Friday, December 7, 2012

LISTEN: Manatee Players' debut Christmas CD features Bradenton area, national stars


The Manatee Players' debut Christmas CD features contributions from the award-winning Bradneton area actors as well as songs by famed rocker Rick Derringer ("Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo"), country music superstar Jeff Cook (Alabama) and Kim Betts (daughter of Allman Brothers Band co-founder Dickey Betts).

The Bradenton Herald's own Vin Mannnix also can be heard on the "Merry Christmas with the Manatee Players & Friends" album singing "Holly Jolly Christmas."


The CD is a fundraiser for the capital campaign drive to finish the new Manatee Performing Arts Center near the Riverwalk in Bradenton. The new performing arts center is nearing completion with a target opening in March 2013. The CD is available online at manateeplayers.com or by calling or visiting the box office at the Manatee Players, 102 12th Street West  Bradenton, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or one hour prior to performances. The box office phone number is 941-748-5875. The cost of the CD is $15.

Listen: "Holly Jolly Christmas" by Vin Mannix and "The Prayer" by Steve and Dianne Dawson



Here is a track listing with all the performers, many of whom are performers on the Manatee Players’ stage.

1. "White Christmas," Greg Wiegers*
2. "Where Are You Christmas?" Kim Betts*
3. "Rock & Roll Guitar," Jeff Cook (Alabama)
4. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," Eliza Lipton* and Delaney Couch*
5. "The Christmas Song," Travis Roger
6. "Rudolph Medley," The Choir*
7. "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas," John Rinell
8."All I Want for Christmas Is You," Channing Weir*
9. "My Grown Up Christmas List," Ken Basque*
10. "Winter Wonderland," Rick & Jenda Derringer
11. "Breath of Heaven," Wendy Brown*
12. "The Dreidel Song," Professor Soup
13. "O Holy Night," Grace Gibbs*
14. "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Denny Miller* and Meg Newsome*
15. "When Christmas Comes to Town," Kathleen Fairchild
16. "Holly Jolly Christmas," Vin Mannix
17. "The Prayer," Steve and Dianne Dawson*

*Manatee Players performers

Produced by Jason Lipton and The Del Couch Music Education Foundation

—CD cover art photo provided by Manatee Players

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