6

It’s hard to believe we’re down to the last few songs! Today is #6 from the Top 25 Christmas Songs: Jingle Bell Rock by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe, 1957 • Both lived in NYC, and at the time Jim was a writer for various Advertising Businesses and Joe was a Public Relations Professional • A Decca Record Company executive had a song for singer Bobby Helms to record called “Jingle Bell Hop”, written by Beal and Boothe. Not liking it at all, Helms teamed up with session guitarist, Hank Garland, to rework the song. They changed the words, the melody, and title to “Jingle Bell Rock” • Bobby Helms was the first to record the song in 1957 but the record company credited Beal and Boothe. Helms disagreed but never officially challenged Decca Records for fear of reprisal • The song has gained in popularity over the years and has been included in several film soundtracks: Lethal Weapon, Home Alone 2, A Muppet Family Christmas, and Mean Girls • Until their deaths, Helms and Garland claimed they were the true writers of the song • We visited the UMA Campus today where MrsP used to work to deliver a Christmas gift. The open snow-covered spaces looked breathtaking under the bright blue sky. I chose mono to emphasize the striking shadows. If you look closely you might even see a moose :)