Stupak, Phyllis McGuire record Christmas song

Gary Thompson

Monday, Dec. 14, 1998 | 11:37 a.m.

Move over, Bing, and make way for Bob.

Bob Stupak, the always entertaining gaming entrepreneur, is embarking on a new career -- entertainer.

In his bid to supplant the immortal Bing Crosby, whose "White Christmas" is the best-selling holiday song in history, Stupak has launched his own recording career with a seasonal tune about a snow flake named Jake.

And he's hoping the talents of his long-time companion Phyllis McGuire, lead singer of the McGuire sisters, will help make "Jake the Flake" a new Christmas classic.

"I think it's one of the cutest songs I've ever heard," McGuire said today. "I played it for my sisters yesterday and they flipped."

The song, which features Stupak, McGuire, the Ray Charles Singers and a snow flake voice (Stupak's, speeded up) that sounds suspiciously like Alvin the Chipmunk, doesn't break any new musical ground.

Then again, maybe it does. (And you may not want to go there.)

But you could be hearing it soon on a local radio or television station, since Stupak says he's offering them copies.

Stupak, who said he's more interested in replacing Frank Sinatra than Bing Crosby as a musical icon, actually wrote the song himself, thus aligning himself with the likes of legendary lyricists such as Sammy Cahn.

And as if the Christmas shopping lines aren't long enough, Stupak said he's releasing the recording to "some retail outlets Monday afternoon."

Unfortunately, he didn't name the retail outlets, so you might want to call ahead.

But he did disclose that "This is Ms. McGuire's first release since the mid-1960s and the first time she has been accompanied by Bob Stupak."

Will there be a second?

"If he writes something as good as this, absolutely," said McGuire.

The world waits.

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