''Sending You a Little Christmas'' is the sixth

Christmas album Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music regularly performed or heard around the Christmas season. Music associated with Christmas may be purely instrumental, or, in the case of carols or songs, may employ lyrics whose subject ma ...

by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released on October 29, 2013, by Columbia Records. In addition to piano accompaniment on the title track by its composer

Jim Brickman James Merrill Brickman (born November 20, 1961) is an American pop songwriter, pianist and radio host. Brickman has earned two Grammy nominations for his albums ''Peace'' (2003) for Best Instrumental, and ''Faith'' (2009) for Best New Age Album. ...

, this particular holiday release of original recordings (number six for Mathis) is distinguished by duets with guest vocalists Susan Boyle,

Natalie Cole Natalie Maria Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was the daughter of American singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole. She rose to success in the mid-1970s as an R&B singer with the h ...

, Gloria Estefan,

Vince Gill Vincent Grant Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman of the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s and as a solo artist ...

Amy Grant Amy Lee Grant (born November 25, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She began in contemporary Christian music (CCM) before crossing over to pop music in the 1980s and 1990s. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christia ...

, Billy Joel, and

The Jordanaires The Jordanaires were an American vocal quartet that formed as a gospel group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Vocal ...

Recording

Mathis recalls, "My producer,

Fred Mollin Fred Mollin is an American and Canadian record producer, musician, film and TV composer, music director, music supervisor, and songwriter. He has produced records for Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lamont Dozier and America, and ha ...

, and I wanted to do some duets," and the number of singing partners for this one project far exceeded the tally of pairings arranged for any of his previous studio albums. In addition to covering several familiar holiday favorites "we decided that we wanted a newer song and we came up with

's Sending_You_a_Little_Christmas".html" ;"title="Sending_You_a_Little_Christmas.html" ;"title="Sending You a Little Christmas">Sending You a Little Christmas"">Sending_You_a_Little_Christmas.html" ;"title="Sending You a Little Christmas">Sending You a Little Christmas" He'd recorded it before, but it gave the record that finishing touch." Brickman's original recording of the song featured Contemporary Christian singer Kristy Starling and spent a week at number one on '' Billboard'' magazine's

Adult Contemporary Adult contemporary music (AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul, R&B, quie ...

chart after debuting there in December 2003. The musician enjoyed the time spent collaborating with Mathis. "It was surreal, and definitely a ‘pinch me’ moment. I was so honored, and he sounds so beautiful." The fact that Brickman originated the music definitely added to his experience. "It wasn’t something like ‘Silent Night,’ where you're just performing. It was actually a song that I wrote."

Critical reception

After the album's release in October 2013 it was generally well-received, with some critics quite enthusiastic in their praise. ''BREATHEcasts Timothy Yap described the album as "the best amongst Mathis' canon of Christmas offerings," and Michael P. Coleman of ''Sac Cultural Hub'' wrote that Mathis was "serving as host of a wonderful Christmas party that you should think about crashing this season." Joe Szczechowski of Examiner.com was a bit more equivocal in his comments, describing it as a "solid" collection with Mathis in "fine vocal shape" but finding it lacking in comparison with his previous Christmas albums in noting that "there's nothing on ''Sending You a Little Christmas'' that would be considered a landmark recording.

Promotion

Mathis appeared on the

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

daytime talk show '' The View'' on December 9, 2013, to perform " Sending You a Little Christmas" and was also interviewed during the visit by

Whoopi Goldberg Caryn Elaine Johnson (born November 13, 1955), known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg (), is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality.Kuchwara, Michael (AP Drama Writer)"Whoopi Goldberg: A One-Woman Character Parade". ' ...

, Barbara Walters, and guest co-host Clinton Kelly. He also performed the title song on ''

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that first aired from May 25, 1992, to May 29, 2009. It resumed production on March 1, 2010 and ended on February 6, 2014. The fourth incarnation of the ...

'' the following week, on December 17.

Chart performance

The album ''Sending You a Little Christmas'' peaked at number 13 on '' Billboard'' magazine's list of the Top Holiday Albums and number 53 on the

Billboard 200 The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of ar ...

album chart during the 2013 holiday season. It also became Mathis's first entry on the latter of the two since 2002's '' The Christmas Album'', his previous release of new holiday material, and his highest charting entry there since 1978 when ''

That's What Friends Are For "That's What Friends Are For" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. It was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film '' Night Shift'', but it is better known for the 1985 cover version by Dionn ...

