It was an intimate ceremony in Berkeley at the original Fantasy records studio to commemorate Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas going quadruple platinum. His children, Dia and David, Lee Mendelson and I received framed certificates to celebrate the occasion.

Sig Sigworth (left), Chief Catalog Officer at Concord Bicycle Music, which acquired Fantasy Records in 2004, and Bill Belmont (right), who has been with Fantasy Records since the beginning of Peanuts relationship with Fantasy pose in front of the film center.

Bill Belmont speaks about the prestige of this particular award, which is unique in the jazz world.

Lee Mendelson accepting the award and sharing some stories.

Lee tells the story of driving home from his first meeting with Sparky in Sebastopol to talk about creating a documentary. Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, he heard Vince Guaraldi ‘s ‘Cast Your Fate to the Winds‎,’ and realized that would be a perfect sound for his documentary.

One of Lee’s favorite ‘Vince stories’ is about the pianist and composer, having just stepped out of the shower, hearing a noise at the front door and stepping outside wearing only his towel ‎- and then having to break back into his own house.

 

Shelley Hogan (left), manager of music rights for Lee Mendelson Film Productions, stands next to Glenn Mendelson. Bill Belmont is to my left.

You can learn more about the 4X Platinum certification of A Charlie Brown Christmas by reading this news release from Concord Bicycle Music and Fantasy Records.

 

 

–Jean Schulz