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Pat Boone brings sounds of Christmas to CoMMAMORGANTON, Dec 11, 2012 (The News Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Bringing the best of Christmas caroling, Pat Boone is hosting A Pat Boone Christmas at the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (CoMMA) this week. Boone, a legendary singer, actor and host, will present a show that combines the fun of Christmas and the spirit of the holiday. "I'm looking forward to coming to Morganton," Boone said. Boone has never been to Burke County but has traveled through North Carolina. "We've been up and down North Carolina," he said. "We plan to see Billy Graham the morning before (the show)." Boone also has plans to visit The Billy Graham Library while on his way to Morganton. Boone has been a performer for 56 years. Since the early 1950s, he has sold nearly 50 million records and has 38 Top 10 hits. He has the 10th most Top 40 hits of any artist. Boone is the 16th artist with the most No. 1 hit songs. Boone has made a career in other mediums, celebrating 14 film appearances. He and his wife, Shirley, have been married 55 years. Today, Boone spends his time with his charities such as Ryan's Reach, in honor of his grandson, and Bethel School and Orphanage in Chattanooga, Tenn. He enjoys performing his Christmas shows as a way to honor and celebrate the holiday. "I'm one of the only performers who still does a full Christmas show," he said. "I will still do some gold record hits, I never feel ready for Christmas until I sing the Christmas songs." Boone will perform two songs he wrote himself, "I saw Santa praying," and "Little Green Tree." "I saw Santa praying" is the musical version of "Santa and the Christ Child," a book by Nicholas Bakewell. "He wrote a book about the two main figures of Christmas, Jesus and Santa," Boone said. "It's a way that parents and grandparents can bring Christmas into the right mind." In addition to his two original songs, Boone will perform "Winter Wonderland," "White Christmas," and other carols. He will be joined by a children's community choir throughout his performance. "There is something wonderful about hearing children singing," Boone said. "Singing those songs, you really know it's Christmas time." Boone spends his time performing and working. He enjoys staying active and reading through the Bible. Boone has read through the Bible each year for the past 18 years. "I am very thankful from the beginning of my career, people have known I am a Christian," he said. "I am motivated by my faith." Boone will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at CoMMA. Tickets can be obtained through the auditoriums website at www.commaonline.org or by calling 828-433-SHOW. ___ (c)2012 The News Herald (Morganton, N.C.) Visit The News Herald (Morganton, N.C.) at www.morganton.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |