Grammy Award®-winning, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rod Stewart, hosts his first holiday special, Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby, on THIRTEEN’s Great Performances in December 2012 on PBS (Check local listings).
“I’ve always wanted to do a Christmas special,” Rod Stewart remarked. “And this was truly worth the wait because what we were able to accomplish is just beyond my wildest dreams.”
Stewart’s concert special was taped in September at the lush Villa de Leon, a private residence overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Pacific Palisades, CA, near the famous Getty Villa, for which it is sometimes mistaken. It captures Stewart as he performs a collection of some of the most beloved holiday standards and traditional songs from his soon-to-be-released album also titled Merry Christmas, Baby.
Throughout the special, Stewart is joined by an incredible array of superstar artists, including Michael Bublé on “Winter Wonderland.” He is united with Mary J. Blige on “We Three Kings” and Cee Lo Green on the title tune “Merry Christmas, Baby” featuring New Orleans’ favorite son, Trombone Shorty. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” is a mesmerizing ‘virtual’ duet with Ella Fitzgerald featuring Chris Botti. Among the other holiday favorites are “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Silent Night,” and “Auld Lang Syne.”
Stewart’s PBS concert special and album also feature a new, original track, “Red-Suited Super Man,” that’s destined to be a holiday classic and was composed by Rod Stewart, David Foster and Amy Foster.
For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning.
David Foster, chairman, Verve Music Group, serves as producer and arranger of the Merry Christmas, Baby CD, which will be released October 30th. Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby is directed by Jim Gable and executive produced by Arnold Steifel.
For Great Performances, Bill O’Donnell is series producer, and David Horn is executive producer. Major funding for the Great Performances telecast is provided by the Irene Diamond Fund and the Starr Foundation; and public television viewers.
