12-25-25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! IT'S FINALLY HERE - IT'S MY FERVENT HOPE THAT ALL NOMADS HAVE ENJOYED THE TUNES FOR THE COUNTDOWN - ENJOY TODAYS PICKS - NO. 1 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

Today - The Biggest Day of the Year. All Nomads will celebrate with family, friends, little kids, big kids & others that just drop in. We'll enjoy the beauty of the tree, the decorations and the FOOD! You just gotta' know - Santa is very tired! And the reason for the season? THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST!

First up - The supremely gifted Italian classical tenor - Andre Bocelli and a group of talented kids perform - SANTA CLAUS IS COMMING TO TOWN!

From America's Pastor - the one and only BILLY GRAHAM -

“Over 2,000 years ago, on a night the world has come to call Christmas, a young Jewish maiden went through the experience countless mothers had before her and would since: She brought forth a child. But this was no ordinary child. This was the unique Son of God, sent from Heaven to save us from our sins (Matthew 2:11).”

From the great Paul Harvey - The Rest of the Story

Here is a story about the essence of the beauty of the birth of Christ from the greatest radio personality of all time. He talked on the radio from 1951 to 2008 - Winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom - PAUL HARVEY gives us A CHRISTMAS STORY -  THE MAN & THE BIRDS!

And here on the perfect day of Christmas - The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta, and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir get together to sing GLORIA - ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH.

On this happy happy day - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE!

DLStafford

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My warm and all-embracing 

Christmas wish for everyone - 

the high and low, rich and poor

admired and despised, loved

and hated, civilized and savage

- may one day be united in a

Heaven of eternal rest, peace,

and joy...except for the inventor

of the telephone - Letter to the

Editor, New York Evening World

23 December 1890 - MARK TWAIN

12-24-25 IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!! HOPE ALL NOMADS ARE PREPARED - EXCITED ABOUT TOMORROW & READY FOR THE FUN & THE NOISE WITH THE KIDS & GRAND KIDS! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

 

It's the day before the Big Day. All Nomads I know are excited and looking forward to the joys of Christmas morning - watching little kids and big kids unwrap their gifts, finding Santa's gifts and climbing into the big cardboard box that the train set came in. LOL! But today is also a day of celebration for the coming of the baby that would, one day, change the world for all humanity. I hope all Nomads are ready - Merry Christmas to all!

First up - just to get all you NOMADS in the mood, here is the multi-award-winning modern Sinatra, MICHAEL BUBLE, with the super talented current day Andrews Sisters, THE PUPIPNNI SISTERS, delivering a great version of JINGLE BELLS!

From the top acappella country music group is the unique sounding HOME FREE performing a classic - OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL.

O HOLY NIGHT

"O Holy Night" (original title: Cantique de Noël) is a sacred song about the night of the birth of Jesus Christ, described in the first verse as "the dear Saviour", and frequently performed as a Christmas carol. Based on the French-language poem Minuit, chrétiens, written in 1847 by poet Placide Cappeau, it was set to music by composer Adolphe Adam. The English version, with small changes to the initial melody, is by John Sullivan Dwight. - Summary from Wikipedia.

This powerful, profound work of music has been recorded by 1,130 artists. This version is, by far, the greatest rendition of this powerful work. DAVID PHELPS, with a collection of great singers affiliated with Gaither Music Homecoming supporting Phelps as he delivers this amazing musical poem.

I hope all you Nomads have a nice restful Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!

DLStafford

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The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other. - Johnny Carson

12 - 23 -25 IT'S NOTHIN' BUT GIRLS TODAY - THEY WILL SHOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY GRAB THAT MIKE AND LET IT GO - NO. 3 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

Here is a thought that helps us understand the love, the power and the essence of beautiful music when we hear the melodious wanderings of any female singer:

You can knock me down, but you better have a big rock to put me there... It's been tough, but that's alright. I am the oldest of ten kids and I am a survivor. I love this business so much, that there's no way I could think of retiring. When I'm 87, I'll still be walking on the Grand Ole Opry and singing "Here comes more tears to cry...". I still don't feel that I have the biggest record yet, or sang it the best. I think the best is yet to come, and that's the truth!

