I love this time of year, and I love collecting facts about the holiday. My collection of Christmas facts started in 2000 when I started writing and producing an annual Christmas musical every year for a large church in my hometown of Seattle. As part of the “pre-show” to keep the large crowds entertained beforeContinue reading “Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Christmas”
Author Archives: Duane S. Montague
Beautiful Songs Under a Winter Moon
You probably haven’t heard of Mindy Gledhill. And if you expect to hear her in the usual mix of stuff they play on the “Christmas Music Stations,” you just won’t. Her combination of melancholy, simply-sung and arranged songs, along with a uniquely stylized voice, just won’t fit in with stations that insist on playing WhitneyContinue reading “Beautiful Songs Under a Winter Moon”
Protected: Perfection for Christmas: The J’s with Jamie
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Hallelujah
This is one of the greatest songs of the last 40 years. It was written in 1984 by singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen, and his rendition is sad, dirge-like, and very melancholy, even with the words, “Hallelujah” repeatedly sung throughout. Cohen’s gravelly voice and the slow tempo give the song a dark cynicism. But there is beautyContinue reading “Hallelujah”
Thanksgiving: Day 4
I cannot imagine my life without music. God has been gracious to fill my life and world with music since I was a child. My grandfather was a gifted pianist, trumpeteer, and singer. My mother was a great choir director and accompanist, and I learned to appreciate many types of music sitting in front ofContinue reading “Thanksgiving: Day 4”
Thanksgiving: Day 3
Faithfulness. I’m grateful for faithfulness. According to Webster, faithfulness is true to one’s word, promises, vows, etc. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends. reliable, trusted, or believed. I am grateful for the faithfulness of my wife. Through thick and thin over 14 years of marriage, she has proved to be all ofContinue reading “Thanksgiving: Day 3”
Thanksgiving: Day 2
It’s a good thing to do, to stop and think of what you’re thankful for. Today as I ponder what I am thankful for, I take a drink out of the tumbler of water right in front of me. And I realize that’s it. That’s what I’m grateful for today. It may seem like aContinue reading “Thanksgiving: Day 2”
Thanksgiving: Day 1
The holidays are upon us. With the end of Halloween, we are in full “season’s greetings” mode. This is my favorite time of the year, and it’s easy to rush through it all. I am going to endeavor to write one thing I am grateful for every day until Thanksgiving. There is so much toContinue reading “Thanksgiving: Day 1”
When a Bad Guy Tries to Be Good
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new film Wreck-It-Ralph is easily their best film in awhile, and probably the best animated film of the year. It’s funny, witty, full of adventure and heart. It’s a tale of a bad guy who yearns to be good. Well, maybe not good. For 30 years, since the day his gameContinue reading “When a Bad Guy Tries to Be Good”
A Beautifully “Odd Life”
Parenting isn’t easy. Even when your kids are “yours,” it’s not an easy task. Imagine if your child sprang up from your garden, full grown. It would be even harder. Walt Disney Pictures’ new film The Odd Life of Timothy Green is a beautifully-filmed and well-acted reflection on what it means–and what it takes–to beContinue reading “A Beautifully “Odd Life””
Duane S. Montague 