One of my favorite things about writing the Music Monthly is pointing out those Nashville artists appearing on nationally-broadcast shows. There never fails to be a Nashville connection somewhere in the schedule each month. December is no exception, with our own Faith Hill in a spectacular new Soundstage special, "Joy To The World." Backed by a full orchestra under the direction of conductor David Campbell (the go-to guy for orchestral arrangements on many Nashville records), and recorded in Chicago at Sears Centre Arena, the special features swinging, big-band versions of festive holiday classics “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Holly, Jolly Christmas.” Hill is joined by a choir for the spiritual songs “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and “A Baby Changes Everything,” while the entire orchestra celebrates with her on the title song. 

Alison Bonaguro of CMT.com was there the night the show was taped, and if her review is any indication, you're going to get caught up in it and "feel all Norman Rockwelly inside." 

"From the minute she belted out the first note of “Joy to the World,” it was impossible not to get swept up in her gorgeous take on all the holiday classics," Bonaguro writes.

Among the other notable music programs this month is a celebration of the Philadelphia sound. If you think the soul music of Philadelphia began with Hall & Oates -- I'm certain you don't -- get (adult) educated with Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, Part 1 on Saturday, December 6. On December 2, try to wrap your head around the magnitude of monster pop hits that producer and songwriter David Foster has had his hand in with Great Performances Hitman: David Foster and Friends.

As we close out 2008 with our year-end pledge drive, we're happy to it with another great month of music programming. Thanks for watching. Have a great holiday season!

(You did get the "adult education" reference, didn't you?)

Monday, December 1, 2008

7:00-9:00 - Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey - Holiday Special
This essential collection of beloved and memorable songs features vocalists Lisa, Chloë, Órla, Méav and Hayley and fiddler Máiréad. HD
9:00-10:00 - Yanni: Voices
Yanni and four young vocalists — Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas and Leslie Mills combine talents in a program of new compositions and Yanni classics. HD

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

7:00-8:00 - He Touched Me: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley
Elvis’ love of gospel music is explored in this touching documentary. 8:00-10:00 - Great Performances Hitman: David Foster and Friends.
In celebration of songwriter, producer and maestro to the stars David Foster, some of the biggest names in contemporary music gather for a special concert.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

7:00-8:30 - Memories of Opryland
The latest installment in NPT’s popular Memories series revisits Nashville’s Opryland Theme Park, a favorite for locals and tourists alike during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Opryland USA was known for its music, and along with archival footage of the many shows, this special includes a new interview with country star and singer-songwriter Chely Wright about her experience in Country Music USA.
8:30-10:00 - Roy Orbison & Friends - A Black and White Night
Filmed in black and white at the since-demolished Cocoanut Grove in downtown Los Angeles, this triumphant performance for Roy Orbison is buoyed by a remarkable cast of “A-list” artists. This is a newly restored version presented in HD.

Friday, December 5, 2008

7:00-8:00 - The Lovin' Spoonful with John Sebastian: A Lovin' Look Back
Archival footage of full performances tells the story of this popular pop-rock band of the 1960s.
10:30-midnight - Roy Orbison & Friends - A Black and White Night
See Thursday, December 4.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

8:30-10:00 - Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, Part 1
Legendary Philly soul artists, including the O’Jays, Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes, Russell Thompkins and the New Stylistics, Jerry Butler, the Delphonics, and many others, perform. HD
10:00-12:00 - Great Performances  A Tribute to James Taylor
The all-star line-up of performers paying tribute to Taylor includes India.Arie, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, Jerry Douglas,Dr. John, Carole King, Alison Krauss, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Keith Urban.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

7:00-8:30 - Don Williams: Into Africa
Don Williams performs hits including "Good Ole Boys Like Me," "I Believe in You," and "Tulsa Time in a concert from Zimbabwe, Africa.
8:30-10:00 - Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert
Through the magic of modern technology, Elvis is reunited with his original TCB band and back-up singers 25 years after his death.

Monday, December 8, 2008

7:00-8:30 - The Priests - Live at Armagh Cathedral
A trio of Roman Catholic priests performs at Ireland’s Armagh Cathedral, with special guests James Galway and Moya Brennan.
8:30-10:00 - Last of the Breed
The legendary Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price perform in a once-in-a-lifetime concert event.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

7:00-8:00 - Gospel Music of Johnny Cash
Dan Rather hosts a look at the musical icon’s spiritual odyssey, featuring interviews and rare performances.
8:00-10:00 - Great Performances: Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing.
The “Killer” performs his hits and special duets with Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Kid Rock and others.
10:30-midnight - Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert
See Sunday, December 7.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

10:30-midnight - Don Williams: Into Africa
See Sunday, December 7.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

8:00-10:00 - Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey - Holiday Special
This essential collection of beloved and memorable songs features vocalists Lisa, Chloë, Órla, Méav and Hayley and fiddler Máiréad. HD
10:30-midnight - Last of the Breed
See Monday, December 8.

Friday, December 12, 2008

7:00-8:00 - Sharing Christmas with John McDermott and Friends
John McDermott shares fond Christmas memories through song with friends Giorgia Fumanti, Allison Girvan, and Pavlo.
10:30-midnight - Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, Part 1
See Saturday, December 6.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

7:00-8:30 - Johnny Mathis - Wonderful, Wonderful! A Gold 50th Anniversary
Ever-popular recording star Johnny Mathis celebrates his 50th anniversary in show business with a hit-filled concert from Atlantic City.
8:30-10:30 - My Music: My Generation - The 60s
This concert special focuses on the years 1965-1969 and includes essential 60s folk rock, R&B and pop hits. 

