News

Special Programming

12/9/2019

Hi All!

We're very excited to be bring back some fun shows for this weekend (and introduce a new one)!

First, we invite you to Wolfman Jack's Christmas Party! This is a two-hour Christmas special that Wolfman Jack hosted, featuring some of his own holiday thoughts and skits, along with some of his favorite seasonal songs!

You can tune in to Wolfman Jack's Christmas party Saturday night at 10:00pm (Eastern). And if you aren't able to catch it this weekend, we'll be airing it again next Saturday at 7:00pm (Eastern).

Leading up to Wolfman Jack's Christmas Party this Saturday is a very special treat from Casey Kasem. We'll be airing Casey's original Christmas Countdown from 1971, featuring the top forty Christmas songs of all time (at least up until that point).

You can tune in to the Christmas Countdown this Saturday at 7:00pm (Eastern). We'll air it again next Saturday at 9:00pm (Eastern), so you'll have one more chance to catch it next weekend!

And this Sunday at 8:00pm (Eastern), we'll be airing a special edition of Dick Clark's Rock, Roll and Remember, featuring stories and some of your favorite Christmas songs from the Rock and Roll era!

Hope you can join us for some fun, holiday nostalgia this weekend!

New Music Weekend On The Way

12/2/2019

This coming weekend we're doing something special on the Sounds of Christmas!

Part of the reason I originally started this station was because I felt that, year after year, there are lots and lots of great Christmas music that never gets on the radio. Instead, it's often the safe list of songs you know by heart (and that you're sick of by the first of December).

So far for 2019, I've added over 500 new songs to our library. And there's new stuff coming out every day!

I've taken some of the best of it and am going to showcase it this coming weekend for a New Music Weekend! All day Saturday and Sunday, you'll get nothing but newly released songs. Some are from artists you know and love, and some are from singers and bands you may not have ever heard of. Some songs you'll know, and some will be new to you.

While everything we play this coming weekend will be new, some of it may not seem so new. There's a Stone Temple Pilots song that they recorded live over twenty years ago, but it now getting an official release (on the anniversary edition of "Purple"). Also, you'll hear Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Doris Day (among others) - they're all featured on new releases where their original vocals have been used with newly-arranged music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra (for Bing) and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (for the others).

You'll also hear new songs from artists a little more current, the Jonas Brothers, Adam Lambert and Idina Menzel. Plus artists that fall somewhere in between, like Chicago, Mariah Carey and Robbie Williams. And many others that you may be hearing for the first time!

I hope you like what you hear. And if you come across something that you really love, I hope you click on it and buy it (or Shazam it so you can go grab it later)!

Thanks so much for spending part of your holiday with us! Hope you always believe in Santa Claus!

Ken

Thank You

11/28/2019

Thank you.

I'm writing this on Thanksgiving night, just before we play the 50th anniversary edition of Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant, and I'm feeling very grateful.

Running the Sounds of Christmas is a labor of love. It's not a big money-maker, nor was it ever intended to be. I love Christmas music, and felt that there was so much great Christmas music out there, and most of it was being ignored by traditional radio. And judging by the traffic this site gets, and the increasing number of listeners that find us and tune in each year, I'm not alone.

Lots of artists find us, too, and I am very grateful for that. Some record special announcements for us. Some simply send us their music for airplay consideration. And some elect to pay us to advertise their latest release. Some names you may know. Some you may only know because you've heard them regularly on the Sounds of Christmas. And some may be completely new to you.

I'd like to take a moment here to thank those that have chosen to support us this season.

Kenny Davies says his song "Christmas Rap" is the "true story" about Santa. He recorded it and posted it to YouTube around Thanksgiving 2012. And he's been sponsoring us season after season. In fact, he is almost always the first one to sign on for the next season, sometimes as early as Spring! You can click on the picture and download his song from iTunes.

Engelbert Humperdinck is a name you probably already know. He's sold over 140 million records worldwide. Last year, he released a new Christmas album. This wasn't his first Christmas album, but it was his first in over twenty years. And he was so happy with us, that he came back again this year, even though he had no new holiday release. He just wanted to continue promoting his album from last year, and continue supporting us. There's a pretty cool set that his record label has put together this season, and as long as supplies last, you can get one for yourself (or as a gift). Just click on the picture for more details (and to grab one before they're gone)!

