Admit it! You've all had a Christmas CD in your car stereo and you sang along. Of course, you were alone so that nobody could hear you but you pumped up the volume and in your own mind, you sounded pretty good. Of course you did!
The TV prime time slots are filled with contests these days with "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol" dominating. Then there is always the Grammys, the Emmys and the People Choice Awards. Well, I've decided that I will have my own Chuckie Choice Award on Christmas music.
The Chuckie Choice Award has the goal of picking the all-time best Christmas song and it's respective artist. This is a prestigious award and the world should take notice of the winner.
There are lots of Christmas songs to choose from. There are the "long hair" instrumentals performed by the Boston Symphony or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Nope, this group is like elevator music. Good background music but it doesn't compete for the Chuckie Choice Award.
Then there are Childrens fun songs. Rudolph, Frosty and the Chipmonks. This is novelty stuff. Not offensive but not candidates for the best song and artist of all time. I really hate to eliminate Gene Autry and Burl Ives.
Outrageous songs like "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" aren't even considered.
I love some of the mood music especially by the crooners. Elvis singing "Blue Christmas" is special and you can't forget Dean Martin, Perry Como, Andy Williams or Bing Crosby warbling "White Christmas".
Johnny Mathis is a girl thing. I think he is! Maybe he is guy thing. Nope, no consideration.
I hate to eliminate the female singers. Kate Smith, Rosemary Clooney and Celine Dion can really belt out spectacular renditions of Christmas favorites but the Chuckie Choice Award leans toward the male gender. The Jewish Princess, Barbara Striesan is very good.
The Chuckie Choice Award goes toward a song revered by Christians everywhere. Yes, it is a religious song. Some of my fans won't like that, but get over it. The song is centuries old. The two finalists were "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night". Chuckie picks "Silent Night". It does move the soul.
Now we have to pick the best artist who sings "Silent Night". My first thought was Bing Crosby. "Derbingo" as my Dad used to call him, has a melodious voice and does an admirable job. Being a good Catholic, Bing had years to hone his skills at "Silent Night". Bing gets the runner-up position. My choice for the best artist ever to sing "Silent Night" goes to a renoun Gospel singer with a little bit of hillbilly accent. And you ready. Can you handle the suspense. Chuckie picks Tennessee Ernie Ford. His deep voice and his feeling ring the bell.
There you have it!. Silent Night by Tennessee Ernie Ford wins the Chuckie Choice Award. If you've never heard it, run out and buy a Christmas CD by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Then put the CD in your player at home, light the Christmas tree, sip some cider and enjoy the season. It is okay to sing along.
Love,
Dad
My personal fav is "Dominic the Donkey" by Lou Monte, and "O Holy Night" by Micheal Crawford of Phantom of the Opera fame.