By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent

Local Catholic produces Christmas CD

ST. GERMAIN -- If Ellen Allen's dream comes true, "Sam the Lamb" will someday be a household name at Christmastime, right up there with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Ellen sang about Sam to her own children over 35 years ago, and now he is the subject of one of the songs on a CD she has produced. Titled "Keep Christ in Christmas," the CD has 15 of her original songs, including one about the feisty little lamb who lived at the time of Jesus' birth.

Since Sam is so mischievous and noisy, his fellow lambs tell him to "stay away" when they follow the star to find the baby. But as the story and music unfold, Sam doesn't listen and tags along, bringing up the rear of the herd. Much to everyone's surprise, he is on his best behavior when he arrives at the manger, prompting his proud mother and others to agree that Sam is "an awesome lamb."

"It just came to me. Why not develop the idea of Sam at the crib to bring the religious side of Christmas in a very subtle way," Ellen said. "It would be nice if we could get that on the market so children will ask for Sam and put him in the crib."

Although Ellen had an idea of what Sam should look like, it wasn't until a few years ago at a silent auction that she found "the perfect Sam." The cuddly stuffed animal with his black face, ears and feet is a familiar sight in Ellen's house.

"Now that people are becoming acquainted with him, I wouldn't mind finding someone to produce in quantity, but you have to start small," she said.

Ellen has had music and lyrics spinning around in her head for almost as long as she can remember. Although she has had no formal musical training, melodies and lyrics have always come to her simultaneously and spontaneously just about any time of the day. "I never forget a melody. Once it comes, it stays," she explained.

About five years ago, some of her musical friends and acquaintances encouraged her to do something with the assortment of compositions that she had been jotting down on scratch paper and stuffing into drawers and shoe boxes.

"Sam the Lamb" had been copyrighted in 1965, and after a lapse of many years, other songs gradually followed. Finally, Ellen decided she was ready for the ambitious venture of producing a CD. She recruited her own vocalists from many sources, including church choirs. Some are from her own parish, St. Mary in Sayner.

There are solos, duets, a quintet and a children's group, all singing in their own style. In all, 29 vocalists were involved, plus accompanists on piano, guitar, drums, accordion, harp and clevanova.

One of Ellen's goals in producing the CD was to provide new opportunities for the musicians. "I wanted to open the way for them to further their talents," she said. "Most had never been inside a studio." She also encouraged them to improvise. "Sometimes their ideas gave the songs more life."

Ellen is the producer and distributor of the CD and developed her own company called Ellie's Music. She already has six songs copyrighted and recorded for her next CD, "Love Songs."

She has been busy going to craft shows and other events to promote the CD. Ellen is hoping that somehow "Sam the Lamb" and her other original Christmas songs will help to "balance the music and greeting cards that sidestep the true significance of Christmas."

("Keep Christ in Christmas" is available at Jabberwocky's book and music store in Eagle River, Karen's Hair Design in St. Germain, and St. Mary Church in Sayner. CDs may be ordered for $17 by writing to Ellie's Music, P.O. Box 158, St. Germain, WI 54558, or by calling (715) 479-5575.)

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