Jimmy Barnes introduces his grandkids to the family business on his Blue Christmas record
Jimmy Barnes enlisted some surprise guests on his Blue Christmas album revamp that made it all the more special.
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Jimmy Barnes is well versed in the art of herding grandchildren to the dinner table.
Corralling them around a microphone in his home studio to record a unique Australian carol was easier – and saw one wish ticked off his Christmas list.
More than two decades after he recorded If Santa Forgets with his own Tin Lids for the group’s Hey Rudolph album, Barnes assembled his clan to make a new version featuring three generations.
“I don’t think I could be any happier than to have my kids around me and making music with the grandchildren. You’re looking at the luckiest man in the world,” he said about the day in the studio.
Daughter Mahalia brought her daughters Ruby and Rosie Rodgers, who occasionally featured in the Barnes’ family singalongs which kept Australia smiling during pandemic lockdowns.
Elly May’s son Dylan, who has been impressing online fans with his piano skills, was on the mic next to Leo, Billy and Betty, the offspring of David and Lisa Campbell.
Jackie’s three children Bella, Zoey and Kai make their recording debut. And Eliza Jane’s toddler son Teddy wins hearts with his cute cameo at the end.
The song features the cute lyric “What to give my dad if Santa forgets to call” with the 2023 version switched for the grandkids to sing Da – Scottish for grandad – in the verses.
“If Santa Forgets … it always made me very emotional,” Barnes said.
“Singing with my children when they were so small seemed to pluck the heartstrings even more than usual.
“Now I have some of my grandchildren singing too and it has gone to the next level.”
While the Tin Lids stormed the Christmas charts back in 1991 – their Hey Rudolph record made it to No. 6 – Barnes only released his first collection of seasonal songs last year.
The Blue Christmas record debuted at No. 1 in Australia last year, his 15th chart topper and extending his record for the most No. 1 albums on the ARIA charts.
The updated version, out on November 24, will add the multi-generational recording of If Santa Forgets and Barnes’ take on the traditional carol O Holy Night.
“O Holy Night is a song that I know from an amazing version by (American gospel legend) Mahalia Jackson. As a few of you probably know, I named my daughter after her,” Barnes said.
“The reason I did that was because Mahalia Jackson’s voice had a huge impact on me as a young fellow. She is powerful and full of love. So is this song.”
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