Dottie West

I have an amazing memory of hearing the Queen of Rock Tina Turner perform Proud Mary along with two hours of great tunes as the lead for The Ike & Tina Turner Review at Doak Campbel Stadium at Florida State University October 1971.

Digging deep into the video shelves of You Tube I found a powerful rendition of one of the greatest Gospel songs ever written - TINA TURNER performing AMAZING GRACE!

The only thing better than one female power singer is two female power singers doing a powerful Christmas song - Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande give us a power version of a great song - Santa Can't You Hear Me?

In 1990, Mariah Carey set the world of modern pop music on fire with her eponymous debut album Mariah Carey. She achieved five number one hits on Billboard Hot 100. The multi - award winning power singer is a top selling artist every Christmas as well. Here is a great tune with a great video - MARIAH CAREY - THE STAR

Power to the girls - Turn up the sound for Christmas - Merry Merry to All Nomads.

DLStafford

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12 - 22 - 25 - CHRISTMAS TIME TENDS TO BE STRESSFUL & EXPENSIVE - BUT IT'S ALSO FULL OF HUMOROUS THINGS TO SEE & HEAR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND/OR GRAND KIDS - NO. 4 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

It's Monday! Has anyone ever "liked" Monday. When you were young you needed more sleep due to all that partying you did over the weekend. Then, you gotta go to work. If you are old like me, you wish you could just go someplace where its warm. But you can't do that at Christmas! Let's face it - Mondays, no matter your age, can indeed suck!

But have no fear - Your Nomad Architect has some entries that will improve your attitude and make you smile knowing that Christmas is only three days away. I just hope you have everything wrapped, all the decorations up and nothing else left to do except clean up after the kids & grandkids.

Here is a great piece by a renown comedian trying to move Christmas - JIM GAFFIGAN - CAN WE PLEASE DO CHRISTMAS WHEN IT'S WARMER?

From today's funniest female comic - LEANE MORGAN ON CHRISTMAS

From one of the funniest comics to ever stand on a stage - December 1991 JONATHAN WINTERS loves Christmas parties on The Johny Carson Show.

DLStafford
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12 - 21 - 25 IT'S THE LAST SUNDAY BEFORE THE BIG DAY - LET'S CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN A BIG SOUTHERN GOSPEL WAY - NO. 5 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

I grew up listening to and enjoying concerts wherever my dad took me, my mom and my brother to see & hear great Southern Gospel Music. The Statesmen, The Blackwood Brothers, Wendy Bagwell & The Sunlighters - the list is long, diverse and Southern to the core. I shook hands with the great Hovie Lister, piano player for the Statesmen when I was about twelve. Back then - The Statesmen were the stars of the Southern Gospel Music world.

Of course, things change. Southern Gospel was displaced by "new" music. It was still around but the crowds shrank for live shows that would bring in thousands for Gospel Sings and other events. Then, Bill & Gloria Gaither, two master songwriters, started what is now called The Gaither Homecoming events which featured many of the old groups and a plethora of new, including the Gaither Vocal Band, winner of over 5O Dove & Grammy awards.

First up today - from the early fifties is a vintage Christmas tune - The Statesmen Quartet performs Listen to The Bells.

Have a listen - a cool Christmas tune and a nice video - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound do a nice arrangement of CHRISTMAS IN MANHATTAN! 

Enjoy the current iteration of the one and only GAITHER VOCAL BAND performing  FEAR NOT!

DLStafford

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12 -20 -25 IT'S SATURDAY - TODAY IS THE DAY TO HEAR SOME "AMERICAN" MUSIC - BLUEGRASS GALORE - NO. 6 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

BLUEGRASS MUSIC came to be in the Appalachian Region of America in the 1940's. It has since become one of the most favored genres of music in the world. Combining acoustic instruments and great singing it usually tells stories of the simplicity, beauty and hardship of life. Today, all Nomads will hear some cool Christmas tunes from some of the greats in this truly American music.

