Everything might be bigger in Texas, but one of Lone Star’s new state residents has to admit that one of the biggest Christmas shows is happening in Vacaville.

He should know. He helped build it.

In fact, it was Keith Stout and his twin brother, Ken, who helped anchor the Alive Music Orchestra 32 years ago, with the annual “Home for Christmas” show starting two years later and continuing as a tribute to the Alive Music Orchestra. former Bob Hope / Bing. Crosby USO Tour and the veterans they entertained.

And although Keith Stout recently moved to Texas as a civilian architect at Randolph Air Force Base, he will be returning to join in the traditional Christmas extravagance on Friday, December 10 at Valley Church.

Behind Ken Stout’s direction and sax playing, the presentation of the AMO Orchestra is “meant to remind people that the holidays are a season of peace, family and, most importantly, the miraculous birth of Christ,” said Keith Stout, founder and trumpeter of AMO.

Pastor Frank Salamone of Dixon Cornerstone Church and Leah Walker’s and Ken Stout’s 21-year-old daughter Brette Stout take care of the vocal duties, with local musicians performing popular Christmas carols.

Music has always been a big part of the Stout family, said Keith, 59, five minutes younger than Ken – although “he claims it’s 5”.

The two have demonstrated musical ability since kindergarten in the San Francisco school district, Keith said, when “everyone was starting to hammer things out.”

Formal training, however, began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when the twins were in a group in the early 1970s with a father in the Air Force.

Eventually Ken Stout learned the alto, tenor and baritone saxophone while Keith gravitated around the trumpet, flugelhorn “and some of the brass”.

Neither brother plays guitar, but Keith’s 18-year-old son Keaton excels in instrument, trumpet and keyboard and has a full musical scholarship at Azusa Pacific in Southern California.

“I tried to get him into architectural engineering, but it didn’t take,” Keith said. “Our family is so musical. He naturally turned to music.

The Stouts’ mother grew up in the Philippines and their father in the United States. They’ve always been a musical family, Keith said.

“We were pretty much given a choice – pick an instrument,” he said. “Going through the school system, we played in a lot of concerts. The holidays have been very busy for us. And growing up, our parents watched TV shows like Bob Hope Christmas Special and White Christmas with Bing Crosby. Every night of the week we watched Johnny Carson with Doc Severinsen. And, of course, we were also influenced by our music teachers.

The music, Keith continued, “got the whole family out of trouble. Making music with friends and family was the best, especially during the holidays and Christmas.

Not to say that the twins weren’t competitive. They were, Keith said, both into music and skateboarding in their youth.

Eventually Ken started his own music business, selling it 20 years later to a former student. He is now the new director of AMO, a title his brother Keith once had.

“Music streaming throughout the county,” Keith said. “It’s one of the things that excites us: teaching American music to our young children. “

For the Christmas show, this is the real meaning of the season, Keith said.

“It’s the reason for Christmas – the birth of Jesus – that is important,” he said. “We’re catching up with the business side, but it’s not about Santa Claus and Frosty. It is about the birth of Christ For me it is important.

The Vaca Jazz Society presents AMO’s 30th Annual Christmas Show, “Home for Christmas,” Friday December 10 at 7:00 p.m. hosted by Valley Church in Vacaville, 5063 Maple Road. Free entry. Offering of love accepted. For more information, call (707) 448-7222.