News

The Sounds of Christmas Podcast

2/2/2021

The Sounds of Christmas now has a podcast!

This has been something I've had in the works for a while now, and finally made the time to get it launched. I know it's only February, but since the station is on all year long, I thought adding a year-round podcast would be a nice addition.

There's no music on the podcast, for a lot of reasons. Mostly, it's simply because we are already playing the best variety of Christmas music, and you can tune in any time through this website or our app in the Google Play store.

The Sounds of Christmas Podcast will be a place for conversation and interviews with others that love Christmas music (though I'm sure, upon occasion, we'll divert into related, tangent topics.

Like the station, the podcasts are free, and there are lots of places you can listen. Just click above on PODCASTS and you'll find a player with the first episode already loaded (and the second episode will show up there some time in the next week). On that page, you'll also find a bunch of links to different podcasting sites, so you can listen on your favorite (and if your favorite isn't there, yet, it hopefully will be soon). Most of those podcasting sites also let you subscribe, so you'll get notified when a new episode is available.

In addition to all those sites, you can also listen to the podcast with Alexa if you have an Amazon Echo (or other device). Just say, "Alexa, play the Sounds of Christmas Podcast!"

I hope this will be a fun way to keep the Spirit of Christmas going throughout the year, and that you enjoy tuning in when you can!

Thanks so much for your continued support! And may you always believe in Santa Claus!

Ken

The Twelve Days Of Christmas

12/28/2020

Despite what the commercials tell you, the Twelve Days of Christmas actually come after Christmas. No, really. Those twelve days mark the time from Christmas Day to Epiphany. I'm not going to get into the weeds of the religious history, though if you're interested, you can check out the info on Wikipedia RIGHT HERE.

I always mention this fact, year after year, as it seems many people lose their enthusiasm for Christmas a day or two after, and seem to be like this...

For the first ten years, the Sounds of Christmas stayed on through January 6. And while there was a drop-off in listeners, it was surprising that so many people, in so many different countries, continued to listen.

Also, listeners sent in emails and messages, asking us to stay on all year long. That seemed a bit much, and I went back and forth on that. Finally, a few years ago, I decided to give it a try.

Surprisingly, aside from that initial drop-off after Christmas Day, thousands continued to listen, all over globe.

Some people don't like the idea of year round Christmas music, and I get that. It's not for everybody. Some don't like it before Thanksgiving, or before December 1. And some don't like it at all. That's okay. No one has to listen.

But, for those who do enjoy it, the Sounds of Christmas is here for you. Any time you need some Christmas spirit, just click on the player (on the website or through the app) and enjoy it as the Sounds of Christmas turns the Twelve Days of Christmas into Twelve Months.

As far as the song goes, there are lots of versions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Not just different artists and different arrangements, but actual different versions, where the twelve items are in different orders, or the items are actually replaced with other things.

Not going to get into the weeds on the history of this, either, or proclaim which versions are correct, and which ones are more correct than others. Instead, I'll just post some of my favorites.

Keep in mind, these are personal choices, and not proclamations. And, in an effort to maintain transparency, I'm not selecting versions done by any singers or bands that have advertised with us (this year or in year's past).

That said, here we go...

Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters come first. Bing had so many wonderful Christmas songs, it's a shame that most get overlooked.

Not too many still play Mitch Miller's Christmas music, which is too bad, as it's a fun reflection of its time.

Fast-forwarding through the years, the Muppets are connected to two of my favorites, first with John Denver and then, years later, with Jimmy Fallon (unfortunately, the Jimmy Fallon version has been removed from YouTube)...

Roger McGuinn if the Byrds has been releasing a free Christmas song every year through his Folk Den Project website, and he put out a version of this a little over ten years ago. In 2020, he collected many of these songs and released them on a new album, simply called "Merry Christmas"...

The a cappella group Straight No Chase burst on the scene almost fifteen years ago when their take on "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" became a viral video (one that had originally been recorded in 1998)...

Just a few years ago, Jimmy Buffett put his own stamp on it...

Destiny's Child has also made the song their own...

