A HOLIDAY CLASSIC: THE POIGNANT, BEAUTIFUL SINGLE
"SOMEONE IS MISSING AT CHRISTMAS"
OFFERS HOPE AND INSPIRATION TO THOUSANDS WHO ARE GRIEVING
OR ARE SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES AS THE SEASON APPROACHES
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Written by Radio and Television Veteran John C. Chaffee and Sung By Anne Cochran (Famed For Her Recordings and Concerts With Pianist Jim Brickman), The Song Was a Top 15 Adult Contemporary Hit in 2005 And Was Played On Over 150 All-Christmas Radio Stations Last Year
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A Portion Of The Proceeds >From “Someone Is Missing At Christmas” Is Earmarked For Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Organizations, As A Tribute To Chaffee's Late Sister Lyn, Who Battled Both Diseases

With the holidays fast approaching, millions of people throughout the world are preparing for another season filled with the spirit of sharing joy, peace and laughter with loved ones. But for those who have recently lost people in their lives—or who are separated from their family members and friends by emotional or physical miles or wars halfway around the world—November and December can be a time of great sadness when it hits home that this year, “Someone Is Missing At Christmas.”

A true holiday classic, “Someone Is Missing At Christmas” is an emotionally gripping song whose moving melody and touching lyrics offer empathy, hope and inspiration to anyone who is grieving the recent passing of someone close to them or who is separated from a person they love.

Written by Cleveland based songwriter John C. Chaffee, Jr. in 2003 upon the death of his just turned 62-year-old sister Lyn—a 21 year breast cancer survivor--from ovarian cancer, “Someone…,” featuring the warm and heartfelt vocals of singer Anne Cochran , has become  a cherished modern holiday classic since its release to radio and retail in 2005.

Hitting the Top 15 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in December 2005, the song, which was played on over 100 radio stations devoted to an All-Christmas format, spent three weeks alongside seasonal hits by Kenny G, Brian Wilson, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald and Carly Simon and other popular tracks by Michael Buble, Santana and Rob Thomas.

The week “Someone Is Missing At Christmas” peaked at #11, the top song on the chart was Jim Brickman's “Beautiful.” Cochran, who has performed live with the popular romantic pianist for years and had an AC hit with him in 1998 called “After All These Years,” performed “Someone…” live throughout their Christmas tour. She also re-released her own Christmas album This Is The Season with the new track.  The album was released to retail outlets throughout the country and is available online at Amazon.com.

In 2006, it received airplay on over 150 All-Christmas formatted radio stations throughout the country.

Chaffee made the song available for purchase on his website, www.patriciamusic.com , and it also appeared as one of three new cuts on the 15-song compilation Coming Home For Christmas on Sony Legacy. Other artists on the collection included Brickman, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant, Lonestar, Kenny Loggins, Olivia Newton-John and Michael W. Smith. The song is also available for digital download on over 40 web sites, including Emusic, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Sony Connect, Liquid Digital Media and iTunes .

In honor of Chaffee's late sister Lyn, a portion of the proceeds from “Someone Is Missing At Christmas” is earmarked for breast cancer and ovarian cancer organizations. After Lyn had survived her breast cancer for so long, the Chaffees were stunned when she passed away just a month after receiving her diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and two days past her birthday. The song came to Chaffee, who launched his nearly 40 year career in radio and TV (working his way up to President of the Cleveland based Malrite Communications) as a copywriter, in a reflective moment of inspiration.

“When we lose someone or are separated from someone close to us, there's this tremendous burden of sadness no matter what time of year it is,” says Chaffee. “At Christmas, when families and friends usually gather for what should be a festive occasion, the hole is magnified. This song is meant to say it's not wrong or a bad thing to be sad, but truly, when you think about it, your loved one is not gone if you always carry that person in your heart. That's the hopeful twist that happens towards the end of the song, when Anne sings, ‘wait, someone is touching my heart.' Then, truly, ‘Someone is With Me At Christmas.'”

Beyond widespread critical acclaim for the song, Chaffee has been touched over the past two years by the loving responses the song has elicited from listeners on retail websites like CD Baby. In many cases, it prompts them to share with the songwriter their own personal experiences.

Calling “Someone…” “emotional and moving,” Charlotte Amenti writes, “I just lost my sister-in-law from cancer in September and then a month and three days later lost my brother, her husband, in a car accident. This Christmas is going to be a hard one without the both of them, but knowing they are both together as husband and wife in heaven is enough to know they are happy again. I just heard the tail end of this song for the first time and without hearing the whole song still left me in tears. Thank you for reminding us that our loved ones are still hear with us and always will be, in our hearts.”

Robin Juhl says, “I heard this song for the first time today. My Daddy died just over two years ago and it feels like so much less time has passed than that. I loved this song when I heard it. I was in my car leaving Sam's Club and was in tears. It fits sooo well. Thank you so much for writing and releasing this. It will help my family greatly this year, as it will many, many others!!!”

Mary Ellen Mahlstedt: “I really love this song. My husband died suddenly at Christmas this past year. I was crying as I drove home from work listening to it, I wish I had a replay button in my car. I am so happy to have heard it. It was making me feel like he was with me in the car with me. I just purchased several CDs that I can share this with family and friends.

Lori, who “cries listening to this song,” adds, “The someone I miss is my baby that never got to be born, I miscarried. My child should have been born just days before Christmas and so to me someone really is missing at Christmas. I cry when I hear the song because it makes me remember. It really is a lovely song. Thank you to all involved in making it.”

Finally, Melissa says, “It's a comforting song that will touch your heart and soul. I lost my 10-year-old son in April 2006 and this is our first Christmas without him. He loved Christmas and this song has touched me like no other one has.

Chaffee's belief in the power of the song to touch and heal people's hearts drives him every year to both pitch it to more recording artists and promote the original version to some of the U.S.'s most influential pop Christmas stations. He is appreciative and humbled by the outpouring of love “Someone Is Missing At Christmas” has received and simply wants to keep sharing it with a wider audience over time.

“I'm so touched when people tell me that the song I wrote to help comfort my brother and three sisters after Lyn passed away has also comforted them,” he adds. “I'm gratified by the universal way its lyrics have touched so many in their unique circumstances, but in a special way, maybe it also comforts me. I am overwhelmed by the heartfelt response to this song. It has helped me. I hope it helps you!”