After Bing Crosby, Bob Hope & Perry Como, who is next on the list with most Christmas specials. I believe Mr. Cash has six, a number not to be sneezed at. Since his TV series only was given a two year run, these specials might have been a sort of consolation prize. The same high quality is here. The director certainly deserves a lot of credit. One only has to look at the body of his work to see that this was the right guy for the job. Director Walter Miller has worked with Frank Sinatra, George Burns, Bill Cosby and Dolly Parton, plus helming many Tony & Grammy award shows. Music director Bill Walker also did the Cash TV series as well. This 1977 special (#2) had perhaps the most Christmas songs, and what a selection. There's the Gene Autry medley(with stills of GA) of Here Comes Santa Clause, Rudolph and Frosty, not to mention a slight impersonation of the legend by Roy Clark; Blue Christmas(a personal wartime memory from Cash); O Little Town of Bethlehem sung by June Carter Cash; White Christmas(an odd selection for Jerry Lee, though he does a good job); and among others maybe the best grand finale for any Christmas special- Children Go Where I Send Thee, sung by Cash, June Carter, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Clark & the Statler Brothers! There are many personal reflections by Johnny in this special which sets it apart as well as a tribute song to Elvis. The non Christmas songs include Orbison's Pretty Woman, Perkins' Blue Suede Shoes and Lewis' Whole Lot of Shaking. How could you ask for any more?
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