December 11, 2007

Christmas, I now realize, is a time of traditions and it is those traditions that make it important. Without Christmases past, the present one has little meaning. It is all of those stored up memories that make Christmas so wonderful.
-Virginian Pilot, 12/25/1994

Along with the Christmas season came the sounds of the holiday. Mom and Dad would “crank up” the record player with David Seville and the Chipmunks, or Andy, or Elvis, or Glen Campbell belting out Christmas ditties. But what I remember most were the Texaco albums. Each year, a new edition was released - a sampler of holiday songs performed by various artists.

Following is but a sampling of artists who appeared on the Texaco Firestone and Goodyear Christmas Albums. Just the names alone should evoke memories of Christmases past and, hopefully, a smile at the recollection(s):

Bing Crosby
Andy Williams
Ray Charles
Julie Andrews
Frank Sinatra
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Dean Martin
Perry Como
Nat King Cole
Johnny Mathis
Brenda Lee
Burl Ives
Elvis Presley
Tony Bennett
Doris Day
Eartha Kitt
Gene Autry
Tabernacle Choir

I wish I had copies of these albums still. I think my little brother has vinyls stashed somewhere. I’ve got a good assortment of songs in my iTunes collection already, but should put the ‘ol vinyls on my wishlist.

Well anyway, here I offer up a clip from 1958 - Perry Como’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

… and …

Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra - “Marshmallow World”

What songs do you associate with your favorite Christmas memories?

Click here for a full listing of the 25 Days of Christmas Challenge.

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