Two days ago I had the incredible honor of narrating my children’s book, Uncle Mugsy and the Terrible Twins of Christmas in front of over 5,000 people — with the accompaniment of a full symphony orchestra!!!  I still don’t believe it really happened.  It was the Imperial Symphony Orchestra of Lakeland, Florida, under the direction of Mark Thieland, performing the glorious music composed by my new friend, Ms. Jean Dane.  (To see it and hear it for yourself, CLICK HERE!

MUGSY starts at 1:04.)

The eye-popping Tim Raglin illustrations were projected on a huge screen!  It was part of the ISO’s “Simply Christmas” concert put together by my dear friend, Mrs. Martha Linder, President of the Symphony.   At the end, Jean Dane and Tim Raglin join me on the stage!  Check it out!

I hope other orchestras will do this as part of their Christmas repertoires next year!  Talk about a crowd pleaser!  There were three concerts:  two morning concerts with 2,000 schoolchildren each!  And an evening performance with nearly 1,500 in attendance!  Last year it was performed in Manassas, Virginia and this year will also be performed in Madison, Wisconsin!  But this was my first time as the narrator.  The score really is world-class!  Bravissimo to the incomparable Jean Dane!  And molto kudos to my best pal Tim Raglin!  To get a copy of Uncle Mugsy, visit www.timraglin.com!!  There’s even an oversized Uncle Mugsy plush doll!  Here’s wishing you a very MUGSY Christmas!!!