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Special Weekend Programming

11/12/2024

The Sounds of Christmas has some special events coming soon!

First, this coming weekend (11/15-11/17), it's a New Music Weekend. From Friday afternoon at 5:00pm through Sunday night, you'll only hear songs released in 2024! This will give you a chance to hear lots of the new music that's been released (or is going to be released) for this holiday season!

And the weekend before Thanksgiving (11/22-11/24), we're giving thanks to all the singers and bands that have supported us over the years - from those in our earliest days to artists supporting us for the first time this year! It's our way of saying thanks for helping us get up and running, and stay up and running!

The weekend after Thanksgiving (11/29-12/1), we're giving away special 20th anniversary editions of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's album "The Lost Christmas Eve" pressed on clear vinyl! Starting at noon (Eastern) on Friday (11/29), then all day Saturday (11/30) and Sunday (12/1) until midnight (Eastern), listen for songs from Trans-Siberian Orchestra. When you hear one, jot down the name of the song, along with the title and artist of the song that gets played next. Then email that, along with your name, to [email protected]. On Monday (12/2), we'll draw from all correct entries, and five winners will be announced later that week (once we've been able to contact them). Enter only once per TSO song played, but you can enter each time you hear a song from Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

And in December, each weekend you'll have the opportunity to catch our brand new exclusive special: Saturday Night Live - 50 Years Of Christmas Music - exploring most of the Christmas music that aired on SNL from that first Christmas episode in 1975 to the Christmas episode from last year! You'll hear from singers and bands, plus many performance by cast members and special guests!

This will air for the first time on 12/7 at 8pm (Eastern). Then the following Saturday (12/14) at 10pm (Eastern). And one final time the Saturday before Christmas (12/21) at 9pm (Eastern).

We're also working on one more special for December, and hope to have all the details soon! We'll also be updating this page with more specific info, especially for dates and times!

Thanks so much for listening and spending part of this wonderful season with the Sounds of Christmas, and we hope you enjoy some (or all) of the specials we have in story for you!

The Best Variety Of Christmas Music 2024

11/2/2024

This is a variation of a blog I posted last year (and the year before). 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 until next year, here's a list of the artists we played on the first day of our new season, when we switched back to all Christmas music on November 1.

3rd Echo, 98 Degrees, A Great Big World, Adam Lambert, Aimee Mann, Air Supply, Al Jarreau, Alexis Cole, Alice Cooper, Allen Toussaint, Ally Brooke, Alternate Routes, Amanda McBroom, Amy Grant, Andrea Bocelli, Andy Williams, Ann Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Art Garfunkel, Ashley Park, Astra-Lites, Aubrey Logan, Automatics, Backstreet Boys, Band Of Other Brothers, Bandana Splits, Barry Allen, Beach Boys, Ben Folds, Ben Levin,

Ben Platt, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, , Billy Squier, Bing Crosby, Blackmore's Night, Blenders, Boney M, Brandon Jenner, Braxtons, Brenda Lee, Brett Eldredge, Brett Young, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Buckinghams, Canadian Brass, Carla Thomas, Carnie Wilson, Carole King, Carolyn Sills Combo, Carpenters, Carpenters Legacy, Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, Chipmunks, Chris Isaak, Cimorelli, Cindy Rella, Cliff Beach, Cloverton,

Commodores, Continentals, Courtney Lemmon, Crash Adams, Critical Mass, Dami Im, Dan + Shay, Dan Ashley, Danny Wright, Darius Rucker, Darlene Love, David Arkenstone, David Benoit, David Foster, David Lanz, Davy Jones, Dean and Britta, Dean Martin, Debbie Gibson, Dick Haymes, Dinah Jane, Doe, Dolly Parton, Donald Vega Trio, Donny Osmond, Doris Day, Dreams So Real, Drifters, Duke Ellington, Earcandy, Elizabeth Chan, Elizabeth McGovern, Elvis Presley,

