Today is the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter and it’s also the shortest day of the year. Because of the earth’s tilt, on this day, the Northern Hemisphere is as far away from the sun as it can be. Therefore, the first day of winter has the least amount of sunlight.
Solstice means “standing still sun” and has historically been a day for celebration. Do you celebrate winter solstice? Leave a comment and let us know.
It is always fun to hear up-to-date news of Clay Aiken. On Wednesday night, his picture was on Instagram. It looks like he had a night at the theatre with Tyra Banks and her mother. One of the cast members was pleased to meet Tyra and Clay back stage at the show. It seems that Clay is enjoying seeing the show, “Once On This Island”. Welcome From Away.
qperstar – So I got to #smize with the one and only Tyra Banks!! She attended the show with her mother and Clay Aiken (who has seen our show 3 times now). Tyra is cool as he#$%! #tyrabanks #clayaiken #wecomefromaway #topmodel #blackgirlsrock #ilovemylife
On December 19, 2007, Clay Aiken was singing in Minneapolis for the first concert of his Christmas in the Heartland Tour.
One of the showstoppers of the tour was Clay’s medley of beautiful Christmas songs from the 40’s. The arrangement of the hits was beautifully crafted by Jesse Vargas and featured the beauty of Clay’s voice and the romantic feeling of the songs. The first song in the medley was “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
On October 4, 1943, Bing Crosby recorded “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra for Decca Records. It instantly topped the charts as one of America’s most popular holiday songs. Within about a month of it being copyrighted, the song hit the music charts and remained there for eleven weeks, peaking at number three.
Walter Kent composed the music and James Gannon wrote the beautiful lyrics. Most of their fans thought the song was as beautiful as White Christmas, another Bing Crosby holiday song.
The following year, the song reached number nineteen on the charts. It touched a tender place in the hearts of Americans, both soldiers and civilians, who were then in the depths of World War II, and it earned Crosby his fifth gold record. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” became the most requested song at Christmas U.S.O. shows in both Europe and the Pacific. Yank, the GI magazine, said Crosby accomplished more for military morale than anyone else of that era.
In December 1965, when the astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell were returning to Earth after setting a record for the longest flight in the US space program aboard Gemini 7 spacecraft, they requested this carol to be played for them.
I had forgotten how wonderful this medley was until I watched this video on YouTube last night. Clay Aiken is a genius to put this romantic medley in his program. Jesse Vargas is also a genius. This arrangement, written for Clay and the orchestra, is a real gem. I hope you enjoy the video.
I’ll be home for Christmas;
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.
Is this one of your favorite holiday songs?
Thank you, CANN for sharing this video of Clay performing this beautiful medley! Love starting my day with Clay!
That was great! Love the medley!
This perfect medley was sung beautifully by Clay. I'm jealous of the fact that Clay is able to attend any Broadway show he likes and especially with his good friend Tyra Banks (and her mom). Sometimes I try to imagine what his life would have been like without Idol. Just think what he would have missed… the friends he has made, how many people love him, and 'starring' on Bold each Fri. etc.
that sure was great and I did love the melody