Augusta Native Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” Hits #1 On Billboard
Hard to believe it, but Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list Tuesday for the first time in its 65-year history on the charts. The holiday toe tapper unseated the previous record holder, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” That song has held the top spot for the last 25 years. The Augusta native was just 13 when she recorded the iconic hit. And it has lived on the Billboard charts for the last half century plus and become a radio staple at Christmastime.
The Christmas Party Hop
The girl known as “Little Miss Dynamite” retired from performing on tour back in 2000. At that time she felt like there was little interest in what she was doing musically. Now that she’s topped the charts, she may have to rethink that! And while she may be turning 79 next Monday, December 11th, she just released a video for “Rockin'”. She recruited the help of stars like Trisha Yearwood and Tanya Tucker for the video. She’ll also be performing the song this week on NBC’s “Christmas at the Opry” special.
A Sentimental Feeling
The song has had a wide variety of airplay over the years. In fact, on its first release in 1958, it actually didn’t sell very well until 1960. That’s when it reached #14 on Billboard after Brenda became a little more well known. There was an instrumental version of the song used as background music in the 1964 television special “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”. And in the 80’s and 90’s, the Disney Channel featured the song with clips from “Pluto’s Christmas Tree” and “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”. And of course, it became the favorite holiday song for a whole new generation when it was featured in 1990’s Home Alone. Lee credits that movie with “pushing it over the top”.
Ever so humble, Lee credits the success of the song to Johnny Marks, the songwriter behind other holiday classics including “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” He wrote “Rockin’,” with Lee in mind for the song.
Everyone Dancin’ Merrily
This year while you’re stringing up the lights and sipping egg nog, be sure to include this Christmas staple in your holiday repertoire. We can all celebrate this Augusta girl in the new old fashioned way.
10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts
Memberships
Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It’s a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.
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Outdoor Experiences
Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It’s a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
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Personalized Celebrity Videos
Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity’s status and demand.
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Movie Gift Card
It’s reassuring to know that you’re offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.
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Amusement Park Passes
Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there’s room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.
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Indoor Attraction Passes
There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you’re looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.
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Concert or Show Tickets
Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they’ve seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.
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Sporting Event Tickets
If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It’s also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.
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Self Care Experience
Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it’s a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It’s an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.
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Classes or Lessons
Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.
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