The Dr. Eric Littleton Christmas Concert Has Become A Tradition At The Princess

Dr. Eric Littleton's annual "A Celebration of Christmas Music" concert has become a tradition; one that sets the tone for everyone's Christmas!  

Each year around the Thanksgiving season everyone starts posting on the "Friends Of The Princess Theatre" Facebook page, "When is the Christmas concert?", or "Is Dr. Littleton playing again this year?"

Well, the answer is always yes!  Dr. Littleton, probably, as much or more than anyone, looks forward to the intimate piano performance at the Princess Theatre in Downtown Harriman, TN.

There was great anticipation and much popcorn crunching prior to Friday night's concert.

As usual, Chris and Addie Mason introduced the show and soon we were deluged with the wonderful songs of Christmas.  

Even Santa, who sat off stage to avoid stealing the show, tapped his foot to the beats and joyful sounds of singing!

This year the Midway High School drama/choir, directed by Courtney Minton, opened the show and set the theme for the evening.  Not only their talented, but subtle humor quickly won the hearts of audience.

The star of the show is always Dr. Littleton's piano and his honed talent on its keys.  You may come every year, but you never get the same rendition.  He works throughout the year changing his arrangements, so as to make it new and interesting for his audience.

It's hard to pick a favorite Christmas song, and sometimes two or three are found within the same arrangement.  As he tells between pieces, he often gets inspiration from other "non-Christmas" songs he hears during the year.  In the music part of his brain, he can marry an Adele song, like her James Bond theme, to a Christmas carol!  And, when you hear it all come together, you rejoice at the creativity that flows from that mind!

A special moment came when Sophie, joined her father, Muse Watson, and long time family friend Mike Ross, on stage.  I never knew Sophie could play the piano until that moment, but coming from a talented mom and pop, I should have known!  You could tell her dad was bursting with pride.

muse and sophie watson from Douglas Mills on Vimeo. This moment was emotional for me too, but when Muse sang "Mary Did You Know", tears came to my eyes.  It was a very special moment in the show.

Offering Dr. Littleton another break, was his nephew Andrew Littleton, of Huntsville, AL; proving that talent runs deep in the Littleton family.

Missing from this year's lineup was Caleb, Littleton's son, who is off making a name for himself in percussion as part of the band at MTSU.  We wish him well!

Okay, so I'll get to what you are waiting for, the photos from the Christmas Concert.  We had a great time, and hope you have a Merry Christmas, and plan to join us at the Princess next Christmas!

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