For just one day, Juno Award-winner Greg Sczebel was at the number four position on iTunes Holiday Charts – sandwiched between Justin Bieber and Michael Bublé.
By last week, his new Christmas song, Perfect, had fallen to 140.
But fans can help push him up the ranks again by going to iTunes and downloading the song for 99 cents.
“Being in the top spot? If you can say you beat Bieber it gets everyones attention,” says Sczebel with a laugh. “There’s a whole lot of Christmas cheer in that three-minute song, I can tell you. It’s all the things I love about Christmas, being with those you love, family and friends, making memories.”
On a more serious note, the talented singer-songwriter says many people don’t realize an artist’s career hinges on fan support and the amazing power downloading from iTunes or making requests to a radio station can have on their music being heard.
“Every click helps,” he says, suggesting fans visit www.bit.ly/pfct to do their clicking. “From this link, we can track how many people are actually clicking.”
Or, click on www.Gregsczebel.com to uncover the secret to the artist’s own season of giving.
Not only does the site offer a link to Perfect, using the link will help Sczebel spread the Christmas spirit and add some brand new music to their playlist.
For each 1,500 clicks that this link receives, Sczebel will release an exclusive gift. It might be a brand new song that will be on his next album, a new Christmas recording, a song that almost made it on his last album, an unreleased collaboration with a notable artist, or some other highly awesome downloadable gift.
“Trust me, there are no duds in this Santa’s bag,” he says. “And, if you help me reach #1 on the iTunes holiday singles chart on any day before Dec. 25, I will release an additional exclusive download.”
Sczebel’s career continues to click along too.
Prior to going on a 17-gig Canadian tour to promote country-western star PaulBrandt’s new album, Give it Away, Sczebel asttended rehearsals in Nashville earlier this month.
Sczebel remained in the city he loves to stay connected to the amazing music scene, says the young talent, who also reinforced connections with the fashion scene in L.A. before returning to Salmon Arm.
“It’s good to stay connected with artists, even in other media, it inspires you to do what you do,” he says.
The tour with Brandt began Nov. 24 in Brockville, Ont. and wraps in Victoria Dec. 15. As well as being sold out in four venues, including Calgary, Brandt is graciously giving Sczebel centre stage to perform one of his own songs.
“I’ve been his sideman and good friend for the past five years,” he says, noting the two jokingly rib each other about their musical styles. “It’s so kind of him to support me and expose his fans to what I do, which is not quite country.”
And Sczebel is sharing the love at home too, with his own B.C. Interior concert tour – Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time With Greg Sczebel and Friends.
The final stop on this Christmas tour is Thursday, Dec. 22 at the Salmar Classic.
Sczebel and his band will be joined by the Observer’s own storyteller James Murray.
Tickets at $15 in advance or $18 at the door go on sale Dec. 1 at Tangles Hair Salon in the Mall at Picadilly, Java Jive and Acorn Music on Lakeshore Drive.
And please take a non-perishable food item for the food bank.