Hey, everybody! Long time no see. I guess I sort of fell off the blogging horse again. Thanks for coming back! I have been busy with lots of travel, lots of writing (for a new CD) and lots of getting ready for the holidays. This is my favorite time of year. I can hardly stand myself when it's time to pull out the Christmas decorations and Christmas music. We have had our tree up for a week already. I know...that's ridiculous. But I am gone so much during December, we put everything up early so we have more time to enjoy it together.
I have lots of stories since we last talked. But I can't seem to remember a single one of them at the moment. EXCEPT for the fact that I am ranking myself as a top-ten husband of all-time husbands. Why, you ask? I'll tell you. My wife found some dishes she loved at Target. Of course, our Target did not have enough of them. Well, guess what I did? I drove to 5 - count 'em - F-I-V-E Targets yesterday in search of these blessed plates. And I found them, by george. You may ask, "Why didn't you call and see if they had them first." Well, maybe I did...
Did you hear me say that I went to 5 Targets in one morning? Somebody give a brother some props...
OK...so what are your favorite Christmas CD's? Before you answer, let me tell you that this is the last year that you have to not have a Travis Cottrell Christmas CD on your list! I start work on it in February. Yee-ha!
Here's my list (in no particular order)...and no Christmas is complete without these for us...
A Charlie Brown Christmas (definitely my very favorite)
Amy Grant - A Christmas Album (she's the queen of Christmas)
Amy Grant - Home For Christmas
Amy Grant - A Christmas to Remember
The Carpenters - Christmas Portrait
James Taylor - A Christmas Album
Big Crosby - Merry Christmas
London Symphony - Winterscapes
London Symphony - The Nutcracker
"Elf" Soundtrack
Billy Gilman - Classic Christmas (don't judge me)
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra - Timeles Christmas
First Call - An Evening In December
And of course, being the youth choir dork that I am, I STILL listen to my old youth choir musicals on cassette - Love Has Come and Welcome to the World. I think I just overshared.
I'm looking back over this list and trying to eliminate something off of it, but I can't. In fact, I just thought of about 5 more I want to add. But I am stopping myself.
Happy Thanksgiving! A grateful heart is a happy heart...
TC
28 comments:
Ok...you want my top five. The first is going to come as no surprize to you...and they all three count as one:
Christmas, Christmastime, It's a Wonderful Christmas
~ Michael W. Smith
Christmas Eve and Other Stories, The Lost Christmas Eve
~ Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Elton John's Christmas Party
~ Various
Barenaked For The Holidays
~ The Barenaked Ladies
And Harry Connick Jr's Christmas stuff.
Ok...so that was more than just five...but there is a lot of good Christmas Songs and arrangements out there. It is really hard to pick just five! I love Christmas music that really moves me deep down and/or is unique in a creative and fun way. Anything else is a station changer. Maybe next year yours will make my top five!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving Day my friend!
Scott
Big props. HUGE.
Love the Harry Connick Christmas. Especially his version of "Frosty the Snowman."
Here's my top 3...
Russ Taff's Christmas CD from many years ago...it's a big band sound and is an all time favorite.
A close runner up would be George Winston's December CD. Nothing like listening to that one with all the lights off except for the Christmas tree. So incredible!
We like Nicole C Mullen's Christmas CD too. The kids love the song "365 days".
3 totally different styles...3 great CD's!
Oh, and I have to mention the Spike Jones record I grew up listening to..."I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas" and "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth" were the best!
Okay, I'm really done now!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Kelli in Ohio
Top five - it's hard with Christmas music!
~Christmas - Michael W. Smith
~All Bow Down - Travis
~Everything Glorious - Travis
~The Lost Christmas Eve - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
~Christmas Eve and Other Stories - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Looking forward to the new TC CD next year!
ha. you ARE a dork if you still listen to those songs!
wait... if i still have an old copy of "for unto yall" does that make me a dork too??
I totally agree with the Harry Connick Jr....too fun!
Last year's new favorite..The Nativity Story compilation
My favorite "nothing but Christmas tree lights on is"...Jim Brickman (I also sneak this in after Thanksgiving dinner! tee hee hee!)
Can't wait till next year!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Heather in CA
Travis,
Five Targets?? You da man!!!
Let me add to the Christmas List:
1) Josh Groban's "Noel"
2) Selah's Christmas Album, (Rose of Bethlehem)
3) Point of Grace's "A Christmas Story."
4) Barry Manilow's "Because it's Christmas" (okay, you can stop laughing now!!)
5) Chicago's "What's it Gonna Be, Santa?"
~Cheryl
OK...all you people are making me happy with these posts. I love all of this music! Well, Profbough, I can't go there with you on the Barry Manilow, but I speak NO condemnation to you. haha
Scott, Boomama, and Heather - I love both of Harry Conick's Christmas CD's. And I was just jammin' out to Frosty yesterday. It makes me want to ice skate.
