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"What a Wonderful World" is a ballad written by Bob Thiele (as "George Douglas") and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single.

Weiss crafted the song specifically for Armstrong, as Weiss was inspired by Armstrong's ability to bring people of different races together. At the time, Armstrong was signed to ABC Records in America. The song was not initially a hit in the United States, as ABC head Larry Newton did not like the song and therefore did not promote it, despite it becoming a #1 hit in the UK. The song gradually became something of a standard and reached new levels of popularity through other singers and uses in films and television.

In 1988, Armstrong's recording appeared in the film Good Morning, Vietnam (despite the film being set in 1965 — two years before it was recorded) and was re-released as a single, hitting No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was around that time I heard the song on the radio. During times of stress, the song ministered to me.

Years later, particularly after hearing Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole's version (in the film FINDING FORRESTER), I adapted it into my own set, adding Iz's reggae verve and picking up the tempo. I've been playing it in my solo set since the late 90s.

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from BY REQUEST: CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO & MORE FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK, released September 21, 2018

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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