Philip D. Brown

Richmond County Daily Journal

The Cole Auditorium will be “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” Thursday at 7:30 with the legendary country music performer who made the phrase as much a part of Christmas parties as “Jingle Bells.”

Nashville Hall of Fame recording artist Brenda Lee first released her original Christmas standard “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” as a teenager in 1958, and it is still to be heard across the world during Christmas celebrations.

Along with her hit record, “I’m Sorry,” the two songs have combined to sell more than 22 million records worldwide, and ensure Lee’s distinctive vocals would continue to be one of the most recognized voices of her generation.

However, few people realize the Christmas classic was actually a flop upon its first release in 1957, and only took hold after being re-released in 1960.

Now living in semi-retirement in Nashville, Lee does 18 to 20 shows a year, primarily during the holiday season, she said Monday, with the song that made her famous still a part of her lineup.

“It’s certainly an honor, and it’s overwhelming at times, to know that my songs have stood the test of time and I’ve been able to stay in the music business as long as I have,” she said.

That stint in the music business has taken Lee, also known as “Little Miss Dynamite,” to more than 75 foreign countries and across the United States several times over.

She said she still approaches each show the way she did at the height of her popularity.

“All the shows are special to me, and I truly give my all every time I perform,” she said. “Doing the lesser number of shows just allows me to spend more time with my family and my charity work here in Nashville.”

According to her Web site, www.brendalee.com, she has done charity work for many organizations including the Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association, American Lung Society, American Cancer Society, Dreammakers, Leukemia Society, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, March of Dimes and YWCA for Abused Women.

“I work for a lot of charities, and anybody in need is close to my heart,” she explained. “Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, so I know what it’s like to be in need, to be hungry, and I try to help anyone that I can.”

As for the audiences she plays, Lee said many of her supporters remember when her career began in the 1950’s, but there are always new faces in the crowd as well.

“(The audiences) are just precious,” she said. “They’re very good to me, and there are a lot of people who are my age or older and have supported me for years, but there’s also usually some younger people in the crowd, so it’s a wide spectrum of people.”

The second half of Thursday’s show will be devoted entirely to Christmas music, Lee said, and include songs such as “Let It Snow,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and, of course, “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.”

Lee said the songs bring back memories for her, as she hopes they do for those in the audience.

“I love Christmas songs,” she said. “A lot of it comes from the time I spent with my family growing up, and, of course, the Christmas carols are played every year, so you learn to love them, or at least I did. And I was also fortunate enough to have my own Christmas standard, but it’s just my favorite time of the year.”

Lee said singing her original songs never gets old, either, even if she’s sung them once, twice or a thousand times throughout the year.

“I think it would get kind of old if you don’t like the songs, and that’s why I’ve been very selective throughout my career of the songs I play,” Lee said. “You don’t want to end up with a hit record you don’t like and don’t want to play, but I’ve been lucky to work with some great writers and get some great songs throughout the years.”

Her message to anyone considering attending the show is simple.

“Just come on out and join us,” she said. “My band and my backup singers and I have a really good time on stage, and we try to make the show a lot of fun for the audience. I look forward to seeing everybody there, and thank you to everyone for supporting me through the years.”

This show is part of the 10th season of the DeWitt Performing Arts Series.

General admission tickets are $20, as long as seats are available. For more information call the Cole Auditorium Box Office at (910) 410-1691.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.