With this post I reveal to you one of my pleasures that not a lot of people I know can get behind.
I love Christmas and the music that comes with it!
My collection of that genre includes Crooners like Andy Williams, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, etc. and Country Singers like Jim Reeves, Loretta Lynn, John R. Cash, Glen Campbell, etc. with some Rock'n'Roll compilations like 'Phil Spector's Christmas Album' on the side and of course Elvis Presley.
This year though unfortunately marks the second in a row that I am not able to enjoy Christmas because I have been working since mid November and will be doing so until mid January while having to stay at hotels most of the time. At least last year I had the 24th off but this season the most consecutive hours spent at home and awake were about 6 hours. Not nearly enough.The weeks leading up to this year's holidays I was in Zuerich, far away from home and thus staying at a hotel. While everything around me spelled Christmas in all capitals my room surely didn't. Not a good combination for someone like me so I was feeling rather blue.
With this being said it was probably no coincidence that I found an LP called 'Blue Christmas'. I think I never before came across a record reflecting time and sentiment this perfect. Add to that the fact that it's by Ernest Tubb who is one of my favorit Country singers and you'll have me at my most vulnerable. Totally disregarding the price and overpaying.
And for all of you who didn't, utterly disgusted, skip this post right away I do now have a little HC related annecdote.
More than 7 years ago, my memory is a little blurry there, I listened to Ernest Tubb on a beautiful day. The evening of which I went to see MDC for the first time. They played a very small venue in Duesseldorf where I lived at the time so naturally friends of mine were attending too and accidently one of them knew the woman driving MDC on this tour. Hanging out and talking we got to know that the promoter of the show hadn't provided the band with a place for the night. Not at ease with the thought of those ageing pioneers having to sleep in a van my girlfriend at the time and I decided 'What the heck both of us don't have to work tomorrow so why don't you crash at our place'. They were a little hesitant at first but with no other option they gladly accepted in the end.When we arrived at our apartment first thing for me to do was file away that country record. My thought was that they'd probably not want to listen to any of that redneck stuff. But how wrong I was. Despite their leftist politcal stance they do very well enjoy the twang of old country. Ron was the first to take an interest which led to a nice and long chat about the history of music, how important it is to know where you're coming from and to not limit yourself to one genre.The night peaked when Mikey Offender (RIP) gave me his homemade Tape of early recordings by Robert Johnson (an early Blues musician).So Ernest Tubb was the gateway to having a great time with original members Ron, Dave, Mikey and their drummer for the Tour Mike. Leading to me putting up a show for them a year later, having Mikey over for a third time when he filled in on bass for Direct Control and another planned show that was unfortunately cancelled because of Dave's health issues which had everyone involved over here be quite worried. After that the contact kinda faded. The last thing I heard was that Dave is doing better to the point where he can play the odd show but is still too weak to tour. That's been a while ago already and I truely hope he made more progress since. Maybe one day MDC will come over for a final tour. Everyone at the AK47 and I would go more than out of our way to make a show happen.Dave, Ron, Mike if by any odd chance you're reading this. You're always more than welcome.Mikey. You'll always be remembered. May there be plenty of beer in heaven.
