New Friend Entertainment

Merry Christmas America!

INTERVIEW WITH DAVE CORNWALL

Welcome back, Dave.  It looks like 2019 has been a busy year for you with Just Him - Just Me and now, Merry Christmas America!  A few years back, you released For The Faithful - At Christmas! and so I'm curious, why this and why now?

"First, thanks for the chance to talk about Merry Christmas America!  Yes, it might be nice to share some of the details and background now since this recording means quite a lot to me and it seems, a growing number of people around our country.  For better or for worse, it might not take a lot to explain my motivations with respect to this particular release.  In fact, I have a "sneaking suspicion" that many, many people might know instantly what the album is all about.  Ultimately, it is for them that I have done it!"

"In short, Merry Christmas America, complete with it's wonderful and original cover art, is for people everywhere who truly love Christmas and what Christmas is in America especially.  While in some countries around the world people are literally not allowed to celebrate Christmas as we do here, in these United States of America no one is persecuted for their religious beliefs or for their faith.  Since in truth, religious persecution is so wide spread and severe on planet Earth, what we have in America is truly remarkable.  And, it's even more remarkable at Christmas!  As this album first started talking shape, certainly religious freedom and even other things in mind such as the unrest that is more and more widespread here at home and elsewhere, it only made sense that  Let There Be Peace on Earth  should not only be included, but would serve as the lead pieces that would hopefully set a peaceful yet resolute tone for the entire  album."

"And so, because of our great American religious freedoms and our wonderful First Amendment that grants us all the right to freedom of speech, let's first give thanks during the Christmas holidays to God Almighty!  In America today, it is true for so many of us....as it says on our money, "In God We Trust!" 

"Most definitely, this album is dedicated to those who love the truth and the simple idea that in fact, we are truly "One Nation Under God."  And certainly, with regard to certain sentiments that are not too infrequently spoken of in recent days, none of this means that America is perfect today or, ever was perfect. 

Perfection, however, is not the claim.  And, further, none of this is meant to be an argument with anyone, in any way.  What is Merry Christmas America?  It's simple.  Merry Christmas America is just a humble but also grand celebration!  It is a celebration of the birth of the Savior and also, the great country that simply stands back out of the way and lets anyone celebrate who would like to, without forcing anyone.  And of course, that kind of freedom does not come cheaply!  And so, during the holiday season and in the celebration of our freedoms and Christmas itself, it is not inappropriate that we pause, at least briefly, and raise a glass also for those dear ones now not with us without whom we would not have our blessed country, our families, or even our very selves." 

"So this year, in a world that so badly needs more of what God has to teach, and what He has to offer all of us in love and in peace and brotherhood, let it be again, Merry Christmas!  Today, we are in fact "the land of the free and the home of the brave" and in a grateful spirit, let us celebrate unashamedly with gladness, humility, and great, great joy.  Or, we could simply say it the way that Linus did!  It was first in 1965 when America as a nation first saw Charles Schultz's wonderful and iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas special.  There, for those who remember it, Linus, a young American boy, maybe said it best and perfectly..."that's what Christmas is all about!"  

"Today, in 2019, I have nothing in words to add to what young Linus had to say.  However, I do have some fun, upbeat, patriotic and relaxing music from the same jazzy genre that can, if people will have it, be the Christmas music for this great American generation and, possibly, even generations to come.  If America needs it, and will take it up in that spirit, it would indeed by my great honor for Merry Christmas America to become at least in some small way, the "unofficial" Christmas album of these United States of America."   

Where division exists, let us at least unite around Christmas!"  "May "Merry Christmas" ring out yet again across our wonderful country from sea to shining sea!  To each and all everywhere, here's a joyous, loving wish for a merry, merry Christmas.  And to our country, I say only,  Merry Christmas, America!"