Rick Lang is an award-winning singer/songwriter who's up for a Grammy this year! "That's What I Love About Christmas" came out in 2014. Like Engelbert, this wasn't Rick's first Christmas outing. He also had a single a few years before, and another Christmas album almost ten years before that. But Rick chose to advertise with us in 2014, and he's been back several times (when he isn't out on the road). You can find out more about all of Rick's releases by clicking on the picture.

Grammy-nominee Judy Pancoast has been with us for years, as well. In fact, back in 2009, I tried my hand at launching a record label, and Judy generously gave me her wonderful song "The House On Christmas Street" to add to our compilation that year. While the label didn't work out, that song continues to grow in popularity. This year, Judy has released a novel based on this song! You can find Judy's music everywhere you buy CDs and digital music. And you can check out her new novel by clicking on the picture!

Award-winning singer/songwriter Rehya Stevens released her Christmas album "Celebrate" just last year. Previously, she had a Christmas song featured in "A Prince For Christmas" (among others). This year, Rehya is back with us, promoting her new single, "'Tis The Season", which is featured in the new Disney movie "Noelle" (along with another of her songs from "Celebrate". You can check out all of Rehya's music by clicking the picture!

Actress and vocalist Brynn Stanley released "Classic Christmas" this year (though Sounds of Christmas listeners may remember her earlier single "Selfie With Santa" from a couple years ago, though it's also included on this new album). She also recorded a version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" a few years ago, singing with the Tony Guerrero Quintet. "Classic Christmas" is getting great reviews all over the place, and her video for the first single "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" was just voted the number one holiday video on Hip Video Promo. You can check out all of Brynn's music by clicking on the picture

Mia Suzanne Walker was in a group backing up Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith before setting out on her own, forming Suzanne's Band. "One More Night Of Christmas" is new, and it's their first Christmas single, obviously making this their first season with the Sounds of Christmas. Her first album received great reviews all over, including in the Indie Source, and her new single is quickly gaining popularity (including on the Sounds of Christmas). You can check out Suzanne Band and their music by clicking the photo!

Martina DaSilva and Dan "Chimy "Chmielinski has been performing together for the last few years, and they've made many videos on YouTube as ChimyTina. Martina's vocals and Dan's bass make for some unique and fun recordings, which you can check out on their new Christmas album "A Very ChimyTina Christmas" (due out next Friday, 12/6). By the way, if Martina's voice sounds familiar, she was also part of the group The Ladybugs, who gave us an EP called "Blue Christmas" a couple years ago. You can pre-order "A Very ChimyTina Christmas" on their Bandcamp site by clicking on the photo (and while you're there, you can stream their very cool version of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"!

I am so grateful to all these artists for helping the Sounds of Christmas get on the air, and stay on the air this season. And while I do play songs from all of them, I also play lots of other songs (our library is over 13,000 and growing every day). Saying thanks to them all here doesn't seem enough, so I've set aside special hours each weekday to feature music from all of the artists that have been so kind as to support us this year, and in year's past (and you can find all of those on our links page above).

Anyway, each weekday at 1am and 7am, and 1pm and 7pm (Eastern), you'll hear an hour's worth of music featuring those singers and bands that have been instrumental in keeping the Sounds of Christmas going.

I also want to thank those that have been so kind as to donate to us through the PayPal link. I wasn't going to mention this, as I didn't want to sound like I was seeking donations, but there have been so many lately, that I couldn't let it go by without acknowledging and expressing my gratitude. I'm adding the link here because some have asked, but I really don't want anyone to feel like I'm asking for donations, or expecting them. The Sounds of Christmas is a free online Christmas music station, and you can listen without every giving us a nickel.

And now I've saved the best for last.

Thank you for listening. When I started the Sounds of Christmas back in 2007, I had no idea that it would still be going strong so many Christmases later. And it wouldn't be if you weren't tuning in.

Truth is, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed as I take a look at where listeners are tuning in on this Thanksgiving night...

Thank you for the kind words, messages, Facebook posts and Tweets. It is a pleasure and an honor to get to spend at least part of the holiday season with so many all over the world.

I hope the Sounds of Christmas brings you joy, makes you smile and enriches your holiday. Knowing you're out there listening certainly does that, and more, for me!

Thank you again. Thank you a million times. And then a million more.

And may you always believe in Santa Claus.

