Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Brenda Lee turns 80 today. Born Brenda Mae Tarpley on December 11, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia she became a child performer who was crowned “Little Miss Dynamite” in 1957 at the age of 12 after her first hit record. A year later, she released today’s song which is her most well known recording followed by 1960’s “I’m Sorry” which was a #1 hit that year. To date Lee has sold 100 million records around the world.

Johnny Marks-the songwriter who gave us “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” (see Day 6) – wrote today’s song as well and it became the biggest song of Lee’s career. From that point it was also a seasonal staple, but received a revival of sorts 32 years later when it was featured in the 1990 Christmas movie, “Home Alone”. Last year Lee made a video for the song while she was lip synching to the original track in honor of its 65th anniversary, sending it to the top of the charts & making Lee the oldest artist to have a top-selling record.

Top: Brenda Lee in 1958. Middle: The “Home Alone” scene featuring Lee’s song. Bottom: Lee in 2023. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Today marks 60 years since we lost one of the greatest and most important voices in music. Sam Cooke was and remains vital to the many genres of music he contributed to from his time in gospel music with The Soul Stirrers, his solo secular career in R&B, soul, pop & mainstream music and his songs of social change.

The track he released in February 1964- which was reissued less than two weeks after his death-became an unofficial anthem for the civil rights movement. With all that is going on across the universe today and with a new year only three weeks away, his message advocating a better world remains as crucial as ever.

Sam Cooke: January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964.

Sam Cooke circa 1963. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Brenda Lee: “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” (1958, written by Johnny Marks)

The Soul Stirrers: “The Last Mile Of The Way” (1955, written by Sam Cooke).

Sam Cooke: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964, written by Sam Cooke).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!