Emerson Lake and Palmer, Enya, Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound, Errol Dunkley, Eva Cassidy, Faith Hill, Falcons, Fans Of Jimmy Century, Faron Young, Felix Cavaliere, Flashcats, Foghat, Francesca Battistelli, Franki Belle, Gaither Vocal Band, Gary U.S. Bonds, George Kahn Jazz and Blues Revue, George Winston, Gerry and the Gems, Glee Cast, Glen Campbell, Gloria Estefan, Good Lovelies, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Gordon MacRae,

Graham Gouldman, Grant Maloy Smith, Gregory Porter, Guy Smilee, Gwen Stefani, Hayseed Dixie, Home Free, Hot Toddies, Jack Johnson, Jack Jones, James Robert Webb, Jamie Carol, Jane Lynch, Jane Monheit, Jars Of Clay, Jason Alexander, JD McPherson, Jeff Lewis, Jennifer Warnes, Jim Brickman, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Junes and Nuclear Soul System, Joe Perry, Joey Sykes, John Lennon, Johnny Maestro and Brooklyn Bridge, Johnny Mathis,

Joseph James, Joss Stone, Judith Owen, Julian Ovenden, Kate Flannery, Kate Hudson, Kate Rusby, Katharine McPhee, Kathy Sledge, KEITH, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Davies, Kenny G, Kenny Rogers, Kevin Dias, Khalid, Kimberly Dawn, King's Brass, Kings Return, Kirk Franklin, Kirk Pasich Project, Kitaro, Kristin Amarie, Kylie Cantrell, Laura Byrna, Lauren Daigle, Laurie Berkner Band, Lea Michele, LeAnn Rimes, Leroy Anderson, Leslie Odom Jr., Li'l Ed, Linda Bull,

Linda Imperial, Lindsey Kraft, Lis Soderberg, Lisa Biales, Lisa Kessler, Little Big Town, Livingstone Brown, Liz Kennedy, Louis Armstong, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Luke McMaster, Luminare Christmas!, Luther Vandross, Madonna, Manhattan Transfer, Marc Martel, Mariah Carey, Martina McBride, Matt Nathanson, Matthew West, Maxi Priest, Meghan Trainor, Melissa Etheridge, Melissa Manchester, Michael Damian, Michael Penn, Michael Sinatra,

Michelle Malone, Mindy Gledhill, Molly Biggins, Muppets, Nancy Bodworth, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Natasha Miller, Naturally 7, New Christy Minstrels, New Found Glory, Next Level, NOLA Players, Norine Braun, Oh Hush!, Old 97's, Orla Fallon, Oscar McLollie and His Honey Jumpers, Ozie Ware, Patrick Page, Patti LaBelle, Paul Brady, Paul Jones, Paul Kelly, Paul Loren, Paul McCartney, Payolas, Peggy Lee, Petula Clark, Pomplamoose,

Posies, Pretenders, Quinn Hedges, Quinto Sisters, Rebecca Angel, Rehya Stevens, Remington Super 60, Renaissance Collective, REO Speedwagon, Reverend Horton Heat, Rick Braun, Rick Lang, Rifftrax, Robin Trower, Rock For Children, Roger Williams, Ron Halford, Roseate, Russ Lorenson, Salsoul Orchestra, Sara Evans, SaraBeth, Sarah Connor, Sarah Partridge, Scout Durwood, Sia, Sierra Boggess, Sister Sledge, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles,

Sonic Boom, Soupy Sales, SpongeBob Squarepants, Stan Freberg, Stephen Mougin, Steve Cropper, Stevie Wonder, Straight No Chaser, Styx, Sugar Chile Robinson, Sunita Mani, Surfaces, Suzanne's Band, Suzzy Roche, Switchfoot, T. Graham Brown, Taylor Swift, Tell Alls, Tim Davis, Tina Guo, Tina Lambert, Tommee Profitt, Tommy Byrne, Tony Bennett, Tracy Morgan, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Vika Bull, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Vince Vance and the Valiants, Vista Blue, Waitresses, WAR, Wendy Wilson, Wham, Whitney Houston, Will Ferrell and Yoko Ono!