Ken

Alice's Restaurant

11/24/2019

I grew up with Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" as a Thanksgiving tradition. The rock station I listened to as a teen played it every year. I understand other rock stations around the country did this, as well, at least from time to time. So I like to think I'm not alone. To be honest, though, I have no idea how this song became a rock staple (and I believe some classic rock stations continue to play it annually).

I get that not everyone shares this tradition. My wife had no idea this song even existed before she met me. She puts up with it each November, with her characteristic good humor. Come to think of it, other members of my family do that, too.

And if you aren't familiar with "Alice's Restaurant", I hope you'll do the same.

I'm continuing the Sounds of Christmas tradition of playing this song once again this year. Actually, twice again.

I'll be airing the original version of Arlo's tune on Thanksgiving Day at approximately 4:00pm (Eastern). And later on Thanksgiving night, I'll be playing Arlo's 50th anniversary edition of that same song (around 10:00pm Eastern).

Whether you've enjoyed this as part of your own Thanksgiving tradition, or it's something brand new to you (or you're somewhere in between), I hope you can tune in this Thursday. Even if you're listening outside the U.S., and none of this makes any sense at all to you.

Thanks so much for spending part of your holiday season with us!

And may you always believe in Santa Claus!

The Best Variety Of Christmas Music

11/1/2019

I always say that the Sounds of Christmas plays the best variety of Christmas Music. But I think the word "variety" has been so over-used these days that it no longer means anything.

So I thought I'd show you what I mean.

While I probably won't do this again any time soon, here's a list of the artists we played in our first weekend, since we switched back to all Christmas music on November 1.

11th Hour, .38 Special, 5 Chinese Brothers, 98 Degrees, A Great Big World, Abby Anderson, Adams and Cooley, Aloe Blacc, Alternate Routes, Amy Grant, Ana Gasteyer, Andrew Gold, Andy Williams, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Annie Marie Lewis, Annie Pattison, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Atlantic Starr, B.B. King, B.J. Thomas, Band Aid, Band Of Merrymakers, Barbara Mandrell, Barenaked Ladies, Barry Manilow, Beach Boys, Beatles, Belinda Carlisle,

Belles and Whistles, Ben Platt, Bette Midler, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Billy Mack, Billy Squire, Bing Crosby, Blues Traveler, Bob and Doug McKenzie, Bob Rivers, Bob Sirois, Bobby Goldsboro, Bobby Helms, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Sherman, Bobby Vee, Bobby Vinton, Bon Jovi, Boney M, Bootlegger, Boys II Men, Brenda Lee, Brett Eldredge, Brian McKnigh, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Brian Wilson, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Brynn Stanley, Bunny Sigler, Burl Ives, Canadian Brass, Carly Jamison, Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Carole King, Carolyn Sills, Carpenters, Casting Crowns, Cece Winans, Celtin Woman,

Chad Mitchell Trio, Charles Brown, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Chipmunks, Chris Mann, Chris Rea, Chris Tierney, Christine Lavin, Chuck Berry, Chuck Cape, Cimorelli, City Harbor, Classical Blast, Clay Aiken, Coldplay, Connie Francis, Corey Hart, Courtney Rau, Crash Test Dummies, Crystals, Cyndi Lauper, Danny Wright, Darius Rucker, Darlene Love, Dave Barnes, Dave Edminds Band, Dave Koz, Dave Stewart, David Bowie, David Campbell, David Cassidy, David Foster,

Davy Jones, dB's, Dean Martin, Debbie Gibson, Dennis DeYoung, Dick Van Dyke, Dido, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, Don Dixon, Donny Hathaway, Donny Most, Donny Osmond, Doris Day, Dreams So Real, Drifters, Eagles, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Money, Eels, Elise LeGrow, Elizabeth Chan, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Emerson Lake And Palmer, Empty Pockets, Engelbert Humperdinck, Eric Clapton, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Eurythmics, Fantasia, Film, Florin Street Band, Four Aces, Four Imperials, Frank D'Angelo, Frank Shiner, Frank Sinatra, Franklin McKay, Freda Payne, Garth Brooks, Gene Autry,

