Listeners will be able to hear “(I Long for) An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” the latest Christmas tune written by songwriting duo Jack Servello (left) of Huntingdon and Bill Dann of Tyrone, locally and on radio streaming services during the holiday season. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

When 52-year veteran radio broadcaster Bill Cain heard a new Christmas song by an area songwriting team, he thought it was “something special” and is doing his part to make it a national hit.

Bill Dann and Jack Servello’s new Christmas song “(I Long For) An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” evokes happy memories of a simpler time for those old enough to remember clear candy.

“When I heard this song, I thought, ‘This is different,'” Cain said in a telephone interview. “It has a great chord progression and a harmony in it. It reminded me of a John Denver song. It’s very professional and there is nothing amateurish about it. This is a song that could be a big hit record.”

Cain, who has worked in various capacities in large radio markets in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, New Jersey, believes the song could be a healing balm after “all the crazy election vitriol.” As a favor to the duo, he said he’s sent it to his connections at stations along the East Coast and in Florida, where it’s expected to be played once Christmas music starts after Thanksgiving.

Cain compared the song’s potential to country music star Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Gene Autry’s “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Lee’s hit, first released in 1958, topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 2023.

“Holiday music doesn’t get pigeon-holed,” Cain said. “It’s time for something new and this is something special. It’s a sweet song.”

Listeners will be able to hear the song locally and on radio streaming services, Dann said.

“It’s been a fun ride so far, and it’s only been out a couple of days. We’re thrilled with how it turned out and how it’s being received. People are hungry for nostalgia and are yearning for days when life was so much more simple,” Dann said.

“It’s a nice throwback,” said Jim Price, radio host of Q94 Classic rock and Homegrown Rocker programs. He’ll play the song on his annual Christmas special from 8 to 10 p.m. on Q94 and and on JACK FM 10 p.m to midnight. Additionally, WTRN will have the song in its holiday music rotation.

Dann, 65, of Tyrone and Servello, 62, of Huntingdon have been musical collaborators for about 17 years. It’s been about 10 years since their other seasonal song “Tonka Trucks and Tinker Toys” was released, so Dann felt it was time to try again. The idea for the song came while eating breakfast together in October.

“We were talking about how people love the nostalgic aspect of Christmas and how there aren’t many songs written like that anymore,” Dann said. “Old Fashioned Christmas” takes listeners through Dann’s memories of growing up in Bellefonte, Centre County. The song mentions popcorn balls and clear toys, as well as LifeSaver candy books and the Sears Wish Book that were once part of a child’s Christmas experience in the 1960s and 1970s.

“I started writing down what I remember from childhood,” he said, “like sledding and crashing in the snow, popcorn balls, and it all just started coming to me. Jack always manages to come up with a great melody. Even after all these years, I’m amazed at what he does. It’s incredible.”

Together, the duo have composed about 70 songs throughout the years.

“He writes like prose poetry. I make verses and a chorus out of it, and then the melody comes fairly easily,” said Servello, describing his process. “The song needed to sound old fashioned to me. There really aren’t many new Christmas classics being made. Usually, artists today come out with a remix of old songs.”

An Altoona native, Servello has a recording studio in his home, so he composes the music on his guitar, plays and records the other instruments and sings the vocals. The pair then turned to photographer and videographer/photographer Michelle Peters of Beach Creek, Clinton County, and added the visual elements to help gain interest, they said.

After posting the song on his own Facebook page and on the Blair County Happenings Facebook page, Dann said it captured more than 1,100 views in five days with many posted comments.

“This is what you write songs for — to make a connection with people,” he said. “Today people are looking for something to feel good about and to reminisce about. It’s resonating with people.”

The song and accompanying video can be found on the YouTube channel “Write You A Song.”

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.

“(I Long for) An Old-Fashioned Christmas” (Dann/Servello)

1. The falling of December snow, Bing Crosby on our stereo.

Popcorn balls and clear toys, wide eyed awe of girls and boys.

Crayon colored paper star, greetings sent from near and far.

Skating on the farmer’s pond, Sears Wish Book made a sibling bond.

2. Radio played great Christmas songs, we knew each one and sang along.

Department stores in all their splendor, the magic times I still remember.

Crashing our sleds up on the hill, hot coco would warm the chill.

Soggy mittens dripped on the floor, soon we’d be back outside for more.

Chorus:

How I long for an old-fashioned Christmas,

Give me those seasons of a simpler time.

Children’s eager eyes, searching Christmas skies.

Listening for the jingle of a sleigh.

How I long for an old-fashioned Christmas Day

3. Our house was filled with pumpkin spice,

And fresh baked cookies to entice.

Gram peeled apples for many pies, appealing to our eager eyes.

After dinner came quiet time, Daddy napped while he reclined.

Peaceful Christmas afternoons, those special times passed all too soon.

(To Chorus)

(Bridge)

By the fireplace sharing covers, feeling cozy with each other.

Candle lights and frosted window panes.

LifeSaver storybook in our stocking.

Finding our presents was always shocking.

Memories of all those years of gold.

Still gives me comfort in a world so cold.

(To Chorus)

End