Because I'm fond of repeating myself, regular readers of this blog know a few things about me. They know my favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night" and my least favorite Christmas song is "Blue Christmas". So if I'm leading a post with "Blue Christmas", I must have been at least a little impressed. I still hate the song, but giving it a Gospel makeover makes it tolerable. Dare I say it? It's very nearly almost bordering on pleasant.
Levi Kreis posted "Blue Christmas" as part of his "Christmas In July" celebration, which (let's be honest) was a pretty effective long-form commercial for his upcoming Christmas album (hey, no complaints from me on that score; kool beans, totes). Naturally, I wanted to know more about any artist who could make "Blue Christmas" palatable, because I'd never heard of the man. That's another thing I've mentioned repeatedly; if you never made a Christmas record, odds are good I've never heard of you. Hey, I didn't plan on becoming a Christmas music nerd. My dream job was Santa Claus, but they gave the gig to some fat guy (uh, no offense, Santa...embarrassed smile emoji). Fortunately, God created the Internets for occasions just such as this.
Levi Kreis posted "Blue Christmas" as part of his "Christmas In July" celebration, which (let's be honest) was a pretty effective long-form commercial for his upcoming Christmas album (hey, no complaints from me on that score; kool beans, totes). Naturally, I wanted to know more about any artist who could make "Blue Christmas" palatable, because I'd never heard of the man. That's another thing I've mentioned repeatedly; if you never made a Christmas record, odds are good I've never heard of you. Hey, I didn't plan on becoming a Christmas music nerd. My dream job was Santa Claus, but they gave the gig to some fat guy (uh, no offense, Santa...embarrassed smile emoji). Fortunately, God created the Internets for occasions just such as this.
Levi Kreis was born in Tennessee in 1973 (OK, now I feel ancient). In his younger days, he toured with Brenda Lee. Levi was all set to be one of the artists competing in the inaugural season of "Nashville Star" in 2003, but signed a deal with Atlantic making him ineligible for the show. Nothing came of his association with Atlantic, just as nothing came from the 7 major label record deals he'd signed before that one. But, released from Atlantic early in 2005, the light at the end of the tunnel was just around the corner (is that a mixed metaphor?). Levi's debut album, "One of the Ones", was released in November 2005 and there's been no stopping him since. He did take a break from recording when he got a role in the national touring company of Rent. He did more theater and a few movies before getting his break-through role as Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet in 2010, for which he won a Tony Award. Musically, he's tried his hand at a lot of things, from Pop to Jazz to Easy Listening to Gospel, but he's currently being promoted as a Country artist. I think its best not to get too attached to any one genre label where Levi's concerned. His most recent release is "Liberated".
Levi's upcoming Christmas album is "Home For The Holidays". Recording wraps up this week and, if all goes well with the mixing and mastering, the album should be released in October. "Home For The Holidays" will have 13 tracks in all, including Joni Mitchell's "River", Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" and "O Holy Night". And I'm guessing Levi wouldn't have posted "Blue Christmas" and "Grinch" to YouTube and Facebook last month if they weren't also making the cut. Additionally, the guy on the right in the picture to the right will be making a guest appearance. That's Eddie Clendening, who played Elvis opposite Kreis' Jerry Lee in Million Dollar Quartet. Check out the other Christmas videos on Levi's YouTube channel and pay him a visit on Facebook. If you're as unfamiliar with the man as I am, it might be worth waiting for some actual song samples (these clips are all from last year's tour), but, overall, he reminds me of Harry Connick Jr. (if an ever so slightly Country version), and I know a lot of people like Harry. I just hope Levi doesn't screw up "Blue Christmas" because that arrangement is the best one I've heard yet (but I still hate it).
Levi's upcoming Christmas album is "Home For The Holidays". Recording wraps up this week and, if all goes well with the mixing and mastering, the album should be released in October. "Home For The Holidays" will have 13 tracks in all, including Joni Mitchell's "River", Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" and "O Holy Night". And I'm guessing Levi wouldn't have posted "Blue Christmas" and "Grinch" to YouTube and Facebook last month if they weren't also making the cut. Additionally, the guy on the right in the picture to the right will be making a guest appearance. That's Eddie Clendening, who played Elvis opposite Kreis' Jerry Lee in Million Dollar Quartet. Check out the other Christmas videos on Levi's YouTube channel and pay him a visit on Facebook. If you're as unfamiliar with the man as I am, it might be worth waiting for some actual song samples (these clips are all from last year's tour), but, overall, he reminds me of Harry Connick Jr. (if an ever so slightly Country version), and I know a lot of people like Harry. I just hope Levi doesn't screw up "Blue Christmas" because that arrangement is the best one I've heard yet (but I still hate it).
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