Greetings from Santa Fe in New Mexico, where the dirt is a warm pink, the sky is a turquoise blue and the phone reception is just a little bit better than Jamaican land lines after Hurricane Gilbert.

Yes, I am still here making a movie (which shall remain nameless), but forgive me I’m a little on the groggy side because my pickup this morning was 5:25 am. No matter how glamorous you think movie making is, we all usually get up with the sun and work a minimum of 12 hours a day.

By 7:35 am this morning, I was bejewelled and bedecked in a body-hugging leopard sheath complete with six-inch pumps, and as I sauntered onto the Christmas ballroom set, ready to hear the word ‘ACTION!’ I hear music. The film, which takes place during the holiday season, would not be complete without a few holiday songs. You cannot imagine the thrill I felt at seeing none other than the iconic, incomparable Johnny Mathis walking onto the set and singing Winter Wonderland. People, it is not even 8:00 am and I am living a dream!

His voice still dark and sweet like aged red rum. Even at 80 years of age, he still has the grace of a man who has not seen 60. Yes, and after spending the day talking in between shots and takes, I learned that he is a walking entertainment encyclopedia or better put, a singers Google!

The stories he shared about Nat King Cole, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra and so many more: so candid, so clear of thought, and so to the point. He answered all of my questions with patience and thought.

This year Johnny Mathis celebrates 60 years as the Voice of Romance with a tour that most teenagers couldn’t handle. He is travelling the world singing his classics Misty, Chances Are, Wonderful Wonderful, It’s Not For Me To Say, and I could go on and on with a list of songs your parents and grandparents listened to and loved. I still see his albums in my parents’ record collection.

Yes, I spent a long but wonderful day between both Johnny Mathis and Morgan Freeman on the set of the movie, which I still cannot tell you much about, except that Mr Mathis will be seen in the movie singing some of his most popular Christmas songs and you are going to love it, almost as much as you’ll love seeing me in the movie.

Well, I must end this quickly because I have another rising with the sun call time in the morning and I am really tired. This is Reel Hollywood and I am really tired!

Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress, singer, and activist with Jamaican roots. She also originated the role of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Her website: SherylLeeRalph.com; twitter: @THESHERYLRALPH; and Instagram: @DIVA3482