NO. 8 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - HELLO ON THIS COOL - CRISP - BRIGHT SUNDAY MORNING - ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

THAT'S RIGHT - ONE WEEK - NEXT SUNDAY IS CHRISTMAS - NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS? 2033 - SO ENJOY TODAY AS YOU PONDER WHAT'S COMING

Today, I want to feature an artist that has never been on The Christmas Countdown. This Arkansas native has been around as a singer, guitarist, and harmonica player since 2012. He is also a multiple Grammy and Dove Award winner. A classic example of the new breath being breathed into Contemporary Christian Music. 

When you first hear Zach Williams, one word comes to mind - Authentic! His voice, his writing and his music bring out a new sound of soul and gospel that is rare in this day of over produced same old same old! 

First up today - Zach Williams gives us his version of a classic - Composed in 1865 by John Wesley Work, Jr. - NO. 8 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN. Turn it up -This baby rocks!

Next up - Composed in 1818 - Silent Night is one of the oldest and greatest Christmas songs ever written. Williamses performance of this classic carol oozes gospel, soul, and blues with every phrase.

And last on today's post - One of the most profound songs ever written by Zach Williams and Casey Beathard with a powerful video. - THERE WAS JESUS - An amazing duet with Legendary Country Artist Dolly Pardon.

Merry Christmas to all everywhere.

D.L.Stafford

thenomad ARCHITECT

"The XMAS holidays have this high value: that they remind Forgetters of the Forgotten, & repair damaged relationships" - Mark Twain - Letter to Carlotte Welles, December 1907.

NO. 9 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - A TRIBUTE TO MILITARY AMERICAN MILITARY SINGERS & BANDS

TODAY WE HONOR THE US MILITARY MUSCIANS, SINGERS, BANDS AND ORCHESTRASWHO REPRESENT THE GREATEST MILITARY FORCES IN THE WORLD 

The world has benefitted from the brave men and women who fight for freedom and represent our nation with immense pride and honor. There are musical organizations in every branch of service in the US with amazingly gifted singers, bands and orchestras that let us know that they are with us and for us as Americans.

First up on today's post features The US Army Band. The band was formed in 1922 and is often referred to as Pershing's Own. It is the premier musical organization of the US Army with nine different performing ensembles. Today, they perform BLUEGRASS MEDLEY. 

Second on today's post is a rousing arrangement of GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN by THE UNITED STATES NAVY BAND with some power singers sharing this classic Christmas tune.

And one last Christmas set of tunes from the Marine Corps Chamber Orchestra performing Sleigh Ride and The Marine's Hymn on The David Letterman Show in 2012.

Play and sing for The Good Ole USA.

Merry Christmas to all those men and women around the world representing our country with honor.

Happy Holidays to All.

D.LStafford

thenomadARCHITECT

"Christmas, in its final essence, is for grown people who have forgotten what children know." -Margaret Cousins 

NO. 10 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - GREAT CROONERS SHOW US HOW IT'S DONE

TODAY - VAGABONDS EVERYWHERE CAN HEAR SOME OF THE GREATEST SINGERS TO EVER GRACE A STAGE - THE BEST OF THE BEST

I've said it before, but it bears repeating - I grew up listening to the great music featured on today's post. Great singers/crooners have a way of expressing lyrics with subtlety and panache that latch on to your soul and don't let go.

Today's post includes four tunes with great singers and interpreters of music that simply make you feel good.

Starting with the greatest crooner of all time - Frank Sinatra released his first record in 1946 - The Voice of Frank Sinatra. He soon became the idol of the Bobbie Soxers and eventually became known as The Chairman of The Board.

Next up, the current day crooner extraordinaire - Michael Bublé brings us It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.

Here's another amazing crooner - Tony Bennett - I saw him live several years ago in my home town. He turned off all the mikes and sang Fly Me To The Moon with only one quiet guitar accompaniment. I was mesmerized! Here he is singing the classic SILVER BELLS.

And, finally, the unforgettable voice of the great Nat King Cole. Smooth and subtle. Today - Nat brings us The Christmas Song.

Hope you enjoyed these classic songs from the forties through 2022 by some of the greatest singers ever.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

“You’ve either got or you haven’t got style, and if you’ve got it you stand out a mile.” - Frank Sinatra

IT'S BIG CHOIR DAY - NO. 11 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

THURSDAY IS A GREAT DAY TO TALK ABOUT AND HEAR SINGING LOUD AND PROUD

For those people who know me up close and personal, you know that I have been singing since I was a wee lad of 6 - I sang KKKKATY in a play at Sealey Elementary First Grade. Then at the age of around twelve, my dad told my brother and I that we were going to form a quartet to include him and my mom. We sang in churches all around my hometown. That's when I really learned to sing. Then, later in high school chorus and church choirs I fell in love with singing in choirs. There's nothing like it. 

First up today is a truly great choir -Mount Paran Church Atlanta. Enjoy a listen as they perform what has become a classic in gospel music - NO. 11 on the 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - The Mount Paran Church Choir Atlanta performs Mary Did You Know.

Another amazing choir in Nashville, Tennessee - I was a singer with this incredible choir for two years - brings us NOEL with soloist Jame' Swilley and the powerful Christ Church Choir Nashville.

