We’re honoring the memory of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame DJ Jerry Blavat, the Geator with the Heater, who passed last week in his hometown of Philadelphia. A public service for Jerry will be held at 11 am Eastern (8 am Pacific) Saturday (1/28) in Philadelphia and livestreamed via Vimeo at bit.ly/3XUgUBt. In lieu…
Frank Sinatra, “Jingle Bells”
Hope you’re enjoying these classic Christmas tunes on “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, and that you’re staying off Santa’s naughty list! Today, we’re dashing through the snow with Frank Sinatra‘s holiday favorite “Jingle Bells”! One of the oldest known Christmas songs, “Jingle Bells” was originally called “The One Horse Open Sleigh”. Sinatra recorded the song in…
Brenda Lee, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
We’re rockin’ around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop… today on “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, a series of YouTube videos celebrating the holiday season. Brenda Lee‘s original version of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks, who also wrote Christmas favourites “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”…
Bing Crosby, “Winter Wonderland”
Vancouver is officialy a Winter Wonderland today! As in “I wonder why I didn’t put my winter tires on already!” While the snowflakes fall, let’s check out “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, a seasonal salute to the Christmas songs we grew up with. In the late 1940s Vancouver South (south of 41st Avenue between Cambie and…
Ella Fitzgerald,”Frosty The Snowman”
Wrapping presents just got a whole lot easier with “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, a series of animated YouTube videos celebrating the festive season. Legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald sold over 40 million records and influenced a generation of singers. “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas” was recorded in the summer of 1960, produced by another…
Nat King Cole, “The Christmas Song”
Today on “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, roasting chestnuts on an open fire while folks dress up like Eskimos is probably neither environmentally or culturally sensitive, but Nat King Cole‘s Christmas classic reminds me of a simpler era every time I hear it! Nat became a legend with his warm singing voice and a list of…
Bobby Helms, “Jingle Bell Rock”
Jingle bell time is a swell time to rock the night away… with “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, a series of animated YouTube videos celebrating the holiday season. Bobby Helms was riding high on the CKWX chart this week in 1957 with his #1 country ballad “My Special Angel” when he released perennial Christmas favourite “Jingle…
Dean Martin, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
Hope you’re not too tired from decking the halls to enjoy today’s “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar” a series of animated YouTube videos celebrating the holiday season. Today, it’s Dean Martin and the festive classic “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”, created by our friends at Fantoons Animation Studio for Universal Music Group…
Celebrating Charlie Rich
Charlie Rich would have celebrated his 90th birthday today. Charlie died in his sleep of a pulmonary embolism on July 25, 1995. He was only 62 years old. In Robin Brunet‘s book “Red Robinson: The Last Deejay“, I shared some of my memories of Charlie: “I had been a Charlie Rich fan since 1960, when…
Andy Williams, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
Break out the eggnog and the shrimp cocktail! It’s time for “Red’s Animated Advent Calendar”, a seasonal collection of my favourite holiday tunes from years gone by! Andy Williams‘ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” was released in 1963 for “The Andy Williams Christmas Album”. The song was written for NBC-TV’s Andy Williams…