December 10, 2011 -- A growing number of radio stations nationwide have been making certain the ears of music lovers are attuned to actor and recording artist Robert Davi's interpretation of a classic Christmas song, even before the benefit single is made available to the general public.
In addition to some of Los Angeles' principal transmitting stations, executives at the world's largest around-the-clock source of live radio programming said they are also supporting, with vivacity, Davi's urgent effort to help The Salvation Army aid the crucial needs of more than 4 million underserved, yet striving, American families over the Christmas holiday.
When the single is available for download December 13 on iTunes and Amazon.com, every red cent of Davi's revenue from the $.99 sale of "Mistletoe and Holly" is earmarked for The Salvation Army's 120th Annual Red Kettle Campaign.
"We are playing the song on the [adult standards] format and reminding our listeners that [Davi's] proceeds are going to The Salvation Army," said Chick Watkins, on-air host and program director of the adult standards format at Dial Global Radio Network, a broadcasting system that provides quality programming to more than 7,000 radio stations nationwide.
The adult standards format at Dial Global Radio Network meets the needs of nearly 200 radio stations, whose public arena consists of decision-makers between ages 35 and 64.
This age range is also that important representation of American consumers that actively seeks out those music styles made popular during the big band or swing epoch, particularly those compositions that have found an indestructible home in The Great American Songbook.
"The music is everlasting, familiar music that is still being recorded and performed today and being featured in movies, on television live shows and on the radio," said Watkins.
"It's a great joy to communicate to people points of the songbook and trying to bring a moment of unity with all of us during these difficult times," Davi said to Watkins, during a recent live interview broadcast by Dial Global Radio Networks' participating affiliates.
The "Mistletoe and Holly" single -- which was first sung by the late Frank Sinatra in the 1950s -- comes directly on the heels of Davi's debut album, "Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance," a complilation of favorites that has garnered rave reviews and recently secured a position of honor on Billboard's Top Ten traditional jazz charts.
The CD's popularity is due, say some analysts, to the same vital statistics that have assured those music styles of bygone years a mainstay in American hearts.
Some of Davi's female fans say it's the famous actor's sultry articulation that seems to keep music aficionados craving for more.
"As a kid, I grew up listening to the great sounds of [Italian tenor] Enrico Caruso, and then, of course, [Frank] Sinatra. I was enamored by the voice," Davi told Watkins. "I would listen in my basement [where] my grandfather had those [vintage 78 RPM record players]. You could hear the purity of the voice differently. It wasn't manufactured. I would study voice on that."
In a collective contribution of talent and services, the new arrangement of "Mistletoe and Holly" was composed by Nic. tenBroek, mixed and recorded by Al Schmitt and produced by the legendary Phil Ramone at world-famous Capitol Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Industry leaders are among an expanding structure of compassionate Americans doing their part to make a positive difference in a struggling neighbor's life during the Christmas season.
"It is always important to provide a service to raise funds for worthwhile organizations, like The Salvation Army," said Watkins. "When we play ['Mistletoe and Holly'], it is being broadcast on most of all of our affiliates at the same time."
The Salvation Army is hoping to fulfill the needs of those families that live in more than 5,000 under-served communities nationwide who never thought they would ever have to rely on charity to make it through the Christmas holiday.
To learn how to download your copy of "Mistletoe and Holly," follow this link.
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