First, let me say that I LOVE the music of Christmas. Just about any and all Christmas music, but my favorites are the old standard carols we have all grown up singing and cherishing as representing some of the warmest, happiest, most joyful moments of our lives — all associated with family, home, friends and festive celebrations; the aromas and tastes and sights and sounds and feelings that go with The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. To me, there is nothing better than Christmas music. It is the best of the best.
Second, let me say that I LOVE Dr. Diane Earle. Aside from being an internationally celebrated organist, a surpassing music instructor and one of the brightest stars in Owensboro’s musical galaxy, being associated with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and both major Owensboro university music programs, Diane is a wonderful friend, a total hoot to hang around with, and — as a fellow stage performer and chorister — a person who speaks my language and with whom I can communicate freely and easily.
Long story short — Dr. Earle and I for years have been showing up at the same charity fundraisers where I am MC and she is providing dinner music. I always try to get to the piano and sing along as she plays classic from the Standard American Songbook. Well, after the last time that happened (at the Elizabeth Munday Center Annual Awards dinner last August) Diane emailed me. “We need to get together on a project,” she said. I wrote back “Let’s do a Christmas CD and raise money for Street Relief.” She heartily agreed, and the process has begun! We have yet to find a corporate sponsor, but we believe that will happen — what we are hoping is that EVERY business in Owensboro that sends an annual Christmas gift to customers will choose this CD, and that EVERY retail store in the county will offer the CD for sale. It will, of course, be available via e-commerce at www.owensbororadio.com.
We — Diane and I — are absolutely bursting with anticipation as this plan comes together, and I can’t wait to hear what we will be able to do with Diane brilliantly handling instrumentation and yours truly limping along on vocals.
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