Magnificent work, Andy! Frankly, I'd always wanted to hear the backstory of this song, but never looked it up! You answered all the questions I had....I've always considered her song one of the best "modern" Christmas songs that could easily win the Contemporary-Christmas-Song-Most-Likely-to-Be-Played-in-Malls-a-Century-From-Now Award, long after other 20- and 30-year-old attempts have retired to the yawn-heap!
Your photos are incredible! I always like to guess what's happening (in star pix) just out of camera range: She's surrounded by her "people," I'm guessing. In photo #1️⃣, her people are cautioning you, "Andy, please don't touch the talent." In photo #2️⃣, her people are whispering, "Mariah, please be gentle with the talent." Another story could/should be told, Mr. C., on how these photos came about, and where you were....the whole shebang! In the meantime, I'll be pestering my local hobby shop to get them to order me the collectible Limited Edition Andy Celati Funko Pop!
Seriously, bud, well done....if you weren't convinced before, this proves you are a fully-proficient and effective bio/factual/history music writer! Write on, I say!✌😁📝
Thank you so much, Brad. Coming from you, this means A LOT. Really glad you dug!
You made me laugh with your analysis of the pics (me, the talent? Next to her? Lol, I wish!!) but, unsurprisingly, you read the situations very well! First pic was in Vegas. Corridor after corridor escorted by a million bodyguards. At some point I start seeing her “people” (Trey Lorenz, her background singer) and I start hyperventilating. All this caveat from some assistant about not touching Mariah when, in reality, Mariah herself was super relaxed! I still managed to have a magical moment with her, when I locked eyes with hers, telling her a little bit of how mucg she means to me, and she was looking at me with sincere gratitude. She was very gracious. Second pic, two years later, in Norway (both situations were after a show). Fun fact about second pic: there was one assistant whose main job was to hold (wait for it) Mariah’s glass of red wine, from which she would take small sips between pics! 🤣 She was, again, so gracious, so humble, genuinely interested in what her fans had to say. Oh, I have so many stories... once I waited for her NINE hours outside of a hotel (here in London). She was doing “vocal rest” and took her time to come out!! The Royal Albert Hall shows were a blast (that’s where she signed one of my records, and when she put me on her Instagram story!).
Really glad you enjoyed the “making of” All I Want for Christmas... and your predictions/forecasts are (as always) so spot on! You do have a keen eye for datail, my friend!! Thanks again!
Somewhere, there's a struggling actor with a head shot, on whose back is a resume that includes this credit: "Mariah Carey's wine caddy."😂That's so cool she was so patient and authentic in caring about you! You could, if you wanted, make a multi-part series on these close encounters....let's see...."They Call the Win Mariah"? "Carey On, My Wayward Song"? There. I've got your titles. Now, stick some stories on the end of 'em! Pleeeeeeze?
🤣🤣🤣🤣 They call the WINE Mariah!! 🤣🤣🤣😅😅😂😂😂 I’m screaming! This is too good 😆😆😆 She was named after that song from Paint your Wagon, so the whole wind/wine thing makes it even funnier!
Yes, she was indeed very sweet, and quite vulnerable. You can tell she is really sensitive to what she hears and perceives. She was looking at me like she was this aspiring artist with a demo tape in her bag! Like she had never been told she was good... I think her insecurities make her quite approachable and “human”, if you will, despite all that entourage and glamour around her!
Those insecurities are with (and sometimes consume) many artists, including the massive ones, like her. It's those good ones (like her) that can put aside all that glitz'n'glamour, prestige and privilege, and be authentic with their fans. They've been there.
If you're game for a little good-natured Mariah parody fiction, you could fashion a story around a little-girl Mariah, growing up on a farm, with her lone Yuletide wish being that Santa bring her nothing but farm animals. All of which, of course, prompts her to write the enduring classic, "All I Want For Christmas is Ewe." Will she be herd by Santa?
Now I am screaming even more! 🤣🤣😂😂😅 All I Want for Christmas is Ewe! 😁🤣😂😅 Brilliant!!
Yes, absolutely. I also think those insecurities help them build a strong work ethic and a meaningful connection with their fans, despite the huge levels of stardom and fame they may achieve!
