A Season of Peace
New Diana Wilcox CD Explores the Sacred Side of Holiday Music

By Paulette Isaacs

Christmas music has long been one of this writer’s favorite genres of music. The peaceful feeling that comes from listening to the sacred hymns, and even more recently written songs, about the birth of Christ is irreplaceable.

Local musician, Diana Wilcox, had been promising her Mama for several years that she would make a Christmas CD for her. But, with daily responsibilities, family responsibilities, playing with the group Sarvis Ridge and work, finding the time to go into the studio to record, mix, and get everything in line for cutting a CD naturally fell by the wayside. Diana determined that this year would be the perfect time to make the time to do this special project for her Mama. Thankfully, she decided to share A Season of Peace with others, too!

Diana Wilcox lends her voice to all twelve songs on the project, along with playing guitar, and on one cut plays mandolin. Other musicians include Melvin Turbyfill on mandolin and Tony Reece on dobro. The project was recorded, mixed, and the graphic work was done by Melvin Turbyfill.

“O Come O Come Emmanuel” is traditional Christmas hymn whose original Latin name was “Veni, veni Emmanuel” and was written in the 12th century by an unknown author.

One of the more recently written songs, which has quickly become a classic, is Buddy Greene (music  in 1990)and Mark Lowry’s (lyrics in 1984) “Mary Did You Know.” Mark Lowry had written the song after thinking about what Mary was pondering in her heart while carrying the Christ child.

A.L. Phipps’ “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” can easily be categorized as one of the bluegrass realm’s most performed and loved Christmas songs.

The traditional, “What Child is This,” was written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 after suffering from a near-fatal illness that left him bedridden for months. The lyrics were later put to the music of “Greensleeves,” an English melody. The lyrics of “Oh, Holy Night” were written by Placide Cappeau (“Minuit Chretien”) in 1847 and set to music by Adolphe Adam that same year. Interestingly, according to Wipipedia.com, “On 24 December 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor, broadcast the first AM radio program, which included him playing “O Holy Night” on the violin. The carol therefore appears to have been the first piece of music to be broadcast on radio.”

Steve Rhymer and Elizabeth Rhymer’s “Light of the Stable” tells of what the men that were following the Star may have said upon seeing the guiding light that led them to the stable.

Two other traditional Christmas songs include “Silent Night,” with lyrics originally written in 1816 in German by the Austrian priest Joseph Mohr and the melody by the Austiran headmaster Franz Gruber, and “Away in the Manger” (the lyrics are attributed to Martin Luther).

“The Star” (writer: Peter McCann) gives the account of the Holy birth and its implications for the world and individuals.

The melody of “Down to the Stable” will be familiar to many that have heard “Down to the River.” Laurinda Nicholson and Billy Ralph Winkler have adapted the tune to Christmas lyrics, and Diana does the piece acapella.

Robert MacGimsey’s “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” was written in 1932 on Christmas Eve. The lyrics are beautifully put together and cause one to pause and consider the message in them.

“Let There Be Peace on Earth” (written by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller) performed acapella by Diana, was written in 1955. Jill Jackson said of this song, “And when I attempted suicide and I didn’t succeed, I knew for the first time unconditional love—which God is. God is unconditional love. You are totally loved, totally accepted, just the way you are. In that moment I was not allowed to die, and something happened to me which is very difficult to explain. I had an eternal moment of truth, in which I knew I was loved, and knew I was here for a purpose.”°I:

Diana Wilcox’s A Season of Peace is available at The Pet Place at Shoppes at Shadowline, Phil’s Citgo, Watsonatta Western World, and Watauga Building Supply. You may contact Diana at 828-773-2885 or by writing: Diana Wilcox, 172 Sumpter Cabin Creek Road, Blowing Rock, NC, 28605.

Local musicians are invited to send in your materials for a review by Paulette Isaacs. They may be mailed to 286 Phillip Road, Elk Park, NC 28622. Sorry, materials cannot be returned. For more information, you may email dpisaacs@localnet.com.