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First for today - The great Earl Scruggs and The Bluegrass Allstars including sons Randy & Gary, Sam Bush, Ricky Scaggs and Phil Leadbetter - an instrumental arrangement of JINGLE BELLS.

From one of the truly gifted singers & fiddle players with a voice as pure and fresh as cool mountain water - Allison Kraus & Union Station give us SILVER BELLS.

And from one of the truly talented band of singers and players - The U.S Army Band performs live at the 2015 American Holiday Festival - BLUEGRASS CHRISTMAS MEDLEY!

When in doubt - All Nomads gotta sing! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DLStafford

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12 - 19 - 25 IT'S THE LAST FRIDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS - I HOPE ALL NOMADS WILL ENJOY SOME VERY COOL TUNES FROM SOME GREAT SINGERS - NO. 7 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

Friday nights have changed over the years. Now, it's just the day before Saturday! Like most people my age, I have memories of doing really dumb things on Friday when I didn't really understand life and all of its dynamics. But one thing that started as a kid was my love for music of all kinds. I still love all music genres & I have seen hundreds of artists over the years.

Today's selection of tunes is fairly diverse. From bluegrass to rock to banjo pickin' for Christmas, I hope all Vagabonds and Nomads will get the feel of today's tunes.

First up - A great singer and an insanely great guitarist - Keith Urban, who has won more awards than I care to count, gives the listener a great tune - I'll Be Your Santa Tonight!

Two great artists from completely different worlds of music combine to deliver a great tune. A member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and winner of 27 Grammies - Allison Krauss joins one of the greatest rock singers in history, also a multiple award winner, the one and only Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, gives us a very cool tune from the movie The Coopers - The Light of Christmas Day.

And to watch some amazingly talented pickers from The United States Navy Band perform their song of choice - Dueling Jingle Bells!

Jingle All the Way! Merry Christmas to All Nomads & Vagabonds

     DLStafford

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12-18-25 JUST SIT BACK & THINK ABOUT IT - IT'S THURSDAY - EVERYBODY's AT THE BEACH - IT'S A BALMY 75-80 DEGRESS AT ALLIGATOR POINT FOR SPRING BREAK - NO. 8 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

If you are my age and went to Leon High in the late sixties, you'll remember we got out of school at noon on a Wednesday for Spring Break. I loaded up my car with 4-5 guys and headed for Alligator Point to commiserate with friends, girls and other ne'er-do-wells without the direct supervision of parents! Some would say we were young and stupid. Looking back, I certainly agree with that admonition. What does that have to do with Christmas, you ask. Nothing! However, at 8 AM this morning it was 32 degrees, and it made me wish I was at the beach relaxing in a comfy beach lounge chair sipping on a nice glass of Pinot Noir. 

So, now that that memory is etched solidly in my brain and my heart, it's time to get back on the celebrate Christmas train. So Merry Christmas to all beach lovers! Who better to celebrate Christmas and our adoration of the beach and all its pleasures than THE BEACH BOYS? I saw the Beach Boys at the world renown Tully Gym at Florida State University way back in the day.

Here we go - Still going strong for 64 years - LITTLE SAINT NICK from the band that started "The California Sound" in 1961.

From 1991 here is another cool video with a great Christmas tune - THE MAN WITH ALL THE TOYS!

And one of the greatest tunes ever recorded that has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas - Enjoy Paul McCartney's favorite song by this 100 million selling group - From1966 live - GOD ONLY KNOWS!

Wherever you may be - town or beach - Merry Christmas!

DLStafford

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12-17-25 ANOTHER DECEMBER HUMP DAY - HOW ABOUT SOME PENTATONIX FOR NO. 9 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

The acapella group PENTATONIX changed modern music in a profound way. The influences on their unique sound are diverse stretching back to the original acapella groups from the fifties and sixties. Formed in 2011, the group has won multiple Grammies and other awards over the course of their existence as a premier group of talented singers performing unique vocal arrangements. On occasion, the group will perform with a band, but their acapella performances are always top tier.

