With President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump looking on from the crowd, Latter-day Saint pianist Paul Cardall began a song for all those who weren't in attendance for the National Christmas Tree Lighting.
Dedicated to "family and friends who are no longer with us," Cardall played "Silent Night" at the Nov. 28 celebration in Washington D.C. He performed along with other artists, including Abby Anderson, a successful Latter-day Saint artist from Keller, Texas.
Cardall recentlyreleased his new album Christmas, which landed on the Billboard charts in nine different categories. It was ranked no. 1 in the “New Age Albums” and “Heatseekers Mountain” categories and even charted in the top 50 for “Holiday Albums.”
View this post on Instagram Thank you everyone! Christmas belongs to all of us. #christ #christmas #pianist
This is Cardall’s first Christmas album in 13 years, and he hopes to bring the holiday spirit into homes with the beautiful pieces he has composed for Christmas. “The heart of all my music is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas,” he shares. “The holiday brings people together—strangers, family. This album speaks volumes of emotions. With all our differences we come together, have a meal, make a toast, and celebrate joy, gratitude, the Christ child, all of it. This is the purpose and mission of all my music.”
Cardall has worked with incredible musicians, including 12-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans, to create this album. Last year,he composed the music to Elder Bednar’s song lyrics for “One by One.”
View this post on Instagram SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I've accepted an invitation by the White House, National Park Service and The National Christmas Tree to perform at the 96th Annual Washington D.C. Tree Lighting Ceremony at the President's Park (White House) in our nations capital. I'll be performing with the The U.S. Army Blues a special Christmas classic I've arranged exclusively for this concert with the assistance of Shane Mickelsen. The program will air December 2nd 10pm EDT Sponsors include: @nationalpark @npspresidentspark @PresParkNPS @presidents_park_nps @goparks @nationalparkservice @thenationaltree @ovationtv @gelighting Reelz @reelzchannel #washingtondc #christmastree #whitehouse #trump #congress @senatororrinhatch @repmialove @senmikelee @repchrisstewart @rep.robbishop #lighttheworld @mittromney A post shared by Paul Cardall (@paulcardall) on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:57am PST
Lead image screenshot from YouTube
With music lovers streaming his songs more than 25 million times a month, it's obvious Paul Cardall knows how to tap emotions through music. The acclaimed composer/pianist does it again with Christmas. Recorded at Nashville's legendary Ocean Way Studios, the classical crossover project features Cardall's spin on such beloved holiday standards as "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella," "Away in a Manger," and " Joy to the World" as well as such compelling originals as "Son of God" and "Christmas Past."
The album also features vocal collaborations from three world-class voices: 12-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans, award-winning singer/songwriter Audrey Assad, and Australia's Broadway star Patrice Tipoki.
Look for this moving collection to become the soundtrack of your Christmas celebrations year after year!
Buy it here.
