Johnny Mathis to perform holiday show at MPAC

Johnny Mathis is celebrating his 68th year in the music industry with a special holiday performance at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
On Dec. 7, the Grammy-nominated artist will sing his greatest holiday hits, romantic ballads, and personal favorites in a variety of musical styles.
Known as “The Voice of Christmas,” Mathis has recorded close to 80 albums, including six Christmas albums, and sold millions of records worldwide over his extensive career. Some of his most popular songs include “Chances Are,” “Misty,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”
Mathis’ love for music began at a young age, learning his first song “My Blue Heaven” from his father. At age 8, he watched his father dismantle an old upright piano to fit it into their small San Francisco apartment. “Those are the memories I have when I sing these Christmas songs,” Mathis said. “And then to get lucky and fortunate enough to have (the songs) become staples every year for the listening public – it’s just everything that I ever dreamed of, because it brings back their memory to me every time I hear them.”
In addition to his musical achievements, Mathis has received numerous accolades including five Grammy nominations, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, induction into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame in 2014, and a Lifetime Achievement award from the mayor of Los Angeles in 2017.
At 87 years old, Mathis has no plans of slowing down. “I don’t think about retiring,” he said. “I think about how I can keep singing for the rest of my life. I just have to pace myself.”
The holiday performance at MPAC, located at 100 South St. in Morristown, will also feature comedian Brad Upton as the opening act. The performance will start at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $69 to $169 and can be purchased online at mayoarts.org or by calling the box office at 973-539-8008.
* * *
Submit Morris County community news to [email protected].
———
Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.