First up - A PENTATONIX arrangement of DECK THE HALLS!

As only this group can do it - GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN!

And, with a cool animated video - UP ON THE HOUSETOP!

DLStafford

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12-16-25 IT'S BOY BAND TUESDAY FOR ALL NOMADS THAT NEED A LITTLE LIFT TO CELEBRATE - NO. 10 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

BOY BANDS HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME. Many "experts" in the world of popular music consider the greatest selling band of all time to be the first Boy Band - The BEATLES. The term Boy Band came along when the top selling dancing and singing NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK started performing for all those teen age girls and young women. They have sold over 80 million records since they were founded in 1984.

First up on this next to last Tuesday before Christmas - THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, still sounding good, perform a very cool tune after they got back together for a tour in 2017 - UNWRAP YOU! 

Have another listen from another top selling Boy Band. This band, formed in 1995 has sold over 0 million units - NSYNC performs MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Here is an energetic tune from the multi-Grammy award winning BACKSTREET BOYS  performing HAPPY DAYS!

So, get your Boys & Girls together and sing loud and proud - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DLStafford

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12-15-25 LET'S DO SOME BOOGIE WOOGIE - NO. 11 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT 2025 TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

So, what exactly is Boogie Woogie Music? From the experts at WIKAPEDIA - Boogie Woogie is a genre of blues music that became popular during the late 1920s but already developed in African-American communities since the 1870s.^[1] It was eventually extended from piano-to-piano duo and trio, guitar, big band, country and western, and gospel. While standard blues traditionally expresses a variety of emotions, boogie-woogie is mainly dance music (although not usually played for the competitive dance known as boogie-woogie, a term of convenience in that sport). The genre had a significant influence on rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

Take a listen - THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA performing THE BOOGIE WOOGIE SANTA CLAUS first recorded in 1947.

It just wouldn't be CHRISTMAS BOOGIE WOOGIE WITHOUT SOME PIANO - Here's a BOOGIE WOOGIE WHITE CHRISTMAS!

Here are THE TRACTORS performing THE SANTA CLAUS BOOGIE!

DLStafford
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12-14-25 IT’s SUNDAY -TIME FOR SOME SERIOUS SINGIN' - NO. 12 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 COUNTDOWN

Today is Sunday - Time to celebrate with powerful music to honor the birth of Jesus Christ which we will soon proclaim December 25. Power singing in church has been in my life since I was a kid. I've always said - the joy of singing great and powerful music has no equal.

Here, singing one of the great classics of gospel music based on the Swedish Hymn "O Store Gud" written in 1885, this amazing song was written in English in 1949. The song is ranked No. 2 as the favorite hymn of all time just behind Amazing Grace at No. 1 based on a poll entitled Songs of Praise in 2019.  Multi award winning Country Artist WARREN ZEIDERS performs HOW GREAT THOU ART at the National Christmas Tree Lighting 2025.

From one of the greatest Gospel Choirs in the world is this powerful song - THE BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR performs the great gospel hymn NO OTHER NAME at The Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City. We had the pleasure and the joy of seeing this magnificent choir a few years back!

Here is a classic Christmas melody in a unique performance - THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY by the incomparable group from Australia - for KING AND COUNTRY!

DLStafford
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12-13-25 ALL NOMADS NEED TO JUST TAKE SOME TIME - RELAX & ENJOY THE SEASON - NO. 13 ON THE TOP 25 NOMAD ARCHITECT CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

OK - I know all Nomads need a break from the tree, the decorations, the giant inflatable Santas, the gift buying, AMAZON, ETC, ETC, ETC. So - today just sit back, relax and listen to some cool, relaxing tunes celebrating the big day on this calm, cool collected Saturday!

First up - Here is a very cool tune with a nice video - CHRISTMAS IS EVERYWHERE by MUSIC TRAVEL LOVE & FREINDS.

