It's that time of year when award winning Broadway Star and International Recording artist, James Barbour will bring holiday cheer to New York City with his annual Holiday Concert.

After interviewing James in 2011, I am excited to catch up with him during this festive time of year, and continue our conversation on the evolution of his Holiday Concert .

In this NEW interview, James once again answered my call, but this time around he shares:

• Why he moved his annual Holiday Concert to 54 Below
• What’s new in this year’s shows, from song choices and guest performers to fresh musical elements
• How audience participation in “Twelve Days of Christmas” began
• Why 12 Days of Christmas is such a beloved part of the concert
• James’s personal holiday traditions
• Favorite NYC holiday moments
• Christmas wishes
• So much more

Connect with James: Website, Facebook

This year's run of James Barbour: The Holiday Concert will take place at New York City's theatre hotspot 54 Below (254 54th Street, between Broadway & 8th Avenue) on December 7, 2013 at 11pm and December 12, 2013 at 7pm.

1. Once again, you will be performing your annual holiday concerts, but this year they are at 54 Below on December 7 & 12. What made you want to change venues for this year's concerts? I had been an audience member at a friend's concert there and I thought the space was absolutely beautiful. Within a short time the team at 54 Below approached me about appearing there, and as luck would have it, I was in the planning stages for my 2013 Holiday Concerts.

The idea of changing venues came simply because I wanted to bring my audiences (more like extended family) to a new venue. I just like to change things up every once in a while.

2. What does 54 Below offer you that another venue does not? I think each venue is unique and 54 Below is not only beautifully designed, but it has the sense of being in an upscale club somewhere in Europe. I'm excited to perform there.

3. What can fans expect from this year's concerts that they might not have seen in previous years? Yeah...my favorite part. New music selections, great guests (as always), maybe an additional instrument or two, and I'm trying my hand at the acoustic guitar (no promises) on a song. Plus the venue.

James Barbour in concert
Photo Credit: Monica Simoes

4. One concert staple you keep in each year, which I hope this year will be the same, is having various members of the audience perform with you for "Twelve Days of Christmas." How did you decide you wanted to have this interaction with your audiences this way? I love this part of the show. I'm a big goof on the inside and although I tend to play these dark brooding roles on Broadway, growing up it was all about making each other laugh and having fun. I wanted to bring that part of my life to the show. Interaction with the audience is vital to me. It's why I do what I do. Without the audiences and fans, we would be performing in a vacuum, and that would not be fun. So with 12 Days of Christmas, we can all join in together and participate in the joys of the season.

5. What do you enjoy most about this part of your concert? At this point, the Holiday Concert regulars actually put first dibs in for their "day" when they show up to the venue. Literally people grab my arms and say "I want 6 Geese A Laying" or "We are 5 Golden Rings, make sure our table gets 5 Golden Rings" It's a load of fun.

6. Going back a little bit, what made you initially want to have an annual holiday concert? It came out of A Tale Of Two Cities closing on Broadway. I've always been a big Holiday fan. It's my favorite time of the year and I've had this vision to bring back the Bing Crosby specials of old. In fact, years ago, my old producing partner and I actually pitched a version of the Bing shows and were vey close to getting it produced on network TV.

7. What do you love most about spending the holidays in New York City? NYC is THE destination for the holidays. Miracle On 34th Street! Macy's, the Tree at Rock Center, the window dressings, the lights. I once saw about 30 Santa's all piled into one coffee shop near the corner of Broadway and 52nd street. I mean where else can you see that?

James Barbour in concert
Photo Credit: Monica Simoes

8. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Wow...well now that I have two amazing kids, my family is reliving those wonderful traditions my wife and I had when we were children. Cookies and milk (almond milk in our house) for Santa and carrots for the reindeer left out on the fireplace hearth. Christmas music (if I had my way it would be 24/7) playing in the house. Decorating the house with lights and such.

But perhaps, the most important tradition is family. I made a point, no matter where I was in the world to be home for Christmas. I would fly in, train in, drive in just to be home with my mother, father and sister. It's vitally important to me.

Now that both my parents are gone, and I have my own family, those same values hold true. No matter what religion or what holiday you celebrate (and even if your not religious and don't celebrate an holiday) spending time with family is imperative, so that is my favorite holiday tradition...remembering and being with family.

9. Since starting your holiday concerts, have you adopted any new traditions for the holidays? Well my Holiday Concerts have now become a tradition. I've been asked to perform them all over the world which is a wonderful gift.

10. What are some of your favorite holiday foods? I'm all about deserts but I would have to say my favorite is Apple Pie.

11. If you could have one Christmas wish come true, what would it be? Both my parents have passed....my wish is that they could have met their grandchildren, and that my kids could have met them.

More James Barbour Interviews:

2011 (Read Here): Bring Me Giants at The Holiday Concert Tour at Sardi's NYC

James Barbour