Hi, I’m David Waldon, and this is the story of A Simple Christmas .

I was making a mix tape for a Christmas party as background music, and I noticed that almost all of the standard Bing Crosby/Nat King Cole type songs had portions that drew too much attention to themselves, like when the big choir came in or the horn section, it would get too loud and not be background anymore. I led the music in my church for years and had created a lot of the arrangements for these amazing carols already. So I made a recording myself, designing it to stay in the background and be more like you have a friend playing guitar in the corner of the room adding a peaceful ambiance and not drawing too much attention to itself. Friends heard it and said ‘I’d buy that!’, so I decided to go to a studio and make it a professional CD. It’s now in its 4th printing and I’ve received some amazing emails about the power of this music, and am told it's very relaxing for babies, another minor miracle. It's humbling to know that people are listening to this for their Christmas gatherings. After 4 hand surgeries I thought I’d never play guitar again, so I have to believe there must be a reason I’m playing better than ever, Praise God! I now play all the songs without finger squeaks, but people tell me they added to the feel of a fellow sitting in the corner playing at your gathering, as intended. 

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Review by Richards Banks, NPR personality: 
“…will make a great addition to your Holiday mellow mix.”
Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming is a song I am not particularly fond of and whose title is completely mystifying. I mean, where's the verb here? But David Waldon brings such life and joy to this song, that I completely forget previous impression and bias. His gentle licks are like the night before Christmas, a few moments of tender sentiment amid the confusion of a harried world. 

Clearly, and with tender care, Waldon's A Simple Christmas, Traditional Carols on Guitar mixes up a mood tonic for the holidays. True to its title, Waldon mixes pure guitar with well-known traditional carols as he prepares his gentle elixir to relax and soothe those of us who both love and love to loathe the Christmas season. For example, the pathos of O Come O Come Emmanuel is rendered to perfection by his sentimental treatment. Likewise, What Child Is This. 

There are no other musicians credited, so I must report that David Waldon is able to pluck a lot of strings in quick succession. His style and skill will have you believing you are listening to more than one instrumentalist, in other words. 

Bottom line: if acoustic guitar music is your thing, Waldon's A Simple Christmas will make a great addition to your Holiday mellow mix." 
--Richard Banks of www.christmasreviews.com


Bio: I was born in England and raised in a USAF family. Mom was English, and Dad a Texan. I'll never make a convincing cowboy! I had a ticket to see The Beatles in London when I was 9. Mom wouldn't let me go - she thought the screaming girls would kill me. Thanks, Mom... :) I started playing guitar when I was 12 and am self-taught except for a year of classical guitar group classes at UNT. I led the music in my church for several years, sang with the San Antonio and Sacramento Symphony Choirs and the Texas Bach Choir. I also played bass in the hard rock group Tripwagon, played guitar/bass/keyboard and was bandleader with a country artist, helping her achieve 6 top 40 country hits. I have another CD also, David Waldon Picks on The Beatles, and I still get to play out occasionally. As you can tell, I believe the more you love music, the more music you love.
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From the back cover: "Twelve traditional carols proclaim the joyous Christmas story with warmth, simplicity, and peace. These unique arrangements for one guitar were crafted lovingly over many years. A perfect backdrop for gatherings or for quiet reflections, this may well become one of your favorite Christmas albums. "


Unfortunately, I suffered a debilitating heart attack last year and yet have the proverbial garage full of CD's that I don't want my wife to have to deal with - they are available at great bulk rates for your fundraisers or gifts etc. Have a Blessed Christmas! 

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