Crosby, Bowie bring in the New Year

A request in my Dec. 9 column for Christmas favorites brought in four lists, mainly from other columnists, two of whom I’m proud to say do not actually write for this newspaper.

As I’ve said many times the only strangers who read these things are press club judges, and they HAVE to read them for the yearly contests. 

So if you are reading this, thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The lone wolf in the crowd of being someone I don’t actually know was sent in by Tim Hickey.

“One of my old favorites was Roy Orbison’s (written by Willie Nelson) ‘Pretty Paper,’” Hickey said. “Some of my favorite Christmas memories are from the old Mazzola home at Sixth and Elm (I think). Bennie and Gilbert always had an old LP on the Magnavox in the family room. If it wasn’t Roy Orbison, it was Gene Pitney or Elvis!”

Sid Thorne reminded me of a song I forgot about; it was Bing Crosby/David Bowie’s version of “The Little Drummer Boy.” I remember watching Bing’s Christmas special when I was 15. It was years before they released this on CD.

And it wasn’t weird then, back in the ‘70s that David Bowie should do this. Then Bing died and it was just like weird, that Bowie who played Ziggy Stardust had done this. It just kind of became a weird cult favorite.

Sid’s other favorite Christmas songs are “Deck the Halls” by Mannheim Steamroller and “Holly, Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives (from the Rudolph special).

Mike Louviere couldn’t believe I did not include “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Ray Stevens. I couldn’t believe it either. The original song was by Elmo and Patsy. Thank you Mike. I needed some remindin’ on that one.

Donnarie Campbell’s favorite song is “O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” which is some good gospel/bluegrass music. And people should listen to bluegrass some more. Donnarie also enjoys “Carol of the Bells.”

My buddy Greg Hayes likes “Sarajevo” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He tells us: “Their mixture of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ with ‘Carol of the Bells’ is just awesome, set with screamin,’ blisterin’ guitar distortion.”

Well run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town; and kids, leave those cookies out.