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Bing Christmas

For many of us, the real signal that the Christmas Season has begun is hearing Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" on the radio.

Bing Christmas

44 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 18 hours, 10 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
15 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from December 20, 1954:

"Best of All: Small One"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Bing Crosby Santa HatFor many of us, the real signal that the Christmas Season has begun is hearing Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" on the radio.

The song has become the most popular recording of all time, and its story goes back even further than Bing's debut rendition of the tune on the Christmas Day edition of Kraft Music Hall in 1941. Bing took over hosting duties on Music Hall in January 1936 and had the first of many Christmas specials. In fact, there was a Bing Crosby Christmas Special on the radio every year from 1936 until 1962 when the Golden Age of Radio came to an end.

During his first few years with Music Hall, and even after recording "White Christmas", Bing's signature Christmas song was "Adeste Fideles/O Come, All Ye Faithful". Sung in both English and Latin, the carol was a perfect showcase for Crosby's bass/baritone stylings. Bing's next great contribution to the Great American Christmas Songbook had its genesis in January 1940 when Irving Berlin rushed into his office, calling for his musical secretary to transcribe what he called, "The best song I ever wrote…the best song anybody ever wrote." With hits like "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Cheek to Cheek", and "God Bless America" to his credit, Berlin certainly knew what he was talking about. That spring, Berlin signed a contract with Paramount to provide songs for a musical picture about an inn which was only open on public holidays, Holiday Inn (1942).

The film starred Bing along with Fred Astaire and began filming in November 1941 (Astaire was scheduled to co-star with Crosby in the film version of White Christmas but thought the script was bad and asked to be released from his contract). When Bing was preparing that year's Christmas special for Music Hall, borrowing from his latest picture was natural. The fact that "White Christmas" is as melancholy as it is nostalgic certainly fit the country's mood of the first Christmas of America's involvement in the War. Part of the song's melancholy tone comes from the fact that Irving Berlin, a Russian Jewish immigrant who did not observe Christmas, had been visiting the grave of his infant son who died on Christmas Day, 1928.

Bing Crosby Santa HatThe nostalgia of the then new Christmas song was what caught the listening public. "White Christmas" became one of the most requested songs on the Armed Forces Radio Services. After premiering it on Music Hall and performing it in Holiday Inn, Bing cut the song for Decca Records in May 1942. The song was so popular that the master disc wore out from re-release pressings and Bing made a new cut (with the same musicians) in 1947, the version which is heard most often today.

"White Christmas" and "Adeste Fideles" are hardly Bing's only contributions to the Holiday Season. Veterans called Bing the biggest influence on raising morale during WWII, even more than FDR, General Eisenhower, or Bob Hope. In addition to their weekly programs, Hope and Crosby made dozens of Christmas Broadcasts for AFRS. Bing's first wife, singer Dixie Lee and their four sons appeared on the 1950 Chesterfield Program Christmas special, the only time Dixie appeared on the radio with her husband before she died of ovarian cancer in 1952.

Bing made his first TV Christmas appearance as a guest on Frank Sinatra's weekly show in 1957. It was a special enough occasion that Sinatra had the episode filmed in color years before ABC began color broadcasts. The program closed with "Old Blue Eyes" and "der Bingle" performing a duet of "White Christmas".

It was hardly Crosby's last notable Christmas duet. In later years, Bing was taping what would be his last Christmas special, "Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas" for CBS, and among his guests was a rock and roll star named David Bowie. It has been reported that Bing had no idea who Bowie was, but the Crosby children were big fans and very excited that the rocker was going to perform a duet with their dad. Things started off badly when Bowie and his wife entered the studio wearing matching full-length mink coats, matching flaming red hair, and matching make-up. The producer quickly convinced David to get rid of his earrings and lipstick, but Bowie put his foot down when he was informed that he would be singing "The Little Drummer Boy", saying, "I won’t sing that song. I hate that song I’m doing this show because my mother loves Bing Crosby."