Sunday, December 14, 2008

8:30-10:30 - American Masters: Pete Seeger: The Power of Song
On my personal list of essential documentaries, this excellent film poetically documents singer Pete Seeger’s unique contributions to American music.

Monday, December 15, 2008

7:00-8:30 - Faith Hill, Joy to the World: A Soundstage Special
Faith Hill, backed by an orchestra led by esteemed conductor David Campbell, sings favorites from her holiday album, Joy to the World. Taped over two nights at the Chicago-area Sears Centre Arena, the SOUNDSTAGE special features booming orchestral arrangements on the title track, “Joy to the World,” and swinging, big-band versions of more lighthearted fare such as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Holly, Jolly Christmas.” A choir joins Hill and the orchestra on more spiritual songs such as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and “A Baby Changes Everything.” 8:30-10:00 - Kenny Rogers: The Journey
Featuring hits such as “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Lucille” and “The Gambler,” Rogers’ story is brought to life with rare concert footage spanning several decades.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

8:00-10:00 - Great Performances Dance in America: San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker.
The San Francisco Ballet presents The Nutcracker, with its setting transposed to San Francisco’s 1915 Pan-Pacific Exposition.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits : Bloc Party/Ghostland Observatory
England’s Bloc Party takes the stage with its grooving, politically charged post-punk as presented on its second album, A Weekend in the City. Austin electro rock duo Ghostland Observatory debuts with the kind of kinetic performance on which it’s building a national reputation.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

9:30-10:00 - From the Top at Carnegie Hall: Style and Substance
Eleven-year-old violinist Simone Porter from Seattle, Washington plays Mozart and Mendelssohn; thirteen-year-old cellist and volleyball player Jonah Ellsworth from Cambridge, Massachusetts, accompanied by host Christopher O'Riley, performs Paganini's "Variations on One String on a Theme of Rossini;" eighteen-year-old tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika, a member of the prestigious Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, joins in on a performance of "That's a Plenty" by Lew Pollack/

Monday, December 22, 2008

9:00-10:00 - A Renaissance Christmas
Chicago’s celebrated Music of the Baroque Chorus and Brass celebrates the soaring sounds of the holiday season. HD.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

9:00-10:00 - Christmas at Belmont
Produced by NPT, this concert from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a festive musical collage ranging from traditional carols to classical masterworks to lighthearted secular songs. Melina Doolittle hosts. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

7:00-8:00 - Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring the King’s Singers HD
England’s King’s Singers join the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in a magnificent Christmas celebration.
8:00-9:00 - Christmas at Luther: Night of Glory, Dawn of Peace
Breathtaking music, glowing candlelight and the robed choristers of Luther College capture the wonder and joy of the holiday season in a new special. HD
9:00-10:00 - Anuna: Christmas Memories Celtic Irish group Anuna performs its emotional music and reminisces about holiday memories. HD
11:00-midnight - Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring the King’s Singers

Thursday, December 25, 2008

8:00-9:00 - Christmas at Belmont
See Tuesday December 23.

Friday, December 26, 2008

11:00-midnight - Chicano Rock! The Sounds of East Los Angeles 
This program tells the lively, little-known story of how young Mexican Americans in East Los Angeles and nearby barrios -- caught between two cultures and not fully accepted in either -- found their identity by creating a new musical form -- a blend of white rock, black soul and Latin rhythms. Far more than a local or Chicano story, the experience is all-American, a reflection and inspiration to all hyphenates in their journey to becoming Americans.

Saturday, December 27, 2008
9:00-10:00 - Fats Domino - Walkin' Back to New Orleans
The music legend triumphantly returns to the stage after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. HD
10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Wilco 
The ever-evolving Wilco returns to AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, performing classics and cuts from its latest disk, Sky Blue Sky.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

9:30-10:00 - From the Top at Carnegie Hall: Singing, Strumming and Skating
The Young People's Chorus of New York City and their passionate founder and artistic director Francisco J. Nunez performs Jim Papoulis' "Panta Rhei" (All Things Are in Flux) and Luis Kalaff's "Guayacanal;" seventeen-year-old classical guitarist Kimani Griffin from Winston-Salem, North Carolina performs the third movement Preludio e toccatina from "Aquarelle" by Sergio Assad.

Monday, December 29, 2008

8:00-11:00 - Great Performances at the Met: Doctor Atomic
John Adams’ contemporary masterpiece explores a momentous episode in modern history: the creation of the atomic bomb.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

7:00-8:00 - Great Performances: Domingo, Netrebko & Villazon: Three Stars in Vienna
The legendary Placido Domingo joins new superstars Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, one of the leading dream couples in contemporary opera, for an open-air concert at the steps to Vienna's magnificent Schonbrunn Palace. The concert's repertoire includes popular favorites by Lehar, Verdi, Strauss and many others.
8:00-10:00 - Live from Lincoln Center: New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Gala Concert.
The New York Philharmonic ushers in 2009 with tenor Rolando Villazon.
10:00-1:00 a.m. - Great Performances: Garrison Keillor’s New Year’s Eve Special
In this encore presentation from New Year's Eve, 2006, Garrison Keillor of "A Prairie Home Companion" hosts a live broadcast from Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium.

As always, you can check the NPT schedule at wnpt.net.

Until next month,

Joe Pagetta
Media Relations Manager