In a press release on Thursday, November 4, 2010, NBC announced the talent lineup for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. The holiday tree lighting will broadcast live on NBC, on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The 13th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special will feature performances by many celebrity musicians. The star-studded performance will include:
- Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent
- Mariah Carey, a top recording artist
- Charice, the teen sensation from the Philippines
- Sheryl Crow, the Grammy winning singer
- Jackie Evancho, the 10 year old soprano from America’s Got Talent
- Josh Groban, from Los Angeles
- Katherine Jenkins, a Welch singer
- Kylie Minogue from Australia
The Radio City Rockettes will also be featured in the extravaganza. Natalie Morales and Al Roker will host the show.
For many, the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is the kick off to the holiday season. Many families, friends, and individuals make it a point to attend the lighting ceremony every year.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a worldwide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree, traditionally a Norway Spruce, is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire, and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. Tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions watch the Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live across the globe.
This year’s tree is a very respectable 74-foot high and 40 foot in diameter! The tree lighting ceremony is free and no tickets are needed. However it is advised you arrive early to secure a prime viewing spot for the 2-hour lighting ceremony.
I know that each of the musicians who will be participating in this program are wonderful, however, I would much rather see and hear Clay Aiken. Nobody sings Christmas songs better than Clay. Maybe he will get a return visit in 2011.
On November 30, 2004, Clay Aiken was part of the star-studded hour-long special on NBC celebrating the lighting the world’s most famous tree.
Co-hosts for the evening were Al Roker and Nancy O’Dell. Olympic Gold Medallist Sarah Hughes skated to Vanessa Williams who sang “Silver and Gold.”
Besides Clay, the musical lineup for the special included performances by Hilary Duff, Kenny Chesney, Tony Bennett, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Chris Isaak, Michael Buble, Vanessa Williams, and The Radio City Rockettes. Chicago was the special house band for national telecasts.
Clay was dressed for cold weather in an overcoat, striped scarf and a black hat. Clay sang “Winter Wonderland” during the National broadcast, and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful” during the earlier hour broadcast that was only shown in New York.
The following are some videos of the 2004 performances by Clay. It looks like so much fun!
Clay always sounds great singing Christmas carols. I'm about ready to get out Merry Christmas with Love and All is Well.
I never put away MCWL or AIW 😉 Here's hoping for a new Christmas CD from Clay – he is, far and away, my favorite
I remember so well watching this on my TV. Was so excited. Clay always sings Christmas Carols the very best. I already have my MCWL and AIW CD's out. That is and always will be my favorite Christmas Album…that is, until he puts a new one out…next Year? Hint..Hint!
I am missing Clay at Christmas. This is the third year we won't see him on tour. I look forward to hearing lots of him on the radio. No one sings Christmas like Clay Aiken.
Thanks for the info on the Tree Lighting. I really do want hear Clay sing Christmas carols!!
You picked such great pictures for this blog. The Christmas Tree looks so beautiful and, of course, the pictures of Clay are super.
Clay was definitely the class of the field that year. I've already started listing to Christmas Clay. He has the perfect voice for this music.
I remember this so well–Clay had just been sick and I was so worried that he wouldn't be able to perform–but he sang beautifully as always. I was also very excited because a few days after that he came to RI for his JNT04. What a wonderful Christmas–no one sings Christmas songs like Clay.