CD SHOWCASE MEMORIES
HOLIDAY EDITION
Until 01/06/2016, the regular features of “Wednesday Wrap: CD Showcase Memories” (9p US central) & “CarTunes Saturday: CD Showcase Memories” (8a US central) are pre-empted by highlights from the “CD Showcase – Holiday Edition” radio shows I hosted 12/24/2009, 12/24/2010 & 12/24/2011.
This entry features 3 songs from the 1st hour of my 12/24/2011 radio show: George Jones’ “Jingle Bells”, Tanya Tucker’s “What Child Is This?” & Ed Bruce’s “Christmas Started With A Child”. Also featured: 1955 Chevrolet, photo by OC,SHer BEN M….
#1 “Jingle Bells” | George Jones
For this Christmas Eve radio show 4 years ago, this song was a special request for my Nephew James, then 3 years old. He was so excited to hear Uncle Cort on the radio! This wintertime song was written by James Lord Pierpont & published 09/16/1857 under the title “1 Horse Open Sleigh”. Though it is now associated with the Christmas holiday season, it was originally written for the American Thanksgiving (late November). 2 years later, the song was published under the revised title of “Jingle Bells” (1859) & has gone through several lyric versions & melody versions since. Now, the song is part of public domain. Jones’ songs include, of course, “He Stopped Loving Her Today”.
#2 “What Child Is This?” | Tanya Tucker
This carol was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, who had been working as an insurance company manager & was struck by a severe illness. His spiritual renewal during his recovery led him to write several hymns, including the lyrics to this carol. Later, the lyrics were subsequently set to the tune of “Greensleeves”, a traditional English folk song. Today, this Christmas song is more popular in the United States than England. Many other artists have recorded it, including Johnny Mathis, Ray Conniff, Vince Guaraldi, The Letterman, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Ray Charles, Josh Groban, Tori Amos, Rod Stewart & Richard Marx. Tucker’s regular songs include “What’s Your Mama’s Name”.
#3 “Christmas Started With A Child” | Ed Bruce
Similar to “Jingle Bells”, this song was a special request during this Christmas Eve broadcast. WRMN’s Dr Dave, a huge fan of Ed Bruce &, coincidentally, TV’s “Maverick” (which also starred James Gardner), wanted to hear this tune. I was happy to play this poignant song, with a children’s chorus as backing vocals; I have it on the album series ‘A Country Christmas’. Along with the theme of TV’s “Maverick”, Bruce’s regular songs also include “You’re The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had”.