Author Archives: Duane S. Montague

Why “The King’s Speech” Won Best Picture. (It was created to do so.)

The King’s Speech won because it had everything the Academy likes to honor in one film.  I’m not being sarcastic, because it was a good film, but I’m disappointed because it was just so obviously Oscar bait.  If there’s one thing Harvey Weinstein knows how to do, it’s to promote the heck out of aContinue reading “Why “The King’s Speech” Won Best Picture. (It was created to do so.)”

That Was the Year That Was: 2010

Looking back on the last year of my life, I’m amazed at what a great year 2010 was. I say that, in spite of the fact that my wonderful mother-in-law, Virginia Murphy, passed away on October 1st.  You see, my MIL would tell me to not let her passing stop me from celebrating all thatContinue reading “That Was the Year That Was: 2010”

One Child

Christmas is the season of light and hope. It’s the celebration of that moment in time when heaven and earth met—when God wrapped himself in humanity and became not a conquering hero, but a tiny, helpless baby.  Just one child among millions born into this world.  And yet, this One Child—this is the One ChildContinue reading “One Child”

A White Thanksgiving

  This is a different Thanksgiving for us. To begin with, snow is falling, the Christmas decorations are already up, and as I write this, I hear the Osmonds singing “The Christmas Waltz.”  It almost feels like December 25th, but there’s no tree dropping pine needles on the floor and the kids didn’t wake meContinue reading “A White Thanksgiving”

CMOD, Part Six: Merry Christmas!

It’s been a few days–life was crazy with Halloween events and the actual day itself, but now we’re in November, which means the Christmas music can start coming out in full force.  After all, the store shelves are full and the song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is appropriate much earlier–much muchContinue reading “CMOD, Part Six: Merry Christmas!”

CMOD, Part Five: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Wayne King was a Chicago band leader in the 1930’s, with an eponymous orchestra playing nightly at the Aragon Ballroom.  Never getting as famous as Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw, Mr. King was still hugely popular, especially in his hometown of Savanna, Illinois, which gave him parades, toured his “golden saxophone,” and treated him likeContinue reading “CMOD, Part Five: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Christmas Music of the Day, Part Four: Christmas With the Cambridge Singers

One of my goals with these Christmas music blog posts is to hopefully expand your Christmas musical horizons.  So many people have the same albums or artists: Bing Crosby, Perry Como, the first “A Very Special Christmas” collection, the soundtrack to Home Alone.  And while I love many of the traditional, best-selling Christmas albums, IContinue reading “Christmas Music of the Day, Part Four: Christmas With the Cambridge Singers”

Christmas Music of the Day, Part Three: Hymns, Carols, and Songs About Snow

It’s been a busy day.  Took the kids to the pumpkin patch, the same place we’ve been going since Audrey was about 3 years old.  We had a great time, and August really enjoyed it.  So there you have it.  My excuse for why I’m late today. But here is today’s recommended Christmas album:  Continue reading “Christmas Music of the Day, Part Three: Hymns, Carols, and Songs About Snow”

Christmas Music of the Day, Part Two: Let’s Sing a Song of Christmas

Yesterday began my attempt to introduce a Christmas album a day until December 25th. Some nice responses, including one from my sister-in-law, who informed me that her whole family enjoys listening to The Animals’ Christmas, which was my first suggestion.  I think that’s a great idea, actually.  Most people put Christmas music on just toContinue reading “Christmas Music of the Day, Part Two: Let’s Sing a Song of Christmas”