December 9, 2018 by Ryan Hilligoss

With thanks to Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, one of the finest columnists in print today, below are 9 things I am thankful for this time of the year.

1. Chicago– With lights wrapped around every tree in sight, ice skating at Millennium Park, all the decorations on Michigan Avenue and the red and green lights atop many downtown buildings, it’s truly a winter wonderland and sight to see. Also, random Nutcrackers may appear from time to time.

Graham Ronald and Ryan Barr Hilligoss standing post at the Red Head Piano Bar

2) The Christmas Chronicles– Kurt Russell stars as Santa in this Netflix holiday special and includes a musical performance by Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul in full holiday wardrobe.

3) Bruce Springsteen on Broadway After nearly 250 one man shows on Broadway since last November, Springsteen will wrap his Springsteen On Broadway performance with one last show on Saturday December 15, 2018, soon to be followed by the premier of the documentary directed by longtime Springsteen collaborator Thom Zimny on Netflix. Also available on December 14 will be the show soundtrack. Highly recommended for everyone whether you are a Springsteen fan or not. The man sums up his whole life of nearly 70 years using his music as part of the story but also interspersed with sections taken from his autobiography Born To Run released in 2016. It is of the highest art form, raising you out of the daily business of life and watching a performance of beauty and soul.

Photo courtesy of Shawn Poole

4) Kacey Musgraves- She released her album Golden Hour earlier this year and was just nominated for 3 Grammy awards with best album of the year, best solo performance with Butterflies and best country song of the year with Space Cowboy. The girl with the beautiful, superlative, pitch perfect voice keeps bringing one great song after another to the world and we appreciate her. Also, now it’s time of the year to put on regular rotation A Very Kacey Christmas which includes A Willy Nice Christmas, a duo with Willie Nelson.

5) That Thin, Wild Mercury Sound– Written by Daryl Sanders and covers Bob Dylan recording his masterpiece Blonde on Blonde in Nashville in 1965-1966. Highly recommended and would make a great Christmas gift for any Dylan fan or musicologist.

6) The return of snow– It’s early December, yet, we’ve already gotten 15 inches of snow this year including eight inches two weeks ago. My kids are 14 and 12 now and are well into that stage when the thought of hanging out with dad on a regular basis begins to dim and you fight to hold onto the fun times from the jaws of cell phones and friends. But one thing we can always agree on is snow and the fun that comes with it including sledding, snow ball fights and climbing to the top of whatever high pile we can find in surrounding parking lots.

7) Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass– With memories of my departed mom and brother Sean, the holiday traditions are a little dimmer now at family gatherings and other rituals of Christmas, but I have a lifetime of good memories to hold onto.

“I bequeth yself to grow from the grass I love,

If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.

You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,

But I shall bring good health you nevertheless,

And filter and fiber your blood

Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,

Missing me one place search another,

I stop somewhere waiting for you”

Sean and Ryan, Godfrey, Il 1980

8) Elvis Presley Comeback Special 50th Anniversary Edition– RCA Legacy will release a 50th anniversary deluxe box set with 5 CDs and 2 Blu Ray discs containing all the music recorded for the special along with all available video footage including the jam session with Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana and others along with all footage from the scripted songs and performances with the studio musicians including legendary Hal Blaine on drums. RCA has released several special editions in the past but this will be the first time all available material will be released to the public. Also contains interviews with musicians, director Steve Binder and Elvis’ friends done by Thom Zimny as part of his Elvis The Searcher documentary.

9) Blast The Music– I love all kinds of music but some of my favorites are Christmas music. My son Graham would not allow me to listen to Christmas music until December 1, smacking my hand if I flipped some on and instantly turning the station but now that it’s hear…let it rock!!!! from Kacey to Elvis, James Brown, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash and on down the line, turn it on, turn it up loud and repeat. Ho ho ho.