'', his duet album with

Deniece Williams Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler; June 3, 1951) is an American singer. She has been described as "one of the great soul voices" by the BBC. She is best known for the songs " Free", " Silly", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" and two ''Bil ...

, reached number 19. The title track also did well that winter during its run on the magazine's

chart, where its number four showing was also the highest that he'd had there since 1978 when he and Williams took "

Too Much, Too Little, Too Late "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" is a song performed by singers Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. Lyrics and music were arranged by Nat Kipner and John Vallins. The single was a comeback of sorts for Mathis as his last U.S. top 10 hit was 196 ...

" to number one..

Grammy nomination

On December 5, 2014, the album ''Sending You a Little Christmas'' was nominated for a

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album The Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album is an award presented to recording artists at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Honors in several categories are presented ...

and became Mathis's fourth release to be recognized in this category. His previous nods were for 1990's '' In a Sentimental Mood: Mathis Sings Ellington'', 2005's '' Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album'', and 2010's '' Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville''.

Track listing

# "

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) "The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You") is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé. The Nat King Cole Trio fir ...

" performed with Billy Joel ( Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) – 3:56 # "

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical ''Meet Me in St. Louis''. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics. I ...

" performed with

(

Ralph Blane Ralph Blane (July 26, 1914 – November 13, 1995) was an American composer, lyricist, and performer. Life and career Blane was born Ralph Uriah Hunsecker in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He attended Tulsa Central High School. He studied singing with ...

Hugh Martin Hugh Martin (August 11, 1914 – March 11, 2011) was an American musical theater and film composer, arranger, vocal coach, and playwright. He was best known for his score for the 1944 MGM musical ''Meet Me in St. Louis'', in which Judy Garland ...

) – 3:41 # " This Christmas" ( Donny Hathaway, Nadine McKinnor) – 4:05 # " Sending You a Little Christmas" performed with

(piano) ( James Brickman, William Mann, Victoria Shaw) – 3:53 # " Mary's Boy Child" performed with Gloria Estefan (

Jester Hairston Jester Joseph Hairston (July 9, 1901 – January 18, 2000) was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on black spirituals and choral music. His notable compositions include " ...

) – 3:09 # "This Is a Time for Love" (

Dobie Gray Dobie Gray (born Lawrence Darrow Brown; July 26, 1940 – December 6, 2011) was an American singer and songwriter whose musical career spanned soul, country, pop, and musical theater. His hit songs included " The 'In' Crowd" in 1965 and "Dri ...

, Bud Reneau) – 4:03 # "

Do You Hear What I Hear? "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a song written in October 1962, with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne. The pair, married at the time, wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Regney had been invited by a record ...

" performed with Susan Boyle (

Gloria Shayne Baker Gloria Shayne Baker (September 4, 1923 – March 6, 2008) was an American composer and songwriter best known for composing the " Do You Hear What I Hear?" Christmas carol in 1962 with her then husband, Noël Regney. Early life Baker was born a ...

Noël Regney Noël Regney (born Léon Schlienger; 19 August 1922 – 22 November 2002), was a French World War II veteran and songwriter who is best known for composing the Christmas standard "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with his then-wife Gloria Shayne Baker in ...

) – 3:52 # " Home for the Holidays" performed with

( Robert Allen,

Al Stillman Al Stillman ''(né'' Albert Irving Silverman; 26 June 1901 Manhattan, New York – 17 February 1979 Manhattan, New York) was an American lyricist. Biography Stillman was born to Jewish parents Herman Silverman and Gertrude Rubin ''(maiden).'' He a ...

) – 3:07 # "

Merry Christmas Darling "Merry Christmas, Darling" is a Christmas song by the Carpenters (music by Richard Carpenter, lyrics by Frank Pooler), and originally recorded in 1970. It was first available on a 7-inch single that year (A&M Records 1236), and was later re-iss ...

" ( Richard Carpenter, Frank Pooler) – 3:13 # "Decorate the Night" (Ray Chafin,

, Bud Reneau) – 3:33 # Medley performed with

and

– 3:36
a. "

I'll Be Home for Christmas "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a Christmas song written by the lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent and recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby, who scored a top ten hit with the song. Originally written to honor soldiers overseas who longe ...

" ( Kim Gannon,

Walter Kent Walter Kent (born Walter Maurice Kaufman, November 29, 1911 – March 2, 1994) was an American composer and conductor. Some notable compositions are: " I'll Be Home for Christmas", "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die" and " (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The ...

