Do you have a family tradition you love to do each Christmas? I've always loved going to evening or midnight mass on Christmas Eve. There is just something about the anticipation of it all and then when we get home, we get one early present. This will be the second year in a row that my girlfriend and I will be going to Aruba for Christmas. We celebrate with friends and family early and then we leave Christmas Eve. You can feel as the world settles in - we venture off to an Island and there is a thrill about it, plus it’s just us. We go to church and then spend Christmas on the beach. It’s amazing and I play several shows out there while I'm there. Definitely looking to make it a long-standing tradition. Theme song Kenny Chesney’s "All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan."
What have you asked Santa for this year? That everybody that ordered my new album for Christmas loves it and the release goes well and I'm able to touch a lot of lives in a positive way with my music. That’s really the first thing on my mind these days-- nothing tangible. Other than that, just being with friends and family around this time of year and everyone healthy and happy is all I ask for.
What was a popular gift that most children wanted when you were growing up? Did you have
one? When I was five or six I was obsessed with Thundercats. I remember being at a restaurant and the waitress gave me a bag full of pennies for the wishing well. I literally wished for Thundercats with all some 100 pennies. Haha. A new football was usually under the tree most years and I couldn't wait to go outside and play catch with my Dad. My favorite Christmas present was getting my chocolate Labrador puppy, Sailor.
Do you have a favorite Christmas Movie? I believe you have to watch them all. No favorites here -- they all have their place in Christmas tradition. Lampoon’s Christmas, Elf, Rudolf, Home Alone, Scrooged and you save A Christmas Story for Christmas day on repeat!
What about a favorite Christmas food? Do you cook a big Christmas dinner?
We usually have a a dinner similar to Thanksgiving. My dad was an amazing cook when he was alive. Many times, we would throw in our Eastern Shore heritage with some crab cakes along with the turkey etc. Nothing like a true Maryland crab cake. My mom makes the best mac and cheese, smashed sweet potatoes that she puts in hollowed out orange peels, and then her turkey wreath is to die for. It’s basically a mixture of turkey and stuffing and cranberry's baked inside a croissant crust in a big circle to form a wreath. You cut it like pie and serve.
What is your favorite Christmas song/album? There are lots of great ones, but if I had to choose one, I'd stick to the traditional Sinatra. I wrote a Christmas song that you can look up on Youtube, Spotify, iTunes, etc. called, "Broke for Christmas." And I definitely was when I wrote it. haha
Name three things you are thankful for this year? My family, my health, and to be able to touch lives and do what I love for a living!
What have been the highlights for you from 2018? Opening for Josh Turner in front of thousands; being named a finalist for the Maryland Country Music Awards "Country Artist of the Year;" working in great studios like Warner Bros. and Ocean Way with some of the best musicians in Nashville and a great producer Paul David creating my best music to date. Traveling the country as Zero Cancer’s National Spokesman singing to survivors and spreading a message of early detection. Starting my own nonprofit, I Am Not Alone, and changing and saving lives watching survivors be empowered signing contracts to never give up.
Any New Year’s resolutions? I will have the typical fitness goals but other than that it will be to reach new heights with career and reach more people through my cancer charities to save lives.
What is 2019 going to look like for you? I am so excited for the upcoming year. I will be meeting with some great people and I finally have music that I am very proud of and excited to see where it will lead! I am also look forward to travelling to 20 cities as Zero Cancer National Spokesman and releasing an empowering music video of "I Am Not Alone."
Jack Frost Cocktail!
Vodka, pineapple juice, blue curacao and cream of coconut create the most delicious, beautiful and festive holiday cocktail!
INGREDIENTS:
Light corn syrup or honey for rimming glasses
Flaked coconut for rimming glasses
8 cups ice (more or less depending on desired consistency)
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup blue curacao
1/2 cup vodka or light rum (I used vodka)
1/2 cup cream of coconut
INSTRUCTIONS
Rim the glasses: Pour a thin layer of corn syrup onto a plate and dip the rims into the corn syrup, then dip in coconut flakes.
In a blender, blend ice, pineapple juice, blue curacao, vodka and cream of coconut until desired consistency is reached. Pour into glass.
Stay social with Jimmy:
Website: https://www.jimmycharlesmusic.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jimmycharles92
ABOUT JIMMY CHARLES
He's made a national name for himself with compelling original material and toured the country opening for Lady Antebellum, Montgomery Gentry, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Turner, Merle Haggard and more since launching his music career in 2014. A Season 9 American Idol "Hollywood ticket" participant, he placed in the Top 50 of Nashville Star in 2013. The singer/songwriter found early success with his first single, "Whatever It Takes," and the power of his second release, "Superman" solidified his place in the spotlight. The single's companion video premiered on CMT, trending in the #1 spot for over a week, generating over 5,000 shares its first day on the site. His third single, "Bout Summertime" showcased his more adventurous and carefree side, landed him on the MusicRow Chart and set the stage for "I Am Not Alone." A native of Ocean City, Maryland, Jimmy graduated from Towson University. He played football and baseball, loves to fish, work out, play golf, and spend time at the beach. When he's not on the road touring, he enjoys playing with his bulldog Hank.
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