12/08/24 IT'S SUNDAY - NO. 18 ON THE 2024 NOMAD ARCHITECT CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - LET'S DO SOUTHERN GOSPEL

I grew up listening to Southern Gospel music. My dad would take me to Gospel Sings all over the South to hear The Statesmen Quartet, The Blackwood Brothers, The Imperials and many other Southern Gospel groups that were popular in the fifties and early sixties. All those groups were essentially four singers, usually men, and a piano player singing around one mike. Today, this genre of music has been remade with modern infusions of great song writing, great bands and a more modern presence in today's always changing world of modern music. One of the chief innovators of the new Southern Gospel sound is Bill Gaither. From Indiana, this forward-thinking writer, producer and singer was a major force behind the "modernization" of Southern Gospel. 

Through his Gaither Homecoming events, The Gaither Vocal Band and many other artists, Southern Gospel is now a worldwide phenomenon. Gospel Music is heard by over 200 million people all over the world every thirty days.

Today's lineup will feature some great singing and singers performing great Southern Gospel Christmas music.

First Up - Founded in 1981, The Gaither Vocal Band is the premier current day Southern Gospel group. This group of amazing talented singers was formed by song writer, producer and singer Bill Gaither and has won multiple Grammies and GMA Dove Awards. Over the years thirteen different singers have sung with this group. Here is current day Gaither Vocal Band performing a Christmas Classic first published in 1906 - OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM.

Bonus Track - One of the greatest high tenors from Texas to ever sing with the Gaither Vocal Band is David Phelps. This Texas talent graduated from Baylor University with a degree in music and vocal. We had the pleasure of seeing this higher than high singer , winner of multiple Grammies and GMA Dove Awards, perform at Immanuel Baptist Church to a packed house. He brought down the ceiling! Here is this amazing artist performing - JESUS WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD!

Bonus Track 2- The Martins, a trio with a brother & two sisters, were discovered by Michael English, Mark Lowry and Bill Gaither when they were teenagers in 1987. And the rest, as they say, is history. This multiple award-winning group has been singing loud and proud since then - The Martins performing - GO TELL!

Just sit back or dance to Southern Gospel for Christmas!

D.L.Stafford

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12/07/24 IT'S SATURDAY - IT'S THE WEEKEND - LET'S HAVE SOME LEVITY FROM NO. 19 ON THE NOMAD ROCK's CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN AS WE PREPARE FOR THE BIG DAY

Some say that Christmas creates a lot of stress - the shopping, the planning, the cooking, the decorating, the in-laws, the traffic, etc., etc. So, if you are a stressed elf, sit back, relax and laugh at some funny tunes and comics pondering thoughts on our greatest holiday.

First Up - This tune has been in every COUNTDOWN since it started - the one and only Robert Earl Keen has been honored with a BMI Troubadour Award and is an inductee into The Texas Songwriters and Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame. He's also best friends with another Texas Troubadour Lyle Lovett. Today, have a few laughs as you listen to a classic Texas Tune - MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY.

FUNNY THOUGHTS from one of America's funniest comics - CHRISTMAS WITH THE IN-LAWS by JIM GAFFIGAN.

MORE COMIC THOUGHT - Here is GAFFIGAN with observations on all holidays - HOLIDAY TRADITIONS - BEYOND THE PALE. 

A MODERN CLASSIC starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and a great supporting cast - The CHRISTMAS VACATION LIGHT SCENE from NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION!

 

Hope everybody's smiling as you load up on all those AMAZON deals for the people you love!

Just Laugh and say Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

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"Adults can take a simple holiday for Children and screw it up. What began as a presentation of simple gifts to delight and surprise children around the Christmas tree has culminated in a woman unwrapping six shrimp forks from her dog, who drew her name." - Erma Bombeck

12/06/24 NO. 20 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - FOR ALL THOSE "OLD" LOVERS OF GREAT MUSIC

We don't have a lot of old school crooners today. Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Jack Jones, Sarah Vaughan, just to name a few, knew the subtleties of vocal performance to sing some of the greatest songs ever written. In the fast-moving world of popular music today one singer stands out - Michael Bublé. He can deliver New York New York or L-O-V-E like an old pro. I have seen him several times and he always performs great tunes old and new. We also have Diana Krall laying out great tunes young and old as well.

Today, all we "old" lovers of great music can sit back and enjoy some of the best.

First Up - DIana Krall, great singer and pianist, gives us her version of one of the songs most sung during Christmas. Written in 1850 by James Lord Pierpoint under the original name The One-Horse Open Sleigh - JINGLE BELLS. 

BONUS TRACK - One of the greatest Crooners was BING CROSBY - In this scene from a must-see movie at Christmas time - HOLIDAY INN - Bing is joined by actress Marjorie Reynolds lip syncing the actual voice of Martha Mears for a duet of WHITE CHRISTMAS. The song was written by the great Irving Berlin. The movie was released in 1942. I have my very own copy of the White Christmas album given to me by my parents at the age of 9-10 and I listened to it every Christmas growing up.

BONUS TRACK 2 - The one and only Tony Bennet shows what great singing is all about as he performs a swinging arrangement of SILVER BELLS. We had the pleasure of seeing and hearing this incomparable artist in the FSU Donald L. Tucker Civic Center February '99 - absolutely mesmerizing!

Nothing brings out the subtlety of the great holiday spirit at Christmas like these classics.

