Another Swinging Christmas!

For Claire and I, already profound fans of Christmas, our celebrations are being greatly intensified (and expanded) this year with the presentations we're doing of the Christmas edition of "When Swing Was King."

Whether it is the effusive thanks we're getting from the residents of the senior care facilities where we do the shows, listening to them joyfully singing along to the Christmas carols, seeing them smile at some of the lovely photos in the program or wiping away a tear brought by a particularly intense memory, or sharing stories of Christmas traditions with one another, Claire and I are being blessed with a rich and unforgettable treasure.

Among the comments we've heard:

"Oh, my heart was really touched by your program. It was so lovely and it brought back many precious memories. Thank you so much."

"It is such a nice Christmas present that you bring to us. You know, we love your regular show but your Christmas one is sure the best of all."

"Oh, those songs were always an important part of our family's Christmas but I just never hear them anymore. Even the radio station that plays Christmas music doesn't play those old songs anymore. So this is the only place I can enjoy them. It just takes me back to very sweet times. Thank you."

"Can't we just stay here and have you play it all again?"

The revised playlist of our Christmas "When Swing Was King" goes like so:

Bob Crosby & the Bobcats Orchestra: “The “Skater’s Waltz”

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra: "March of the Toys"

Benny Goodman Orchestra: "Jingle Bells"

Frank Sinatra: “O, Little Town of Bethlehem"

Perry Como: "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"

Vaughn Monroe: "Let It Snow"

Nat King Cole: "O, Come All Ye Faithful"

Gene Autry: “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Woody Herman Orchestra: "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"

The Mills Brothers: "O, Holy Night"

Judy Garland: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Glenn Miller Orchestra: "Silent Night"

Bing Crosby: "White Christmas"

If, by the way, you'd like to catch the Christmas edition of "When Swing Was King" and, in the process, enjoy a holiday visit with some residents of a senior care facility who would love to have you come a'calling, here's our remaining schedule:

December 12 - Life Care Center of Omaha at 2:00

December 13 - Immanuel Courtyard (Independent Living) at 2:00

December 16 - Skyline Manor (the nursing home wing) at 2:30

December 17 - Oxbow Living Center in Ashland at 2:00

December 17 - Walnut Grove at 6:30

December 18 - Autumn Pointe in Fort Calhoun at 2:30

December 19 -  Life Care Center of Elkhorn at 2:30

December 20 - Brookstone Village at 4:00