Buck Ram Samuel "Buck" Ram (November 21, 1907 – January 1, 1991) was an American songwriter, and popular music producer and arranger. He was one of BMI's top five songwriters/air play in its first 50 years, alongside Paul Simon, Kris Kristofferson, Ji ...

)
b. " White Christmas" (

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russ ...

) # "

Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin and used in the 1954 film '' White Christmas''. It is commonly performed as a Christmas song, although the lyrics make no reference to the December holiday. Histo ...

" (

) – 3:25

Personnel

From the liner notes for the original album: ; Musicians *John Hobbs – piano, keyboards *Pat Coil – piano, keyboards *

– piano *Tony Harrell – keyboards, accordion, harmonium *Catherine Styron-Marx – keyboards *

– keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, background vocals *Bryan Sutton - acoustic guitar *John Willis - acoustic guitar *Kerry Marx - acoustic guitar, electric guitar *

Brent Mason Brent Mason (born July 13, 1959) is an American, Nashville, Tennessee-based recording studio guitarist and songwriter, performing primarily country music. Guitar World Magazine listed him as one of the "Top Ten Session Guitarists of All Time". ...

- electric guitar *Larry Paxton – bass *Greg Morrow – drums, percussion *

Shannon Forrest Shannon Forrest (born August 22, 1973 in Easley, South Carolina) is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. As a session drummer, he has contributed to the work of many well-known artists, and he is also a pr ...

– drums *

Paul Leim Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) * Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity * Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chr ...

– drums, percussion * Paul Franklin - pedal steel guitar * Stuart Duncan – fiddle *Russell Terrell - background vocals *David Angell – violin *Conni Ellisor – violin *Mary Kathryn Vanosdale – violin *Janet Askey – violin *Gerald Greer – violin *Wei Tsun Chang – violin *Zeneba Bowers – violin *Stefan Petrescu – violin *David Davidson – violin *Pam Sixfin – violin *Allison Gooding – violin *Karen Winkelman – violin *Kristin Wilkinson – viola *Seanad Chang – viola *Monisa Angell – viola *Chris Farrell – viola *Dan Reinker – viola *Kathryn Plummer – viola *Anthony LaMarchina – cello *Sari Reist – cello *Matt Walker – cello *Julie Tanner – cello *Carol Rabinowitz – cello *Phyliss Sparks – harp *Erik Gratton – flute *Roger Weissmeyer - oboe, English horn *James Zimmerman – clarinet *Harry Ditzel - French horn *Beth Beeson - French horn *Radu Rusu - French horn *Jennifer Kumer - French horn *Jim Hoke – horn *Steve Patrick – horn *Roy Agee – horn *Doug Moffatt- horn *Steve Herman – horn *John Hinchey - horn ; Production * Johnny Mathis – vocals *

– producer *Gordon Goodwin - conductor, string and horn arranger *Scott Lavender – conductor *Matthew McCauley – conductor *Kristin Wilkinson - contractor *Kyle Lehning - track engineer, mixer *"Teenage" Dave Salley - track and overdub engineer *Casey Wood - track engineer *Jared Clement - assistant engineer *John Furr - assistant engineer *Zach Allen - assistant engineer *Ronnie Pinnell - assistant engineer *Chris Wilkinson - assistant engineer *Charlie Paakari - assistant engineer *Chandler Harrod - assistant engineer *Will Wetzel - assistant engineer *Jason Lehning - additional recording *Jake Burns - additional recording *Jesse String - additional recording *Chris Owens - additional recording *Matt Rausch - additional recording *Eric Schilling - additional recording *Avril Mackintosh - additional recording *Steve Anderson - producer (Susan Boyle's vocal) *Cliff Masterson - producer (Susan Boyle's vocal) *

Greg Calbi Gregory Calbi (born April 3, 1949) is an American mastering engineer at Sterling Sound, New Jersey. Biography Greg Calbi was born on April 3, 1949, in Yonkers, New York, and raised in Bayside, Queens, New York. He graduated in 1966 from Bishop ...

– mastering *Ed Blau – representation *John McL. Doelp - A&R *Sofia Abbasi – A&R coordinator *Jeff Dunas – photography *Dave Bett - art direction

References

Bibliography

* * {{Authority control 2013 Christmas albums Christmas albums by American artists Pop Christmas albums Johnny Mathis albums Columbia Records albums Albums recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders Albums recorded at Capitol Studios