Of course, making the song one's own isn't anything new. Andy Williams did that on his first Christmas album in 1963...

Other artists have not only made it their own, but made it a parody, often by simply changing the gifts. Allan Sherman did that the same year Andy Williams released his first Christmas album...

Many parodies have followed, but the probably most well-known is by Bob Rivers...

A lesser known parody, which might not be a parody at all but just more of a "bit", comes from comedian Norm McDonald, who illustrates what it might be like to be on the receiving end of all those gifts...

Obviously, there are many more than what I've listed here. Please don't be upset if your favorite isn't here. There are over seventy versions of this song in our library, and there's a pretty good change yours is in there.

Since I've posted eleven videos above, it seems like I really should add one more. And this one is truly one of my favorites. From Second City's Bob and Doug McKenzie...

Looking over this list, I think it's a pretty good example of the kind of variety played on the Sounds of Christmas. And as we get farther from Christmas 2020, and closer to Christmas 2021, I hope whenever you feel a need of some Christmas spirit, you'll stop by.

And may you always believe in Santa Claus.

Ken

Grateful

12/26/2020

Thank you.

I have been so excited to be able to run the Sounds of Christmas these past fourteen seasons, and I wanted to start this off by thanking you for listening - whether you just found us this year, or you've been listening all along, or you're somewhere in the middle. I am so grateful that I was able to spend at least part of the holiday season with you!

For years, people asked us to stay on year-round. While we've been fortunate enough to have a growing audience over the last fourteen seasons, I didn't really think there would be many who would actually listen to a Christmas music station throughout the year.

Then, near the end of December 2017, I watched "A Christmas Carol" again, as I try to do at least once every December. And this part really struck a chord with me. “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

So we decided to do it.

Instead of signing off after Epiphany, as we did for the first ten years, we stayed on year-round. And while our daily audience did decrease by a huge percentage, it was gratifying to see that some were still listening - maybe not every day, but often enough that we noticed.

I'm sure there are those who will continue to scoff at this. There might even be a few who are really annoyed at the idea of Christmas music all year long. My hope, though, is that whenever you feel like you could use a dose of Christmas spirit, you'll remember that we're still on.

And if you like what we do, and feel so moved that you'd like to help keep us going, we'd be happy to have your financial support to help stay on! You can just click below and donate on the Paypal link, putting whatever you can or whatever you want to in our virtual tip jar!

I would like to also thank the artists that advertised this year, helping to get us on, and keep us on, for this fourteenth season! I'm adding links to each of their names, so you can click on any or all and check out their music (and if you're so moved, pick up a copy of their CD(s) or download tracks).

Thanks to all in our Class of 2020, including Michael Sinatra, Francesca Battistelli, Luke McMaster, Russ Lorenson, Natasha Miller, David Garfield, Ken Wank, Alexis Stanton, Brynn Stanley, Madison Taylor Baez, Kenny Davies, Karla Bonoff, Rosalie Drysdale, Norine Braun, Suzanne's Band, Tommee Profitt and Louis Calaiannia.

Thanks again for listening. I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish you a very Happy New Year. May 2021 bring you all you hope for and more! And may you always believe in Santa Claus!

Ken

More New Music

12/10/2020

While we already have a page that features many of the new Christmas albums that we play (which you can find HERE), more and more Christmas singles and EPs are coming out. Especially as we enter the last couple weeks before Christmas, many singers and bands decide to surprise their fans by putting out a new holiday song.

As with our list of new Christmas album, this list of singles is by no means complete. In fact, I can almost guarantee that, as soon as this gets posted, another two or three (or more) will pop up.

But here are some of the new singles we've found and are playing on the Sounds of Christmas! And you can click on each one to find out a little more, hear a sample and, if you're so move, buy it (links go to Amazon, Spotify and Bandcamp)!

Thank You

11/24/2020

Thank you.

I'm wrote this a couple days before Thanksgiving, just after I finished scheduling our Thanksgiving music (including our annual visit with Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant), and now, on Christmas Day, I am gratefully updating it.

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. 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.

