Brenda Lee Ties a Nostaligic âMalt Shop Memoriesâ Bow on Christmas to Benefit MusiCares
Brenda Lee’s perennial Christmas song classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is consistently recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of the Top 10 Christmas songs in the history of American music. This year, the song gets new meaning as Brenda’s nostalgic themed addition to Gaylord-Opryland Resort’s “Annual Parade of Trees” in Nashville goes up for online bids to benefit MusiCares.
The only female artist to be enshrined in both the Rock & Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame, when Brenda Lee decorates a Christmas tree for charity it bears paying attention.
Heavily laden with 7 ½ feet of ‘50s and ‘60s pop culture that includes vintage car models, replicas of gold records, malt shop sundaes, musical notes, autographed ornaments from top artists of the 50s and ‘60s, a whimsical Brenda tree topper and surrounding pink poodle tree skirt, the Brenda Lee tree is currently bringing happy memories and smiles to the more than 2 million visitors expected to be on hand to see it throughout the holidays at Nashville’s Gaylord-Opryland Cascades Atrium.
The tree’s unique decor will be sold to the highest bidder—a winning bid that will bring not only a tree full of nostalgic ornaments and goodies but a sleigh load of personal gifts from Brenda herself—highlights including:
- Personal lunch with Brenda for four at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
- Autographed replica of her “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” gold record.
- Handwritten “Rockin” lyrics.
- Malt Shop Memories Autograph Book with autographs from Brenda, The Beach Boys, Dion, The Drifters, The Temptations, Martha & The Vandellas, etc.
- Vintage replica tabletop jukebox.
In Brenda’s case, the inspiration for the tree and many of the ornaments came from her November performances on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise. Brenda proved to be an instant hit, both personally and professionally, and sparked a love affair on her maiden voyage that was mutually felt by both artist and audience.
“I’ve done many cruise performances, but the Malt Shop Memories Cruise moved the experience to a whole new level for me,” noted Brenda from her vantage point back onshore. “It was just tremendous fun to be surrounded aboard ship by people of my generation who loved and identified with the same music I did as a teenager—and who brought these same memories to share together on the cruise. I actually was given ornaments for the tree from many of the cruisers who used them as door decorations aboard the ship—which adds to the special ‘malt shop memories’ element of the oldies theme we used. To say the audience made me feel loved during the week would be an understatement, and it was a thrill for me to get to know and perform for the actual people who’ve supported my music for more than six decades. These are the people who have allowed me to have the career I’ve had.”
Playing her career blessings forward, Brenda has earmarked the proceeds from her tree to MusiCares, the humanitarian outreach of the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). MusiCares offers financial resources and assistance to those in need within the music community.
The 15 celebrity trees up for auction for charity will available for bidding until December 31. Visit www.oprylandparadeoftrees.com to view the trees and place a bid online.