'The Littlest Star' Returns With New Single by Nashville Singer-Songwriter Chuck Whiting

 

     NASHVILLE — “The Littlest Star” is shining again with the release of a new single by Nashville singer-songwriter Chuck Whiting.

    The classic holiday tune was first recorded by country legend Margo Smith in 2000. It hit several singles charts and continues to be heard every Christmas season on radio and online media platforms.

    “Writers of a dear song sometimes want to release their own versions,” said Whiting, who recorded “The Littlest Star” at Nashville’s Eastside Sound in November 2021. “It’s a wonderful feeling to bring the music and story back to life. I loved working on it again.”

"The Littlest Star" book cover (artwork by Robert Roberg)

    The original “The Littlest Star: a musical story” features an EP with performances by Smith, Grammy-nominated guitarist Denny Jiosa, and Nashville Chamber violinist Conni Ellisor. The hard cover book features original artwork by Smithsonian-exhibited American folk artist Robert Roberg, who also co-wrote the song with Whiting. A play based on the book has been developed for future staging. The CD and book are distributed by Shine Time Records and Books.

    The story centers on The Littlest Star, the tiniest star of all. All of the other stars were dispatched on their missions, but he was left in God’s pocket all alone. Finally, after thousands of years, he was polished up and sent out on the most important mission in the Universe.

'The Littlest Star' video (By Chuck Whiting)

    “It’s a very moving tale that combines fantasy with truth,” Whiting added. “Various books, songs and plays based on the same theme have been released since we first introduced the song and book in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The story is deeply touching and needs to be told.”

    The latest single features performances by violinist/mandolinist Myles Thompson, vocalist/guitarist/studio engineer Angel Pontier, and vocalist Katie Brooks. 

Bethlehem (artwork by Robert Roberg)

    “The Littlest Star (A Christmas Story)” can be heard for free on YouTube and other online media platforms. The song is published by Striking Moon Music (ASCAP) in Nashville.

    Listeners can follow Chuck Whiting on Instagram and Facebook @Chuck.Whiting and @MusicCityArts. 

Don't Be Blue (artwork by Robert Roberg)

Recognizing 'Littlest Stars' of All Ages...

Our new blog, Littlest Star Stories, will feature heartfelt stories about the accomplishments of little stars around the world.  For us, this idea began with a song (The Littlest Star)... later a beautiful full-color storybook for children (The Littlest Star: a musical story).  Way back in the 1980s, Chuck Whiting and Robert Roberg teamed up to write a song about a miracle that changed the world.  After much hard work, the two collaborated on a studio recording featuring Margo Smith, Denny Jiosa and Conni Ellisor.  Several years later, our little book was released.  The Littlest Star shines a little brighter every time a life-changing miracle occurs.

We would love for you to share your miracle stories with us!  We will consider your good news for this blog.

Here's some good news about our project:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (2014) -- The Littlest Star: A Musical Story, a 40-page hardback children's picture book (ISBN: 0-9712398-0-0) based on country singing legend Margo Smith's hit single, The Littlest Star, is available for the 2012 holiday season.

The Littlest Star: A Musical Story contains full-color illustrations by Robert Roberg, a noted artist in Gainesville, Fla., whose work recently was spotlighted in a touring American folk art exhibition sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution. The collector's autographed edition includes a complimentary CD featuring Smith's radio-charting single, The Littlest Star, and bonus material by Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist Denny Jiosa and Nashville Chamber violinist Conni Ellisor. Special discount prices are available by contacting Shine Time Books and Music.

To learn more, call The Littlest Star/Shine Time Hotline at (888) 80-SHINE (888-807-4463) or (615) 242-9857; send an e-mail inquiry to info@ShineTimeBooks.com; or write The Littlest Star in care of Shine Time Records & Books, P.O. Box 331941, Nashville, TN 37203-7518. Internet surfers also can visit The Littlest Star web site at http://www.littleststar.com or http://www.ShineTimeBooks.com . The book and CD are also available online at web sites such as Amazon, CD Baby, Barnes and Noble, and the Orchard.

Our Littlest Star book, CD and musical storytelling program were developed for children of all ages," said Chuck Whiting, a Nashville publicist and tunesmith who wrote the song with Roberg back in 1988. "Much like the story's title character, our project spent years in God's pocket, waiting for its time to shine. We believe the book and CD will be invaluable encouragement and teaching tools for parents, teachers, lay leaders and many others."

Margo Smith has recorded numerous country and gospel hits. She gained international fame with the number one Warner Brothers hits, Don't Break The Heart That Loves You and It Only Hurts For A Little While. 

A native of Spokane, Wash., Roberg's artwork also has appeared in books published by Abbeville Press and the United Methodist Publishing House. One of his paintings is currently on display at the National Museum of Biblical Art in New York City. The painting recently was featured on the front page of The New York Times. 

A native of Mobile, Ala., Whiting owns Nashville-based Whiting Publicity & Promotions and Striking Moon Music. He teaches communication courses at Middle Tennessee State University and Motlow State Community College.

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