I originally met Gplus user +Carrie Canup in a Friday night hangout session which has become a regular event hosted by her husband +Charlie Hoover. They are a funny and interesting duo who welcome newcomers with genuine interest in what they are saying and an appropriate amount of wit and snark at all the right times. Charlie manages to pull out the most eclectic assortment of props from the room around him to show off in the hangout, from a tiny violin to his sonic screwdriver, and even a custom knitted version of every LOTR character. What Carrie pulled out to share with the Gplus community this December, though, is nothing short of amazing.
I believe the first time I saw her, she was being silly and singing snippets of songs in the Friday hangout. On December 1st, however, she announced she would count down the Christmas season by singing a Christmas carol to the community each night; to friends, strangers, and potential trolls alike. There is a huge difference in putting yourself out there and doing something within your field or something so absurdly silly that nobody would ever judge you on it. To go out, however, and lay your talent and emotions out bare in front of you takes an immense amount of courage.
The whole act of Christmas Caroling invokes in my head a Norman Rockwell-esque picture of men and women bundled up in overcoats and scarves, the men all with top-hats and everyone carrying songbooks. In my lifetime, I do not think I have ever even experienced carolers in real life. As I write this, I have a newly created YouTube channel of Carrie's Carols playing in the corner of the screen. The living room in front of me is aglow with light from my prelit Christmas tree and the stockings are hung on the entertainment center with care. It's not a scene Rockwell would have imagined, but the Christmas spirit, especially with the pure joy and honesty of Carrie's singing is the true spirit behind any Christmas painting he ever published.
Listening to Carrie sing for the joy of singing, I believe every word of every carol. "Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more." I have heard this line scores of times this season on radio stations by stars and starlets with their obligatory Christmas albums, and assaulting me from the speakers of stores trying to lull me into the spirit of gift buying. Hearing Carrie, I'm not reminded of anything except family and friends, many who are no longer with me. No ulterior motives behind her songs except joy. Carrie is not some unapproachable celebrity, she is a real person; the one you look forward to having over to the house every season because she lights up the room with her personality. Her huge smile and sparkling eyes are infectious, especially when you watch her sing. I have been lurking and listening in the background this season, but with less than a week until Christmas, I really want to share her gift with everyone in my circles. Whether you are already filled with the spirit of Christmas or if you are having trouble conquering your inner Grinch, I recommend you click over and give Carrie a chance to remind you what this season is all about.
Thank you Carrie. My top-hat is off to you!
For a playlist of all Carrie's Christmas Carols to date, visit my new favorite Christmas playlist. Grab a mug of hot cocoa and sing along with her. Maybe wrap some presents. Or just chill like I am right now.
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1st Day of Carrotmas: “Santa Baby”
To countdown to that overly-commercialized holiday that happens towards the end of December, I have decided to do my rendition of a holiday tune each day. So…
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Awwwwwwwww. Damnit, +Scott Cramer . I've got some brain matter in my eye.
A brilliantly worded tribute as I have come to expect from you Scott 🙂 Interestingly enough it appears we've been on the same page the past hour or so; in the time you've spent writing this and creating your playlist I was listening to all of +Carrie Canup 's christmas carols from the beginning (great timing Scott – this playlist would have have been really helpful an hour ago! :P) Anyhow, I gotta second everything you've said, definitely something to get a person into the holiday spirit 🙂
Naw, that's just Carrie's Christmas spirit! Wipes own eye…
I was smiling when I read your comment on her post, +Chris Mallory, because I was thinking the same thing. It's a privilege to share a wavelength with you, sir.
You guys are beyond amazing…
Will be drafting a response, when I'm not leaking….
Scott did you ever submit a favorite song?
I never did, +Carrie Canup. Silent Night has been a favorite since I was a child, though. 🙂
For a card-carry atheist to enjoy this, is a true reflection of the awesomeness of the singing.
I do enjoy listening to Ave Maria, but I will deny it if asked 😛
Nobody is a more adamant atheist than me and I still enjoy christmas music… Gotta hand it to the religious folks, they can make some serious ear worms… Good advertisement I suppose lol
+Charlie Hoover yes, it is great advertisement 😀
Not that Halleluhja is overly religious if one reads the text.. 🙂
Actually, motivation and inspiration go hand and hand. If you believe in something fervently enough, you become motivated and inspired. That inspiration creates art.
Inspiration does not have to be religious in nature, but, it has created some beautiful things, and will continue to.
well….worship…is umm….scurrying off now I have a song to do…
I decided to choose a non-worship song…of any type of activities that require being on one's knees…
Gah!!
My allergies are really making my eyes water this morning!!
What a great message
+Scott Cramer as well as an awesome tribute to +Carrie Canup – I also was having a difficult time handling the Christmas holiday season and I can also testify that Carrie's singing and sharing of herself unconditionally without expecting anything in return has been such a blessing for me personally..<3<3
I'm totally getting something in return though (albeit unexpected) in the form if this overwhelming support and appreciation. Plus, it's therapeutic as well.
Its nothing less than you deserve for being yourself dear Carrie. You reached out and touched all of us.
Careful….I have sticky fingers…
Not the kind of thing you should say around this crowd. lol
Keep it clean folks, this is a nice thread.
…..I was merely implying that….ok….scampering off…
I meant hearts of course 🙂
Andi totally meant that I eat lots of candy…and…sugar residue….clearly….
Yep. I'm laughing on the inside right now. Lol
🙂
why only on the inside!
I had to wait until I closed the post. I couldn't laugh in front of everyone else! 🙂
Why not? We're all public about that sort of thing…you're among friends…. 🙂
Besides, I can hear you in my brain, remember? 😉
Oh. I forgot, +Scott Cramer Well, pish.
wild giggles
YAY!
Nicely written bro! I've been lurking and listening to several of her tunes myself. Even though I have had very little interaction with +Carrie Canup, I definitely agree.
"No ulterior motives behind her songs except joy" seems spot on to me.
kudos on being able to post a performance-a-day! <envious> I have trouble jumping into a hangout without getting that self-conscious feeling.
I totally get that feeling!
+Carrie Canup You do such an awesome job overcoming it!
i compartmentalize and put what I'm doing in perspective. The fact that I'm doing this in my home helps….but…holy hell nerve wracking at times…
The fact that you are able to sing helps too! 🙂
But….umm…well….long story short without divulging too much…this is my first really foray back into it. I used to be so much better…but umm….life happened…..and I became unable to pursue it for many years until I got over it….
I'm just glad other people get to hear some of what I do all the time…=)