Description:

Bawdy & Soul is the result of R. A. Christmas’ lifetime interest in American Folk and Popular music—specifically, his roughly ten-year quest (ca.1975-85) for success in the “music business,” in and around Hollywood.

In the book’s Introduction you’ll meet Bob’s several “mentors” along the way—childhood friends Doug Cox (hit-songwriter) and Jim McMichael (UC-Irvine poet-professor); his songwriting-teachers Al Kasha and Buddy Kaye; and song-plugger Artie Valando, who “discovered” Christmas early-on, and tirelessly promoted his work.

Then there are the songs—a 132 page typescript with hand-written lead-sheets—from Folk to Country to Blues to Jazz; plus Novelty songs that will crack you up.

Christmas never sold a song—possibly because his work is way too “hip” to be commercial, then or now. What’s certain is that readers and hopefully performers will be “sold” on these songs—as well they should be.