HOSP AND DUMEY HAVING OPEN HOUSE TODAY TO CELEBRATE NEW RECORDING

Robyn Hosp and Mike Dumey are well known throughout the Jackson area. They both graduated from Jackson High School and still live in Southeast Missouri.

Now, their much-loved performances can be heard anywhere with the release of their new CD.

"Celebrate Christmas with Mike and Robyn" is their first recording and will be available to the public starting today. Hosp and her family will be hosting and Open House at their home, 2140 Otto Drive in Jackson, to celebrate the release.

"My basement has been invaded by CD's and cassettes," said Hosp. "We had to wait until Thursday to get the CD's and Friday for the cassettes. We've been on a tight schedule, but it's been a dream come true."

The recordings will also be available at The Way, The Style Stop and Sweetheart Florist in Jackson; and Garber's Mens Wear and Victorian Memories in Cape Girardeau

"We recorded the CD at Riverside Recording in Cape Girardeau only a month ago," said Dumey. "It was mastered in Nashville and we're really excited."

"We recorded evenings after school and got it all done in two nights," Hosp said. "We also were in constant contact with the producers in Nashville and they were great in pushing this through. They agreed that it needed to be done in time for Christmas."

Hosp and Dumey began singing together in 1976 during a production of "Godspell" at Six Flags in St. Louis. From there, they participated in small Christian music groups and then began to sing and entertain together in 1985.

"Most people know us because we grew up here and have performed for so long," said Dumey. "We've basically been adopted by the city of Jackson!"

The duo performed this summer and early fall at Lucy's Galleria Grill in Cape Girardeau. From those performances, many who attended suggested the idea of a Christmas program for the holidays.

"We got all of these requests, so we figured, 'Why not?'" said Dumey. "The holidays are always such a crazy time, but to get that kind of response, we decided to carve out a little niche of time and do the best we could."

The Christmas shows will be held Nov. 27-28, Dec. 4, 6, and 11-12 again at Lucy's Galleria Grill. A buffet will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. on weeknights, lunch at 12:30 p.m. and the show at 2 p.m. on the Sunday matinee.

"People should know that they need to call early for reservations," said Hosp. "The Thanksgiving weekend is open, but I've already picked up sheets of reservations, so tickets are going fast!"

The show format is planned to be similar to the previous shows in the summer and fall with a buffet and singing waiters.

"Robyn and I will come out and do about 35 minutes of our music we've already done: country, pop, comedy," said Dumey. "Then we'll come out after intermission and perform an hour-long Christmas show from the CD."

Both Hosp and Dumey said that they feel that the reason they love doing the performances so much is the fun that those who attend have.

They will also be riding in the Jackson Christmas Parade December 5, followed by an autograph signing at The Way Bookstore.

The duo credits their families and spouses in helping to make their dream become a reality. Even two of their children, Drew Hosp and Lauren Dumey, perform with their parents on the CD.

"We sat down one night really late and tried to think of what to write in the dedication," said Hosp. "Once we started writing, the words just flowed."

Their dedication thanks their families and Dumey's father and brother, Ralph and Mark, who helped to "haul, build and fix" anything needed.

"In our homes, Christmas has always been a special time of giving," Hosp read from the dedication. "This Christmas, may your heart be filled with the peace that comes from trusting in Jesus Christ who's both the giver and the gift."