“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Merry Christmas to All

D.L.Stafford

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12/05/24 HEAR CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN NO. 21 - COUNTRY SINGERS AND GREAT STORY TELLERS HELP ALL VAGABONDS CELEBRATE

What is it about Country Music? Not commercial country music but real Country Music. IMHO - Great Country Music tells us stories about life, love, struggle and triumph. Great country goes down deep and captures your soul as you listen. Today on the Christmas Countdown are a few tunes from some great country artists big and bigger.

FIRST UP - One of the greatest Country Music groups to ever step on a stage, ALABAMA, is joined by an amazing country acapella group founded in 2001 who won NBC's SING OFF in 2013 after several years of intensive touring - HOME FREE. Enjoy some amazing vocals on a song appropriately titled - CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE! 

BONUS TRACK - Country rocks when it needs to. Multi award winner Zach Williams from Jonesboro, Arkansas hooks up with one of the greatest young female artists performing today, also a multi award winner, Lainey Wilson to take GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN to a whole new level of great country singing at the 2023 Country Music Association Awards. As one fan said - "Zach Williams and Lainey Wilson done brought church to CMA. God bless them! Go on and feel that holy spirit!!"

BONUS TRACK 2 - I have seen this amazing Texas Troubadour five times - just him and his guitar, with four other singers and their guitars and with his fifteen-piece Large Band. He combines every genre of music - country, jazz, pop, blues, classical and rock - in a vast array of innovative tunes that make you stop and listen. Here is a story of remembrance and love from the multi-Grammy winning singer, writer and actor LYLE LOVETT - CHRISTMAS MORNING.

I hope these tunes let you enjoy this time of year every day like you mean it!

Merry Christmas 

D.L.Stafford

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12/04/24 WEEKEND'S COMIN' - ON THIS FIRST WEDNESDAY OF DECEMBER ENJOY NO. 22 ON THE 2024 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - SOME CLASSICS PRESENTED BY A COUNTRY ARTIST AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

It's HUMP DAY - the first week of Christmas. I hope all you Vagabonds are enjoying this season of seasons as you buy all those big and small things your kids want, and all that stuff your grandkids absolutely need! 

Our tree is decorated, and I love the smell emanating from our REAL tree. I have one member of my family who puts up a beautiful 10-foot-tall faux tree every Christmas, then takes it apart and stores it after the big day. 

Whatever your choice is - real or fake - I hope you enjoy decorating it and appreciate the beauty as it graces your place.

Today, let's check out some serious jazz folks for Christmas. Here, from back in the day is a classic, written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and first sung by Judy Garland in the film Meet Me In St. Louis and later recorded by the one and only Frank Sinatra. Today, we can enjoy this classic tune by Brett Eldredge, a current day country singer who lays out a smooth version of this first-class Christmas Classic - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

From the first Super Star of Song - Winner of eleven Grammies, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the one and only Chairman of The Board Frank Sinatra singing with a cool video The Christmas Waltz.

Merry Christmas to all Nomads, Friends and Neighbors!

D.L.Stafford

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12/03/24 NO. 23 ON THE 2024 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - A COOL TUNE WITH A LITTLE DANCIN' + THE GREAT RUSS TAFF

UNTIL DECEMBER 25 ALL VAGABONDS WILL HEAR GREAT CHRISTMAS MUSIC - TRADITIONAL, GOSPEL, JAZZ, ROCK, POP, CRAZY AND PROFOUND TUNES FOR YOU TO HEAR AND SEE! A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESEARCH HAS GONE INTO THIS YEAR'S MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA SO DON'T FORGET TO TURN IT UP!

CHRISTMAS HIT NO. 3 - Another unique take on a classic tune written in 1944 by Frank Loesser - BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE performed by POST MODERN JUKEBOX!

BONUS TRACK - This Countdown will include occasional trips down a new or old musical trail for your listening pleasure. Today's Bonus Track features the multi-Grammy and Dove Award winning Russ Taff. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this amazing Gospel singer about 40+ years ago at my church when he was the lead singer for one of the greatest Gospel quartets in history - The Imperials. He later became a main stay with the world renown Gaither Vocal Band. Enjoy Taff as he does a smooth jazz arrangement of Let It Snow.

Day three of December - More music on the way! Merry Christmas!

D.L.Stafford

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12/02/24 - NO. 24 ON THE 2024 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - JOY TO THE WORLD INDEED!

I hope all lovers of Christmas have their tree up, decorated and lighted. If not, you better get busy - Christmas will be here before you know it. My daughter insisted we have our tree up and ready to go this past Saturday. I love getting all those big boxes down that have been stored since last Christmas. Ugh! If you need some time to just relax, I hope you will enjoy today's tunes of classics done old and new on this first Monday of Christmas.

According to the Weatherman it's supposed to go down to 32 degrees with a high of 58 on this Monday. Here is a classic Christmas song with a completely new twist vocally and otherwise by one of the most unique groups of singers, dancers and players performing today - Enjoy Postmodern Jukebox performing Joy To The World, written by Isaac Watts in 1719, like you've never heard it!

For our Vagabond readers in Snow Country here is a classic done with modern technology combining two master singers of great music - Grammy winner Michael Bublé' and Grammy Hall of Famer Bing Crosby - White Christmas!

"Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year." - Victor Borge

Merry Christmas to all Wanderers Who Love Christmas!

D.L.Stafford

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