The ‘Bonanza’ Cast’s Forgotten Christmas Album
What To Know
- In 1963, the cast of the popular TV show Bonanza released a Christmas album called Christmas on the Ponderosa, featuring songs and dialogue that recreated a festive gathering at the Cartwright ranch.
- Each main cast member contributed unique performances, with Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Lorne Greene all taking turns on solos and storytelling tracks.
- The album has since become a piece of entertainment history, with a copy now preserved in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection.
In the good ole days of TV, you didn’t just get a chance to watch your favorite TV families week after week; they would also pop up everywhere else, too, from lunchboxes to comic books and even Christmas albums. Bonanza was one of those iconic shows that everyone seemed to love, and had a million spinoff products, including an arcade game. And in 1963, the cast even came together to release a heartwarming Christmas album called Christmas on the Ponderosa.
What was on Bonanza‘s Christmas album?
The album was issued by RCA Victor as part of a wave of merchandise tied to the show’s success. Dan Blocker, Lorne Greene, Michael Landon and Pernell Roberts all appear in character, joined by the Ken Darby Singers, and the whole thing is framed as a Christmas gathering inside the Cartwright ranch house. Neighbors drop by, toasts are raised, and bits of dialogue link the songs together, making it feel less like a standard Christmas record and more like an audio holiday special.
Each cast member brought something different to the table. Pernell Roberts stands out on his solo performance of “The Newborn King,” leaning into a gentle folk style. Michael Landon brings humor to tracks like “O Fir Tree Dear” and the novelty song “Santa Got Lost in Texas.” Dan Blocker tackles “Deck the Halls,” but his most memorable moment comes in the spoken recitation of “The First Christmas Tree,” where his storytelling voice really shines. Lorne Greene, of course, anchors the album with his deep, commanding delivery, the same voice that would later carry his surprise pop hit “Ringo.”
What makes Christmas on the Ponderosa even more fascinating today is where one copy ended up. The album is now part of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection, officially cataloged as a sound recording produced by RCA Victor. The Smithsonian’s listing reflects a 1965 pressing of the album, a reminder that popular records were often reissued as demand continued. While it is not currently on view, it sits alongside other artifacts of American entertainment history, preserved forever.
Remind 
Home For The Holidays
November 2021
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite classic stars!
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