A Celebration Of Christmas Music

The 11th annual Dr. Eric Littleton's Christmas Celebration of music was a welcome warm up to the Christmas Holiday.

The addition of the Roane County Children's Theatre Group choir was a nice touch to the Christmas show. I sure hope they come back again, and I look forward to their many live plays on the Princess stage.

Plan on coming next year 

or you get put on the naughty list!

Christmas Events Announced!

 The long-awaited Christmas Event Calendar Announced!

Christmas At The Princess 2019

A Celebration Of Christmas Music - Dr. Eric Littleton & Muse Watson

Dr. Littleton's Christmas Concert Always A Hit!

One of the biggest supporters the Princess Theatre has is Dr. Eric J. Littleton and his family!  He enjoys coming to the Princess each Christmas, almost as much as we love having him.  I get several inquiries annually, just before Christmas, asking when is "Littleton" coming? 

He usually comes a couple of weeks earlier, but this year his schedule prevented it from happening until the 23rd!  This may have held attendance down a bit, but it was still one of his best shows to date!  He just keeps getting better!

His technique, or style, of not playing the old classics note-for-note is wonderful.  You can find yourself toe-tapping to a great sound, when suddenly you realize you're rocking along to "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!  "What? I hate that song?"  However, Dr. Littleton makes it sound so good, so new, so enjoyable.  You'll have to come to understand what I mean!  Unfortunately for you, that will have to be next season!

Filling in for Muse Watson this year was our friend Phil Williams, of News Talk WOKI-FM radio.  He did, as he would say, "a marvelous job"!  He read the traditional "Night Before Christmas", and a classic from Paul Harvey the "The Man and the Birds" story.  That one always brings a tear to my eye!

This year he also brought Abbie (Abigail Sinders), who plays reminiscent of some of best Irish fiddle players, and, not surprisingly enough, she is of Irish heritage!  Together they brought a new emotion to the music on stage.

And, of course, it would not be a concert, so grandmother Littleton thinks, unless Caleb Littleton joined his father on stage for a rousing rendition of "Little Drummer Boy"!

Here are more of last Friday's photographs for you to enjoy.  Were you there?

  

 

Dr. Littleton and Muse Watson - It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without Their Show!

Each year the Princess Theatre Foundation, along with the whole area, looks forward to the annual Dr. Eric Littleton Christmas Concert. 

His show is always full of music, history, and his own brand of humor.  The audience listens attentively to the accomplished pianist's unique compositions and blended melodies.  He tends to play interestingly with every traditional tune, and the journey takes delightful twists and turns through notes that finally roll back into the familiar song.  

Whereas one might become bored with all the familiar notes, Dr. Littleton's performances keep you wondering what's coming next, and they morph into more complex pieces every year.  He even created a little Star Wars theme last evening inside one old Christmas song, and surprised and pleased everyone.  I'm not at all sure Dr. Littleton knows exactly how and where he will exit each song, which makes it interesting and fun for him as well!

Littleton always brings us his Christmas memories, and into his personal relationships with his family.  While home movies and stills from Christmases past played out on the screen above his head, he played the songs that were special to him during those years.

 

It was especially hard this year to talk about his family, because he lost his dad this past summer.  However, he, like a lot of us that knew his dad, will always remember this particular slide with fond memories, and of Jim's Sunbeam bread truck rolling around the area.  The driver always had a smile on his face and a warm greeting.

 

Usually, his special guest is Muse Watson, who reads a Christmas story on stage to children called up from the audience.  This year's story of choice was the "Cajun Night Before Christmas", by Howard Jacobs.  The audience really got enjoyment from Watson's Cajun accent, but some of the younger children seemed a little puzzled at times!

Last night Muse again surprised the audience by singing a little from "Silent Night"!  He really does have a nice voice...after all, he started out in music.

 

Backstage, Muse had a special "meet and greet" with the Viar family, Rob and April, who had let it be known that their son Jacob had a long standing wish to meet his hero "Mike Franks" of NCIS.  I was blessed by being there when Muse came into the Green Room, where the unsuspecting Jacob waited.  His eyes opened wide as he recognized his TV hero, and then he smiled from ear-to-ear.  It was quite moving, and Muse loves nothing better than pleasing his special fan base!

