Christmas Merry & Bright: Play Backstories

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Latest Episodes:

"The Christmas Song" We Know and Love Dec 22, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole and how it became to first hit Christmas song by an African American.

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We Almost Missed "Santa Clause Coming To Town" Dec 21, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town" and how it was originally written from a place of tragedy.

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Why "We Wish You A Merry Little Christmas" Dec 20, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." The original meanings of these songs were... not so "merry."

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Not So "White Christmas" Dec 19, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "White Christmas" by Jewish Russian artist, Irving Berlin and why it has such a palpable feel of melancholy.

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"Joy To The World" Was Not Intended For Christmas Dec 18, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Joy To The World" and how it is the only Christmas carol that is not a Christmas song.

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How "Christmas Memories" Became Frank Sinatra's Dec 15, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Christmas Memories" by Frank Sinatra. This song would not have been possible without the help of composer, Don Costa, and Lyricists, Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

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"The First Noel" of Christmas Dec 14, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "The First Noel" and how it became the first contemporary American Christmas carol to gain worldwide acclaim.

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"Hark! The Herald Angel 'Stings'" Dec 13, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley and Felix Mendelssohn and how it originally was not meant to be tied to Christianity.

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How We Got "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" Dec 12, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" and speaks with the artist, Amy Grant, herself.

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"Christmas Time Is Here" Charlie Brown Dec 11, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson and how they had to fight to bring us this wonderful tune.

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"I Heard The Bells" After My Greatest Loss Dec 08, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "I Heard The Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and how it was birthed from his greatest loss.

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We Almost Didn't "Tell It On The Mountain" Dec 07, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of how "Go Tell It On The Mountain" was preserved by John Wesley Work, Jr. at the HBCU Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Feliz Navidad From Puerto Rico Dec 06, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Faliz Navidad" and speaks with the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, José Feliciano, himself.

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"Jingle Bells" Isn't About "Bells" Dec 05, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Jingle Bells." Written by James Lord Pierpont in a tavern in 1857.

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How "Deck The Halls" Became A Christmas Song Dec 04, 2023

On this episode of Christmas Merry and Bright, Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstory of "Deck The Halls", it's 16th century Welsh origins and how it actually had nothing to do with Christmas.

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Introducing Christmas Merry & Bright with Raymond Arroyo Nov 27, 2023

Raymond Arroyo, an award-winning broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed vocalist, unveils the hidden backstories of some of the most beloved songs of Christmas. Arroyo will also be featuring interviews with Grammy winners Jose Feliciano and Amy Grant for special insights into their massive Christmas hits.

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