You’re a good man, Charlie Brown

It never should have worked. The 1965 holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas was hastily conceived, animated on a shoestring budget, and, most importantly, outfitted with a jazz soundtrack from obscure pianist Vince Guaraldi — not exactly a formula for success. But someone forgot to tell television audiences that, and the program has been broadcast every year, acquiring that rarified status in popular culture: A kids show beloved by each generation since its initial airing, despite, or perhaps because of, its primitive production. Its anti-commercialism theme that speaks to the true meaning of Christmas also remains timeless.

This is just fine for film lover, musical auteur, and Bicycle Eaters leader Jeffrey Bützer. “I wanted to do a Christmas show, but I didn’t want it to be random Christmas songs,” Bützer says.

He gravitated to the stripped-down jazz trio concept of the original score. “This is an easygoing record that hipsters and squares love,” he adds.

After selling out the first gig in 2008 at the Drunken Unicorn, Bützer, who plays drums with T.T. Mahony on piano and Robby Handley on bass, suspected he was on to something. Like the scrawny tree in the cartoon that becomes beautiful with a little hard work and attention, the concept has matured into a yearly and highly anticipated two-night stand at the Earl. The show also has expanded exponentially. This year, after running through the short 40-minute disc, the trio balloons with three singers, horn, guitar and glockenspiel players, and launches into tunes from the Phil Spector Christmas album — no small accomplishment. There will also be handmade stage props, decorations, and artwork around the Charlie Brown theme to bring additional charm.

Considering Bützer’s artsy slant on his tributes, he strives to keep the Guaraldi approach similar to, but not exactly the same as, the original score. Pianist Mahony — who also plays The Nutcracker around this time of year — creates new solos nightly. “That’s what’s so much fun about it,” Bützer says. “We’ve been doing it so long, everyone wants to know if we’re bored. We’re not because we don’t really practice. We want it to be spontaneous. There’s still that aspect that keeps it fresh.”

Since the 21-and-older age restriction at the Earl eliminates kids from the audience, the trio plays jazz to a rock crowd, which can get rowdy. But the group also plays an all-ages, family-friendly gig the night before (7 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 18) at Marietta’s Strand Theater. “It’s like a miniature Fox,” Bützer says.

Even though he plays drums and isn’t the spotlight of the show, he’s the glue and direction behind the production, juggling all of the disparate parts. “I’m like the sad Charlie Brown,” he deadpans, “trying to pull it all together.”