ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS, SINGING CHRISTMAS..and A GREAT GIVEAWAY

Monday, November 9, 2009

I am so sorry that I have missed a few days posting. We had some GIANT projects that had to be done. They took every ounce of energy that I had.

Wednesday night I will have more trees to show you. We have a gingerbread tree almost finished and will do a gorgeous tree tomorrow. Wednesday night will be filled with tree pictures and a FEW TIPS!

BUT tonight I have a special surprise to share with you. An old friend of mine has recently moved to Shreveport. I have known him as a wonderful singer for 20 years and was so excited to hear that he was making a new HOLIDAY CD! Anyone that reads the blog, knows that I LOVE Christmas music. He now has his website up and samples of some of the songs. They are wonderful. And on a side note, he just married a friend of mine. As I was listening to his CD, I realized I was hearing a man not only in love with the BABY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING, but also a man
MADLY in LOVE!!! I think that makes this CD even more special!

Please visit his site..jeoffreybenward.com then come back here and tell me in the comments that you made a visit! I would love to know which song you liked best.

Then on Thanksgiving night I will have Parker draw and give away 2 copies of the CD...These would make great gifts to give away early in the season or for your on holiday collection.

Just some thoughts from Jeoff....
When my other friends were listening to Elvis or The Beatles, I was forced then but I realize now-blest, to have to listen to such artists as Frank Sinatra,Tony Bennett, John Raitt, Gordan McRae to name a few. You see my late Father was a singer of the standards. Dad missed hitting the rockn'roll seen by a few years and because of that he didn't like any of it and wouldn't allow it in our home. He was a crooner and in my opinion the best I've ever heard. Dad was on his way out and I'm convinced he knew it.
But in 1949 before television existed, Dad crooned his way to winning the Original Ted Mack Amateur Hour heard live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City that was broadcast nationwide over the radio-the TV of that day. The Ted Mack Hour was...the first American Idol. Because of the financial pressures of taking care of a family of four, Dad decided not to make the move to NYC to start his singing career on the radio after winning. Instead, he opted to stay in rural northern Indiana where my 4 sisters and I were raised. I remember Dad standing in front of the mirror in our one and only bathroom in our pastel green aluminum sided 3 bedroom ranch, belting out "WHEN I FALL IN LOVE" as well as other amazing songs, pretending he was on stage. We'd all yell, "Dad stop!" And he would look at us with those regretful eyes and would reluctantly give in. He spent his life wondering-what if. Oh how I wish I could hear him now. I'd tell him, "Belt it out Popps!" Dad had a word for rock'n roll "cacophony"...which is a little too tense for me. Yes...I'm forever a huge Beatles fan! Little did I know that thru his distaste for this new genre of artistic expression, which led to my limited access to it, would come my chance to hear history's greatest singer/crooners and to memorize such pieces of music as OKLAHOMA and THE SOUND OF MUSIC to name a few. Those were the only kinds of recordings we owned as a family. But from my isolated musical life came my love for great melodies that lives to this day. On my new CD project "O STAR OF CHRISTMAS" I discovered anew the voice of my Dad in me and my love for great songs and a music style that I can wear. Instead of having someone write the typical artist bio I felt like I needed to tell my story because many are taking on the standards with great sounding commercial success these days, but very few have sat in front of 33 1/3 phonograph like I have as a kid and crooned out those great songs at the top of their lungs. On my new CD you'll be listening to my roots. It's been rare in my recording career that spans 30 plus years now, that I've ever recorded a record, that after I was done, I didn't want to change something. Not so on "O STAR OF CHRISTMAS". I really love this CD almost as much as I love Christmas! I so hope you enjoy and turn it up loud...Merry Christmas!! Jeoffrey Benward


I have not forgotten about the winners from last week.....The Winners of the Holiday Goodies this past week are

Sondra at Happy Clean Living and
Rambling Gal

Both of these gals will have holiday goodies coming their way! Please visit their blogs!

30 comments:

Sondra said...

Teresa, First, I am thrilled to be a winner on your beautiful site. I have such a Christmas feeling when I am here looking at all of your beautiful creations. I have been browsing and buying Christmas tree decorations all weekend - plus listening to Christmas music. I am feeling Christmas magic down to my toes. Thanks again for letting me win some of your Christmas goodies!!

Next, I love Jeoff's music. WOW! such a powerful voice. Awesome. In listening to the sample, the Star of Christmas isn't familiar to me - it was beautiful and I'd love to hear more. I loved the other two samples... wow! What a beautiful voice and I loved his Bio... and the love he has for his Dad and the music that inspired him to sing today... cool story! Please sign me up for the give away of one of his CD's - I'd love to hear more!

Cindy Lou said...

I love the CD!!! My favorite is I'll be home for Christmas! The reason for that is my oldest son is in the Untied States Marine Corp and has been up for deployment for about 2 months now! But just the other day he called and said "Mom, Don't worry I just got the word and I'll be home for Christmas"!!! My heart just fell apart and I am so excited to have him home!! If I win the giveaway or not I am the winner cause I get to have my 3 children home with me once again at the most special time of the year!! God Bless you and please keep our troops in your prayers!! Your blog is such a blessing to me!! Thank you!!

Pam said...

I have actually never heard of Jeoffrey Benward before today. But I can honestly say he has a phenomenal set of pipes! I'm always a sucker for a good, "O Holy Night". I think it's my favorite Christmas song.

Jane In The Jungle said...

