A Hello Kelly Christmas

I’ve wanted to make a Christmas album for a long time.

Not necessarily a long one either.  I think a 5-song EP would satisfy my craving to release Christmas cheer on CD as opposed to strictly online.  It could feature re-recorded versions of “It’s Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride”.  Maybe another original Christmas song … I have 2, waiting in the “demo” pile.  And maybe a moody version of “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel” … or a folky, acoustic “All I Want for Christmas (Is You)” … or a Four Year Strong-inspired rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock”.

Maybe even some deep metaphorical take on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” about how all of us have our own “red nose” that we are ashamed of but is actually the most interesting part of our story and ends up saving the day … Maybe not?  Maybe that can be the B-Side.

But the best part would be all of the guest appearances.  A different one for every song.  To me, Christmas is all about family, and I’ve played with a lot of musicians over the years who have become like family – so why should I even think about singing a Christmas song alone?  Nonsense.  I remember when Rosie O’Donnell released a Christmas album and she had a million guest artists on it – it wasn’t half bad either!  I could call it “Hello Kelly & Friends present …”

Of course, Christmas albums need fantastic names.  “A Hello Kelly Christmas” isn’t bad.  My friend once suggested that I call my first Christmas album by this name: “Rock Album: Christmas” – and that’s so demented and silly that I fell in love with it immediately.

And the packaging!  When I release a Christmas record, I’m going to do so as a 2-disc set.  One disc will be the CD.  The other disc?  A DVD with all of the songs, with their visual component being footage of a fireplace crackling away.   (Like FauxFire.com.)  Wouldn’t that be splendid?  Put the DVD in your TV and it turns into a fireplace AND you’ve got a delightful little collection of pop-rock Christmas renditions.

Sigh.

There’s always next year, I suppose.

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francy