Actress and vocalist Brynn Stanley released "Classic Christmas" last year (though Sounds of Christmas listeners may remember her earlier single "Selfie With Santa" from a couple years prior, though it's also included on this new album). "Classic Christmas" got great reviews all over the place last year, and her video for the first single "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" was 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" came out last year, when she first teamed up with us. Her first album received great reviews, including in the Indie Source. You can check out Suzanne Band and their music (including Back To You, her newest release) by clicking the photo!

Russ Lorenson first advertised with us in 2015, when he released his second Christmas album. Very happy to have him back with us again for In The Holiday Spirit's 5th anniversary (and the fourteenth anniversary of that first Christmas release, What I Want For Christmas. You can find out more about both of those albums, as well as Russ' other music, when you click the picture and go to his website.

Natasha Miller also first joined us when she released her second album. That was What Christmas Means To Me, which came out in 2013. Her first Christmas album, The Season, came out the same year we first went on the air, back in 2007. This year, she's celebrating both of her Christmas albums with a virtual Holiday Concert on December 23! You can find out more about that by clicking on the album picture.

Louis Colaiannia has been with us several times since his first Christmas album (Keys Of Christmas) came out in 2011. New Age Music World selected that as one of the top Christmas albums of the year. His second Christmas album, Echoes Of Christmas, followed five years later. More recently, he was named Jazz Artist of the Year (Aakademia Music Award), Composer of the Year (TMT Music Award) and Entertainer of the Year (Primo Awards). You can find out more about his and his music by clicking his album cover.

Luke McMaster joins us this year for the first time with the release of his third Christmas album, Christmas Present. In addition to his albums, he has also recorded several Christmas singles with Jim Brickman, And he performs a series of live shows called "Lunch With Luke", which typically happens Wednesdays at noon through Facebook Live. You can find out more about him and his music by clicking the picture.

Francesca Battistelli also joins us this year for the first time with her second studio Christmas album, This Christmas. She also recorded a live Christmas album a few years back, a year after the release of her first Christmas album, which was simply called Christmas. She has garnered a slew of awards, including a Grammy, Billboard Music Award and six Dove Awards, plus she has been named Gospel Music Association's Artist of the Year! Find out more about her and her music by clicking the album cover.

Madison Taylor Baez join us this year with her debut album, Blingle Bells. Previously she'd released a Jackson 5-inspired take on "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (which is also on this album. At the age of 9, she's excited about her new Christmas album, she's also excited about her next appearance, which will be as a young Selena in the Netflix series about the life of Selena Quintanilla. You can find out more about her by clicking the album cover.

Tommee Profitt has been working on his epic Christmas album, Birth Of A King, since 2005. He created the concept of making an epic soundtrack to what many refer to as the Greatest Story Ever Told. And he assembled an amazing array of artists to bring his vision to fruition. Those artists include Avril Lavigne, Kari Jobe and Chris Tomlin, just to name a few. You can find out more about Tommee and this project by clicking on the album cover.

Rosalie Drysdale is a singer/songwriter who has released three albums this year (and three in 2019). This year's Let Your Heart Be Light is her first Christmas release, and while it's just out, she's already at work on her first album of 2021! She's also putting together some Christmas videos from her latest album, which should be out soon, too. You can find out more about her and her music by clicking the album cover and visiting her website.

Norine Braun is releasing her Christmas album, December Falls, soon! It's her twelfth full-length album, and her catalog is an amazing collection of original and familiar blues , folk and soul (which is a pretty good description of the new Christmas album). If you can't wait for the new album to be released, you can get a taste of it through the singles that have made their way out over the last few weeks (and the videos on YouTube, too). You can find out more about her and her music by clicking the album cover.

Karla Bonoff is a singer/songwriter with an amazing track record, both on her own and with other artists (including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna Judd - just to name a few). Recording a Christmas album has been something she's wanted to do for a long time, and this year she was finally able to do it. Plus, as a thank you to fans, she's offering autographed copies of the new CD through her website (just click the album cover to get there).

