Two area truck drivers produce Christmas song, book

Truck drivers Michael Webb and Rodger Pritchett wrote a song about a misfit Christmas tree over a citizens band radio while driving from Cape Girardeau to Little Rock one night, never imagining the words would grow into a children's book and then become a play.

"Curley, the Crooked Christmas Tree" tells the story of Curley, a Christmas tree that is planted next to a fictional Missouri orphanage. Although Curley is not the straightest, most beautiful tree, the orphans see something of themselves reflected in Curley's imperfections. They lavishly decorate him with popcorn strings, paper ornaments, love, and surround him with heartfelt Christmas carols.

The initial concept came from co-writer Pritchett, 54, a Kennett, Mo., native. The trucker is also an award winning novice songwriter.

"When I was a kid we'd get our trees from a local grocery store," Pritchett said. "I remember those trees that did not sell. ... I wanted to do a story about crooked Christmas trees."

He told Webb, 64, of Cape Girardeau about his idea. Webb came up with the orphanage and named the tree Curley.

Pritchett recorded the song in Hayti, Mo., about seven years ago.

"Sometimes you get goosebumps," Pritchett said, referring to when an artist just knows something is working perfectly. "The night we recorded ‘Curley,' the goosebumps were there all night."

Once it was released, people kept telling Pritchett and Webb that it should be made into a children's book, Pritchett said.

The book version was published in October with illustrations by Jamie Holmes, a local musician who helped record the song.

Webb's wife, Mary Ann, took the lyrics and wrote a play from them, which was performed Dec. 17 at the Amen Center in Delta, a transitional housing shelter and religious center for the homeless or abused opened in September by Mary Ann's son, Danny Hollowell, and his wife, Shirley.

Housed in the former Delta Elementary School, the Amen Center has 32 residents, some of whom acted in the play.

Kyara Smith, 14, of St. Louis opened the play and talked about Curley, and Jesus' birthday. She was also involved with helping the other children memorize their lines.

"The play was heartwarming," Smith said.

Kaitlyn Neuir, 12, of Oran, Mo., played an orphan and helped string popcorn to decorate Curley during the play.

Bre-anna Neuir, 9, Kaitlyn's sister, also was an actor.

"I thought it was great, warmed up my heart and put a big smile on my face," Bre-anna said.

Bre-anna said her favorite part was the last lines of the play:

"May God's loving light shine on you all through the year. Merry Christmas from our hearts to yours."

Pertinent address:

Delta, Mo.

Kennett, Mo.

Cape Girardeau, Mo.