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Candles, Snow & Mistletoe facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Candles, Snow & Mistletoe
CandlesSnowMistletoe.jpg
Studio album by
Sharon, Lois & Bram
Released 1993
Recorded Group IV Recording, Los Angeles, California
Genre Children's music
Length 51:00
Label Elephant Records
Drive Entertainment
Casablanca Kids Inc.
Producer Glen Roven
Sharon, Lois & Bram chronology
Songs in the Key of Kids
(1993)		 Candles, Snow & Mistletoe
(1993)		 Candles Long Ago
(1993)

Candles, Snow & Mistletoe is a special holiday album by the famous children's group Sharon, Lois & Bram. It was their 13th album and first came out in 1993. This album was one of their biggest projects ever!

It was produced by Glen Roven, who won an Emmy Award. The songs were written by Mark Saltzman, who also worked on Sesame Street. This album sounds different from their others. It has a big, Broadway-style sound. They even used a full orchestra and special microphones to record it.

Candles, Snow & Mistletoe wasn't just an album. It was also a TV show on CBC and a live Broadway show! It quickly became their fastest-selling album. Over 100,000 copies were shipped when it first came out.

Album Releases Over Time

The Candles, Snow & Mistletoe album was first released in 1993. This happened in Canada through Elephant Records. Later, in 1995, it came out in the United States. This release was under the Drive Entertainment label.

The album cover shows cartoon versions of Sharon, Lois & Bram. Their elephant mascot is also there, playing in the snow. In 2000, Casablanca Kids Inc. took over the album's rights. They kept the same artwork for their releases.

In May 2009, the cover was changed. The album was also renamed 'Family Christmas'. This was done to help libraries find it more easily. The new version still had all the same great songs.

  • 1993 (Elephant Records) Cassette/CD
  • 1995 (Drive Entertainment) Cassette/CD
  • 2000/2001/2008/2009 (Casablanca Kids Inc.) CD

TV Special and Home Video

The album was turned into a Christmas TV special. It aired on CBC in Canada in 1993. This show was very popular. About 1.2 million Canadian homes watched it!

The TV special was later released on video in 1994. It was called Candles, Snow & Mistletoe, just like the album. This video was about 50 minutes long. It featured Sharon, Lois & Bram and their friend, Elephant.

The story was a musical fantasy. It mixed new songs with classic Christmas tunes. The trio takes a fun train trip home for the holidays. They meet many interesting passengers. On their journey, they discover the true meaning of the holiday season.

Broadway Show Experience

Candles, Snow & Mistletoe also became a Broadway show! It played for one week in New York City. The show was at the famous Palace Theater. Before Broadway, it had a preview in Toronto in November 1993.

The live show had a similar story to the video. In the show, Santa Claus loses his "ho-ho-ho!" Sharon, Lois & Bram, with Elephant, go on a musical adventure. They travel to the North Pole. Their goal is to help Santa find the holiday spirit again.

The show opened on December 26, 1993. It ran until December 30, 1993. Even though ticket sales started slowly, audiences really enjoyed the show.

"All the Holiday Fun You Can Sing!" Tour

After the Broadway show, Sharon, Lois & Bram kept the holiday spirit alive. They created a concert tour called "All the Holiday Fun You Can Sing!" This tour ran for several years.

In 1994, over 19,000 tickets were sold for 8 concerts in Toronto. These hour-long concerts featured an orchestra. They also had a storyline about finding the true meaning of the holidays. Of course, they included some of Sharon, Lois & Bram's classic songs too!

Fans could buy special sweatshirts at the concerts. These shirts had the same picture as the album cover. They were also available online.

Awards and Nominations

Candles, Snow & Mistletoe received several honors:

  • Best Children's Album (1993)
  • Our Choice Award, Canadian Children's Book Centre (1993)
  • Juno Nomination, Best Children's Album (1993)
  • Gemini Nomination, Best Children's Program or Series (1995)
  • Gold (meaning it sold many copies!)

Album Song List

Here are the songs featured on the Candles, Snow & Mistletoe album:

  1. "We Need a Little Christmas"
  2. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
  3. "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
  4. "Candles Long Ago"
  5. "Mrs. Fogarty's Christmas Cake"
  6. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
  7. "Don't Bring An Elephant (To A Family Meal)"
  8. "Bells Medley: Silver Bells, Jingle Bells, Ring them Bells"
  9. "A Winter Sweet"
  10. ""Merry Hula/Christmas Island"
  11. "With Bells On"
  12. "Christmas Is A-Comin'"
  13. "There Was A Pig Went Out to Dig"
  14. "I'm A Little Latke"
  15. "Dreydl, Dreydl"
  16. "Oy Chanukah"
  17. "Cool Yule"
  18. "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"

Broadway Show Song List

Here are the songs performed in the Candles, Snow & Mistletoe Broadway show:

  1. "We Need a Little Christmas"
  2. "Christmas Is A-Comin'"
  3. "Bells Medley: Silver Bells, Jingle Bells, Ring Them Bells"
  4. "Mrs. Fogarty's Christmas Cake"
  5. "I'm A Little Latke"
  6. "Dreydl, Dreydl"
  7. "Oy Chanukah"
  8. "Merry Hula/Christmas Island"
  9. "A Winter Sweet"
  10. "With Bells On"
  11. "Cool Yule"
  12. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
  13. "Great Big Hits Medley"
  14. "Candles Long Ago"
  15. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
  16. "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
  17. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
  18. "Deck the Halls"
  19. "Skinnamarink"