Ok. So, I probably listened to more Christmas music this past Christmas season than ever before. Several factors contributed to this new reality.
Some years ago, as part of her Christmas present, I gave my late wife, Kathy, a subscription to Sirius XM Radio. Somehow, in the ensuing years, I continued to renew her subscription although she no longer considered it a part of her Christmas present. The subscription was tied to her Toyota 4-Runner. As most of my readers are aware, Kathy passed away in May of last year. My sons saw to it that the 4-Runner became mine along with Sirius XM. Kathy, a devoted Beatles fan, had enjoyed the Beatles Channel for many years.
As Thanksgiving neared, I found Channel 71, titled 鈥淐hristmas Traditions鈥 on Sirius XM. It was 鈥渓ove at first hear.鈥 The channel featured 鈥渢he crooners of the 50s and 60s,鈥 some of whom I had almost forgotten. It was refreshing to be reminded of the great voices of Jack Jones, Jerry Vale, Mario Lanza, Wayne Newton, Paul Anka, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Patty Page and others. And, of course, there were the great voices which we expect to hear each Holiday season 鈥 Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow, Burl Ives and many others.
At my house I have a CD player which accommodates 25 compact discs. The deck features a bottom labeled 鈥渞andom.鈥 Hit that button and a 鈥渃omputer鈥 inside the player chooses the next selection from over 500 Christmas songs. The music provided ever-present 鈥渃ompany鈥 for me in an otherwise empty house throughout the holidays. This year, whether in my car or in my house, I found Christmas music to be my constant companion. It fed my mind and blessed my soul.
I have a dear friend from my hometown who starts listening to Christmas music each year on Oct. 1. That means she enjoys the music of the holidays for a full quarter of each year 鈥 or more. I manage to hold off until Thanksgiving, but I have been known to pull out a few of my favorite Christmas CDs in July just to enjoy a taste of the spirit of the season.
For years I have purchased one new Christmas CD each time the holidays roll around. It is a special purchase carefully selected. When you live as long as I have the CDs mount up. This year I discovered the marvelous voice of a young Ella Fitzgerald on Sirius XM. I found Ms. Fitzgerald has recorded several CDs over the years. I have a tough choice to make.
If you should add to your Christmas music collection each year, let me make a few suggestions. (lt is never too early to shop for great CDs.) Some of the best are becoming in short supply.
I would certainly recommend "That Holiday Feeling" with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, "The Complete RCA Victor Christmas Recordings" of Eddie Arnold, "Let It Be Christmas" by Alan Jackson, and "Home for The Holidays" by Glen Campbell. Each one is a classic.
By the way, now鈥檚 the time during the slow winter months to update your Thanksgiving and Christmas card mailing list.
I had breakfast at a local restaurant with my three grandsons this week. One asked if he could make an announcement to those patrons enjoying an early breakfast.
Once he had everyone鈥檚 attention, he announced, 鈥淚 hope you all have a great day! Go out here and make it count!鈥
Out of the mouths of babes. May you go out there and make your days count in 2025.
Copyright 2025 by Jack McCall.
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