Ken Wank has been writing songs for over thirty years, and racking up lots of awards, including the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, VH-1 Song of the Year and the Great American Song Contest. Recently he's written two Christmas singles, and he decided to record and releases those himself! You can find them, along with his other music, at his website (just click the photo).

Alexis Stanton is an award-winning romance author whose novel, A Timeless Christmas, is the basis for a movie that's part of Hallmark's Countdown To Christmas this year. She has also just released a new holiday romance, Operation: Holiday Matchmakers. You can grab your copy of A Timeless Christmas by clicking on the book cover (and then read it before you watch the movie on Hallmark)!

David Garfield is a world-renowned Keyboard player, producer and composer, and he has worked with singers and musicians all over the globe. Holidays Outside The Box is and ongoing international collaboration that merges the diverse cultures of our world into one celebratory musical experience. You can check it out by click on the album artwork to the right.

Michael Sinatra is a musician and jazz singer join us this season following the deluxe release of his first-ever Christmas album, An Old Fashioned Christmas. Michael performs with his jazz band, and sometimes with a full orchestra, at venues all over the country (and looks forward to returning to that in 2021). You can check out his music, from the Christmas album and his other releases, by clicking on the album artwork on the left.

I am so grateful to all of 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 14,000 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.

And while there are many worthy charitable organizations out there, I'm particularly grateful to the American Cancer Society, Feeding America and the Shelter Pet Project for letting me help spread the word about the wonderful work they do. You can click on each of their names to find out more about them.

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 week...

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

The Sounds of Thanksgiving

11/15/2020

Thanksgiving is just around the corner (at least, it is here in the U.S.). For many, that's the official start of the Christmas season.

The Sounds of Christmas is on all year long, so whenever you're ready for Christmas music, we're on and ready for you.

Well, almost.

Throughout the month of October, the Sounds of Christmas becomes the Sounds of Halloween. We switch from Christmas music to songs about ghosts, vampires and witches (and other Halloween-esque kinds of music). It's the only time of year when we are playing the Best Variety of Christmas music, while we have some fun celebrating the season of Halloween.

In the spirit of that, though, we're going to make a smaller (much smaller) shift again. On Thanksgiving Day, we're going to become the Sounds of Thanksgiving. Well, we're going to do that for just a couple hours.

We'll be shifting to Thanksgiving songs, including songs of gratitude and songs about some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods, along with a couple of appearances by Arlo Guthrie!

We'll be doing it twice on Thanksgiving Day - from 12:00pm to 1:00pm (Eastern) and again from 10:00pm to 11:00pm (Eastern).

Hope whether you're celebrating the day or not, you're able to join us for a couple fun hours as we (briefly) turn into the Sounds of Thanksgiving!

And while that will all be in fun, I am sincerely grateful to all of you for connecting with us, and letting us share some of the season with you! Thank you!

And may you always believe in Santa Claus!

Ken

Alice's Restaurant Revisited

11/9/2020

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).

Originally, there was just that first version of "Alice's Restaurant" from 1967, which clocked in just shy of eighteen-and-a-half minutes. Arlo revisited it for a 1995 album, adding to the story, and the track grew by another four minutes. About ten years later, he sang about the song while on tour in Australia, not going through the entire song, but rather singing about the next generation carrying on the tradition (for a brief nine minutes). And in another ten years, Arlo revisited (and reworked it) for an album called Rehashed, and the song grew by a couple more minutes. Shortly after that, he recorded another live version of the song's 50th anniversary (and that one was around nineteen minutes long).

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 between 12:00pm and 1:00pm (Eastern). And later on Thanksgiving evening, I'll be playing Arlo's 50th anniversary edition of that same song (between 10:00pm and 11:00pm 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 later this month. 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!

Ken

The Best Variety Of Christmas Music

11/1/2020

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 on the first day of our new season, since we switched back to all Christmas music on November 1.

