Brandon Walker, 24, of Owings Mills, teaches music at Beth Tfiloh school in Pikesville.
His song, “Chinese Food on Christmas,” pokes fun at a Jewish tradition and has become a huge hit on YouTube.com and other Web sites. He recently partnered with some Towson film students to make a music video, which has been viewed more than a million times.
He spoke with The Examiner about the song and his music career.
Tell me about the Jewish tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas.
That?s what we do.
There?s nothing open except for movie theaters and Chinese restaurants. … I do have family that celebrates Christmas, but I do [eat Chinese food on Christmas] frequently.
What made you decide to write this song?
This was an assignment for that class [at James Madison University in Virginia], which revolved around marketable tunes ? tunes you would hear on the radio.
[My professor] said, “Write pop tunes,” and he said most pop artists write Christmas music. … Since I was the only Jew in the class, I wrote about this. It?s not my own experience exclusively. I know the rest of the Jewish community
does it.
What do you have to say to some comments on YouTube that say some of the video is offensive?
It?s a three-minute, fun, whimsical song. I wish people would lighten up. I can?t argue with people?s feelings. …But I knew my demographic would think it was funny.
Where do you see this video taking you?
Music is my love. It?s only recently that I thought I might be able to make a career out of making songs.
This is my way of seeing if it would work. I will just put out a new song every month.
