Christmas Merry & Bright: Play Backstories

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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."

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not So "White Christmas" Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The First Noel" of Christmas Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.