 

Like his grandmother (Gloria), we look forward all year to Caleb Littleton accompanying his father on "Little Drummer Boy" with his cajón (drum box).  Dr. Littleton loves to have his talented son on stage with him; and he poked a little fun at his red bow-tie!

So, we all went away with a Christmas song in our heads, and a little more Christmas love in our hearts.  Hope you join us next year!

Oh yes, we must thank Janet Gasperetii for donating the beautiful Yamaha piano a couple of years ago.  It will bring a lot of us many moments of joy for years to come.

Here are some other photos from Friday's performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 MERRY CHRISTMAS Ya'll!

Again This Year - Dr. Eric Littleton's "A Celebration Of Christmas Music"

This is the 4th annual event at the Princess, featuring special guest Muse Watson!

Roane State Music Department Winter Concert - FREE!

Dec 5 2015 - 08:00 PM

The RSCC Music Department offers a traditional concert of Christmas favorites and winter inspired arrangements, featuring Celebration Singers, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Bluegrass Band, Stage Band, faculty, and lots of guest performers!

Free Admission – Donations accepted at the door

Presented by : Roane State Music Department

Dr. Eric Littleton, Muse Watson, Phil Williams, And Jay Adams At The Princess Theatre

Out on Roane Street everything was ready for a Christmas celebration.  Music played from the street speakers, and even store windows were decorated (Adkission's Flowers and Gifts got my vote for the best), and Carol Farmer was at the ready in the Princess ticket booth.

Darkness comes early this time of year, and by 5PM the Princess lights beckoned folks to stop and come in awhile.  Inside, the multiple Christmas trees and other decorations put everyone in a festive mood.

The stage was decorated and setup for the performers, the sound was checked, and the lighting was tested.  The "Max Woody" rocker was in place and the lineup was taped to the floor!

Backstage the evening's artist nervously talked and prepared themselves to perform their best.

Chris Mason introduced local radio talk-show host Phil Williams, of 98.7 FM, who set the tone for the evening.  Jokes came quick from the hip and the familiar voice had them rolling in the aisles!

Dr. Eric Littleton came on stage to a great round of applause and began playing the Christmas favorites to his own arrangements.  These arrangements often blended two or more songs with similar melodies, or it might be "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!  A tune that Phil Williams confessed he hated to get requests for, but Dr. Littleton makes everything sound so much better...besides, there were no crazy lyrics!

We also learned that Phil Williams is not just another pretty faced DJ!  No sir!  The boy can pick a lick or two!  However, he first sat down and pretended to take Littleton's place at the piano.  After a few finger picking keys, he rose and left the stage, which brought the house down.

Back on stage, Williams took up his guitar and picked and grinned awhile, getting the audience to join in loudly, so as to make themselves heard out on Roane Street!  Everyone had a ball.

Phil then introduced actor Muse Watson, in his best "Mike Franks" voice and Muse and the children took the stage.  Muse read to the attentive children from "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore.

Muse told the audience that "this", pointing to the children, is what the Princess dream was all about.  We have to get our children more involved here at the Princess!

 

Jay Adams, of 105.5 FM,  was also a surprise...he too can pick a tune or two, and usually one that he wrote!  Funny is also his game, mixing it up on the "Redneck/Redcoat" morning show!  

At the expense of Dr. Littleton, who grew up in Harriman and played football, Adams put on his sportscaster hat and earphones, and with the help of an old teammate of Littleton's, began to dig into the funny stories of old Harriman football games starring Littleton!  It was all in great fun and Dr. Littleton enjoyed it more than anyone.

Caleb Littleton joined his father on stage for "Little Drummer Boy".

Dr. Eric took the fun a little further by returning to the stage after intermission wearing his old Harriman High letterman jacket!  Old number 81 was back before the home crowd and everyone loved it!  He played the next set wearing the jacket, which he couldn't button by the way, proudly!

While up in the balcony, I noticed that several supporters have begun buying a seat, complete with name tag, like the one above.  You could have one too, just fill out this form and turn it in at the Princess!

Some left immediately after the show, but most stayed for autographs and CDs.  Caleb handed out his dad's CDs, and Muse signed photos and shook lots of hands.

I left about then, took a parting photo of my Princess, and walked down the street to enjoy the window displays.  

This is something I hadn't seen a lot of in Harriman since I was a boy.  Adkisson seems to be bringing back the tradition, and I'm so glad.  Take your kids downtown and start building a tradition for them!

Oh yes, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!