The show's music writers quickly composed a counter melody, "Peace on Earth". When it was time to actually record the number, there was still a lot of nervousness in the studio, but as they gathered around the piano, Mary Crosby remembers, "Dad realized David was this amazing musician, and David realized Dad was an amazing musician. You could see them both collectively relax and then magic was made." The result has become a holiday standard.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

    21
    19     2


    COMMENTS

    Bought these and several others, as always a Great product and truly Great service. Merry Christmas from a very satisfied customer. Jim

    Jim Verified Purchase

    I was really pleased that you were able to include the 1955 Christmas Sing with Bing Around the World on your most recent Bing Christmas Update collection. It’s my favorite of all the Bing Crosby Christmas shows; Bing being more himself than a mediocre comic. The 1943 Kraft Music Hall with guest Phil Silvers is remarkably clear-sounding. And the smooth addition of the song White Christmas at the end, only about a year old at the time, indicated that it was already so popular that it didn’t need a n introduction. And I’ll even add here that the album Bing made for AFRTS was nice and clear. Not sure if copies were sent to military personnel like the V Discs, but it was great.

    Henry Verified Purchase

    Many many hours of music pleasure have been enjoyed by me with OTR Bing recordings it will take me years to listen to all the recordings that I have purchased from OTR. Denis Smithson

    Denis Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    44 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 18 hours, 10 min
    44 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 18 hours, 10 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 44 shows - total playtime 18 hours 10 minutes
    2. Best Of All 541004 08 Irving Berlin.mp3
    3. Best Of All 541220 19 Small One.mp3
    4. Bing Crosby 451225 Personal Christmas Package Armed Forces.mp3
    5. Bing Crosby 501220 Christmas Program.mp3
    6. Bing Crosby ACN Radio Network Christmas Special.mp3
    7. Bob Hope 481207 396 Bing Crosby, Doris Day.mp3
    8. Christmas Eve At Front 431224 Bob Hope.mp3
    9. Christmas For Todays Army.mp3
    10. Christmas Shows Collection 441225 Elgin 3rd Annual Christmas.mp3
    11. Christmas Shows Collection 611224 Christmas Sing With Bing.mp3
    12. Christmas Sing With Bing 551224.mp3
    13. Command Performance 421224 1942 Christmas Special.mp3
    14. Command Performance 441224 Christmas Show 2 Hrs..mp3
    15. Command Performance 451225 1945 Christmas Special Part 2.mp3
    16. CP 481225 1948 Christmas Special, Ken Carpenter Part 2.mp3
    17. KMH 431216 Phil Silvers.mp3
    18. KMH 441012 Swinging On Star George Murphy Crosby Hope.mp3
    19. KMH 441221 Adeste Fidelis, Kraft Choral Club.mp3
    20. Philco Radio Time 471224 049 Christmas Show.mp3
    21. Philco Radio Time 481222 085 Bob Mitchell Boys Choir.mp3
    22. Song Bowie Christmas Peace on Earth.mp3
    23. Song Bowie Little Drummer Boy Full Version.mp3
    24. Song Bowie Peace On Earth.mp3
    25. Song Christmas Adeste Fideles O Come All Ye Faith.mp3
    26. Song Christmas In Killarney.mp3
    27. Song Deck Halls.mp3
    28. Song Do You Hear What I Hear.mp3
    29. Song Frank Sinatra Have Yourself Merry Ch.mp3
    30. Song Frosty Snowman.mp3
    31. Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Alt.mp3
    32. Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.mp3
    33. Song Happy Holidays.mp3
    34. Song Have Yourself Merry Little Christmas.mp3
    35. Song I Wish You Merry Christmas.mp3
    36. Song Its Beginning Look Lot Like Christmas.mp3
    37. Song Jingle Bells.mp3
    38. Song Let It Snow.mp3
    39. Song O Holy Night.mp3
    40. Song Santa Claus Is Comin To Town.mp3
    41. Song Silent Night, Holy Night.mp3
    42. Song Silver Bells.mp3
    43. Song Twelve Days of Christmas.mp3
    44. Song White Christmas.mp3
    45. Song Winter Wonderland.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    44 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 18 hours, 10 min
    44 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 18 hours, 10 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 44 shows - total playtime 18 hours 10 minutes
    2. Best Of All 541004 08 Irving Berlin.mp3
    3. Best Of All 541220 19 Small One.mp3
    4. Bing Crosby 451225 Personal Christmas Package Armed Forces.mp3
    5. Bing Crosby 501220 Christmas Program.mp3
    6. Bing Crosby ACN Radio Network Christmas Special.mp3
    7. Bob Hope 481207 396 Bing Crosby, Doris Day.mp3
    8. Christmas Eve At Front 431224 Bob Hope.mp3
    9. Christmas For Todays Army.mp3
    10. Christmas Shows Collection 441225 Elgin 3rd Annual Christmas.mp3
    11. Christmas Shows Collection 611224 Christmas Sing With Bing.mp3
    12. Christmas Sing With Bing 551224.mp3
    13. Command Performance 421224 1942 Christmas Special.mp3
    14. Command Performance 441224 Christmas Show 2 Hrs..mp3
    15. Command Performance 451225 1945 Christmas Special Part 2.mp3
    16. CP 481225 1948 Christmas Special, Ken Carpenter Part 2.mp3
    17. KMH 431216 Phil Silvers.mp3
    18. KMH 441012 Swinging On Star George Murphy Crosby Hope.mp3
    19. KMH 441221 Adeste Fidelis, Kraft Choral Club.mp3
    20. Philco Radio Time 471224 049 Christmas Show.mp3
    21. Philco Radio Time 481222 085 Bob Mitchell Boys Choir.mp3
    22. Song Bowie Christmas Peace on Earth.mp3
    23. Song Bowie Little Drummer Boy Full Version.mp3
    24. Song Bowie Peace On Earth.mp3
    25. Song Christmas Adeste Fideles O Come All Ye Faith.mp3
    26. Song Christmas In Killarney.mp3
    27. Song Deck Halls.mp3
    28. Song Do You Hear What I Hear.mp3
    29. Song Frank Sinatra Have Yourself Merry Ch.mp3
    30. Song Frosty Snowman.mp3
    31. Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Alt.mp3
    32. Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.mp3
    33. Song Happy Holidays.mp3
    34. Song Have Yourself Merry Little Christmas.mp3
    35. Song I Wish You Merry Christmas.mp3
    36. Song Its Beginning Look Lot Like Christmas.mp3
    37. Song Jingle Bells.mp3
    38. Song Let It Snow.mp3
    39. Song O Holy Night.mp3
    40. Song Santa Claus Is Comin To Town.mp3
    41. Song Silent Night, Holy Night.mp3
    42. Song Silver Bells.mp3
    43. Song Twelve Days of Christmas.mp3
    44. Song White Christmas.mp3
    45. Song Winter Wonderland.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    44 recordings on 15 Audio CDs. Total playtime 12 hours, 56 min
    44 recordings on 15 Audio CDs
    total playtime 12 hours, 56 min

