As Paul and Julie were helping me and Lani put our tiki bar back together for the summer, I shared with him my pipedream of recording a collection of Christmas songs just for fun. Paul said, “Let’s do it,” and so a few beers later it started, and eventually went all the way to eleven… songs, that is. Nothing professional here. Just a few friends and family members getting together to have fun and make music. Unlike a “proper” album, these songs were not sent out to be mastered, resulting in each track having its own unique feel and dynamic level. So, listen without prejudice, and hopefully you will find at least one or two that you enjoy.
-Nick
As friends, we’ve played music together for over 25 years…from Lapeer West H.S. football game halftime shows…to Eddie West benefit shows (over $30,000 raised)… to open-mic nights at Calvelli’s… to Grace Episcopal Church Christmas Eve mass services… This, is our Christmas card to you…2021.
-Paul
Tim Bradley, Steve Burns, Jean & Dave ‘Red’ Coon, Doug Deierlein, Ginger & PJ Eastman, Paul Fernandez, Kate (Fernandez) Lee, Kathy & John Levitt, Macy & Bryan Mortimer, Haley, Nick & Ryan Ward, Dave Webster
Click here to play entire album
St. Nick’s Hope ℗ – vocal: Kate - background vocals: Macy - lyrics: Paul – All music written & played by Nick - 2021
Mary Did You Know? - vocals: John and Kathy - guitar: Doug - bass: Ryan - keyboards: Nick - song by M. Lowry & B. Greene - 1984
Santa’s Back in Town – vocals & guitar: Doug – background vocals: Jean & Red - piano & bass: Nick - song by Elvis (J. Leiber & M. Stoller) - 1957
Another Red-Nosed Challenge – vocal, lyrics & guitar: Paul - bass: Tim - original song from Kenny Rodgers’ ‘Lucille’ (R. Bowling & H. Bynum) – 1975 –Crickets - courtesy of the woods outside music room window (yes, it was intentional).
Little Reggae Boy – vocal: Bryan - music: Nick – horns: sax, Dave, trombone, Red, trumpet, Steve - percussion: Paul - (Katherine Davis-1941- original title (‘Carol of the Drum’)
Elf (based on the movie Elf, with Will Ferrell) – vocal: Jean – lyrics & guitar: Paul - trombone: Red – piano & drums: Nick - original song: Sympatique by Pink Martini - 1997
Please Come Home for Christmas – vocal, guitars: Doug – piano, bass & background vocals: Nick - song by C. Brown (& G. Redd)-1960 – recorded by The Eagles, 1978
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – vocal: John – strings: Haley & PJ – bass: Ryan – bells: Ginger – keys & drums: Nick
Mistletoe – trumpet: Steve (written by Pete F.) - vocal, lyrics & piano: Paul - cello: Nick- original song: Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves (& N. Hemby & S. McAnally) - 2018
Cool Yule – vocal: John - horns: tenor sax, Dave, alto sax, PJ, trumpets, Steve, trombone, Red – keys: Nick – song by Louis Armstrong - 1997
My Christmas Card to You – vocals: Bryan & Macy - music: Nick – song by The Partridge Family - Tony Romeo, 1971
Produced by Nick Ward & Paul Fernandez - for families and friends – Merry Christmas!