Take a listen to one of the greatest - NAT KING COLE singing THE CHRISTMAS SONG.

And from a personal friend of mine that I sang with a few years back - REGI STONE performs a subtle version of WHITE CHRISTMAS.

Enjoy a quiet peaceful Saturday - Merry Christmas!

DLStafford

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12-12-25 THE WEEKEND IS HERE - I HOPE ALL NOMADS HAVE THEIR TREES UP AND DECORATED - JUST RELAX AND LISTEN TO SOME INTERESTING CLASSICAL TUNES - NO. 14 ON THE 2025 NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 

BEETHOVEN, MOZART, BRAHMS, HAYDN - The list of great Classical Composers is long and enduring. 

I have seen many different works of classical music performed by orchestras, quartets and singers. They all make me realize the true power and grace of great music. 

Today - here are some works that will hopefully please the listener hearing amazing arrangements of great music. The mix of music is both unique and diverse.

First - The distinctive sound of the first group performing a classic Christmas song is impressive in the "classical" acapella technique they employ when they sing - SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN by VOCES8.

VOCES8 performs a version of one of the greatest works ever written by one of the most profound composers in history - HALLELUJAH from THE MESSIAH composed by G.F. HANDEL.

Here is Andre' Rieu, The Platin Tenors & The Johan Strauss Orchestra performing Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) live at Christmas Maastricht!

Merry Christmas to All Classical Music Lovers!

DLStafford
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12-11-25 - IT'S THURSDAY - A UNIQUELY AMERICAN MUSIC - JAZZ - SOME TUNES FOR CHRISTMAS TO GET US MOVIN' - NO. 15 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Jazz originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Orleans, blending African and European musical traditions, and has since evolved into a diverse genre with numerous styles and influences.

Since I was a kid listening to my White Christmas Album featuring the great singer and pianist Bing Crosby I have loved small combo jazz, Dixieland, big band music and other genres that have been produced from the free attitude of jazz. I still have my White Christmas vinyl given to me by my parents when I was around ten.

Today's first jazz feature - The incomparable jazz pianist Dave Brubeck performs a special Christmas piece with his two sons accompanying him. We had the pleasure of seeing Brubeck in 1969 at The First International Atlanta Pop/Rock Festival. How he performed at a rock festival is a story in and unto itself. Fast forward to October 2005 when we saw him, at the age of 73, perform flawlessly at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Saint Petersburg, Florida

And - from the founder of the Rockabilly group The Stray Cats in the 1980's Brian Setzer has built one of the most popular Swing/Jump Bands that tours every Christmas to the enjoyment of big band fans everywhere - THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA performs a song written by Leon Rene' in 1948 - BOOGIE WOOGIE SANTA CLAUS! Setzer also plays a mean guitar!

It's Christmas - Enjoy the jazz around this time of year

DLStafford

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12-10-25 MID WEEK - TIME FOR SOME PROGRESSIVE ROCK FOR CHRISTMAS - ENJOY SOME COOL TUNES - NO. 16 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT TOP 25 COUNTDOWN

From the all-knowing WIKAPEDIA-ProgressiveRock (shortened to prog rock or simply prog) is a broad genre of Rock Music that primarily developed in the United Kingdom through the 1960's to the mid 1970's. Initially termed "progressive pop", the style emerged from psychedelic bands who abandoned standard pop or rock traditions in favor of instrumental and compositional techniques more commonly associated with jazz, folk or classical music.

Safe to Say - this genre of music, like all music, is diverse beyond belief. It also requires some listening to really appreciate it. You Tube has thousands of pieces of music labeled Progressive Rock. So, for all you Nomads that like diversity in your music - Enjoy!

First up - Bryan Adams with a cool tune and nice video - CHRISTMAS TIME!

Here is a classic Christmas tune written and recorded by Jimmy Boyd in 1952 when it reached No. 1 on The Billboard Pop Charts. This performance is by the multi-award winning member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS - JOHN MELLENCAMP!

DLStafford

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