Just the thought and anticipation of Michael Buble’s new Christmas album, “Christmas”, makes me want to deck my halls with boughs of holly in August.

And, even more exciting is this news from Michael’s Official Website:

“To celebrate the release of Michael’s upcoming Christmas album, he will be headlining his first network television variety special on NBC in December. Produced by Ben Silverman (“The Office,” “Ugly Betty”) and Lorne Michaels (NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock”), the one-hour special will feature Michael as he performs hits from his latest Christmas album combined with sketch comedy segments. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!”

Finally, a Christmas special I can relate to! December used to be chock full of these specials so I hope we see more of them in the future.

Michael is one of my favorite vocalists on this planet. His communicative and expressive golden voice is something that we don’t hear and see too often in today’s music.

Michael doesn’t need gimmicks, tricks, smoke or mirrors to sell his music on stage. His captivating and charming personality, combined with his seamless, velvet vocal quality, captures the hearts and minds of his listeners time and time again.

Personally, I could listen to his CDs all day and never get bored. I always find new and exciting vocal nuggets tucked inside each track, which I relay to the singers whom I coach. He is an exceptional role model for aspiring young singers everywhere.

Singing from your heart and then wearing your heart on your sleeve is what inspires and Michael has always demonstrated this very fact from Day One.

Congratulations Michael and, from all of us here in the MCL Community, thank you for being such a reassuring and genuine presence in the music industry.

So, how many of you will be purchasing multiple copies of Michael’s CD? I can’t think of a better gift.

While vacationing in Florida in March, I was out for my daily walk ( as if 14 hours of the Magic Kingdom wasn’t enough) and decided to access a song or two on my IPod App.

I discovered that The Buble’s “Hollywood” is the perfect tempo for a brisk walking pace. It’s catchy 4/4 rhythm is absolutely contagious and the lyrics are a fun listen.

However, we can’t discount Michael’s crystal clear, nuanced voice in this process. He makes every song sound like an intimate experience he is sharing with you.

He articulates his words with precision and expression and his voice wraps so easily and effortlessly around the melody line.

But, most important, those 40 – 45 minutes just breeze by and before you know it, I have burned a couple of 100 calories or so. Thanks Michael.

What about you? Whose music makes you want to exercise ’til the cows come home? Please share!

Rosanne Simunovic AKA Masterclass Lady

Happy New Year everyone! And I would like to thank you for your patience and support during my self-imposed hiatus from MasterclassLady.Com.

Your dedication to the MCL site has been deeply appreciated and I tremendously value your generous and educational feedback. I am feeling much better and thank all of you for your prayers and concern. I hope that the New Year brings health, prosperity and happiness to each and every one of you.

I have been watching the successful journey of so many of my favorite artists, including Michael Buble, David Archuleta, The Canadian Tenors, David Cook, Jason Castro, Jaydee Bixby, Katharine McPhee and Adam Lambert. I do plan to devote more time to these artists in future blog topics but, for now, I would like to give them a standing “0″ for their enormous success during 2010.

I am also anticipating the premiere of Season 10 of American Idol, scheduled for Wednesday, January 19th. I plan to walk into this year’s show with my eyes wide open and give the new format of judges an opportunity to carve their niche during the course of the season. I am hoping and praying that the vocal talent is exceptional, mirroring the enormous success of Season 7.

So, I look forward to your comments. Rest assured that, over the course of the next few weeks, I will be making some new changes to this site and adding new blog topics for your reading enjoyment.

Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance

American Idol Season 7 Top 2 Finalist, David Archuleta, is releasing his first book, a memoir of his musical and personal journey to date, on June 1st!

I know I will be purchasing this book. David has so much to offer  - his enormous vocal talent combined with his genuine strength of character is a rarity in the music business.

Sometimes when I watch the music award shows, the polluted musical nonsense  masquerading as “freedom of art and expression” is enough to make me cringe.

Is the ability to plant your two feet on stage and just sing from your heart becoming a lost art?

Oh wait, David Archuleta can do this!  Jason Castro can do this, David Cook can as well and so can Michael Buble and Josh Groban.

And, let’s not forget Britain’s Got Talent winner, Susan Boyle, who’s first CD out-sold everyone’s CD during the Christmas/Holiday season.

Thankfully, there is light at the end of the dark tunnel as many more pure and true vocal artists begin to emerge and thus discovered, hopefully marking an end the to flash in the pan music stars and their equally flash in the pan songs.

So, in the spirit of musical excellence, I truly hope that everyone rushes out and purchases many copies of this book to give as gifts. David Archuleta is a rare gem and I ache for the day when I can see vocal excellence comparable to his on live television once again.

Pre-Order is available on Amazon now!

Below, you will find a glorious performance of Katharine in concert with the incredibly talented Chris Botti. Performing the classic I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, I have to say that Katharine has evolved into an exquisitely refined and sophisticated performer.

Additionally, her artistry, in combination with her impeccable vocals, is just a joy to hear and see. She is so talented and so comfortable immersed in music from the big band era and, yet, she seems so current and fresh.

She is a distinctive artist who definitely adds her feminine magic to this genre as Michael Buble does through his masculine charisma. Both artists are contemporary in their approach to this music and, thus, have transformed, elevated and popularized this style of music, attracting new listeners – both young and old.

Also, check out how Chris Botti drools over Katharine, particularly at the beginning of this song. Too funny!

Leon Jackson, who will be 20 at the end of December, is certainly one to watch. Beautiful voice and genuine artistry! 

Michael Buble was so impressed with him during his X-Factor mentoring session, that he invited Leon to share the stage with him at Wembley Arena last year. That’s my Michael. What a sweetheart!

Thanks Wadahoot for the “heads-up” on this video.