Geoffrey Andrews, George S. Irving, George Thorogood, Gerald Albright, Gloria Estefan, Gold Coral, Grace VanderWaal, Greg Lake, Greg London, Greg Pope, Gregory Luzitano, Gretchen Peters, Grip Weeds, Groovie Ghoulies, Hall and Oates, Hanson, Harry Belafonte, Harry Connick Jr., Harry Simeone Chorale, Hello Dollface, Herb Alpert, Hillary Scott, Huey Lewis and the News, Ingrid Michaelson, Jack Johnson, Jackson 5, James Brown, James House, James Robert Webb, James Taylor, Jane Lynch, J.D. McCrary, J.D. McPherson, Jennifer Cella, Jennifer Paige, Jenny and Tyler, Jessie James Decker, Jewel,

Jim Brickman, Jim Croce, Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners, Jimmy Buffett, Jimmy Durante, Jimmy Eat World, Jive Aces, Joel Kopischke, John Legend, John Lennon, John Mellencamp, John Schneider and Tom Wopat, John Tesh, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Johnny Horton, Johnny Mathis, Jon McLaughlin, Jonathan Butler, Jordan Smith, Jose Feliciano, Josh Groban, Judy Garland, Judy Pancoast, Kacey Musgraves, Kanisha K, Karla Bonoff, Kate Smith, Katie Garibaldi, Katrina Carlson, Katy Perry, Keith Richards, Kellie Pickler, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Davies, Kenny G, Kenny Loggins, Kenny Rogers,

Kimberley Locke, King's Brass, Korgis, Kurt Russell, Kylie Minogue, Lady Antebellum, Lake Street Dive, Lance Galgon, Larry Carlton, Lauren Daigle, Laurie Berkner Band, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack, Leroy Anderson, Leslie Odom, Lexi, Lindsey Stirling, Lisa Donahey, Lisa Kessler, Lisa McClowry, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Lonestar, Los Lonely Boys, Lou Rawls, Louis Colaiani and Brittany Dymond, Lowell Fulsom, Luanne Hunt, Lucas Hodge, Luke McMaster, Lumineers, Luther Vandross, Maddie Poppe, Manhattan Transfer, Mannheim Steamroller, Margo Rey, Mariah Carey, Marie Osmond,

Mark Ronson, Martin Short, Martina McBride, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, Mavericks, Melissa Manchester, Memphis Ukulele Band, Michael Bublé, Miley Cyrus, Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, Mitch Miller, Monkees, Mulberry Lane, Muppets, N Sync, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Naturally 7, Neil Diamond, New Christy Minstrals, New Edition, Nick Jonas, Noah Cyrus, NOLA Players, Norah Jones, O'Jays, Olivia Newton-John, Otis Redding, Panic! At The Disco, Paul McCartney, Paul Young, Peabo Bryson, Peggy Lee, Pentatonix, Percy Faith, Perry Como, Persephone's Bees, Phil Vassar, Piano Guys,

P.J. Morton, Poi Dog Pondering, Pointer Sisters, PopTarts, Rascal Flatts, Ray Charles, Ray Conniff, Reba McEntire, Rehya Stevens, Relient K, REO Speedwagon, Richard Marx, Rick Lang, Ricky Martin, Rob Thomas, Ron Dante, Ronettes, Rosanne Cash, Roy Orbison, Royal Guardsmen, Rufus Thomas, Ryanhood, Sal Valentinetti, Salsoul Orchestra, Sarah McLachlan, Sarah Smith, Scotty McCreery, Seal, Seks Bomba, Shania Twain, She and Him, Shelby Lynne, Sia, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Sonny James, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Stephen Colbert, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Steve Martin,

Stevie Wonder, Straight No Chaser, Supremes, Syd Straw, Taylor Swift, Temecula Road, Temptations, Tenors, Tenth Avenue North, Thisbe Vos, Thurl Ravenscroft, Tina Lambert, Tokens, Tom Chaplin, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tommy James and the Shondells, Tony Bennett, Train, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Trisha Yearwood, Tyler the Creator, U2, Us The Duo, Ventures, Village People, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Vince Vance and the Valiants, Vonda Shepard, Waitresses, Walk Off The Earth, Wham, Whirling Dervishes, Whitney Houston, Why Don't We, William Shatner, Willie Nelson, Yule Logs.

Whew!

Of course, that's not close to everything we'll be playing. Not by a longshot. But it gives you an idea of what we mean when we say, "The Sounds of Christmas plays the best variety of Christmas music!"

And if you don't see your favorites here, don't worry. This is just the line-up of artists that we played in the first few days of this new season. There's a lot more to come!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and for sharing this early part of the season with us!

May you always believe in Santa Claus!

