Johnny Mathis • Sending You A Little Christmas

Earlier this fall, Johnny Mathis released a new Christmas album, and somehow, I managed to miss the news. Thankfully, my buddy JD Doyle of Queer Music Heritage did not, and sent me a note to check it out. It is a 'no brainer' that I would, since his first holiday album, 'Merry Christmas', is a favorite of mine. The album was a part of my own holiday soundtrack, for I have been hearing Johnny sing Christmas music all my life. In fact, I remember hearing his Pop songs and his Christmas music on the radio, and in the house. That first holiday album was released 55 years ago, yet I still play it every year. On the new album, Mathis works with such amazing artists as Billy Joel, Natalie Cole, Jim Brickman, Gloria Estefan, Susan Boyle, Vince Gill and Amazy Grant, and delivers another album I think I might be playing every year! This is the list of songs.

01. The Christmas Song (with Billy Joel)

02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (with Natalie Cole)

03. This Christmas

04. Sending You a Little Christmas (with Jim Brickman)

05. Mary's Boy Child (with Gloria Estefan)

06. This Is a Time For Love

07. Do You Hear What I Hear (with Susan Boyle)

08. Home for the Holidays (featuring The Jordanaires)

09. Merry Christmas Darling

10. Decorate the Night

11. I'll Be Home for Christmas/White Christmas (with Vince Gill & Amy Grant)

12. Count Your Blessings

Now, I thought it would be fun this Christmas morning to let you hear the whole album, and let it be the soundtrack to your Christmas morning. It is a great holiday treat, and I am sure you will love it. So grab your cup of coffee or tea, and start opening your presents. Have a great Christmas day, and enjoy 'Sending You a Little Christmas'.

I must admit, Johnny Mathis has also been a hero of sorts for me. The man was courageous enough to come out of the closet in 1982 in 'Us' Magazine, long before it was the popular or safe thing to do. Handsome, talented, and gay, who could ask for anything more? You can purchase 'Sending You a Little Christmas' from iTunes and Amazon. You can still purchase 'Merry Christmas' from iTunes and Amazon as well. For more about Johnny Mathis, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook.

Christmas Presents from Christmas Belles

Clockwise: Big Maybelle, Doris Day, Sarah Vaughan, and Bette Midler.

It is just over three days before we celebrate Christmas, so I thought I would invite some very special ladies to sing a few special songs to make the holiday that much better. And I will start with a legendary talent from the the middle of the last century. Day was a star of movies and music, she was the girl next door they all wanted to know. In 1964, she released 'The Doris Day Christmas Album', which included the song "Be A Child At Christmas Time", with music by Martin Broones and lyrics by William A. Luce. The song is just so sweet and charming, and delivered perfectly by Day. This is Doris Day singing "Be A Child At Christmas Time".

Big Maybelle has always been a favorite of mine, her voice just so amazing. She has made a lot of different music, and it all makes me happy. One of the recordings I love so very much is her rendition of the 1940 sing by Irving Berlin, "White Christmas". While it was first made famous by Bing Crosby, Big Maybelle gives it s different twist, a Jazzy and Bluesy sound. It really shows off the richness in her tone. I hope you love when Big Maybelle sings "White Christmas" as much as I do.

When I type in the name Bette Midler, I immediately feel better. I know if there is music involved, I will soon be a very happy man. And if it is a a song off her 2006 album, 'Cool Yule', I know it is going to be magic. She sings "Merry Christmas", a song written by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre for the 1949 movie 'In The Good Old Summertime', sung by Judy Garland. Bette imbues the song with all the warmth and and care you could ask for, and then some. This is Bette Midler singing "Merry Christmas".

And in our last song of the evening, I have picked the great Sarah Vaughan singing a wonderful wintery tune. The song is the title cut of her 1963 holiday album, and was written by Russell Faith and Clarence Kehne. "Snowbound" is a great song, and her delivery is just about perfection. There is a wistful and romantic feel to the song. This is Sarah Vaughan singing "Snowbound".

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Christmas Garland • Judy at Home

In 1963, the legendary Judy Garland had her own television show. For show #15, they taped the Christmas episode, which featured many guests, including Judy's children, Liza Minnelli, Lorna and Joey Luft. In this first clip, we get a Christmas Medley with Liza Minnelli and Jack Jones, and, of course, Judy.



In a very special moment, Judy sings Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas in a sweet moment with with Lorna & Joey Luft.



The show also featured Judy singing The Christmas Song with Mel Tormé, who wrote it with Bob Wells. The song was perhaps best known for the version ob Nat King Cole.



While not a part of the special, this is Merry Christmas, with lyrics and music by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre, sung by Judy in the 1949 MGM film, In the Good Old Summertime. She sings it to a very handsome Van Johnson.



Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

A Christmas Fireplace

A Merry Christmas To All! May the warmth, joy, and love of the season be with you and all you hold dear this holiday season. Just thought I would post this Christmas Fireplace for all to enjoy, with music by the talented Sam Harris.