For The Capps Family, Music Is All Relative Family Of Musicians Goes On The Road For First Time

Music, music, music are the buzzwords around David Capps’ Jerome home, whenever relatives come to visit.

A tiny boy jangles a tambourine as the group sets up to play music, setting the stage for the twang of guitars and the beat of drums blended with keyboards and synthesizers.

The musicians are all related, prompting the group name Relativity.

The father, David, arranges the contemporary Christmas music; he has been arranging music since he was a boy. Each Christmas season the musicians present recitals for family gatherings in the Capps’ home. “It is a tradition, when all the relatives get together,” said mother Charlene Capps.

“This year we were asked so many times to go to the Jerome schools, so we decided to play outside the family circle.”

It’s the first Christmas season the group has taken its act outside the family. The family has been playing together for about four years. David and Charlene play synthesizers. Son Austin, 16, commands the lead guitar; Robert, 14, is the drummer and plays the chimes and bells. Son John, 10, is an expert keyboarder, while Alex, 5, shakes the tambourine.

Group members say Alex is the showoff. “Most of our music is instrumental. Alex does sing one song - but only because he insisted,” said his mother.

Nephew John Bartholomew, 17, plays the bass guitar and another nephew Andrew Glassett, 17, plays violin. Another nephew, Braden Poulsen handles the sound and lights.

Fifteen-year-old Margot Glassett, a niece, joins guest Connie Higley as singer. “Connie is the only one who is not really related, but she might as well be. She’s one of the family,” Charlene Capps said.

David Capps’ sisters, Jo Glassett and Kathy Bartholomew, made holiday vests for the group. Grandmothers Mary Capps, Beth Poulsen and Norma Bartholomew cheer from the audience as they seldom miss a concert.

David and Charlene Capps were inspired by Carson Wong, who directed the Jerome High School music program when they attended his classes. Charlene started her music career when she was in kindergarten and took piano lessons from Kelley Yost of Twin Falls.