The SPIRIT OF THE SEASON REACHES MAXIMUM SPARKLE DURING MARIAH CARY’S HOLIDAY TOUR

by Jon Domenick

Among the world’s most popular and best selling songs is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” a holiday staple since it was released in 1994. This year, the Carey co written (along with Walter Afanasieff ) hit morphs from romantic light rock ballad to a children’s tune to help tell the tale of a young Mariah who craves a puppy. The new animated film of the same name, narrated by the recording artist, was released on BluRay, DVD, and online streaming in November.

Adult fans can soak in the song’s original, more sensuous vibe during the Grammy winner’s “Mariah Carey Live” Christmas World Tour concert series that began in mid November. The 48 year old is scheduled to perform at the Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City on November 25, followed by four nights at New York City’s Beacon Theatre (November 27 and 28, and December 4 and 5). Other locales include Chicago, Niagara Falls, and casinos in Ohio and, appropriately, Bethlehem, PA.

Carey is the best selling female artist of all time, selling more than 220 million records. She has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, and 14 Billboard Music Awards, among other accolades. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is her biggest selling tune, with over 14 million copies sold and counting. Born in 1970 on Long Island to a Venezuelan aeronautical engineer and a voice coach and opera singer (the name Carey was adopted by her grandfather, Francisco Núñez, after he immigrating to New York), Carey’s voice famously spans five octaves. (She started singing lessons at age four.)

After graduating from Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, New York, Carey moved to Manhattan where she worked as a waitress and coat check girl. She studied cosmetology while writing songs and pursuing her music career, and breaks began at age 18, after she and friend and fellow songstress, Brenda K. Starr, attended a CBS Records party with demo tapes in hand. The recordings found industry titan (and future Carey spouse) Tommy Mottola, and the rest is musical history. Her first and self titled album was released in 1990, generating four number one singles, and there have been thirteen more albums since. She has worked with the music industry’s top luminaries, including Sean Combs and Whitney Houston, was a judge for American Idol’s twelfth season, and has appeared in thirteen films and numerous television series and specials.

Mariah Carey
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