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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

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Alice's Restaurant

11/24/2019

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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!

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The Best Variety Of Christmas Music

11/1/2019

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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

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Thank You

Alice's Restaurant

The Best Variety Of Christmas Music

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