By TIM KELLY
Scott Coulter is a New York City resident by way of his native Tennessee. Like many visitors, Coulter holds a special place in his heart for Ocean City.
The producer of the Ocean City Pops “Musical Sounds of the Season” concert at the Music Pier and a special vocal performer at the show puts it this way: “Coming to Ocean City is like coming home.”
Coulter designed an event that has it all to help audience members get in the mood for the holiday season.
“This show has something for everyone,” said Coulter. “It’s a warm, love-filled Christmas kickoff to the holiday season.”
And couldn’t we all use a little more holiday love?
The show takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk. Tickets are available by calling the Music Pier box office, 609-399-6111 or by visiting www.oceancityvacation.com.
Coulter, who has dozens of productions and performances to his credit, said it’s special to return to O.C. It starts with his contacts in the city, he said, and comes full circle with audiences like no others.
“Folks like Mike Allegretto and Michael Hartman and everyone at the city are a joy to work with,” he said. “And the people from the audience come up afterward and tell me they’ve seen our other shows here before, such as the First Night concerts. One said she felt like she knew me. It’s like a family.”
The holiday concert will be the climax to an entire series of old-fashioned Christmas events on Nov. 30. The events include Breakfast with Santa at Sunrise Café, 1200 Asbury Avenue; photos with Santa ($10) from noon to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier; and free horse and carriage rides in front of City Hall.
“(The Pops holiday concert) really has something for everyone,” Coulter explained. “There will be traditional Christmas carols and pop holiday standards, and even some of the more contemporary Christmas music. We (artists) feel that performing in Ocean City is a gift, and this show is our gift back to Ocean City.”
Joining Coulter and other special surprises will be dancers from the Atlantic City Ballet Company’s production of the Nutcracker.
“I’m probably most excited about that,” said Coulter. “It’s a spectacular (highlight) of the show.”
That is high praise coming from Coulter, who has been performing “as long as I can remember” and professionally for more than 25 years.
He’s worked with such legends as Ben Vereen and Sheena Easton and symphonies including San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Seattle among many more, and his production credits are just as prolific. He’s the creator, director and arranger of many touring shows, such as “That’s Life: a Toast to Sinatra” and “You’ve Got a Friend: Carole King.”
He said his esteem for the Ocean City Pops is at the top of his many show biz collaborations, and he has taken several members on the road with him as part of his touring events. Beyond that, working with the Pops is just plain fun, he said.
He said that teaming up with the Ocean City’s musical veterans is always a treat “because they are some of the greatest musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.”
