Holly Dolly Track 10 - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Xmas

Ah, Johnny Mathis. What ever happened to these crooners? Why did they go out of fashion? Most of them have found a new gig raking in the AARP set's dough in Branson, MO. Johnny dropped off the face for a different reason - in 1982 he discussed his homosexuality in an interview, and subsequently started receiving some serious death threats which caused him to lower his profile. Clay Aiken's lucky he lives in the 21st century.

I personally think those people were mad that the guy who sang the "Family Ties" theme didn't share their family values. But try as those bigots might, no one can deny the magic of Johnny's golden tones. And so we offer up this Xmas classic.

Holly Dolly Track 9 - O Holy Night

This is one of the most beautiful of the Xmas songs. Erin and I couldn't think of a distinctive recording of it, however, so I found an artist that Erin likes doing it. I hope you enjoy this pleasant rendition provided by the lovely chanteuse you see every Sunday on NBC's NFL broadcast.


At least the Cowboys won this game.

Holly Dolly Track 8 - What Tidings Bringest, Thou Messenger?

I've spent most of my life having to follow in my sister's hallowed footsteps, sometimes happily and sometimes reluctantly. When she suggested that I try out for Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, a group she'd been singing in with her college director, it was more of the latter - she's always been a tough act to follow, since she's both naturally talented and the hardest working woman not in show bizness.

But I gave it a shot, auditioned, and became a member of the group. There were a lot of fantastic people with whom I got the opportunity to work, and I had a lot of really great experiences singing with the group. This song is one example; I sing the second verse in a duet with the lovely and talented Carol Spradling.

Since the group rehearsed on Sundays, I had to give up my interest in professional football for a few years. Luckily my tenure coincided with the downward spiral that was the Dallas Cowboys of the Millennium.

Hmmm.... maybe it's time to consider singing in a group again...

Holly Dolly Track 7 - All I Want For Xmas

Well, I didn't get what I wanted for Xmas today, so to guest blog I've invited my fiancee Erin McCormack to discuss her favorite song on this year's Xmas CD.


Hi people - You really can't have Christmas without Mariah - and I feel especially close to her this year as she was in my office the other day discussing some upcoming project.

As soon as I saw that she was walking by, I instantly started blasting this song from my desk and stood up - 8 1/2 month pregnant belly and all - and started doing her dance with the hand movements, lip synching, pouty, pained looks and all. When she heard her own voice serenading my entire division, she stopped to see who had the wherewithal to be so smart, savvy and timely. Obviously, when she saw that it was me - she instantly demanded that I be her back up singer at her next concert.

Alright, fine - I didn't get the song on in time as she walked past really quickly with those long legs, but I could have... Anyway, she is the queen of this song - nobody really does it better - I think that you'll agree. Merry, Merry Christmas!

Holly Dolly Track 6 - Wonderful Xmastime

Yum, poppy goodness. Our good friend John Crotteau subscribes to the theory that Paul McCartney was the better songwriter of the Lennon/McCartney junta. I'll let you be the judge. Our first entrant: this perennial favorite from 1979.

Featuring synth that would make Devo Xmas green with envy, this song is a perfect example of how Macca can turn a simple melody and even simpler lyric into a hit song. The result? Simply having a wonderful Xmastime!

Holly Dolly Track 5 - Peace On Earth - Video Daily Double

OK, Music Choice, stop freaking me out man. I just checked the track listing of "Holly Dolly" and saw that "Peace on Earth" was the next track I'd be writing about. So Bing's Pah-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pums popped in my head and not 20 seconds later the classic Crosby track "The Little Drummer Boy" was playing on my TV. Time Warner has really come a long way with their DVR technology - now it's reading my mind.

I can no longer hear Pah-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pum without thinking of my friend and colleague Nick St Angelo. He's been a bit punch-drunk since the birth of his baby girl, a condition which I anticipate replicating very soon. Apparently he threw on the VH1 Classic in a haze one sleep-deprived night and saw this video. I imagine that it would have freaked me out, as well.

And so... our first Video Daily Double!



Bowie would wait nearly 30 years to find a way to top this landmark TV appearance. But somehow, he found a way, thanks to a little fat man with a pug-nosed face. No, not Santa Claus, but Ricky Gervais.



As a side note, Erin chose the track listing and I merely put them together in the order in which she wrote them down. I think it turned out great. Pah-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pum!

Holly Dolly Track 4 - What Child Is This

Here's a Xmas song so nice they put it on the album twice. Though some sheltered souls didn't grow up watching the classics (i.e. Erin, who just saw the Grinch for the first time - the real one, not the Ron Howard/Jim Carrey/Mr. Noodle freakfest), for me it wouldn't be the holidays without "A Charlie Brown Xmas" - or at least the soundtrack.

In the years before the CBX CD became a ubiquitous staple of year-end commerce, getting a dub of the vinyl on cassette as a kid was like finding buried treasure. When I went to college, there was an awesome record store in the Commons that acted as a source for many a classic album. This was the first of three Vince Guaraldi albums I picked up there; shockingly it was the only Peanuts-related one.

We were just at the Commons; the store is no longer there. Probably the most upsetting death that occurred in this decade was that of the independent record vendor. Of course, the death of good popular music didn't help that.

"What Child Is This" is the truncated version of "Greensleeves", which closes out the original album in a grand 5 1/2 minute cut. If I was trapped on a deserted Xmas island, as long as I had CBX, John Denver and the Muppets, and Andy, I'd be chilling. But I'd probably just end up putting Vince on repeat. Infinitely listenable.

Holly Dolly Track 3 - O Come All Ye Faithful

Nat Cole wasn't the "King" for nothing. This dude was the king of jazz, king of Xmas, and king of singing in foreign languages. According to his daughter Natalie in the liner notes of her album "Unforgettable... With Love", he learned all the Fideles and Tannenbaums and Beaucoups phonetically. So he may not even know what he's saying, but in our hearts, we all do.

Natalie Cole is a whole other story. But it's Xmas, so we're gonna let her slide for now.

Track 2 - A Holly Jolly Christmas

Ah, Burl Ives. Who names their kid Burl? The Ives, I guess. Nothing says Xmas like this song. Holly and jolly rhyme with Dolly, who is our dog, and she is excited to be the cover model for this year's Xmas CD.



Merry merry!

Holly Dolly Track 1 - Put A Little Love In Your Heart

Hey Y'all! Marry Mariah Carey and holiday cheer coming your way! By now you should have downloaded our Xmas CD. If not, check the (E)mails and then check back in here.

If so, get ready for 18 posts about Xmas in 13 days.


The first song we chose for our mix is "Put A Little Love In Your Heart", performed by Lennox/Green and featured on the SCROOGED soundtrack. For those of us who have worked in TV, it wouldn't be Xmas without SCROOGED. Santa shouting "It's Lee Majors!" basically sums up my childhood.

I got the SCROOGED soundtrack on Cassette in the early 90s at a funky little five and dime just outside of the Adirondack Park. What a great addition to any holiday repertoire. Future E and S Holiday Editions look to feature "We Three Kings" as performed by the megateam of Miles, Sanborn, and Shaffer, as well as the Beatles-inspired "The Love You Take" by the AIDS-stricken genius behind "I Can Dream About You" and countless other hits, Dan Hartman.

Side note: Bill Murray is the only original Ghostbuster whom I didn't encounter this year. Hopefully that will be rectified in the New Year.

Ford Knight was always pushing for this kind of music to be featured at Trinity Episcopal in Seneca Falls, NY. He may have been a damn dirty hippie, but you can't argue with the Rev and the Eurythmic when they plead for the world to be a better place.

What better way to start Xmas Day?