Earlier this week, I mentioned these medleys would get more traditional/spiritual as the week progressed. We have reached that point.
Some of the artists may surprise you but the songs they’re singing should be very familiar. If you’re waiting for some of the all-time favorites, you can relax. They will all becoming in the next three days.
There is one “song” today that may be something new to you. It is another recording I made back in 2005 while working at WCFR in Springfield, VT. When I mention “looking back 40-45 years ago,” that was then. Today it would be “looking back 60-65 years.”
Christmas Memories … That’s What We’re All About
Play buttons are on the left … Volume sliders are on the right
12 Days of Christmas, Day 9
Toby Keith – Don Williams
Johnny Mathis – Harry Belafonte
Eddy Arnold – Martina McBride
Ray Lemire – Kenny Chesney
I “long” for the old Christmases, too, Ray!
Thank you, Judy ❤️
They seems so far away and lost forever.
I, too miss the old days, when we celebrated the birth of our Savior. And Christmas has become so very commercialized as you have told us in your narrative. So beautiful to listen to, and to totally identify with. I remember as a child, piling up in the car with my brothers and sisters to go look at Christmas lights in the neighborhood. I too, carried this on with my children, and we went to look at Christmas lights every year. I thought this whole thing was lost when a couple of years ago, my middle son, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, surprised me, and we all piled up in the car, and headed off to look at Christmas lights in his neighborhood. Such a special meaning and a tradition that certainly has been retained and we do it as much as we possibly could each year. I loved all of the artists that you selected beginning with Toby Keith, which made me cry. And then continuing Johnny Mathis, Don Williams, and loved Eddy Arnold, who was a favorite of my parents. I truly enjoyed your narrative, which again made me fill up with tears, to be able to identify with how you feel, and I’m sure there are many who could join us in those feelings. The final song by Kenny Chesney, singing Silver bells, also was beautiful. I’m sorry that I am rambling so much, but it is how I really feel. I really enjoyed this medley, Ray, and to know that you are the best! Thank you for this! 😘
Thank you, Sandy ❤
I am so appreciative of your very kind words. They really do mean a lot.
My parents also did the “let’s ride around town and look at the lights” thing and I did the same thing when my kids were young. That tradition has slowly disappeared. Speaking of lights and “bombastic explosions,” a couple that lived across the street used to set up EIGHT inflatable Santas, snowmen and reindeer, and had a lighting display that was so bright, I had to keep the blinds closed. I swear I could have sat in a dark living room and read a book just off that glow.
I am very happy you enjoyed the music. ❤
One more thing. You can “ramble on” as much as you want. I love your comments! ❤
Ray I remember your song like it was yesterday!! It still hits home!! Merry Christmas to all!! Sending you all love!!
Love ya
Thank you kindly, Fred ❤
I am so happy you enjoyed it!
Love ya!
Another great combo, but then I’m not surprised. Thanks again for all you do dear friend!
Thank you, Nancy! ❤ I hope your day is spectacular!
Great sentiment Ray
Thank you, Mary Helen ❤
Very much appreciated.
Ray, we are old timers and I wouldn’t change the way we grew up and we appreciated all the little things that life had to offer. We grew up in the best of times when respect and caring for one another was so important! We didn’t have iPads or game boards and sitting hours on end watching TV just didn’t happen. A few phone calls and you would have 20 friends at the Gym, ball park or the ice rink to have some fun playing ball. Christmas time was special, sharing time with family and friends enjoying the spirit of giving much more than receiving 😀 Those were the good old days,cherishing all those great memories when life wasn’t so complicated. Great Medley Ray…thank you and enjoy the rest of your day!!
Thank you, Bruce ❤
We certainly did grow up in a much different era and I’m so glad I did. Your comments brought back so many wonderful memories for me. I am so proud to be a small town boy who learned very early to respect his neighbors and to understand what Christmas was really all about.
Killian and I loved this medley very much! Your story was greatly enjoyed by both of us. I explained to him how much truth there was in it. His response…”that’s so sad”. And I know that he was talking about our experience, not the fact that you and I knew that the sadness was not in what we lacked, but what they are now lacking and don’t even realize it. Killian’s family does go out every Christmas Eve to look at the lights just as I did while growing up and with my children.
Martina McBride’s and Kenny Chesney’s songs were our favorites, after yours!
Jim & Killian, thank you both so much. I wouldn’t have expected Killian to fully understand my song, but I am very glad he had you to explain it all for him.
I love you two guys. ❤❤
This was great, Ray, including your piece. Country voices lend themselves wonderfully to Christmas songs. What a magical place Springfield was back then. We were quite poor, but we were thrilled with the little that we received. Does anyone remember Santa coming to the top of Main ST and the whole town was there? All the kids got a box of candy. Anyhow I loved everything about Christmas back then. At church we always had a Christmas play and I was an angel one year!
Thank you, Pat ❤
I appreciate the kind words about my “song” and I agree that country voices bring such a strong spirituality to Christmas songs.
I clearly remember Santa coming to Main Street! It was a magical time in that small town, and yes, I loved everything about it!
By the way, you are STILL an angel! ❤
Happy Friday Ray, Ted & I are planning to catch up on this week’s medleys today. Just the two of us but we listened to Ray Lemire 2x 🙂 Thank you for the holiday music.
Thank you, Lee & Ted ❤️❤️
I hope the music brings you the same sense of joy as it did me hen I was putting these medleys together!