Ken

Listen To The Sounds Of Christmas

10/31/2019

The new season of the Sounds of Christmas has begun, and we're trying to make it as easy as we can to tune in!

There are three pretty simple ways to tune in.

First, simply click on the player on the front page of our website. This way, you can listen to us as long as you're on that page, even if you open other windows.

Second, you can click on the tree on our front page. That opens a pop-up player, so you can keep listening to us whether you stay on our website, or go to check your email, Facebook, etc. You can keep listening as long as you keep that pop-up player open.

And third, you can download our free app in the Google Play store (for your Android phone), and take us with you wherever you go!

We know that you may not be ready for Christmas music, yet, but when you are, we're ready for you! We're playing the best variety of Christmas music, with all your favorite tunes and favorite artists, along with hundreds of brand new songs!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and for listening!

May you always believe in Santa Claus!

The Sounds of Christmas 2019

10/31/2019

We’re back!

Actually, we never really left. But the new season of Christmas music has officially begun! I know not everyone is ready for it, yet, but whenever you are, we’re up and rolling and ready for you!

I would like to thank the wonderful folks that have helped get us up and running so we can bring you this new season!

First, thanks so much to Brynn Stanley and Judy Pancoast! Brynn is joining the Sounds of Christmas for the first time this year. And while Judy and her music are familiar to Sounds of Christmas listeners, this year, she's released a novel based on her wonderful song "The House On Christmas Street"!

And I'd also like to thank Engelbert Humperdinck, Kenny Davies and Rick Lang, who are all back again this year to help keep us going!

By the way, you can find each of them on our front page, with links to their websites (or where you can grab their latest holiday release). Please check them out when you get a chance, especially when you hear their music this season!

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this very early part of the season with us!
And may you always believe in Santa Claus!

Ken

This Is Halloween

10/27/2019

It's hard to believe that Halloween is upon us!

The new season of the Sounds of Christmas starts this Friday, November 1! That's when, once again, you'll hear all your favorite Christmas songs, along with lots of new ones!

Between now and then, we'll continue to play music for the current season, giving you the Sounds of Halloween!

Plus, we have some special programs coming up!

On October 30th, at approximately 7:00pm (Eastern), I'll be playing the original broadcast from 1938 of "War Of The Worlds" as performed by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre On The Air.

That will be followed by Jeff Wayne's updated version of his musical adaptation of "War Of The Worlds" (which features Gary Barlow from Take That, Joss Stone and Liam Neeson).

And on Halloween night at approximately 7:00pm (Eastern), I'll be playing Jeff Wayne's original musical adaptation of "War Of The Worlds" from 1978, which featured Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, David Essex and Richard Burton.

Thanks so much to everyone that has already been tuning in! Hope you've been enjoying the Sounds of Halloween, and that you'll stick around when we start the Christmas music again this Friday!

I know not everyone is ready for Christmas music the day after Halloween, and that's fine. We'll be here for you whenever you are ready for it!

May you always believe in Santa Claus (and also the Great Pumpkin)!

Ken

P.S. - To listen, just go to our home page and click on the player. Or you can click on the tree for a pop-up player. You can also search for us in the Google Play store and get our free app for your Android Phone!

Grinch Creeps

10/14/2019

I’ve noticed this happens every year.

For the last few weeks, I’ve started seeing articles, blogs and posts again, complaining about what some refer to as “Christmas Creep”. This is supposed to mean that retailers are rushing the season, starting to put Christmas items out earlier and earlier every year.

I think of it more as a “Grinch Creep”. It’s really about the people who like to complain about Christmas music, lights, presents, etc. And some are just people who like to complain, period.

I remember working in the receiving department of a large, box bookstore about twenty-five years ago. In early August, customers would start asking about Christmas books. This was not about books to give as gifts, possibly to someone overseas so it would take a long time to get there. This was about books that were about Christmas – decorating, cooking, etc.

And this was not just one or two customers, but multiple customers, asking daily when we would have our Christmas collections out.

I’m sure similar things happen at other retail stores. And while some Grinches like to complain about stores rushing the season, the truth is they’re simply trying to meet their customers’ demand. Seriously, if no one bought this stuff in August or September, would stores continue to give it the shelf space?

In fact, I remember when I was in college (and even high school), that one of our local drug store chains always put out the first new batch of Bob’s Candy Canes on September 25. And that would have been back in the early 1980’s.

It’s not just retail.

