Every once in a while something happens that captures the true spirit of Christmas. 

This is the story of an incredibly beautiful record called “Christmas in Cleveland.”

Dick Wooley taught music in the Shaker Heights Schools from 1952 to 1961.  At that time, the salary for teachers was marginal at best.  With a growing family, he decided to leave teaching and pursue something that might offer a little more financial opportunity. 

A graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music degree and a M.A. in Music Theory from Western Reserve University, he learned, after a testing session with noted professional career counselor, Dr. Walt Nosal of John Carroll University, that he had a remarkable natural aptitude for engineering. Shortly after this discovery, he met with Hal Lynn, a friend and prominent Cleveland band leader and booker. Hal introduced him to Mel Verni who owned Delta Records of Chicago. Verni encouraged Dick to start up his own company as Delta Records of Ohio.  

The keys to a successful startup are credibility and exposure.  Wooley needed to create a record that would do both, quickly. He decided to produce and publish a record featuring greater Cleveland high school choirs singing Christmas carols.

Through his music contacts he enlisted the help of several influential people. Evelyn Sabol was the Supervisor of Music for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese Schools. She, Mr. T.R. Evans, Supervisor of Music in the Lakewood Schools and Ernest Manring, Supervising Director of Music for the Cleveland Schools helped Dick select the schools to be invited to participate.

Then Wooley added another, very innovative and thoughtful twist. All of the net proceeds of the record would benefit a charity. After several cold calls, he talked with Bill Townsend of the Society for Crippled Children (now renamed the Achievement Centers for Children). They embraced the idea and the marathon began.

Wooley purchased the necessary microphones and recording equipment, the schools were contacted and each choir started rehearsing their chosen Christmas carol.  This was in the fall of 1961. In twelve days, Wooley recorded all sixteen songs. He traveled from school to school to minimize the disruption for the students. In order to obtain the best acoustics, he recorded the songs in the school auditoriums or nearby churches.

The tapes were sent to Columbia Custom Records in Terre Haute, Indiana so the records could be pressed, packaged and distributed in December of 1961. It was a limited run of about 2,000 copies.

The record was greeted with great anticipation and enthusiasm.  Lynn Sheldon, better known as TV's kid show celebrity Barnaby, included the songs on his Channel 3 show.  The Plain Dealer published a very positive review. Copies of two articles are on this website. The record sold out within days of being released.

Wooley’s business prospered and he produced many custom records for local schools. Eventually, Dick accepted a position with Century Records in California and sold his company to Jack Renner who, together with Bob Woods developed the company into the prominently  successful Telarc Records.

Returning from California, Wooley subsequently started a freelance music creation and production company, Dick Wooley Music Productions. He composed many music jingles for various companies and organizations including the Playhouse Square and the ubiquitous "Patio Enclosures." He evolved into "resident composer" for many Sea World shows and exhibits and was active as trombonist and conductor for Cleveland theaters.

Decades later, after a twenty year battle with lung problems, he recovered and at age 75 founded the Cleveland TOPS (ToughOldPros!) Swingband of 20 musicians and singers who entertain at many senior retirement facilities. He retired from the band after seven years but it continues as part of his legacy.

Sadly, Dick passed away on March 16, 2015.

The essence of Christmas is to share with others. Through the production of his very first record, “Christmas in Cleveland,” Dick Wooley shared these beautiful voices of Cleveland in such a way that we could enjoy them, year after year.  In the process, he helped a very worthy charity. We are very indebted to you Mr. Dick Wooley! Thank you!