Make sure you get yourself out of the house to see family, friends, and enjoy your day. Why spend it looking for a song right now? Instead see people and spread cheer.

As it happens, I’ve had a fan tweet me about lyrics to my song Christmas Brought Me You. Turns out he was doing a version to give to his girlfriend for the holidays. She loved it from what I hear.

I got a little bogged down with a gift that has taken probably a week’s worth of time to complete, maybe more. I’ve lost track of the count. Probably why I haven’t really noticed a lack of snow. Though I’ve been hearing about it. Not to mention interviews and a prep for a show too.

In thinking about getting some snow to fall, I should have been more on top of the blog… However, today’s choice of Winter Wonderland by the Left Over Cuties is certainly a choice I’d make for being creative. I met the singer for the Left Over Cuties at the SESAC Christmas party a couple of weeks ago. That’s how I got to hear of this jazzy little group.

The voice that comes out of Shirli, the singer is quite a bit more powerful than I had expected due to her height. Then again, why should I be surprised? Lot’s of people are shorter than I. Oh well. Regardless, I’m happy to pass this along to you and say, hey – get this song for yourself. Which is available on iTunes. Don’t forget to keep an ear out for them on TV as well.

In the meantime, I have to attend to the computer as it’s saying there’s issues with the movie gift I’ve created. Ugh. Plus I have to make sure that I push the play button and turn the speakers up really high outside on my way to the post office (all without freezing of course). All in an effort to get that creative cold snow flowing!

Also, make sure you sign up for my email list over on the upper right! There’s a gift involved for you.

A friend of mine in Burbank lives on a block where people are putting up large displays of lights. There’s a spot in Salt Lake where the entire block gets together and strings their houses in amazing displays. It get’s nicknamed Christmas Lane for the holiday. I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of people that put together humongous light displays that are sync’d to music. That’s bordering on the edge of crazy.

Today’s song instantly reminds me of the movie Serendipity. It’s the opening song during the credits. I never thought about the name of the song. The other day I learned it was called Yule That’s Cool. Thanks to the artist that you’re listening to right now, I have been enlightened. Now you have too.

First thing I really dug about Maria’s version is the gruff she gets in her voice. It sounds like it’s been run through a gravel pit, then doused by whiskey. That’s not a bad thing. It works extremely well for this song. She’s like the female equivalent of the original singer. A smokey jazz singer. Love it.

This particular track is a live rendition of the song as well. Take that into account and realize she’s hitting those notes and spot on. That’s impressive in this day and age with so many people who don’t have the goods to deliver. Fan of the song and of Maria’s voice? Get yourself over to iTunes or Amazon, or even her website and pick it up. Have it as a soundtrack while you’re decorating.

Enjoying the blog? Head on up to the upper right sidebar and sign up for my email list and get a little holiday gift.

Here’s a rundown of what some of my favorite things are. Music. Movies. Books. Friends. Mountain biking. Skiing. The Sun. A little rain. A lotta snow. Mountains. Cars. Guitars. Singing. iPhones. iPads. MacBooks. Mac Pros. Getting Paid. Love. Dogs. Playing sports. A hot kiss. The stars. Blues dancing.

Wow, that almost feels like I’d be doing an interview for a date or something. Weird.

Why am I thinking about this stuff? Well, a friend of mine. A snazzy little number named Jody. No, not me. I’m a tall number. Jody Gnant is a friend of mine who used to hail from Phoenix Arizona. Now she’s living in the big Apple. My birth town. Or rather my birth city.

Turns out Jody has a modernesque cover of My Favorite Things. I could be wrong, but I believe the song originates out of The Sound of Music. Somehow it’s found it’s way into the annals of a Christmas single that Jody Gnant has released. The one thing I noticed right off the bat is it’s not like the typical cover. Heck no, it’s got an odd meter to it. Get that weird vibe right out of the gate with the bass. I’d liken it to another artist that I know. But this Jody.

Not typical fare for a holiday song.

There’s almost a James Bondness to the way the song moves. That’s a pretty cool thing. There’s an edge. A real edge. This is the kind of holiday song you’d be playing while you’re at a party with your good friends. Not the play it safe stuff you’d play with your parents or kids. No, this is the kind you’d listen to while heading out to have fun with friends.

