No kidding.

In the back of everyone’s mind, there is the thought: Christmas is coming.

Like it or not, department store displays, television ads and catalogs in the mail tell all that will happen.

For the last seven years, 26,000 people have done a part of their Christmas shopping at the Paramount Theatre box office.

This year’s holiday ticket shopping rush begins 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. That’s when tickets go on sale for the 2009 Michael Veldman & Friends production “Just Believe.”

There will be six shows on the Paramount Theatre stage Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19.  Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with matinees scheduled at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19.

Ticket prices remain the same: $12 a seat.

No other event at Austin’s beloved Paramount Theatre attracts more people.  All six shows in the theatre — 623 capacity — will be filled for many of the performances.  And there’s fans and curiosity wherever the performers go.

When the performers — Michael Veldman, Brian Bawek, Kaye Perry and Erin Schumacher — took a hiatus in December 2007, it ruined an Austin tradition in the making.  The performers gathered at The Old Mill for dinner one evening.  As the story goes, they joined hands, bowed their heads, and sang a table prayer.

Diners stopped eating, conversations ceased and the patrons listened. When the song-prayer ended, the supper club erupted with applause.

When Veldman, a middle school teacher, was shopping this summer and dressed in ball cap, sunglasses, T-shirt and jeans — all far removed from the tuxedo he wears on stage—a clerk recognized his voice at a Rochester builders’ supply store.

“You’re Michael Veldman, the singer,” the store clerk remarked, according to the startled Veldman. “Are you going to do another Christmas show this year with your friends?”

The answer was, of course, “yes.”

Michael Veldman & Friends are in demand. Adoring audiences have made them a part of their holiday plans.  Right next to decorate a tree, go to church on Christmas Eve, visit grandma’s house on Christmas Day and other holiday rituals.

No other four individuals in Austin may be better known.  Their voices, personalities and stage professionalism set them apart as much as their familiarity in the Austin community.

“We’re a family on stage and the audience is a part of that family,” Perry said.

“It’s more than just four people getting up on stage and singing,” Schumacher said.

“I remember this woman said last year,” Veldman recalled.  “‘My Christmas doesn’t begin until I’ve seen the show’.”

Seeing the show Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 is “just believing” in an eight-year-long Austin tradition that also benefits the Paramount Theatre.

The performers will donate $10,000 again this year to the Paramount Theatre.

The Children’s Matchbox Theatre also benefits from gifts.

A scholarship in memory of Maureen Cahill was endowed at Riverland Community College with proceeds from the show.

Veldman said this year’s audiences can expect changes. “There will be changes to the show internally. It’s going to be different than any of the other shows.”

But he added and his co-performers agreed, the essence of the popular show will not be dramatically tweaked.

After the Oct. 3 ticket sale kick-off, the performers won’t be able to take the Paramount Theatre stage until November because of other productions.  That means they must continue to rehearse informally in their homes.

The holiday show could be called “Erin Schumacher & Friends” or “Kaye Perry” or “Brian Bawek” & Friends; so democratic, so all-for-one, one-for-all are they.

Who, then, is the star?  It’s hard to tell.

“Brian is such a natural performer,” Schumacher said.

“Michael is so creative,” Perry said. “He makes it so easy for all of us to fit into our roles.”

Compliments bounce from one performer to the other with ease.

Scott Perry, Kaye’s husband, said the performers put their “hearts and souls” into their work both on the stage and off.

Veldman said, “I think this is just the right mix of people.”

“It’s a family affair,” Bawek said. “It’s become a family tradition both on stage for the performers and for our audiences.”

Bawek said the group’s success is, in part, rooted in the performers’ ability to connect with audiences.

“We all have jobs,” he said. “We all have families and similar values.  We may definitely be what the country needs or wants at this time.”

Now that the news is out, that tickets go on sale Oct. 3, Veldman, Perry, Schumacher and Bawek are preparing themselves for more attention.  They will be stopped in grocery stores, at church, on the street, and elsewhere.

The turning of the seasons can’t pass quickly enough for their fans until opening night arrives.

Not only have they become a holiday tradition in Austin but also a phenomenon.

“People have told us,” Bawek carefully tackled the subject of the group’s popularity. “They say they go to Chanhassen or Branson but look forward to watching the four of us on stage, because of our stage presence.  Those are nice compliments.”

“It really is special.  It means so much to us,” Bawek said.

And, apparently, audiences agree.

For more information call the Paramount Theatre box office 434-0934.