Bill Leslie releases new Christmas CD

Posted: December 8, 2011

WRAL anchor Bill Leslie has released a new Christmas CD, "A Midnight Clear: Christmas in Mitford," which includes 16 traditional and original Christmas songs inspired by author Jan Karon's best-selling Mitford series.

Bill will play a few songs from the new album and talk about the CD at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh this Saturday at 7 p.m.

He also created a video, "December Dance," with music from the album, which was inspired by his own memories of a Christmas Eve church dance in Western North Carolina where he grew up. The video features watercolors from Greensboro artist William Mangum.

“William graciously allowed us to use some of his art work to help capture the mood of mythical Mitford,” Bill said.

Bill says the music features “a strong cast of guest musicians, (including) mandolinist John Santa. John volunteered himself for this CD, and I am glad he did. He said, ‘Every Christmas album needs a Santa!’”

Bill previously released a Christmas album called "Christmas in Carolina" in 2005, which went to No. 2 on the charts. You can see a full list of his releases here.

*Thanks to Bill Leslie & Andrea Osborne for this story.

9 Comments

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Great music.....and would make a nice Christmas gift to anyone...

dollibug
December 9, 2011 12:53 p.m.

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I was supposed to get it in the mail. Now I'm kinda sad that I never did.

maadkowz
December 8, 2011 11:38 p.m.

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All I can say is that if Bill was rude to anyone, they must have been really obnoxious!!!

PAINFREE
December 8, 2011 11:00 p.m.

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Doreen I have to disagree.

I'm a Raleigh local and have had the chance to interact with Bill a few times. The smile he has on camera is the same you'll see in person.

He visited the restaurant I worked at many years ago and lost his wallet in the parking lot. We called the station to let him know. When he showed to pick it up he proceeded to give all the money in the wallet to the server who called him. Pretty stand up guy in my opinion.

mjdaniels24
December 8, 2011 6:24 p.m.

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"Sorry, You won't see me purchasing his CD, Had a chance to meet Bill, very rude man!"

Give yourself some pause here.

A lot of folks in media can seem that way at times with good reason, because they're bothered too often by folks at inopportune times. I can only imagine that his neighbors will tell you that 'what you see is what you get.'

They have their own lives, and don't need the intrusion any more than you do. Too many folks are under the misguided notion that they have some right to bother others just because of the job they do. It's no different than running into your doctor somewhere and start asking about ailments.

Would you want a lot of people flocking to your table at a restaurant, for instance, just calling more attention to you? I know I would not.

That said, I want Bill to do a rock 'n' roll CD, and I'd be glad to help ! (disclosure: I don't know Bill personally).

davidgnews
December 8, 2011 5:40 p.m.

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Sorry, You won't see me purchasing his CD, Had a chance to meet Bill, very rude man!

doreensmith79
December 8, 2011 3:41 p.m.

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Excellent music! I've been playing my cd since getting it at the state fair. This is the kind of music that Christmas should be about.

wdwbmw
December 8, 2011 3:39 p.m.

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It is wonderful. You can hear it here: http://www.billleslie.com/listen.htm

Bill's group is performing in Holly Springs December 17 as well.

Chairman of the Bored
December 8, 2011 3:18 p.m.

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This album is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!! The music is beautiful and very relaxing. It is a great addition to anyone's Christmas music collection. Congratulations, Bill!!