Riding by Christmas Lights brings holiday cheer for a great cause. New song debuts at Boat Parade of Lights December 9 at Lanier Islands
By Pamela A. Keene – Lakeside News
For his special-needs son’s 16th birthday two years ago, singer-songwriter Chip Hullender traded his motorcycle for a golf cart. That fall of 2015, they rode through their Canton neighborhood all fall and when the Christmas lights dotted the houses and lawns, they’d spend time looking at the lights and singing Christmas carols.
“I kept having this feeling that the world needed a new Christmas song, and that’s just what happened from our rides,” Hullender said. “The words and the timing of Riding by Christmas Lights were born on those rides.”
In 2016 the idea was shared with Stuart Settles, owner of Carrot Igloo Inc. recording studio in Woodstock where he added keyboards, engineered and produced the song. Settles was joined by Steve Stone from the Atlanta Rhythm Section, who played guitars, banjo, mandolin and dobro. Rodney Mills of Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special mastered the recording.
Others joined in production and performing, including singer Mary Beth Benson from Cartersville, Luke Berryhill and even son Dawson, who plays the sleigh bells and triangle.
He needed Santa to complete the package, and remembered his friend Derek Dugan from their days at “Full Throttle” motorcycle magazine.
“One day last fall Chip called me and we reconnected,” Dugan said. “He told me the story of ‘Riding by Christmas Lights,’ and wanted to do the video with Santa.”
Not only was Dugan Santa in the video, he also designed the CD package. The two plan further collaborations.
The song will be played on the Hennessey Transportation entry in the Boat Parade of Lights and on the van that Boat Parade of Lights ride to tour Magical Nights of Lights on December 9.
The proceeds from “Riding by Christmas Lights” go to a good long-term cause. “Brandi (Hullender’s wife/Dawson’s mom) and I want to build a community – not just a home, but a whole community – for adults with disabilities with their caregivers living nearby and surrounding them with love and support. We envision health care professionals, teachers, therapists and others who can live their own lives but provide the care special-needs adults require.
“It’s the one thing that keeps both Brandi and me up at night,” Hullender said. “We want to know that after we’re gone Dawson and others will have a safe, loving supportive community to surround them.”
