Day 5 of our Musical Advent Calendar opens with “Blue Christmas” - from Allison Crowe’s remarkable all a cappella collection, “Souling” (2015). Composed by Jay W. Johnson & Billy Hayes, the song’s first recorded in 1948 by Texan Doye O’Dell - “All America’s Cowboy”. Several popular renditions followed - and, in 1957, another singer/actor, this time ( Read more... )

Composed by Jay W. Johnson & Billy Hayes, “Blue Christmas” was first recorded in 1948 by Texan Doye O’Dell - “All America’s Cowboy”. Several popular renditions followed - and, in 1957, another singer/actor, this time from Tupelo, Mississippi, stamped the song indelibly as an holiday classic ( Read more... )

Elvis Aaron Presley’s born on this day, January 8, in 1935. Shuffling the video deck in tribute, here’s Allison Crowe dealing musical cards from Newfoundland singer-songwriter Ron Hynes and poet Al Pittman - “and life's about chances” - “30 for 60”

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