I’m thankful for music. I love this time of year when we start listening to Christmas music a little at a time. We begin with A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Amazing. It never gets old.
While my wife was completing her teaching degree at University of Michigan-Flint, she was privileged to sing with the University Chorale under the direction of the great Carolyn Mawby. It was during the Christmas concert presented by the Chorale that we were introduced to the music of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers. The Chorale performed Te Deum.
The name John Rutter was new to me, but now he’s a member of the family. Music by The Cambridge Singers is incredibly inspiring no matter the season. We were able to find the CD and have been enjoying it for more than twenty years.
There are additional Christmas albums by The Cambridge Singers, but these are my favorites. Sometimes we’ll put them on in the morning and let them play all day long, they’re that good. Music like this has an amazing power to encourage, renew, and bring a sense of calm.
What would Christmas music be without the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? A few years ago I heard a song on Pandora that literally stunned me. The orchestration and the harmonies are phenomenal. The song is called, “Once in Royal David’s City.” I can’t describe it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song that affects me quite like this one does.
For several years in the 1970s, a local television news program closed their show with people in the communities waving at the camera crew as they drove through towns in the station viewing area. I heard the theme song many times through the years and finally discovered the song was called, “Doc” performed by Earle Klugh. I purchased a copy of the album “Dream Come True” containing the song, and it has been a favorite of mine for many years. I have an Earle Klugh Pandora Station. I love it.
In recent years we have become heavy duty fans of country music. In fact, as I write this, we are watching the CMA Awards, a three-hour show featuring all of our favorite country artists like, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, and many others. Country music plays in the car wherever we go. I have always liked country music but it wasn’t a constant companion like it is now.
I’m thankful for music.
A Coffee State of Mind 