NO. 20 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - A LITTLE KEB MO AND PHIL KEAGGY

Ah yes - KEB MO. I first heard this great blues guitarist, writer and singer a few years back. Keb Mo is one of those artists you just need to listen to regularly. His music is simple, clean, often funny and always ahead of the curve, musically speaking. And for today's tune a little Phil  Keaggy guitar is  joined up with Mo for delivery of a new take on a Christmas Blues Classic. Keaggy brings his Dove Award winning chops to this cool tune by Mo.

So sit back and enjoy a great little Christmas Blues Ditty. No. 20 on THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY by KEB MO.

There;s nothing like some serious blues music to change up your Christmas Vacation. Merry Christmas!!

d.l.stafford
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NO. 21 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY

ROBERT EARL KEEN.  If he had only written The Front Porch Song - with his good friend Lyle Lovett, another great Texas Troubador - he would go down as one of Texas' greatest song writers. But he has written so many great songs in the tradition of great Texas writers, singers and performers that he is on my All Time List of Great Songwriters/Singers. The first time I heard today's tune I laughed without ceasing. And today's video creates a complete understanding of its humor and craziness. I also heard him perform this great song with my son in Atlanta about three years ago. All 3,000 plus attendees sang the entire song with him. That memory with my kid will never fade.

So, I hope you enjoy Robert Earl Keen's ode to the ultimate family Christmas. I have received many comments and feedback from people that can relate. Kinda scary!! No. 21 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY by ROBERT EARL KEEN.

I hope you can find a porch or special place to sit with friends and family and enjoy this special time of year. Merry Christmas.

d.l.stafford
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NO. 22 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - IT'S A CURE FOR YOUR CASE OF THE MONDAYS

It's Monday, it's gloomy - So here is a funny take on the classic WHITE CHRISTMAS. 

Please enjoy today's NO. 22 on The 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - WHITE CHRISTMAS by The Drifters and a cartoon by Joshua Held. It will improve your mood on this first Monday of December. Of course we don't ever have snow here in God's Country.

Only 22 days folks! And I haven't even made my Christmas list, but I am buying a tree this week. Merry Christmas.

d.lstafford
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NO. 23 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - THE TENORS

THE TENORS, originally the Canadian Tenors, follow in the same vane of  other great opera tenors to combine classical and pop music in arrangements that bring new life to classics. Founded in 2004 as a trio, then expanded to four singers in 2009, this group of gifted singers makes you stop what you are doing and listen to this amazing music. Today's presentation includes the quartet singing one of the great all time classics. They have since returned back to a trio - Go figure.

Brand new on the Countdown, I present No. 23 of The 2017 Christmas Countdown - The Tenors performing OH HOLY NIGHT.



It's Sunday, please enjoy the day and this great music. Merry Christmas

d.l.stafford
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NO. 24 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - THE AVETT BROTHERS

The AVETT BROTHERS. I am a huge fan of this North Carolina band that combines rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk and honkie tonk, you name it, for a simple, unique and powerful sound. Their originality is refreshing in a world where banality and cliche rules the day in pop music. The two brothers and a  band that includes great singers, players and an insane stand-up cellist present a real, unfettered sound with spot on writing. You owe it to yourself to see this Grammy award winning band live. The energy level and quality of music is worth every penny. I have to give kudos to my kids for bringing this great band to my attention a couple of years ago. Upon first hearing them, I became an instant fan.

One very pleasant thing about The Avett Brothers is their inclusion of classic gospel songs in their repertoire. Songs such as Amazing Grace, In The Garden and other American Gospel/Spiritual Standards set them apart from other pop/rock groups. And the way they keep it all very simple adds to the power of every tune.

So - Please enjoy a simple version of a Christmas Classic - No. 24 on the 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - AWAY IN A MANGER.

Only 24 days left, so start crossing off your list for the ones you love. Merry Christmas.

d.l.stafford

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NO. 25 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - COHEN AND PENTATONIX

LEONARD COHEN told Bob Dylan that it took two years to write the soulful powerful song HALLELUJAH. The word Hallelujah means "Glory To The Lord". For me, in this age of meaningless, over produced and badly written music in the world of pop, hip hop, rock, etc., etc., this song transfers brilliant poetry and simple music to every soul that hears it. 

Leonard Cohen died on November 7, 2016 after almost sixty years of singing, writing and performing. A truly unique artist who captured profound and touching sentiments in this song as well as many others across every age group. Today's song is one of the most recorded songs in popular music history, being covered by more than one hundred artists. So, for a bonus I could not resist one of the best versions of this great tune by the Grammy Award winning accapella group PENTATONIX.

Today, December 1, 2017, please enjoy the original and a cover of one of the great songs of popular music that has become a Christmas Standard - No. 25 on The 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - HALLELUJAH by Leonard Cohen and Pentatonix.

Have a great weekend, hug somebody you love and tell them Merry Christmas.

d.l.stafford
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IT'S COMIN' TOMORROW - THE CHRISTMAS TOP 25 SONGS OF 2017

TOP 25 2017 
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

This year has completely flown by. My bride just commented the other day that it seems to go faster the older one gets and think she might just be right. I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and have all your lists gathered up.

This year has brought a new addition into our family. That's right we have our first grand child - Hayes Thompson Stafford, who just turned seven months old and will be enjoying his first Christmas. I have been amazed at the joy and love I feel because of this little man who always seems to be happy and laughing. We are so very proud and thankful to our God for this gift of a little person we can love and spoil to the mostest.

So, starting tomorrow, we will begin the TOP 25 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN. I have searched for new songs and will have some standards as well. I hope you will find joy, happiness and peace in this great music for our most celebrated and most important time of year. May this Christmas be the best for you and yours.

See You Tomorrow

d.l.stafford
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P.S. I promise, after the first of the year, I will get back on track and post on travel and the life of discovery from different places in the world.