The Next Best Christmas Song "Bethlehem"

This is the best Christmas song I have ever produced to my knowledge. I have a famous friend in Arkansas who wrote this song. His name is Roy Rivers and he is a John Denver tribute artist. Roy has won a CMA in Germany for the best collab, a recording he did with Dolly Parton. He also received an award for the late John Denver,  which he presented to John's mom on the CMA stage in Germany. You can check him out at royrivers.com
 
Anyway, Roy had sent me a scratch vocal track and a finger-picked acoustic guitar track. He asked me if there was anything I could do with it. As soon as I listened to the basic song, I knew it was for me.
 
I immediately changed his ending to an epic one, then added an intro with mandolins before his guitar comes in. I then added fretless bass, bowed bass, and I grabbed my friend, Janet Fox and had her play flutes and sing backup harmonies on the chorus. I added some fiddles of course and some small cello parts. I also added a piano and music box track with an electronic keyboard. I really was happy with the way this came out. I double tracked Roys voice and put different FX on each and panned them across the spectrum using a cross fade on the the word "Alleluia" at the end of each chorus and on his very last note. I hope you enjoy this original Christmas song!
 Bethlehem

Thanks Robby. This isn't Mamabear though. Her name is Janet Fox. We had a duo doing live gigs for a while.

Love this!!! Choice of instruments was superb, great vocals, did sound a bit like John Denver influence. The flute and cello gave me goose bumps every time. This will get played quite a bit this holiday season. Another wonderful Christmas tune.

Greg,
Thank you very much! This was the most fun and gratification I've had producing music.
Grant,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad this tune was goose bump worthy.

Tap,
Sorry to hear that. Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Thanks Frank! Yeah, I never say what I mean. I'm kwazee wike dat.

Hey Scott, what's with the -->    face?

I can only guess that you miss those good ole' days? Cheer up bro, Christmas is around the corner, hope it's a good one :-)

Scott,

This is amazingly beautiful. Outstanding job on this by all involved. I'm speechless, I am without speech!

Scottytunes
 
Greg,
I clicked on the blue face? Holy crap! Thanks for pointing it out to me. I shall fix it.

 Scotty, you're moving at maximum warp speed, captain Kirk is freaking out.....

 will....  you...   please, ..... slow down

Scotty,

Fantastic production.   Very lush arrangement and performances.  It is quite a nice song.   Those mandolins are absolutely awesome.

Beautiful song, performance, and production.
Excellent!!
 
Freddy J

Dang there he goes showing off again ! heeeee!

Hey Scotty , he really does have a great voice , nice song too for a Christmas song .

Good one , buddy !

This is amazing.  Excellent production and tasteful musical performances.
Thanks for posting it!
-Mike

Mike,
Thank you! I had a blast doing it. It's so nice when someone gives you a license to do whatever you want to do to their music.

Daryl,
Thanks man! I thought it was really John singing when I heard Roy's album; "Thank God I'm a Country Boy".  Roy has a stupendous voice. clean, accurate and lots of power and control.
A new mandolin, eh? That is wonderful! Mine is just a cheap EpiGibson teardrop with f-holes, but it plays and sounds real nice, so I'm happy with it. I'm not that good on it either so thanks for going easy on me.

Cheers!

Scottytunes

Robby,
If I was taking a shot at anyone (which I wasn't) it appears that it would have been at myself. See you in church.
=======
Scotty, I apologize if I was unclear, my angst was not at all directed toward you but the Rubenesque guitarist who took an opportunity to take a shot (uncalled for) at moi, sorry, no offense intended (toward you) whatsoever.
 

YOU TALENTED BASTAGE!