Remember the musical version of “Scrooge”? Albert Finney starred. It came out in 1970. A few days after Halloween.

Oh, sure, at least that’s November, right?

Elvis Presley’s Christmas album was released on October 15. And that was 1957. People at that time were upset that Elvis would dare perform these sacred songs in his rock and roll style. Irving Berlin himself tried to have the album banned from radio airplay.

No one complained that it was only October. That could be because Frank Sinatra had released a Christmas album a month earlier.

So over sixty years ago, no one complained that Frank Sinatra was rushing the season when his Christmas album hit store shelves in September. Kind of seems silly to be annoyed at Wal-Mart for promoting their new Layaway deals or Target for having a couple rows of Christmas lights (just past the aisles of Halloween costumes).

As you probably know, I run an online Christmas radio station. My interest in this is obviously not coincidental.

Our new season begins each year on November 1.

Most of our listeners tune in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of those, most actually listen the two weeks before Christmas.

That said, we do have listeners on November 1. In fact, we’ve grown to the point where we usually have listeners in all fifty states, and in another 20-30 countries, within the first week of November.

Like the bookstores, Bob’s Candy Canes and even Frank Sinatra, I’m not trying to rush the season. I just love Christmas. And if you aren’t ready for Christmas music the day after Halloween, that’s okay. We’ll be on, ready for you whenever you are.

And unlike some stores, there’s no danger of our running out if you don’t show up early. Just don’t let the Grinch Creeps get you!

And just so you know...

The bookstore I worked for no longer exists, so I didn’t see the point in mentioning it. You probably know what a big box bookstore is like (or was like), and I doubt my experiences there were so very different from others.

I have no financial interest in the movie “Scrooge”; that was just one particular Christmas movie that I know the release date for. Other holiday movies have certainly been released later in the season, and others have been released before. The original "Miracle On 34th Street was released in June, and that was 1947.

The Sounds of Christmas does, of course, play songs by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Sometimes, I even listen to them early. Along with many others.

I am not aware of any kind of official release schedule for Bob’s Candy Canes. You can find out more about them HERE. They do not pay for any advertising on my station. In fact, I had heard that a big candy company had bought them. Nevertheless, they are my personal favorite, which would make them the unpaid Official Candy Cane of the Sounds of Christmas.

I Put A Spell On You

10/5/2019

If you've listened lately, you've probably noticed the music's much different than what is normally played on the Sounds of Christmas. Throughout all of October, we're the Sounds of Halloween, playing spooky songs for the current season while we get hundreds of new Christmas songs loaded and ready to go.

The philosophy behind the Sounds of Christmas is that there is a lot of great Christmas music out there, and most traditional radio stations stick to a tired, short list of songs that get played over and over. We play a very wide variety, and in addition to your favorites, we also play some artists and some versions of songs that you may not be familiar with.

We also do the same thing in October with Halloween music.

For example, we certainly play Screamin' Jay Hawkins' original version of "I Put A Spell On You" (which he wrote and released in 1956). We also play versions by Nina Simone, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bryan Ferry (who all had hits with this song). And we play lesser-known versions, including Joe Cocker, Leon Russell and Manfred Mann. Plus, we have more recent versions, including duets with Buddy Guy and Carlos Santana, and Jeff Beck with Joss Stone.

So it's quite possible that you'd tune in and hear a version of "Monster Mash" that sounds different than what you were expecting. You may not even know that the Beach Boys used to perform it in concert. Or that Stephen Bishop recorded it (with Andrew Gold and Linda Ronstadt).

We have four other versions of "Ghostbusters" besides the huge hit by Ray Parker Jr. We also have at least nine versions of "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky", including Johnny Cash, the Outlaws and Peggy Lee. And also Dean Martin, Burl Ives and Bing Crosby. And Spiderbait.

There are lots of songs from Disney movies and shows. And lots of songs from horror movies and scary TV shows, alongside sillier songs from parodies and comedies. Even some Broadway showtunes.

I think the oldest song in rotation this October is Robert Johnson's "Cross Road Blues". The newest might be Dove Cameron's "Good To Be Bad" from the latest season of Disney's "Descendants".

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I hope you enjoy listening, and that you don't have to worry about hearing "Purple People Eater" over and over (either by Sheb Wooley or George Thorogood).

I'm looking forward to the new season of the Sounds of Christmas, and sharing tons of new music with you. But for now, I hope you have fun with the Sounds of Halloween!