You ought to make your list. Check it out. Figure it out for yourself as to what are my favorite things. Then make sure that those around you a aware of it. That way you can hopefully get some of your favorites for Christmas. Why wait? Do it now. Don’t forget to add Jody Gnant’s version of this song to your list. Get it for yourself or gift it to someone. You’ll both be glad you did.

Having fun with Single of the Day? Make sure that you sign up for my musical email list right there at the top of the page on the right. You’ll be glad you did.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. The Park City Resort has opened up a couple of runs for skiing. But really there’s not a lot of coverage going on right now. It’s rather sad. Especially since it was one of the earliest openings they’ve had in a number of years. However, opening 1 run on man made snow – does not a true season opening make. Call me spoiled. I prefer the snow that falls from the sky. More often it’s softer and fluffier than the gravelly version that comes from a high tech hose.

Despite the lack of snow, there’s no shortage of below freezing weather right now. All the better to be thinking about the upcoming holiday while snuggling in for the night with a warm fire. Add a nice cup of hot chocolate to go with it. Add some marshmellows, some popcorn and either It’s a Wonderful Life or Love Actually on the tele and you’ve got an evening with a significant other that is tender.

Yet, getting outside is a bit of the business going on in the song Winter Wonderland. Today’s song is a version of the classic re-imagined by Nicole Kehl. She’s a singer who is making a name for herself as a backup singer to Rihanna. We all gotta start somewhere. With the version I did I went a little electronic on it as well. However, Nicole has a bit more of a driving vibe with a lilting vocal going on over the top. Thinking about it, I think I’ve heard this song done more often by women than men. Hmmmm…

Regardless, this version of the song has a consistent vibe to it. I think the real shining moment to the track is Nicole’s voice. She’s got a real nice smooth feel to her vocal.

In all if you’re up for a more modern vibe to the Christmas classic you don’t need to wonder – where is the winter wonderland. It’s right here. It’s right now. In our minds.

Go grab Nicole’s version. In addition – do yourself a favor and hit the email list over on the top right bar there. You’ll get an additional surprise.

The main reason has to be due to the notion that I have my own releases of Christmas music. I have a three CD set called Christmas Past, Christmas Present, Christmas Future. One idea I ought to think of is doing a box set. Though I haven’t really given it a lot of thought. A three CD boxset seems a little small. I probably need to consider doing an additional CD of Christmas music, a 4th one and make that a boxset. That would make sense to me.

Oooh, then adding a DVD of videos for a bunch of the songs, combined with footage of the recording of the 4th CD would be a great idea too. Hmmm… Notice I’m brainstorming on this as I’m writing this?

Better yet, you’re a music consumer. So let’s get a discussion going in the comments below. What would make a great boxset of holiday music? What kinds of things would you want included in such a package? How many CDs would you expect? Would having video be a good bonus? Should there be a holiday story book in it? Do you like stickers or maybe a foldout ornament?

While we get the discussion going, let’s listen to some music from the Christmas Future release. It’s called Yuletide Romeo. It was originally written by a couple of friends of mine. I liked the song so much that I decided to do my version of their song. Totally great song. Enjoy listening here and then get it in your library as well. I’ll love it. You’ll love it. Your friends and family will love it.

I think there’s a real good thing being hatched here. Might be a good idea to be brainstorming with people I’m meeting at holiday parties in the next few days. Probably also a good idea to see what other musicians are creating around Christmas media.

That is on my agenda today. Getting pizza.

Is there a song in the commercial world about pizza? I’m not sure there is. Hmmm… me thinks there’s an idea I ought to move on.

Since its post Christmas, I’m thinking it’s a good time to unwind from the madness. Thus it’s the simplistic Christmas To Unwind. Nothing overly fancy. Simple. Easy. Enjoy.

That’s all I have to say about it. You should be enjoying time with friends and family today, rather than reading a blog. Go ahead get out and meet life. I won’t be disappointed.

Go forth and be giving.

Here’s Winter Wonderland. Enjoy and may you have a great holiday season. With plenty of snow.