Loved O Star Of Christmas...and enjoyed reading his bio. It's so much more personal when the artist writes it himself!!

Sarah @ Preaching In Pumps said...

WOW!! I love the sample tracks of Jeoff's site. I'll Be Home For Christmas was my favorite but I love them all!!

Yayyy Advent is almost upon us!!

xoxo,
Sarah

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Teresa,
Congratulations to the winners! My Daddy didn't like the Beatles either but I sure did! But I also liked the old crooners too. Looking forward to seeing your trees, especially the gingerbread tree. Have a beautiful week.

Blessings,
Sandi

Georgia Girl said...

Oh thanks so much for the giveaway, I am so excited to have found your page. I just love Christmas and love seeing all the decor in blogland and maybe learn a few tips where I would have not learned if not blogging.

Thanks again and please enter me in for the CD also. I buy CD's for Christmas every year...you can never have to many. My favorite from the samples is O Holy Night but that is my all time favorite Christmas song since I was young. I would love to hear more about this singer.....

Love Being A Nonny said...

Wow...what a voice!!

Please help me out, I looked everywhere last night for the post where you told about how you took the hooks off balls and stuck them on limbs. Then I remembered that maybe you emailed me that info???? Either way, if you can find a minute's time, will you let me know how you do that?

SarahAnne said...

Well, I was suspicious about this guy, but pleasantly surprised! ;o) I love all the old guys - Frank, Bing, Andy Williams, etc. - and I really liked Jeoff's arrangement of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." I would like to hear the rest of the CD. ;o)

Grandma Cyndi said...

Jeoffrey Benward has a fabulous voice and Oh Holy Night is my all time favorite, can't beat that combo. Be sure to take a few minutes each day to be still, listen, and refill yourself, it is a long season and we are just at the beginning. Take care of yourself.

Jess said...

Oh Holy Night....by far my fav...loved the star of Christmas too though.

Looking forward to your pictures.

love, jess

SusanD said...

Congrats to the winners. Your friend, Jeoffrey, has a wonderful voice. I like the jazzy version of I'll be Home for Christmas. Blessings, SusanD

Keeper of the Home said...

What a beautiful voice he has! I love the words to "O star of Christmas" but the musical arrangement of "I'll be home for Christmas" is lovely. However, I would have to say that "O Holy Night" might take my pick as favorite. This song has always spoken volumes to me about our Savior and I just enjoy it so.

Thank you for hosting this give-a-way and for introducing us to your friend's gift of song.

~Mrs. M

The Lane's said...

great music - I like "I'll be home for Christmas" best. Since my hubby is deployed that songs make me smile!

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

I'm not familiar with the first song, O Star Of Christmas, but it sounds beautiful. He has a really great voice...thanks for sharing.

Grandma Cyndi said...

What a scary story about the toppling tree,could have been such a disaster, but it sounds like you and your elves handled it very well.

The Retired One said...

He has a great voice and I love the old fashioned carols the best. Oh, Holy night always brings tears to my eyes.
How generous of you to have another drawing, T.
That is sooo nice of you!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Oh he is fabulous. I loved his samples of the songs and my favorite is O Holy Night!!! He sang it beautifully.
Hugs
Kim

petrii said...

Teresa,
I LOVED Star of CHRISTmas!! I have never heard of Mr. Benward. What a beautiful talent. I also LOVE this song that is playing. How beautiful.

What a beautiful site you have. The trees you decorate are so gorgeous. I was just sitting here thinking that while I was out today I was going to get some netting, and then I saw it on some of your trees ~~ yep love it!!

Have a Blessed Monday,
Dawn

Katie said...

Sounds like a wonderful addition tothe Christmas music collection. I love the song that plays on your blog as well. So beautiful! The trees you have decorated are amazing! Enjoy the season!

Diana Ferguson said...

Great voice. Loved "Star of Christmas" and "O Holy Night."


Blessings

Gypsy Heart said...

I love Christmas music. He has a wonderful voice, very powerful! I think "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is my favorite. Thank you for the opportunity!

Julie Harward said...

Hi there..thanks for visiting my blog..This sounds like a great CD and a great story too! What a nice give a way..it was so much fun to announce the winner of my give a way this morning! Christmas is in the air for sure!! Come say hi any time :D

jessicalflores1@aol.com said...

I stumbled upon your blog tonight while stumbling onto someone else's tonight. Your site is beautiful! I love Christmas! We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas as our little one recently received a new kidney!

Anyway, my favorite was "O Holy Night" though I've always been partial to it. I had never heard "Star of Christmas" before but it was beautiful. What a precious gift (the voice--that is)!

Amy - AKA - TigerMommie said...

Oh, I do love Christmas Music!!! I'd love to hear this CD.....

Paige said...

Hey Teresa,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and I love your Christmas blog. I just love Christmas!

Kenna said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Your Christmas trees are GORGEOUS!! Seriously!
What a talented friend you have. O Holy Night will always be my favorite! Take care!

Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous said...

Thanks for letting me know about your awesome giveaway! I understand about being behind on blog reading. I really behind too! It takes so much time!

This time of year is so wonderful. I love hearing the Christmas music in stores and on the radio.
Linda

Beverly said...

I enjoy your blogs. I have never heard of Jeff Benward before but I loved O Holy Night! I know you're tired but enjoying decorating. You have a dream job. Take care of yourself!

Kris Ann K. Erickson said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!!! I LOVE Christmas music - particularly that which glorifies our King, so "O Holy Night" was my favorite!!!

Blessings,
Kris Ann