous affect on stage and the loving energy that flowed through his Christmas show at the Count Basie Theater. The show featured musician from musicians from every phase of his musical life and many of his family members as well. It was also my first time ever performing in that gorgeous stately venue, in Red Bank, a theater that now feels like home to me. I owe all of that to Glen. That's 15 years ago, and that was the start of a beautiful friendship and a series of Glen Burtnik productions that I have been blessed to be a part of including the Summer of Love Experience and the British Invasion shows. It's been 10 years since Glen Burtnik performed his legendary holiday show in Red Bank but on Saturday, December 19th the tradition finally returns!

Glen Burtnik and his very special “Friends” come to Red Bank’s Vogel at the Count Basie Center of the Performing Arts to perform a new and timely “Socially Distanced” version of his famous “Xmas Extravaganza” featuring a collection of some of his most talented musical “Friends” coming together to perform their and your holiday favorites! And you never know which musical “Friends” Glen will bring to the party!

Born at a small club in New Jersey in the late 80’s, this annual holiday concert revue of seasonal musical performances evolved into a New York-New Jersey area tradition not to be missed. It features a colorful cast of characters which changes from year to year, but in the past has included such luminaries as Patty Smyth, John McEnroe, Phoebe Snow, Marshall Crenshaw, The Patti Smith Band, Billy J. Kramer, Fred Schneider (B-52’s), Jill Sobule, Idina Menzel, Jeffrey Gaines, Freedy Johnston, Steve Augeri, Dan Bern, John Waite, Curtis Stigers, STYX, Mary Lee Kortes, Deborah Harry, and Willie Nile, among others.

Growing up in North Brunswick, NJ and reveling in 1960s music and culture as it unfolded before his eyes, Burtnik went on to write #1 hits for Randy Travis, Patty Smyth, and Don Henley. Burtnik also penned songs for Cyndi Lauper, John Waite, Jodee Messina, Tom Scott, Marshall Crenshaw, Phoebe Snow, and Beth Hart, among others. He has appeared on albums by Meat Loaf, Styx, Celine Dion, The Summer of Love Concert Experience as well as solo albums on A&M Records and with his current band, JEM Records recording artists, The Weeklings. Glen has shared the stage with many notables including Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi just to name a few! From the early 1990s to 2003, Burtnik was a member of the multi-platinum rock band Styx, singing, writing, playing bass and guitar, recording and touring with them throughout the U.S., Japan, and Europe. He’s appeared on MTV, VH1, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show and Regis & Kelly. Over the last 10 years he’s been touring with ELO’s The Orchestra, his Summer of Love Concert Experience and The Weeklings.