CD SHOWCASE MEMORIES

REQUESTS: Please advise if…
…you are a member of a singing group or band & would like to be featured
…you would like me to feature a favorite song of yours not played on the radio

HOLIDAY EDITION
Since 11/28/2015 (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), the regular features of “Wednesday Wrap: CD Showcase Memories” (9p US central) & “CarTunes Saturday: CD Showcase Memories” (8a US central) were pre-empted by highlights from the “CD Showcase – Holiday Edition” radio shows I hosted 12/24/2009, 12/24/2010 & 12/24/2011. NEXT WEDNESDAY, this theme returns to featuring a variety of songs, many of which you may not have heard on the radio.

THIS entry features 3 songs from the 4th hour of my 12/24/2011 radio show: The Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Linus & Lucy”, Randy Travis’ “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” & John Denver & The Muppets’ “12 Days Of Christmas”. Also featured: a Chevrolet Impala convertible, photographed at the 2015 Ocean Gate Car Show by OC,SHer CHRIS L S…. Before getting to those features, Tommy “Lil Red”, son of OC,SHer CHRIS L S, is vying for a sponsorship from Champion (Spark Plugs). Winning this sponsorship would “spark” a great racing season for him! So, will you please go to his page & vote once a day for him? You do NOT need to give your Email address; you can register with your Facebook profile. You also do not need to sign up for the prizes (which asks for your Email address & other info). Please read about Tommy & see his video here; thank you!
& now, the Impala & songs….

#1 “Linus & Lucy” | The Vince Guaraldi Trio
Not particularly a holiday tune, this song has become a holiday favorite due to its inclusion on the soundtrack for the TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. This jazz piano composition was written by Vince Guaraldi, released in 1964 on the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s album ‘Jazz Impressions Of A Boy Named Charlie Brown’. A year later, the song was introduced to millions with the debut of the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” special, which has become a classic & yearly favorite of many.

#2 “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” | Randy Travis
Dating to the 16th century or earlier, this is an English traditional Christmas carol. It goes by other names: “Tidings Of Comfort & Joy”, “Come All You Worthy Gentleman”, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, “God Rest Ye, Merry Christians” or “God Rest You Merry People All”. The earliest known printed version of this tune dates back to 1760. Travis’ career spanned mid 1985 to mid 2005, with 16 chart toppers; he enjoyed a brief comeback in 2009 when he teamed with Carrie Underwood on a remake of his 1988 hit “I Told You So”.

#3 “12 Days Of Christmas” | John Denver & The Muppets
& now, the song that explains why the holiday tunes lasted until now. Today, 01/06/2016, is Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas, & what better way to come to an end than this holiday classic? [Today also happens to be the 13th anniversary of my 3rd open heart surgery, 01/06/2003!] This song is an English Christmas carol that dates back to 1780, when it was published without music, as a chant, in a book for children, “Mirth Without Mischief”; under the name “12th night”, this was a game. The tune now associated with the lyrics is from a 1909 arrangement by Frederic Austin, who introduced the now-famous prolongation of the verse “5 gold rings” [& who better to do that elongation than Miss Piggy!?]. This version by Denver & the Muppets was released in 1979 from their album ‘A Christmas Together’, based on the TV special (aired 12/05/1979 on ABC) of the same name. & yes, I have this album on VINYL record!