Scott Marshall feels that life is a gift, and he shares that feeling in the holiday musical he wrote, “The Gift,” Dec. 20, McCoole’s Arts and Events Place, Quakertown.

The musical is described as “a story with inspiration, love and laughter.”

It’s the second year the musical has been presented.

Marshall says the show, which includes children and adults, is “like being on the set of a Hallmark movie.”

Marshall and his band, the Highway Souls, will be center stage with the dramatic action taking place around them.

This year’s performance has some changes, three of his recent Christmas songs, surprise guests and “extra-special” canines.

Attendees may purchase a ticket for a dinner and show.

The musical again benefits Tails of Valor, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans, law-enforcement personnel and first-responders with Post Traumatic Stress Injuries or traumatic brain injuries.

“I’ve been doing Christmas shows for about 12 years with various charities. Because of different connections, the stars aligned for this one,” Marshall says.

Marshall speaks of “the blessing of Christ our savior and the blessing for everything that I have. I am eternally grateful to my fans.”

Despite some health problems, Marshall does about 100 concerts annually.

At Musikfest, he performed Aug. 10 in Musikfest Cafe with the Highway Souls and Aug. 3 with his son, Marshall, piano, and John Paul, acoustic guitar.

Marshall has been doing music for about 35 years. He formed the Highway Souls in 2020 after fronting Marshall’s Highway on vocals, guitar and mandolin for 10 years. He calls his music Americana, which mixes County, rock ‘n’ roll, blues and bluegrass.

The Highway Souls often includes nine musicians on electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, dobro, saxophone, pedal and lap steel guitar, keyboards, plus backup singers.

“It rounds out the sound,” he says, “and it brings the studio into a live setting.”

The band for the Christmas show will be composed of seven musicians.

Marshall often performs his own material:

“Being an original singer-songwriter has always been my passion. I carry the original music banner at every show,” says Marshall, who lives in South Allentown.

“It is always an uphill battle, but I am lucky to have a fan base that appreciates my offerings in the midst of a thriving Lehigh Valley music scene with wonderfully talented artists. I try to write songs that speak to people’s hearts and minds.”

Marshall has released four albums, the most recent, “Faith, Hope, Music and Love” and “Feelin’ the Light.” He says that after recording his three holiday songs, there has been interest in a Christmas album. Recently, he recorded in Nashville.

Marshall’s faith has guided his career:

“We all have God-given talents to help others and help people on this journey that we call life. We all have a purpose. I thank God for the gifts and talent God has given to me.”

“The Gift,” Scott Marshall and the Highway Souls, 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 4 p.m. for dinner, McCoole’s Arts & Events Place, 10 S. Main St., Quakertown, 215-538-1776, www.mccoolesredlioninn.com