Ginger - hey! Of course, one of my favorite Christmas / Churh music memories is hearing you sing "Suddenly they were captured by a vision.." !!! : >)
DTeague...thanks for posting about the musicals!
Longmeadow mama - we love 365 Days, too! Nicole came and sang that with mu kids' student body at their Christmas program one year. One of the benefits of living in Franklin...
Hey Travis,
It's great to hear from ya! I drive my family crazy with Christmas music...in the house, in the car...anywhere, everywhere. I love anything Christmasy
I haven't admitted it to anyone but we have had our tree up for about a week and a half now.
Five Targets in one morning, major points. I do that sometimes when I am absolutely determined to find something...another thing I drive my family crazy with.
I am really glad to hear about your Christmas CD for next year! I have about worn out my copy of 'All Bow Down'. It is absolutely beautiful!
I remember what you, Kanoot and I sang that year. Merry Christmas with Love. Clay Aiken sang it on a special a few years ago. I loved the harmony when we all sang it. Personally I love the chipmunks Christmas CD. Hope you are doing well. I have your new album, love it. Caroline "Lilley" Hicks...Have a wonderful holiday.
Okay, so here's my list, in no particular order:
1. Christmas Shoes by Newsong
2. Elf soundtrack (I noticed that is one of yours also)
3.Repeat the Sounding Joy by Phillips,Craig and Dean
4.The Polar Express soundtrack
5.Christmas with the Chipmunks
6.American Idol - The Great Holiday Classics
7. My LONG time fav...Amy Grant's A Christmas Album. I've had this one the longest.
And you must be the best husband to go to 5 Targets. I have a hard time getting mine to go to one!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey Travis - what a cute family Thanksgiving pic.! :)
I love that you still listen to your Youth choir musicals. I do too! :) However, I can't find one, 'Great Men of God' - so I have to do my best to remembering...
Can't wait for your new Christmas CD next year!
Love,
Yoli in TX
Well, I love ALL Christmas music, but my favorite Christmas CD's are all from Jim Brickman.
And YES, you get husband of the year for braving all those Targets in one morning.
have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!
stephanie
Yes, you do get a husband award. YAY! :)
As for Christmas albums? Amy Grant truly is the Queen of Christmas. I love her. I also have one that has some of the classic songs from the television shows, you know "Put one foot in front of the other..." and some of the other great songs from the children's movies. That always puts a pep in my step.
I also like Point of Grace, an Avalon Christmas album we have, and John Anderson. His low voice just comes across very peaceful and soothing. :)
Props to you for the driving to Target! You are the man!
One of my faves is Avalon's christmas cd and Selah- the Rose of Bethlehem (sp?).
ok-I honestly do not think my husband has ever been in a Target. However, in fairness to him, we live in a pretty rural area and the closest Target is about a 45 minute drive.. (gasp)...believe me I know. If you can't get it at the CO-OP my husband's not interested. (He gets most gifs on-line)--thank goodnes.
Christmas Favorites:
Bluegrass White Snow--Patty Loveless (all time favorite)
Christmas Offerings --Third Day
Gospel Christmas--last years kids chior progam at my church
Also love Elvis, Kenny Chesney and Clint Black.
I must confess that I forgot about my Harry Connick and Amy Grant CD's but I'll get them out this year!! I also will check out D&MHO. Thanks, these are my favorite types of posts!
Billy Gilman? Really?
Can't believe you didnt mention Manheim Steamroller (I know there is no singing, but they are the ultimate in Christmas music). We listen to Kenny Rogers 'The Gift' and Kenny and Dolly Christmas (hey we are from east TN what can I say?). I also love John Berry O Holy Night. We also love the Alabama Christmas CD --- and we arent even big country music fans!
Now that I think about it, there are way too many to mention here - we love most all Christmas music.
Hey I love choir musicals! I just wrote about one we did in Little Rock on my blog.
My favorites Christmas music:
1) The New Young Messiah
2) Andy Williams (yes, I am a geek...it's a 33 record!)
3) Michael W. Smith (the one before the new one...don;t have the new one, yet)
4) Bryan Duncan Christmas is Jesus
5) Point of Grace (the one w. O Holy Night...my word! It's good!)
Your Angela makes a lovely Pilgrim. I wouldn't wonder that you'd travel 5 states or 5 countries for her--a beauty inside and out.
Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving holiday. The Smiths will definately look forward to your CD in Christmas '08!
Holly
Love Harry for Christmas music, too. His first one is better than the last one (Harry for the Holidays) And Michael W. Smith's song "Emmanuel" is one that I could listen to over and over! So in no particular order, here are my picks!
