The Dirksen Christmas Album

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 27, 2010 7:30PM

The Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse at 219 S. Dearborn was named after the Republican senator from Illinois, who was notable for his role in the writing and passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Open Housing Act of 1968 ... and his Christmas album (?)

The wonderful blog Cheerful Earful details his 1967 Capitol Records release: "Fortunately for us, Mr. Dirksen does not sing on this album, but rather narrates with his rather authoritative voice." Billboard's review of the album praises his "famed dulcet tones" and declares, "His recitation of 'The Night Before Christmas' is a gem."

Senator Dirksen was no stranger to the recording booth. In fact, his single "Gallant Men" made it to #29 on the Billboard charts and won a Grammy Award for Best Documentary Recording in 1968. So if (read: when) Blago decides to cut a record, you can't say there isn't precedent.