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Alice's Restaurant

11/18/2018

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 who 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!

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Grinch Creeps

11/1/2018

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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. Nevertheless, they are my personal favorite, which would make them the unpaid Official Candy Cane of the Sounds of Christmas.

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The Sounds of Christmas 2018

11/1/2018

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We’re back!

Actually, we never really left. But the new season of Christmas music has officially begun! I know not everyone was 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 Engelbert Humperdinck! He recently released a terrific new Christmas album! You can find out more about him, his music and his latest tour on his website HERE!

I'd also like to thank all of the folks that are joining the Sounds of Christmas family for the first time this year, including LeAnn Rimes, Rehya Stevens, Sarah Smith, Reuel and Michele Amburgey's Keto Club Plus!

And I'd like to thank Kenny Davies, Laurie Berkner, Katie Garibaldi and Ryanhood,
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

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Listen To The Sounds Of Christmas

11/1/2018

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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!

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Alice's Restaurant

Grinch Creeps

The Sounds of Christmas 2018

Listen To The Sounds Of Christmas

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