The Sounds of Christmas
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The Twelve Days Of Christmas

12/28/2020

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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

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Grateful

12/26/2020

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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
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More New Music

12/10/2020

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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)!
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