A Great Big World, Aaron Neville, Air Supply, Al Jarreau Aloe Blacc, Amy Grant, Andra Day, Andy Williams, Anne Murray, Annie Marie Lewis, Band Aid, Barbara Mandrell, Barenaked Ladies, Barry Manilow, Beach Boys, Billy Joel, Billy Mack, Billy Squier, Bing Crosby, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Bobby Goldsboro, Bobby Helms, Bootlegger, Boyz II Men, Bret Michaels,

Brett Eldredge, , Brian Setzer Orchestra, , Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Brynn Stanley, Bunny Sigler, Canadian Brass, Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Carpenters, CeCe Winans, Charleene Closshey, Charles Billingsley, Charlie Sayles, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Chipmunks, Chris Young, Chuck Cape, Cimorelli, Classical Blast, Courtney Rau, Cyndi Lauper, Darlene Love,

Dave Edmunds Band, Dave Stewart, David Archuleta, David Bowie, Dean Martin, Def Leppard, Dennis DeYoung, Donny Hathaway, Eagles, Echosmith, Eddie Money, Elizabeth Chan, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Emily Rath, Empty Pockets, Engelbert Humperdinck, Eric Clapton, Expose, Eydie Gorme, Faith Hill, Florin Street Band, Francesca Battistelli, Frank D'Angelo, Frank Shiner,

Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, Gene Autry, George Thorogood, Gloria Estefan, Gold Coral, Greg London, Greg Pope, Gwen Stefani, Harry Connick Jr., Huey Lewis and the News, Jack Johnson, James Brown, James House, James Robert Webb, Jane Kramer, Jane Lynch, J.D. McPherson, Jean Watson, Jennifer Cella, Jennifer Nettles, Jenny and Tyler, Jewel, Jim Brickman, Jimmy Buffett,

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Joel Kopischke, John Legend, Johnny Cash, Johnny Mathis, Jonathan Butler, Jordan Smith, Judy Pancoast, June Carter Cash, Kanisha K, Kate Garibaldi, Katrina Woolverton, Ken Wank, Kenny Davies, Kenny Loggins, Kevin Virnelson, Kristen Bell, Krysta Youngs, Lance Galgon, Larry Carlton, Larry King Orchestra, Lauren Daigle, Laurence Juber Trio,

Laurie Berkner Band, LeAnn Rimes, Leigh Nash, Leroy Anderson, Lily Lambert, Lisa Kessler, Lisa McClowry, Lois Mahalia, Lou Rawls, Louis Colaiannia, Luke McMaster, Madison Taylor Baez, Mark Ronson, Martina McBride, Matt Nathanson, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, Meghan Trainor, Memphis Ukulele Band, Michael Bublé, Miley Cyrus,

Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, Miracles, Mitch Miller, Monkees, Nat King Cole, Natasha Miller, Neil Diamond, New Christy Minstrels, Norine Braun, O'Jays, Olivia Rox, Otis Redding, Peggy Lee, Percy Faith, Perry Como, P.J. Morton, Ray Conniff, Richard Marx, Ringo Starr, Robbie Williams, Roger McGuinn, Ron Dante, Ronettes, Rosalie Drysdale, Rosebuds, Roy Orbison,

Royal Guardsmen, Russ Lorenson, Salsoul Orchestra, Sammy Davis Jr., Sheena Easton, Sheryl Crow, Sia, Smokey Robinson, Southside Johnny Lyon, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Steve Lawrence, Steve Miller Band, Stevie Wonder, Straight No Chaser, Styx, Supremes, Susan Egan, Suzanne's Band, Thurl Ravenscroft, Tina Guo, Tina Lambert, Tobymac, Tokens, Tommee Profitt, Tony Bennett, Train, Trouvere, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Vonda Shepard, Wham, Whirling Dervishes, Willie Nelson, Wilson Phillips, Wilson Pickett, Wizzard, XTC, Zoe Bentley.

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 on the first day 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 2020

11/1/2020

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!

Grinch Creeps

10/21/2020

I was starting to think I wouldn't need to post this blog this year. It seemed like in 2020, with the general state of things, most were looking forward to Christmas, and even excited about it, even though it was months away.

Then, the complainers found their voices and started making noise again.

For the last few weeks, I’ve started seeing articles, blogs and posts once 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.