O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us a lamp to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on
I grew up in a musical family. I majored in music during college and played professionally for many years. But, I was a classical musician and my knowledge of country, rock and roll and pop music was very limited.
In 2005, Clay Aiken introduced me to another style of music. In a special Christmas gift to his Grandfather, Clay performed “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” a bluegrass song. It was a poignant moment and I loved the entire performance. However, I wanted to know…….what, exactly, is bluegrass music.
Bluegrass music is a part of country music and is pure American music. Bluegrass was inspired by the music of immigrants from Ireland and the United Kingdom. It also has some African-American inspiration with a touch of jazz and blues.
Bluegrass relies mostly on acoustic stringed instruments. The fiddle, five string banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin and the upright bass are traditional instruments in bluegrass music. Sometimes, the resonator guitar is added.
Traditional elements are important. The musicians play folk songs with simple traditional chord progressions. A distinguishing characteristic of bluegrass is vocal harmony featuring two, three, or four parts.
Bluegrass, as a style, developed during the mid-1940s some time after World War II. It wasn’t called bluegrass back then. It was just called old time mountain hillbilly music. One of the most popular hillbilly musicians was Bill Monroe and since he was from Kentucky, the bluegrass state, the music was named bluegrass.
I doubt if there was a dry eye in the concert hall when Clay sang for his grandfather. This one-time performance was a gift from the heart to Clay’s Papa.
We are lucky that there is Clack from this concert. This beautiful song is not only a tribute to Bluegrass music, but a special performance filled with love.
I hope you enjoy this YouTube by Hosaa.
Do you remember this special moment?
I especially love this performance because it was dedicated to Clay’s Papa in 2005. Clay doesn’t particularly like Bluegrass music, but he performed this song and his Papa loved it! Thank you, CANN for sharing!
Thank you for the pictures and video. I have never heard of this song until you played the video. I did not grow up with this typed of music. Bluegrass is not heard a lot in New Jersey .Clay has a beautiful voice for this song. Thank to Hosaa for this video. Thank you CANN.
Thanks for the video this shows so much love for his grandfather. I have heard this song many years ago. Clay may not care for Bluegrass music, He sang it beautiful. I think Clay would be a great country singer. This toped off the JNT in 2005 in Raleigh.
Thank you CANN & Hosaa for this very touching video. I remember seeing it before, but it seems especially moving at this point in time.
thanks verry much cann and hossaa for this verry touching video i also rememberr clay singing this dedacaton to his papa
I was there that night and there were not many dry eyes. This is a perfect example of why we love Clay and always will!
Thank you so very much!! Just beautiful!