Harry Connick Jr. When my Heart finds Christmas
Hillsong – Christmas
Michael W. Smith – Christmastime
Johnny Mathis – Merry Christmas
David Benoit – Remembering Christmas
Oh goodness I have a terrible memory but here goes -
1. Harry Connick Jr - when my heart finds christmas
2. Jewel- joy: a holiday collection
3. The Tony Bennett Christmas Album - Snowfall
4. Come Let us Adore Him - A Christmas worship collection with (Jars of Clay, Third Day, bebo...)
5. Handel's Messiah
Now I can't wait ot get out all my Christmas CD's and start listening to them :)
Blessings,
Kim
First, I give you props for the plates and even two snaps!!!
My family moved to Murfreesboro right before Thanksgiving and I unpacked almost every box and organized the house so I could decorate my house for Christmas. I have a tree in every room!
I have to agree with your list. A Charlie Brown Christmas is my fav. I love the dog and a Charlie Brown Christmas comes on tonight. We should have a party and watch the movie. LOL!!!
I was in the mall on Black Friday and they were playing the Carpenters cd and I love the Carpenters. I am such a throw back but I remember when I was young and we had slumber parties and of course we would have talent contests and I always sang Karen Carpenter songs.
I also like Michael W Smith's christmastime, A Christmas Story by Point of Grace and I love to hear Burl Ives sing Holly Jolly Christmas.
These are just a few.
May your family have a blessed and fun Christmas!!!
hey Travis - posting 'cause I could not contain my laughter at the Christmas music list/tree up stuff. My hubby and I are good buds w/ RK (for whom you did some recording about 3 wks ago in N-ville) - :0 Anyhoo - oh - and we sang w/ ya at our church when you came and led worship - prob. about 4 yrs ago :) Re: the top music - not believin' that no one said 4Him's album with the jammin' Little Drummer Boy version and Strange Way to Save the World - not to mention the whole album. Then what about SCC's album where he has the big hair on the pic on the front and a scarf - w/ the song Home for Christmas, etc - that whole album is classic! I am reminded of my George Winston CD I need to find! And we now have had our tree up since last Friday - yeehaa! I am in love w/ it so much that we are having lots of people over just so they can see it!
Seriously - my hubby and I love you, your work, your heart - keep it up, brother.
LC in W-S
Can I just list some of my favorite renditions of my favorite Christmas songs? Oh good! I'll start with my favorite NEW Christmas song... go get it!!!
How Many Kings (DownHere)
Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away (Amy Grant)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)
Strange Way To Save the World (4 Him)
Welcome to Our World (Chris Rice)
Tennessee Christmas (Amy Grant)
The Christmas Song (Mel Torme)
Rose of Bethlehem (Selah)
This Is Our God (Travis)
This Must Be The Place (DMHO)
O Holy Night (Larnelle and Steve Green)
Gloria (Michael W. Smith)
I'll Be Home For Christmas (Michael Buble)
White Christmas (Michael Buble)
Go Tell It On The Mountain (James Taylor)
Mary Did You Know (Michael English)
What Are you Doing New Year's Eve (Barry Manilow)
TOP 5
Christmas - Alabama
Best of Christmas - Various (oh, the memories of my momma putting this double album on the console turntable!)
Christmas Album - Amy Grant
Home for Christmas - Amy Grant
Christmas Sax - Sam Levine (this is my #1 favorite - I listen to it year round - if you like Kenny G, you will love Sam Levine - this CD is definitely for that bathtub full of bubbles - it's a calgon-take-me-away CD) THE BEST!
I definitely agree that this is the most wonderful time of year and I absolutely LOVE Christmas music, so I was really excited when I saw this post. Just between us, I usually start listening to it well before Thanksgiving. :)
I must say Avalon's Joy is definitely on the top of my list, followed closely by Michael W. Smith - actually all of his Christmas music, Josh Groban's 'Noel', Mariah Carey's version of 'O Holy Night' and Handel's Messiah just to name a few.
Merry Christmas!!! :)
If Charlie Brown is your fave, check out "An Oscar Peterson Christmas". Jazz trio/quartet stuff is my thing and I LOVE this! Vibes on some tunes, mellow trumpet on some others. The strings are soft and warm adding just the right amount of romantic texture to this stuff. Sounds like I'm describing a good wine, which, by the way, goes well with this music. This music paints a perfect snowy, romantic Christmas setting for me. It's the soundtrack for the Christmas movie in my mind! I dare you to put it on and NOT slow dance with your sweetie to "Christmas Waltz".
-sf
An Evening in December is my all-time favorite Christmas album. When they re-issued it last year, I bought ten (count 'em) copies to give to my friends. (I even got an e-mail from Bonnie!)
First Call's third Christmas album, Beyond December, is one of my favorites too. It's so worshipful. They do an arrangement of What Child is This with Larnelle that's just unbelievable-- so passionate and beautiful.
Nothing wrong with listening to old choir tapes, I do the same thing. I get to sort of feel the way I felt when we sang it live.
And Amy Grant Christmas CDs play every year while we put up the tree. Love it!
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