Steve Gailing, a local musician and composer, has released a new Christmas song titled "It's Gotta Be Christmas!" The song reflects Gailing's style and features a festive narrative about a man enjoying the Christmas season while barbequing on his deck in cold weather, surrounded by Christmas lights and ornaments.

鈥淭he song itself has all the elements of what a song of mine would look like,鈥� Gailing said. 鈥淎 guy on his deck barbequing in very cold weather, looking at his Christmas lights and ornaments, taking in the wonder of the evening, reflecting on the time of year, celebrating his family.鈥�

The song's creation was sparked by local music producer Don Rudland, who approached Gailing last summer with the idea of writing a Christmas song for potential distribution to local radio stations.

Gailing said the inspiration for the song came about unexpectedly during the summer. 鈥淭he actual idea of the song came about in the hottest part of August, on my deck BBQing away when it occurred to me that, I BBQ all year and love it!鈥� he said.

鈥淚n my mind, I put myself in the same position during the Christmas season and the lyrics started to come to me very quickly."

The song was created in collaboration with several musicians, including members of Gailing鈥檚 band, Mustang Heart, and various contributors. While Gailing composed the music and lyrics solo, he credited Karl Matzhold, the band's bassist, for his instrumental role in the song鈥檚 production.

Matzhold also recorded, mixed and engineered the song out of his recording studio, Last Spike Recording Studios in Fort Fraser.

The song also features choir vocals from Gailing鈥檚 family, including Matzhold's granddaughter, Kasittie Kennedy, Gailing鈥檚 niece Elaine Penner, and his great-niece, Necia Penner.

The production process took about two months, starting in September and completing in late November.

鈥淚t was awesome and a lot of fun putting the song together,鈥� Gailing said.

The song is dedicated to Gailing鈥檚 family, including his wife Bobbie, stepdaughters Jaime and Jennifer, sons-in-law Matthew and Jamie, and his grandchildren Dominic, Liam, and Makayla. 鈥淢y true inspiration all year long. I love you all!鈥� he said.

Gailing鈥檚 band, Mustang Heart, has been performing across central and northern British Columbia since 1993, and the group continues to bring high-energy performances to audiences throughout the region.

鈥淲e love what we do and play with an incredible amount of energy on stage,鈥� Gailing said. The band is always striving to bring that energy to their performances, enticing those watching to have a great time too, he added.