PROVO — The Brunson Brothers of Provo have plenty to toot their customized Bach horns about these days.
They have a gig coming up for the new governor of Alabama, they'll debut an original recording in Japan in March, and a live family-oriented variety stage show in Provo is also in the works. (And a new Christmas CD will be ready for release during the 2003 holiday season.)
The play date in Alabama is for the governor's inauguration ceremony and reception on Jan. 20. "In the '80's, when we were doing the Liberace show (as guest performers), we played at a very expensive private school where the governor's daughter was," said Gaynor Brunson. "She remembered us and has played a part in getting us invited back for the inauguration."
The live Tokyo concert comes with the probable sale of 55,000 copies of a new song, "The Best Is Yet To Come," to Nu Skin distributors who'll gather for the cosmetic company's annual international conference. "The CD is of a song Nu Skin founder Burke Roney wrote and brought to us to work up," Gaynor said. "It evolved into an entertainment product." (Roney also sings with the Brunsons on the recording.)
Gaynor is the long, golden-locked brother in the troupe, which includes his older brother Arlan, guitarist Jamie Glaser and his two middle siblings, Raland and Deron. The four Brunsons have all played trumpet since childhood and have appeared on a host of television and stage shows over the years. Their studio walls have pictures of them with such celebrities as Michael Jackson and Johnny Carson.
Two years ago, they decided to reunite after several years of pursuing various interests individually. They're now making a serious run at putting their musical careers into high profile. "We figure we don't have a choice," Arlan Brunson quipped. "We'll have to be successful. We're not good at anything else."
Arlan was listening to a replay of the upbeat, snappy "Best Is Yet to Come," featuring Blake Brunson and Roney on vocals, backed up by bugling trumpets, energized drums and innovative keyboard runs.
As they get serious about their music career, the challenge is mounting a campaign from Provo, where they have a recording studio in the basement of the family home. "We'll make our own little Branson (Missouri) here," said Glaser.
He left Los Angeles to join the brothers. "I'm the adopted Brunson. It's fun to be part of something like this."
The Christmas CD is one that may be picked by CDI Media Company in Salt Lake City as its 2003 Christmas card insert for its best customers.
"It's a wonderful one. I just think they're a wonderful group," said Paul Geurtin, sales executive for CDI.
The Nu Skin CD may become a gold record. At this point, it's scheduled to be available through Nu Skin distributors after it's introduced in Japan. Jimmy Osmond — a former superstar in Japan himself — has predicted the Brunson Brothers will be very popular there.
"The CD for Nu Skin is history," said Arlan. "It's the first time a multi-level marketing company has ever turned into a record label. I predict others will follow suit. This is a real aggressive market approach, one we're excited about."
E-MAIL: haddoc@desnews.com