This month’s cover story features a true area holiday tradition. Since 1996, the Parrot Pub has hosted a special event in support of the US Marine Corp Toys For Tots Foundation. It is scheduled this year for Saturday, June 12. The music starts at 8:00 p.m. This year’s performers include: Robert Len Stallard, Michael Goff, Carl Scott, Pete Simple, Derek Aramburu, Bill Ward, Michael Brim, Weston Brown, Kika and Carolyn Wallace     

     “The Toys For Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community,” Parrot Pub owner Dan Arthur says. “The format for this benefit provides very special entertainment from some of Houston’s best singer-songwriters, along with a free Christmas buffet. Guests are asked to bring one new unwrapped toy for donation to the USMC.”

     For the third year in a row, the event will be hosted by Carl Scott. “The Parrot Pub has consistently shown a dedication to this wonderful charity throughout the years, and it’s been my pleasure to be a part of it every year since its inception,” Carl says. “There is nothing more rewarding that seeing a crowd of people show up and stack toys under the Parrot Pub’s Christmas tree each year, knowing that less fortunate children in our area will benefit from their generosity. Since my involvement, we’ve also raised several thousands of dollars each year for the Toys for Tots Foundation, in addition to the many toys donated by attendees at the event (I think we’ve averaged about $6,000 each year). With the help of kind-hearted musicians from the Houston area and beyond, we’ve collectively sought to make Christmas a much happier time for those who might otherwise have not even had a Christmas as most of us know it. It is really those musicians who deserve credit for making this event a huge success each year.”

     “As for me, I’ve been involved in the Houston music scene since 1993, as a singer-songwriter and local performer,” Carl says. “I have recorded 3 CD’s, with my songs receiving airplay in Europe, South America, and the Asian Pacific, in addition to here at home. I make no effort to categorize my music, thus being free of limitations to my style, aside from the boundaries of what my imagination can create. At my shows, of course, I love to mix my music with great tunes penned by greater songwriters than myself.” Visit Carl’s website at www.carlscott.net.