During the Christmas season, I invite people to be interviewed in my blog [written and You Tube]. The majority have accepted my invitation and the result is an excellent dedication to God and Christmas. john Arthur Martinez was invited and he accepted to talk to the Alvarez-Galloso News Hour about his latest album related to Christmas titled: «What A Christmas It Was». The rest is a night to remember.

1. What inspired you to record «What A Christmas It Was»?

I’ve always performed traditional and original Christmas compositions during the holidays. Hearing these, fans would approach me expecting me have these available at my merchandise table. So I’ve been promising to produce the album for several years.

2. For how long did it take you to create and record «What A Christmas It Was»?

The creation of What a Christmas It Was, the album, has taken several decades from the writing standpoint, but from the actual recording standpoint it was done in less than a week as we kept it sparse, with voice, guitar, fiddle and hand percussion only.

3. Which songs did you select for your Christmas album and what were your reasons for selecting them?

1. Joy To the World (words by  Isaac Watts, music by Lowell Mason in 1839) I wanted to start the album with an uplifting traditional carol familiar to everyone.

2. What a Christmas It Was (by john Arthur martinez) This is a fictionalization of real experiences in my family. The lyrics tell of handmade gifts and a celebration of the real meaning of Christmas.

3. Cascabel (translation by john Arthur martinez) True to my roots and my previous recordings I wanted to include a bilingual track. This is a translation of «Silver Bells.»

4. Every Day Is Christmas (by john Arthur martinez & Mike Blakely) I first included this song on a previous albums, Spinning Our Wheels & Stand Your Ground, but I wanted a fiddle, guitar version to blend in with the other tracks on this album.

5. Angels We Have Heard on High (*old French Carol) I love the melody of this traditional French carol, plus it sounds nice on acoustic guitar.

6. I Am (by john Arthur martinez) This is technically not a Christmas song, but a spiritual song about I Am, «The greatest composer, maker of all melodies.»

7. Winter Sprites (by john Arthur martinez & Tom Clarke) This poem was sent to me by British poet and songwriter Tom Clarke. I added the melody several years ago.

8. What Child Is This? (words by William Chatterton Dix, traditional melody) Speaking of melodies, this is one of the most beautiful melodies every created and I love playing this with Kurt Baumer live and in the studio.

9. Silent Night (Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) Our live rendition of this song always receives a great response, especially Kurt’s passionate fiddle solo that can bring tears to my eyes. I had to include it.

10. Auld Lang Syne (traditional folk song) A fitting way to end a holiday album!

*Translated from French to English by Bishop James Chadwick (1813-1882)

Apache Ranch Publishing (1, 2, 3, 4, 5); Mike Blakely Publishing (1)

Acoustic Guitar & Vocal: jam; Fiddle: Kurt Baumer, Percussion: Edward Flores

Bass: Randy Rudman (I Am); Engineer: Kurt Baumer; Producer: jam

**All songs recorded & mixed at FiddleTrax, Austin, Texas (www.fiddletrax.com)

4. Will you be doing another Christmas album in the future?

Kurt and I, with help from Eddie Flores, kept this album sparse, and we limited the number of copies we produced knowing fully well that we’ll want to add upright bass and possibly harmonies for next years release! And I’m always writing and creating so I always feel there will be more recordings in the future.

5. Where can you find «What A Christmas It Was»?

The album can be found at various physical locations in Texas, but more significantly to your readers it can be purchased at my online store linked to my website: www.johnarthurmartinez.net (simply go to my site and click on Store) or paste this into your browser,http://www.theconnextion.com/johnarthurmartinez/johnarthurmartinez_cat.cfm?CatID=305.

I would like to thank you for the time and effort at such a short time. Merry Christmas to you and your family. The above You Tube videos count as my Christmas card for you.