Tom Swearingen says he’s been in the music business all his life; it’s in his blood. So, he did not allow some frigid temperatures and a smaller than expected group dampen his holiday spirit last week when a group of musicians came together to spread holiday cheer.

“I didn’t come up with the idea; it’s always been in my head for quite a few years,” Swearingen said. “I lived in Eau Claire for 30 years and moved back to Rhinelander in 2000 and I’ve always wanted to do something like this up here. Just for the heck of it I threw out an email, to see if anybody was interested.”

The response to that email was overwhelming. 

“Now tonight we’re getting close to double digits below zero and it’s hard to get people out of their warm houses and come out and do this thing,” he said. “But we do have a nice showing of people and we’re having a lot of fun… a bus full of good, hardy carolers and revelers and we’re out doing it, and we’re having fun.”

Swearingen is looking for bigger and better things for next year.

“If I can organize and get anything like this going, I will. I’m trying to get something going here in Rhinelander during the holiday season, so next year we’re looking for something bigger with additional fun.”

The group stopped at Evergreen Manor, Milestone Senior Living, and Grace Lodge before making an unplanned stop at the Rhinelander Café and Pub for a 20 minute show.