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Davis’ It’s Christmas Time Again is a holiday favorite
 
Rural Route Music by Bluegrass Johnson 
 
BITTER SWEET, Ky. — I have something to confess to you all; my family, my friends and my colleagues. I have been listening to Christmas music since July.
In fact, I have been known to listen to my holiday favorites all year long. Wow, I feel so much better now that I have made that confession.
My love of Christmas songs began as a child. I remember the year my father brought home this fancy stereo cabinet with a built-in record player and radio. It was beautiful, and with it came several of what would become my favorite Christmas albums.
While there were many, one still remains near and dear to my heart by the late Jimmie Davis called It’s Christmas Time Again. This album was released in 1964 and contained wonderful Christmas hymns, not the Jingle Bells and Ho, Ho, Ho kind of songs so many of us associate with the holiday season.
It even included a spoken Christmas message by the singer and two-time governor of Louisiana. I suppose politics and church music really can go together.
His soft Southern drawl had a soothing effect; and in many ways, it reminded me of my father when he read the Christmas story to us from the Bible. I suppose it is kind of ironic that Davis did not begin his professional career singing church songs but rather a genre often referred to as “Dirty Blues” back in the 1930s. And that’s exactly what some of those songs were.
Somewhere along the way, he obviously decided to change gears. Actually he became well known as a singer for his rendition of You Are My Sunshine. And, yes, that really was a big hit back in the day. He even showed up in several movies, mostly throughout the 1940s.
But it was his holiday music I remember. My favorite Davis song was Beautiful Star of Bethlehem – one of the 12 songs included on It’s Christmas Time Again.
The origins of the song vary a bit, but most recognize that is was written in 1938 by a Tennessee farmer. Since being published in 1940, the song has been recorded by many artists and is still quite popular with country and bluegrass singers today, including Patty Loveless and Wynonna Judd, to name a few.
You can still find his Christmas album and many other Davis recordings on the web along with some videos of appearances on various from old country music shows.
His music will always remind me of my father, that old stereo and my beloved Christmas music I will once again listen to far beyond the holidays.
Gov. Davis, I thank you and give you a 100 A+ for keeping so many memories alive for me.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.
12/11/2014