An annual Nashville, TN musical tradition, Grammy-winner Mike Farris’ annual "Soul of Christmas" shows have several things that set them apart from the rest, but one of the more obvious parts is what he calls the “Fam Jam,” which is when the whole show runs off the Christmas-theme track and rolls full stop into party town.
"Fam Jam" is all about accentuating F.U.N. with the band pulling out a rapid-fire medley of funk, disco and rock guilty pleasures. And this is where we find the origins of Farris’ new holiday single," Havana Santa." After Farris and his 13-piece holiday band featured a Marc Anthony hit one year, his wife, Julie, insisted Mike write a Latin-style Christmas song.
The musicians are all long-time Mike Farris collaborators and includes six Grammy award winners among them: Derrek Phillips (drums), Dave Roe (bass), Kenny Greenberg (guitars), Kevin Mckendree (piano/hammond organ), Giovanni Rodriguez (percussion), Jim Hoke (tenor and baritone sax/accordian), Steve Hermann (trumpet), Yates Mckendree (bass), Saunya Clayborn (singer), Samson White (singer), additional singers are Dave Roe, Giovanni Rodriguez, Jamie-Sue Seal, Cassidy Zuver, Derrek Phillips and Kenny Greenberg.
Mike says: “The whole approach to writing "Havana Santa" was the same approach to the Soul of Christmas shows, and that is to bring maximum amounts of fun to the holiday season and to just fill the season with great memories and cheek numbing joy!!”
"Sultry and swingin' with scorching horns, Mike Farris leans into something new for Christmas. 'Havana Santa' is irresistible!" —Jessie Scott, Program Director WMOT Nashville
“There aren’t many current male singers who use their voices to soar, float and deliver material with the spiritual commitment of Mike Farris.”—American Songwriter
“Surely, there are few artists whose persona belies their music more than Mike. Out of this diminutive, self-described southern boy comes an extraordinary soulful voice with a range, talent, and emotions that make him seem possessed.”
—Terry Stewart, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
“Mike Farris' Nashville Christmas concerts have soul.” —The Tennessean
"HAVANA SANTA"
Everybody come along with me
For a Christmas by the sea
Don't need a coat, you don't need your shoes
We're gonna mambo away these Christmas blues
Havana Santa has a real fine flare
Rhythm in his feet and a red Bel-Air
And he drives it all over town
Singin' 'Everybody join the chorus now!'
Everybody! (Hey!)
Everybody! (Hey!)
Tell somebody! (Hey!)
Havana Santa’s on his way!
Havana Santa’s bag is full of sand
He plays the conga in a mambo band
The only gifts that you'll ever receive
Is when your feet start jumpin' to that mambo beat
Everybody! (Hey!)
Everybody! (Hey!)
Tell somebody! (Hey!)
Havana Santa’s on his way!
Don't mistake him with his North Pole brother with the sleigh
He's the cat's pajams
He's a rum-and-Coca-Cola-and-Cohiba kinda man
Everybody come along with me
For a Christmas by the sea
I know you're really gonna lose your mind
When ya hear Havana Santa say, 'one more time!'
Everybody! (Hey!)
Everybody! (Hey!)
Tell somebody! (Hey!)
Havana Santa's on his way!
