Sibling singers

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Singing siblings Eric McClellan, Janeen Williams and James McClellan will celebrate 22 years of performing together with cabaret shows Friday and Saturday at Overture Restaurant.

The show, titled “Eric, Janeen and James: A Lovely Evening,” is part of Easy Street Productions’ cabaret series. It will be presented at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

Seating is at tables in the intimate setting. Tickets are $25; call 330-744-0264 or go to youngstownsymphony.com.

The evening of music will feature solos, duets and trios, with selections ranging from childhood favorites to classic pop to current Broadway.

The restaurant and adjoining lobby of Ford Family Recital Hall will take on the atmosphere of the golden age of cabaret. A wide variety of beer, wine and cocktails, paired with a small plate menu prepared by Chef Jeff Chrystal, will be available.

Eric, Janeen and James all grew up in Youngstown and have been singing together all their lives in churches and other venues. In 1994, they gave the first of their joint concerts, “Songs a Mother Could Love”; this was followed by “Sing a New Song” (1996), “Sing We Three” (1998), “Common Bond” (2000), “From Our Hearts” (2002), “In Concert” (2006), “Together” (2009), “Songs to Remember” (2011) and “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” their tribute to the late Andy Williams, which also featured Eric’s sons, Alex and Justin, and Janeen’s children, Andrew and Janna.

The siblings most recently appeared together in Easy Street’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in May at Powers Auditorium.

Eric has appeared on stage at the Youngstown Playhouse, the New Castle Playhouse and with Easy Street Productions. He has recorded a number of radio commercial jingles, sung with the Youngstown Symphonic Band and other local big bands, and performed at local churches as soloist.

Janeen and her husband, Mark, live in Canton, where he serves as pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and she serves as the adult choir director. She has performed with Easy Street Productions and sings for the occasional wedding, funeral or special event. Her voice also can be heard in commercials.

James has spent most of his life performing in association with the area’s community theaters and production companies, including Easy Street Productions, Oakland Center for the Arts and the Youngstown Playhouse, where he is currently the operations manager. His cabaret shows have played at the Oakland, the former Lemon Grove, the Easy Street Studio, the Metropolitan Room in New York City and Cain Park in Cleveland.

The trio shed light on their musical career in this exchange:

Q. James, when did you all first start singing together?

A. I was pretty young – 6 or 7 years old – when I started doing small local gigs with Eric and Janeen. The jobs were really theirs, but they brought me along as a novelty, to sing a song or two – “Tomorrow” from “Annie,” and “Hey, Look Me Over” and The Beatles’ “I Will.” We also sang frequently in church. But our first concert together didn’t happen until 1994. Janeen was living in Columbus with her husband and kids, and was taking lessons to strengthen her voice. When she felt ready to give a recital, she asked Eric and me to join her. Our stepfather was very sick at home with cancer, and our mom was taking care of him. We thought a concert would be something fun and exciting for our family at that difficult time. A large audience showed up to support us, and we started doing concerts every two years. We’ve slowed down a bit from that schedule, but this is our 10th local evening of music together.”

Q. Janeen, when putting together a concert, who chooses the songs that will be performed?

A. For our first concert, I would say the guys picked 95 percent of the music, but now maybe only 75 percent. I’m along to wear the pretty dress! No, seriously, even when it comes to my solos, the guys definitely have their opinion. Don’t tell them, but I generally respect their opinions ... generally!

Q. James, what are your favorite styles of music and who are your biggest musical influences?

A. We all love show tunes, and we were raised on Andy Williams. Apart from that, I guess we all love pop music in general. The music in this concert ranges from Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney to Billy Joel and Bette Midler to A Great Big World and Adele.

Q. Janeen, what selection are you particularly looking forward to singing on July 22 and 23 during your Cabaret Nights at the DeYor?

A. The very first song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” sets the tempo for the night. Perfect harmony and a sentimental feeling of the past.

Q. Here’s a question for both of you. Which do you enjoy more as entertainers, singing in a concert such as this or performing in a musical theater production?

Janeen: Hands down, this! For me, it’s all about the connection I have on stage with my brothers, the close harmonies and having the choice to sing a variety of songs that move me, and hopefully the audience.

James: I love doing musicals, but there’s really nothing like singing with my family. Our lifelong bond comes through to the audience when we sing together, and the evenings become personally expressive, which has its own great rewards.