    Bing Christmas Disc A001

    1. Bing Crosby ACN Radio Network Christmas Special

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A002

    1. Christmas For Todays Army
    2. Song Bowie Christmas Peace on Earth

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A003

    1. Song Bowie Little Drummer Boy Full Version
    2. Song Bowie Peace On Earth
    3. Song Christmas Adeste Fideles O Come All Ye Faith
    4. Song Christmas In Killarney
    5. Song Deck Halls
    6. Song Do You Hear What I Hear
    7. Song Frank Sinatra Have Yourself Merry Ch
    8. Song Frosty Snowman
    9. Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Alt
    10. Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
    11. Song Happy Holidays
    12. Song Have Yourself Merry Little Christmas
    13. Song I Wish You Merry Christmas
    14. Song Its Beginning Look Lot Like Christmas
    15. Song Jingle Bells
    16. Song Let It Snow
    17. Song O Holy Night
    18. Song Santa Claus Is Comin To Town
    19. Song Silent Night, Holy Night
    20. Song Silver Bells
    21. Song Twelve Days of Christmas
    22. Song White Christmas
    23. Song Winter Wonderland

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A004

    1. Command Performance 421224 1942 Christmas Special

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A005

    1. KMH 431216 Phil Silvers
    2. KMH 441012 Swinging On Star George Murphy Crosby Hope

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A006

    1. KMH 441221 Adeste Fidelis, Kraft Choral Club
    2. Bing Crosby 451225 Personal Christmas Package Armed Forces

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A007

    1. Command Performance 451225 1945 Christmas Special Part 2

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A008

    1. Philco Radio Time 471224 049 Christmas Show
    2. Bob Hope 481207 396 Bing Crosby, Doris Day

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A009

    1. Philco Radio Time 481222 085 Bob Mitchell Boys Choir

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A010

    1. CP 481225 1948 Christmas Special, Ken Carpenter Part 2

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A011

    1. Bing Crosby 501220 Christmas Program

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A012

    1. Best Of All 541004 08 Irving Berlin

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A013

    1. Best Of All 541220 19 Small One

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A014

    1. Christmas Sing With Bing 551224

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Bing Christmas Disc A015

    1. Christmas Shows Collection 611224 Christmas Sing With Bing

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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