Colin and Justin: Let the music ring out

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There's little we like better than a wee slice of perfect timing. You know, when stars align, the world proceeds in the right direction and good things happen because the moment, quite simply, is right.

And perfect timing was king when, just a month past, we attended the Scottish launch of Natuzzi, Europe's premier leather sofa manufacturer. Gathered, pre jolly, in a slick city cocktail bar, we — and a gaggle of other “meeja” types — flicked Natuzzi brochures, swooning as we did at a wonderful collection of leather lovelies, many of which will feature in our TV shows and press editorials both sides of the Atlantic.

The sofas, however, would prove to be only part of the excitement that unravelled during that particular evening. Indeed it would be something completely different that really captivated us, providing, as it did, the perfect opportunity to showcase a whole new side to CJE. That's Colin and Justin Enterprises, in case you were wondering. And as this interesting opportunity blossomed, it turned into an even more glorious opportunity for British children who've suffered due to illness, social disadvantage or abuse. But we'll come back to that in just a mo.

Last vestiges of Veuve Clicquot swallowed and last elegant nibble munched, we set out, en masse, toward the dreamy new sofa store, a home retail venue that's already established itself as Scotland's go-to furniture destination. Upon our arrival, an expectant Glasgow-style fraternity was already measuring chesterfields, scanning leather sample books and examining the stunning grain that gives Natuzzi its wonderful reputation.

For some reason we were all singing carols (it was, we suppose, the run-up to Christmas) and, fuelled by fizz, close harmonies started to emerge. Before long, everyone was getting into the spirit of things, vocally freestyling to the power of 10.

And then, quite unexpectedly, it all began to happen. Through a crowded room we saw a strangely familiar face, a face we haven't seen for an eternity. Cue John Maclaughlan, an affable bloke with whom we'd been friends some 22 years past when, fresh from uni, we worked together in The Tron Theatre, Glasgow's premier outpost for fringe performance. Back then, John was the dishwasher in the theatre café and we the baristas serving coffee to aspiring young actors and comedians. And not, we might add, to just any young actors and comedians: we're talking world-class players here. World-class players to be. From past tense coffee guzzlers to present day stars, our customer base included — amongst others — Bobby Carlisle, Alan Cumming and Craig Ferguson.

During lunch breaks, back then, we'd chat with the gang about our plans to break into the world of TV interior design. Commandingly talented Bobby dreamed of Hollywood success long before appearing in the Bond epic The World Is Not Enough (and years before moving to Vancouver to film Stargate Universe) while Alan Cumming, perhaps the most confident of all of us, joked that he wanted to live in the shadows. In the shadows, that is, of the Hollywood Hills sign. And Craig? Well he could talk. And it would be this adept conversational skill that would one day lead him across the pond to bigger and brighter things. We always said he'd make a perfect talk show host. And the rest, as they say, is history.

But anyway, back to our story. John, a rock singer by night and pearl diver by day (pearl diver, incidentally, is Scottish speak for someone who washes dishes for a living) dreamed of producing bands and writing music for other people. And boy, has he achieved. Two decades later he's worked with Echo and The Bunnymen, Shane McGowan from The Pogues, Brit boy bands McFly and Westlife, and he's toiled with the impresario that goes by the name of Simon Cowell. Oh, and he's also a judge on German Pop Stars (a similar show to America's Got Talent) and he's helped mould the careers of men of the cloth sensations The Priests. We could go on.

John, as we flopped onto leather sofa after leather sofa, seemed taken by our ability to hold a melody and smiled widely when we tackled one particular blast from the past — “Mary's Boy Child,” a song which was originally recorded by Harry Belafonte and more recently by Boney M. Before long, John started to inquire about our schedule and, within an hour, began formulating a wonderfully cunning plan. Turns out he'd recently been approached by Bauer (a huge European publishing and radio network with broadcasting tendrils across Britain) to create a Christmas single for hard-working U.K. children's charity Cash For Kids. He liked our rendition so much that, by the end of the night, he began calling friends in the music and videography world to pull in favours. Our heads were already spinning.

The night drawing to a conclusion, we agreed to a two-day recording commitment (hey, sometimes you gotta run with things and, besides, this sounded fun) during which our impresario pal reckoned we'd be ready to present three tracks to CFK for their approval. And so it came to pass that, just two short weeks ago, we ventured into a Glasgow recording studio at the crack of dawn to lay down the material. By lunchtime, incredibly, we'd recorded all three songs and by the next morning we'd completed a simple video to accompany “Mary's Boy Child,” the title track of our festive EP.

And how was it all funded? Well, because this is a charity venture, production revenue was limited (i.e. zero) so we had to be extra creative to pull things together. John, architect of our grand musical plan, and our producer Dave, all donated their time — as did we — so as not to detract from charitable revenue. Even our sound and camera crew shot our simple tongue-in-cheek video without submitting a bill. Those involved in artwork and marketing also invested their time — to invest in children — and, as a collective, we couldn't be prouder of the commitment we built.

So now it's over to you. We really hope you enjoy the trio of songs we've chosen to record. Each has special personal connotations and, having started with “Mary's Boy Child” (mashed up with “Auld Lang Syne” to help bring in the New Year) we've grown to love “Winters Tale” and “Sleigh Ride” with equal measure. As you listen, try and imagine the fun we had while recording the music, and, as you (hopefully) buy the tracks for just 99 cents each, imagine the good you'll be doing for children who have, quite simply, been denied many of the things most of us take for granted. Aspects like good health, protection from violence and abuse or simply a warm bed in a safe, loving household. These wee guys can't always help themselves and they need all the support they can get. It's heart warming to think that our wee EP could make a huge difference to many as Christmas 2010 approaches.

We're honoured to have been involved, and who knows; if the tracks are well received we may well put our mind to working on an entire album for 2011.

One thing's for sure though; we're nowhere nearly ready to hang up our paint charts. But when we get back home to Canada next month, we might just tie up with a Canadian charity and do the whole thing over again. Watch — and listen to — this space!

Search “Colin and Justin” on iTunes to download our festive tunes and watch the video at YouTube ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9cJorHjweY).

Next week: Against the backdrop of our dramatic grey painted Glasgow drawing room, we'll tell you what Christmas means to us.

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV's Colin & Justin's Home Heist (Tuesdays at 10 p.m.). Follow them on twitter @colinjustin or on Facebook (ColinJustin). Contact them through their website, www.colinandjustin.tv.

Read more Colin and Justin here. Check out their top 10 shopping destinations and watch the video of their makeover of the Star editor's office. Scope out some of their previous transformations:

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