Tom Chapin & Michael Mark -- Memories Of Christmas

© 1989 HCD Music & The Last Music Co. (ASCAP) Vocals, Guitar: Tom Chapin
Piano, synth: Jon Cobert
Bass: Michael Mark
Kids Chorus: Lily Chapin, Abigail Chapin, Emily Mark, Megan Witri, Sarah Witri
Vocals: Michael Mark, Jon Cobert, Mary Mark, Pamela Witri

Producer Joe Gunderman was chatting by the shores of Lake Erie one night in July with Tom Chapin, Michael Marks and John McCutcheon. A beverage and cigar and a midnight breeze off the lake were not exactly what one would say conjures up talk of the holidays, but John was already set to be on Ornaments, and so Joe asked Tom if he'd like to be a part of it. Tom and Michael seem to have something up their sleeve, and while Joe couldn't quite follow their references, he knew something good would be recorded and sent our way. Something involving their daughters?

When "Memories of Christmas" arrived, we were thrilled. It has all the warmth and style of Tom and Michael. Here's what Tom said concerning how the song came about:

"Michael and I were writing on another project when he said, 'We should write a Christmas song.' And so we did. And since Michael is Jewish, this fits in the great American tradition of New York Jews writing some of our best 'Christian' holiday songs."

That gets an ecumenical okay from us.

For more information about Tom Chapin, check out the Tom Chapin web site.