Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Again): Debbie Wileman’s Dazzling Tribute to Judy Garland
The holidays have arrived, and with them, a gift for classic Hollywood and Christmas music fans alike: “A Christmas Garland,” the sparkling new album from beloved singer and Judy Garland impersonator, Debbie Wileman. It’s an album that has been over fifty years in the making, imagining the festive record the incomparable Garland never got the chance to create herself.
Wileman, known for her uncanny ability to embody Garland’s distinctive voice and deep-seated emotionality, channels the spirit of the icon into a sophisticated collection of both timeless and modern Christmas favorites.
A Long-Awaited Christmas Wish
“It’s always been surprising, and a little disappointing, that Judy never recorded a full Christmas album,” Wileman shares. “Creating this record was my chance to imagine what it might have sounded like, and to bring Judy’s magic to some of the more modern Christmas favorites she never had the chance to sing.”
The result is a warm, nostalgic, and utterly glamorous listening experience. Produced by Scott Stander with lush, sweeping orchestrations by Steve Orich (the renowned arranger behind Broadway’s Jersey Boys album), A Christmas Garland transports listeners to the golden age of Hollywood while embracing contemporary flair.
The track list is a joyful blend of eras, moving seamlessly from standards like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to unexpected modern classics all reimagined through Garland’s unmistakable lens. Hear what a 1950s Judy Garland might have done with the exuberance of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” or the melancholy synth-pop of Wham!’s “Last Christmas.”
Hollywood Legends and Poignant Tributes
The album is elevated by two extraordinary special guests.
One of the most touching duets on the record is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” featuring Oscar-winning actress Margaret O’Brien. O’Brien, of course, originally sang the holiday staple with Garland in the 1944 classic, Meet Me in St. Louis.
“Having Margaret on this album is such a thrill,” says Wileman. “She’s a true Hollywood legend and a lovely lady to boot.”
The album also features a unique rendition of “Little Drummer Boy – Peace on Earth,” a touching collaboration with legendary rock and roll icon, Pat Boone.
Beyond the starry duets, Wileman also uses the album to honor the deep emotionality that was a signature of Garland’s life and career. She includes two rarely heard songs by composer John Meyer, who befriended Wileman before his passing. One is the poignant “After the Holidays,” a song Meyer wrote for Garland that she performed on The Tonight Show but never officially recorded—until now.
Wileman also features his heartfelt work, “When Do the Words Come True.” “John told me he wrote it on the day of Judy’s funeral,” Wileman reveals. “He said it was everything he thought she felt. Recording it was my way of honoring him and Judy both.”
Spreading Hope on the Road
Channeling Garland’s enduring spirit of hope and resilience, one of the album’s finale numbers is aptly titled “We Need a Little Medley.”
“Many of us are going through troubling times,” Wileman reflects. “Music can be so healing and helpful in bringing joy and cheer, which is what we all want at Christmas.”
Fans eager to experience the magic live will have the chance this December as Wileman embarks on her multi-city “We Need a Little Christmas Tour.” Also produced by Scott Stander, each stop promises an enchanting evening that blends storytelling, humor, and, of course, Wileman’s incredible vocal performance.
“Every show will be a little different,” Wileman promises. “I love chatting with people, sharing tidbits, having a laugh, and, of course, singing my guts out!”
With orchestral arrangements that shimmer with nostalgia and a voice that beautifully captures the heart and humanity of Judy Garland, A Christmas Garland is a heartfelt gift of comfort and joy, one that Judy herself would surely have approved of.