Magnificent work, Andy! Frankly, I'd always wanted to hear the backstory of this song, but never looked it up! You answered all the questions I had....I've always considered her song one of the best "modern" Christmas songs that could easily win the Contemporary-Christmas-Song-Most-Likely-to-Be-Played-in-Malls-a-Century-From-Now Award, long after other 20- and 30-year-old attempts have retired to the yawn-heap!
Your photos are incredible! I always like to guess what's happening (in star pix) just out of camera range: She's surrounded by her "people," I'm guessing. In photo #1️⃣, her people are cautioning you, "Andy, please don't touch the talent." In photo #2️⃣, her people are whispering, "Mariah, please be gentle with the talent." Another story could/should be told, Mr. C., on how these photos came about, and where you were....the whole shebang! In the meantime, I'll be pestering my local hobby shop to get them to order me the collectible Limited Edition Andy Celati Funko Pop!
Seriously, bud, well done....if you weren't convinced before, this proves you are a fully-proficient and effective bio/factual/history music writer! Write on, I say!✌😁📝
Thank you so much, Brad. Coming from you, this means A LOT. Really glad you dug!
You made me laugh with your analysis of the pics (me, the talent? Next to her? Lol, I wish!!) but, unsurprisingly, you read the situations very well! First pic was in Vegas. Corridor after corridor escorted by a million bodyguards. At some point I start seeing her “people” (Trey Lorenz, her background singer) and I start hyperventilating. All this caveat from some assistant about not touching Mariah when, in reality, Mariah herself was super relaxed! I still managed to have a magical moment with her, when I locked eyes with hers, telling her a little bit of how mucg she means to me, and she was looking at me with sincere gratitude. She was very gracious. Second pic, two years later, in Norway (both situations were after a show). Fun fact about second pic: there was one assistant whose main job was to hold (wait for it) Mariah’s glass of red wine, from which she would take small sips between pics! 🤣 She was, again, so gracious, so humble, genuinely interested in what her fans had to say. Oh, I have so many stories... once I waited for her NINE hours outside of a hotel (here in London). She was doing “vocal rest” and took her time to come out!! The Royal Albert Hall shows were a blast (that’s where she signed one of my records, and when she put me on her Instagram story!).
Really glad you enjoyed the “making of” All I Want for Christmas... and your predictions/forecasts are (as always) so spot on! You do have a keen eye for datail, my friend!! Thanks again!
Somewhere, there's a struggling actor with a head shot, on whose back is a resume that includes this credit: "Mariah Carey's wine caddy."😂That's so cool she was so patient and authentic in caring about you! You could, if you wanted, make a multi-part series on these close encounters....let's see...."They Call the Win Mariah"? "Carey On, My Wayward Song"? There. I've got your titles. Now, stick some stories on the end of 'em! Pleeeeeeze?
🤣🤣🤣🤣 They call the WINE Mariah!! 🤣🤣🤣😅😅😂😂😂 I’m screaming! This is too good 😆😆😆 She was named after that song from Paint your Wagon, so the whole wind/wine thing makes it even funnier!
Yes, she was indeed very sweet, and quite vulnerable. You can tell she is really sensitive to what she hears and perceives. She was looking at me like she was this aspiring artist with a demo tape in her bag! Like she had never been told she was good... I think her insecurities make her quite approachable and “human”, if you will, despite all that entourage and glamour around her!
By Jove, now you've got it!
Those insecurities are with (and sometimes consume) many artists, including the massive ones, like her. It's those good ones (like her) that can put aside all that glitz'n'glamour, prestige and privilege, and be authentic with their fans. They've been there.
If you're game for a little good-natured Mariah parody fiction, you could fashion a story around a little-girl Mariah, growing up on a farm, with her lone Yuletide wish being that Santa bring her nothing but farm animals. All of which, of course, prompts her to write the enduring classic, "All I Want For Christmas is Ewe." Will she be herd by Santa?
Now I am screaming even more! 🤣🤣😂😂😅 All I Want for Christmas is Ewe! 😁🤣😂😅 Brilliant!!
Yes, absolutely. I also think those insecurities help them build a strong work ethic and a meaningful connection with their fans, despite the huge levels of stardom and fame they may achieve!
Great article spoken like a true lamb 🐑, something I know do well . This is Gold . 🦋✨
Thanks a lot, David! Means a lot to me. Glad you emjoyed!