Martin Burniston will lead a Mucky Duck-style Christmas Singalong at Arcadia Live on Dec 14.
Nov 20, 2024–If you are looking for a fresh way to celebrate the holidays in the Hill Country this year, think beyond a red-nosed reindeer and consider celebrating Mucky Duck style.
McGonigel’s Mucky Duck is a popular Irish pub in Houston that serves as the inspiration for a new tradition unveiled at Arcadia Live in Kerrville by Martin Burniston. His signature Christmas Singalong, which he has performed at the Mucky Duck for more than 30 years, will take place Saturday, Dec 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Born in Yorkshire, England, Burniston grew up performing music with his Mum, who was a professional entertainer in clubs, dinners, galas, radio, and television. By age 11, young Martin was singing for pay at community events and dances, eventually fronting a three-piece combo that worked as the house band at popular restaurants. He also worked in theater, opera, TV, film, did voiceovers and audiobooks.
Even while building his stage presence, Martin kept his day job working in the oil business, a career that brought him to Houston in 1976.
Stateside, his love for singing and his respect for England never waned. During his time in Houston, Burniston became friends with the owners of McGonigel’s Mucky Duck. In 1991 he convinced them to let him lead a weekly Christmas singalong during the holiday season. It was so popular, they increased it to two nights a week, and then three nights. It sells out every year, and is “completely and utterly” for charity. Burniston still performs there.
In 2023, an Arcadia board member who was familiar with the Mucky Duck event approached Burniston to start up a similar event Kerrville, where he now resides. The first performance was so well-received, it set the beginning of a new holiday tradition in the Hill Country.
Burniston describes his act as English cabaret. He considers himself more “entertainer” than “singer.” During the two-hour show he and accompanist Jim Benton perform 15 to 16 songs per set, handing out songbooks for audience participation.
He performs mostly standards and show tunes, including all the popular carols and favorites such as White Christmas, the Christmas Song, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, and “everything you can think of.” It is very much family friendly, and if you show up, be ready to be part of the show. Burniston calls it “two hours of great fun!”
“I tell the audience at the beginning the evening, you’re not here for a concert. I’m here to lead you in song, and that’s what I do. I get them going, and everybody has a whale of a time.”
Already, expatriate British groups are discovering the Arcadia Live show, as they did in Houston. There, tables sell out a year in advance as revelers jockey for the “5 Golden Rings” seating for the traditional 12 Days of Christmas audience participation singalong.
“They will show up with five golden painted hula hoops, or rubber chickens to represent French hens, or rubber gloves for 8 maids a milking,” Burniston explained. “One year someone brought a Scottish piper! They are just rabid about doing this!”
It’s all English gravy for Burniston, who, with his British heritage, has come to stand in for the cultures of England, Ireland, and Scotland. For 25 years he has led the St. Patrick’s Day singalongs at the Mucky Duck, and in Kerrville he has served as Chieftain for the local Highland Games and Celtic Festival. It tickles him.
“At one point I was liaison between the public and the British Consulate in Houston,” he said. “If people called there with an interest in finding out about British football, they said, call Martin Burniston. Darts? Call Martin Burniston. Rugby? Call Martin Burniston. Cricket? Call Martin Burniston. Squash? Call Martin Burniston. For awhile they had me singing three national anthems, the Star-Spangled Banner, O Canada, and God Save The Queen. I am proud of being a Yorkshire man, and proud of being British!”
Burniston performs the show purely as a benefit to Arcadia Live.
“I love the spirit of Christmas,” he said. “There is nothing better than coming out and sharing that goodwill and fun of being together with people at a time like Christmas. It is not just about the religious aspect; it is the spirit of people coming together. It seems to be a different time of year when people act more friendly and social. I say, just come on out!”
And while Arcadia Live might not yet be the Mucky Duck, you can feel comfortable bringing along your partridge in a pear tree.
Details:
Martin Burniston’s Christmas Singalong will take place on Saturday, Dec 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. at Arcadia Live in Kerrville. Details at www.thearcadialive.org.
Phil Houseal is one of twelve drummers drumming and owner of Full House PR. Contact him at phil@fullhouseproductions.net, www.FullHousePR.com.