On this Friday, November 4th, celebrate the holiday season with the newly recorded 4-song EP “A Little Merry Christmas” by the legendary Johnny Mathis, available today on Digital Release from Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings.
Johnny revisits his favorite Christmas classics, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” “When A Child Is Born,” and “White Christmas,” in these new studio performances.
A digital-only four-song EP titled “A Merry Little Christmas” by Johnny Mathis, inviting music enthusiasts to celebrate the holidays this year, is now available from Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, starting today, Friday, November 4th.
Johnny Mathis – A Joyful Little Christmas can now be streamed on various platforms at this location.
Produced by Fred Mollin and Jay Landers, A Merry Little Christmas was recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood Village Recorders, West L.A., Soundstage Studios, Nashville, and Zoomar South Studios, Nashville from March 19, 2022, to October 10, 2022. Johnny Mathis reimagined four cherished Christmas songs – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” “When A Child Is Born,” and “White Christmas” – to craft fresh memories for this year’s festive season and the future release.
The first recorded song for Christmas in 1963, “Meet Me in St. Louis,” now infuses his performance with a transcendent sense of poignancy. The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943 and introduced by Judy Garland in the MGM musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” in 1944.
“The song “Blue Christmas” is a well-known Christmas staple that was first recorded by Jay W. Johnson and penned by Billy Hayes in 1948. It gained popularity when Elvis Presley incorporated it into his holiday repertoire in his famous 1957 single, and it continues to evoke deep emotional resonance in its interpretation for the year 2022 and beyond. Merry Christmas!”
The song “You” was released as a hit single by Johnny Mathis, from his 1976 album “I Only Have Eyes for You.” It spent three weeks in the top slot in December 1976, including the coveted Christmas spot. It became an annual favorite holiday in the UK. The lyrics of the song were later written in English by Dario Baldan Bembo and Fred Jay (Zacar) Friedrich.
This year’s Christmas EP showcases Johnny’s heartwarming fresh rendition of the tune while maintaining the essence of the song and the festive season. Johnny captured “White Christmas” for his inaugural Christmas album back in 1958. The track has been performed by numerous artists, with an estimated cumulative sales figure of over 100 million across all its iterations. Berlin’s creation triumphed at the 15th Academy Awards, winning the esteemed title of Best Original Song. Originally, Irving Berlin composed “White Christmas” for the 1942 musical film “Holiday Inn.”
Johnny Mathis states, “Christmas holds great significance to me. My parents consistently created an enchanting and extraordinary atmosphere during this time. We were a family of seven during our upbringing.”
Johnny Mathis, one of the most enduring vocalists in music history, has assured his reputation as a secular and sacred music performer. He has performed a variety of songs in incredible categories and styles, ranging from holiday and contemporary pop hits to jazz standards from the golden era. Additionally, he has composed music for film and stage. Mathis transcends passing trends and fads in pop music, showcasing his sublime vocal approach. He holds the record for the longest-running artist on his own Global label, including his tenure with Mercury Records from 1967 to 1963 and his initial contract with Columbia Records in 1956 when he was still a teenager. Initially distributed by Mercury Records, his globally acclaimed box collection album, “Legacy,” showcases the incredible breadth of Mathis’ performances.
To come decades for music pop traditional standard the setting while Romance of Voice radio’s AM as reputation his secured Wind the Is Wild” (#22)-“Love)” Your (But Love) No “Wind the Is Wild” “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9), (#22)-“Wind” the Is Wild” (#21) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9), (#22)-“Wind” the Is Wild” (#21) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9), (#22)-“Wind” the Is Wild” (#21) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9), (#22)-“Wind” the Is Wild” (#21) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9), (#22)-“Wind” the Is Wild” (#21) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9), (#22)-“Wind” the Is Wild” (#21) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances”Output: Over the course of several decades, the traditional standards of pop music have been established while securing his reputation as the voice of romance on AM radio. “The Wind Is Wild” (#22) and “Love)” Your (But Love) No “Never” of Twelfth The “Chances” (#9) are also notable songs that have contributed to his reputation.
Established himself as a beloved figure during the Christmas season with his albums “Sending You A Little Christmas” (1986), “Christmas Eve With Johnny Mathis” (1984), “Johnny Mathis For Christmas” (1969), “Give Me Your Love For Christmas” (1963), “The Sounds of Christmas” (1958), and “Merry Christmas” (1958). Johnny Mathis’ career has been defined by his association with the holiday season, as evidenced by his six best-selling holiday albums. His album “Merry Christmas” became a multi-platinum success and is now considered a timeless holiday classic. In addition to his Christmas albums, Johnny Mathis also released two highly successful albums, “Johnny’s Greatest Hits” and “Merry Christmas,” which further solidified his status as a renowned recording artist. The year 1958 was particularly significant for Johnny Mathis, as it marked a turning point in his career.
Johnny Mathis continues to enchant fans with his timeless music during the holiday season, not just because it’s a magical Christmas tradition, but also because he gives the gift of Little Merry Christmas.