Since the late 1980s pop music stars have been contributing to the continued strength and growth of the Special Olympics. With their musical talents, pop musicians from different genres such as Willie Nelson, Run-D.M.C., and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers have performed on the A Very Christmas series. Today, more than 20 years since the original album release, the series is known as the largest music philanthropy, raising more than $100 million for Special Olympics.
Today the series includes seven titles with the latest version released in 2009. The original series title, A Very Merry Christmas, released October 12, 1987 included well-known and established pop music icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and Eurythmics.
A Very Special Christmas Artists and Songs
The original album of the series, A Very Special Christmas, features fifteen well- known pop musicians including The Pointer Sisters, Eurythmics, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, The Pretenders, John Mellencamp and Sting. Also included on the series first album are Run-D.M.C., U2, Madonna, Bob Seger, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Alison Moyet, and Stevie Nicks.
The songs on the album include classics the kid in all us enjoy such as "Santa Claus is Coming To Town", "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", and "Run Rudolph Run". Also featured on the album are seasonal musical carols such as "The Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night", and "Do You Hear What I Hear". To resonate the joy and wonder of the season are the songs "Winter Wonderland", "Merry Christmas Baby" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".
Two of my album favorites are "Merry Christmas Baby" performed by Bruce Springsteen and "Silent Night" performed by Stevie Nicks. Their renditions are true to the spirit of the songs intent while still delivering in the artist's own unique way. This can be said of many songs of the songs on this album, these two being my favorites.
Benefits We All Share The late Eunice Shriver had a vision for all intellectually disabled persons to know more about themselves and their abilities through sports. On that day in 1968 when Eunice Shriver called the first international Special Olympics Summer Games from Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, the nation was never to be the same. Today her vision is far reaching in more than 180 countries including China, Romania, and Afghanistan. Through her efforts, the aid of many others, and the sale of the A Very Special Christmas series, lives are continuing to change for the better. |
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