Then there is the great Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in Salt Lake performing a true classic, the English Christmas Carol, that has been around since 1719 - JOY TO THE WORLD.

There's nothing like great singing from great choirs. Enjoy your day as you get inspired by this great music. 

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

NOMADarchitect

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." - Buddy The Elf

IT'S HUMP DAY - NO. 12 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN BUBLE' 7 OTHERS

THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK NEEDS SOME COOL TUNES BY SOME COOL ARTISTS                                                                                      

It's no secret - I am a huge Michael Bublé fan. I've seen him live twice. The boy can bring it as a singer. His audiences love his singing and his panache on stage. So, today you're going to hear a couple of tunes by Bublé in one tune and a very cool little duet with another cool guy - Chris Isaak. Bublé is a master of crooning and Isaak is a master of cool pop. So just crank up the stereo and throw on some headphones for some great tunes for the Christmas season. The big day is right around the corner.

Today's first tune is Bublé performing an interesting tune that only he can deliver. There is also a very telling video concerning fashion this time of year - NO. 12 on the 2022 Christmas Countdown - CHRISTMAS SWEATER.

And then let's bring in one of the smoothest voices performing today and he's actually wearing something that isn't covered with glittering sequins and other shiny things. LOL!! Here are Michael Bublé and Chris Isaak performing BLUE CHRISTMAS.

And this seems like the best time to post a classic tune in any Christmas Collection. The King of Rock & Roll - ELVIS from 1968 gives us his unforgettable - BLUE CHRISTMAS 

How's that for some cool midweek music?

D.L.Safford

thenomadARCHITECT

 

IT'S DIVA TUESDAY - NO. 13 ON THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - HIGH POWER FROM THE GIRLS

 THERE IS NO DOUBT - TALENTED FEMALES CAN STIR YOUR HEART AND YOUR SOUL

In the world of contemporary music, genuinely great singers are rare. Today we will celebrate some of the best singers performing today. Faith Hill combines grace, elegance and one of the most powerful soprano voices ever to be recorded. One of the most successful country artists performing today, she has won five Grammys and sold over 40 million records. 

Maria Carey was named the all-time top female artist of all time by Billboard. I'm sure there are people who would argue, but, IMHO she has never recorded an album as outstanding as her first entitled simply Mariah Carey at the age of twenty-one.

And the last tune today features three of the best - Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first American Idol, has become a major star with a voice second to none. Trisha Yearwood is another diva that always brings down the house when she sings. And, of course, the one and only Reba McEntire is one of the true greats of country music.

In honor of truly amazing female power singers - NO. 13 on The 2022 Christmas Countdown - Faith Hill performs Where Are You Christmas?

Enjoy the one and only Mariah Carey with a power choir behind her in the Cathedral of Saint John the Devine - New York City. - Joy To The World 

And wrapping up today's Countdown NO. 13 - Three of the most amazing singers in the world of music - Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire give us a powerful arrangement of the classic SILENT NIGHT.

I really hope you enjoyed today's music celebrating power and grace in music.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

“Music, of all the arts, stands in a special region, unlit by any star but its own, and utterly without meaning ... except its own.” - Leonard Bernstein, The Joy of Music

 

IT'S WAKE UP MONDAY - NO. 14 ON THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 EVERYBODY NEEDS A BIT OF A JOLT ON ANY MONDAY - BUT ON MONDAYS DURING THE BUSIEST MONTH OF THE YEAR - WE ALL NEED A SERIOUS JUMP

Let's all agree - We love Christmas - the tree, the food, the friends, the family, the parties, the decorations, and last but not least - AMAZON. According to the experts, 60% of US Consumers purchase their Christmas gifts online. But even online the whole process of buying stuff, wrapping stuff, and making sure that you "get it right" becomes tedious and tiring.

I hope today's tunes energize you and yours to press on through the storm of the "Happy Holidays". I've found some new tunes from one of the most American musical styles ever - Big Band Jazz. OK - Call me weird - Growing up in the early fifties and sixties my parents always had me listening to the Dorseys, Sinatra, Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, and Big Bands. 

I was given my very own White Christmas album recorded by the great crooner Bing Crosby when I was a kid. I went to sleep every night during December listening to that album. I still have it today. And, it must be said - That genre of music is alive and well today, brought to us by current day singers and bands.

First up today - The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by the great Wynton Marsalis, gives us a new take on a classic - Jingle Bells - NO. 14 on The 2022 Christmas Countdown.

No. 2 - Another high energy take on Jingle Bells - Michael Bublé and The Puppini Sisters with some very cool kids from the ELTE BEST DANCE COMPANY doing some serious high steppin'.

And to close out today's set of high energy tunes - Enjoy this group of players and dancers that do their best to blow the doors off their studio- ASHBA - A Christmas Storm.

Also, drink lots of coffee or tea to get you started this Monday morning.

And just to give all VAGABONDS a hilarious take on Big Band Touring - have a listen of this Video of a roast of Frank Sinatra by comic genius Jonathan Winters.

Press On - It's Comin' - Merry Christmas

D.LStafford

thenomadARCHITECT

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