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!

Listen To The Sounds Of Christmas 2024

11/1/2024

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.

You can also do either (or both) of these steps on the LISTEN NOW page.

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 2024 Season Of The Sounds Of Christmas

11/1/2024

The new season of the Sounds of Christmas has begun!

I’m excited about playing all your favorites again this season, along with lots of new music. I’ve already added around a couple hundred new songs to our library, and it’s still early, so I imagine there will be plenty more new stuff to come.

You can click above on New For 2024, and that should give you a good idea of a lot of the new music we’re playing this season. That page covers a lot of it, but by no means does it cover it all. I’m sure there are releases I’ve already missed, and as things get busier and busier, there will probably be others that I don’t get a chance to post there. It’s not intentional, and my apologies for any that I have already missed, or that I miss over the next month or two.

I would like to also mention the singers and bands that are supporting us this season. The Sounds of Christmas doesn’t run a lot of commercials, and what we do run mostly just keeps the station going. It’s never been a big money-maker, and it was never meant to be. It’s just a way I can share my love of Christmas music with as many as I can, and if I can do that without it costing me a small fortune, all the better.

You’re going to have the opportunity, if you choose, to meet a lot of the singers and musicians who are supporting us this season on upcoming episodes of the Sounds of Christmas podcast, but I’d like to take a few moments and introduce them to you.

First, a huge thank you to those who are returning. These people have been with us for multiple seasons, and I’m very grateful that somehow we found each other and share our love of Christmas music!

This year, there are eighteen artists that are supporting us, and fourteen of them have been with us at least one time before!

I have to start with Kenny Davies. He 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. It’s possible that he’s been with us since that first year his song came out, but if not, it’s definitely been almost that long. In fact, he is almost always the first one to sign on for the next season, sometimes as early as Spring!

Russ Lorenson first advertised with us in 2015, when he released his second Christmas album, In The Holiday Spirit. Very happy to have him back with us again for In The Holiday Spirit's 9th anniversary (and the eighteenth anniversary of that first Christmas release, What I Want For Christmas).

I think this year marks six in a row for Suzanne’s Band. Their second Christmas single, “Underneath The Tree”, came out in 2021, and Suzanne checked in with us along the way to share that single’s journey from the earliest writing and recording stages, up through its release. There’s a rumor is we just might get new Christmas music from Suzanne next year

Laurie Berkner is back for her fifth time. Recently, she released her second Christmas album Another Laurie Berkner Christmas. Her previous Christmas album, A Laurie Berkner Christmas, came out around ten years ago, so she said she thought it was time for a sequel.

Lauren Daigle is also back for her fifth time. Recently, she collected all the tracks from her Christmas album Behold, added in the bonus tracks from special editions, along with some singles, for Behold: The Complete Set.

Paul Kelly is back this year for his fourth time! He released his first ever Christmas album, Paul Kelly’s Christmas Train four years ago, which included an updated version of his popular classic "How To Make Gravy"! And last year, he added two new songs to his album, “White Wine In The Sun” and “Cherry Tree Carol”, to what was already a massive collection!

Cliff Beach is also back for his fourth time. Last year, he released the original single “Christmas Day Funk”. The year before, he released an a cappella version of “Jingle Bells”, and the year before, his first Christmas album Merry Christmas, Happy New Year (filled with covers in several styles, along with the original title track)! And this year, he has a brand new single on the way, his cover of “O Come All Ye Faithful"!

Dan Ashley is also back for his fourth time! He has a great Christmas single, a cover of “My Favorite Time Of The Year” (and you may know the original by the Florin Street Band), and this year, he has released a new single “Put Up The Lights”. He has also hinted to me that there just might be more Christmas music in the not-too-distant future.

Liz Kennedy is back, too, also for her fourth time. She has a new original Christmas single just out called “Lizzy’s Christmas Sleigh”, and previously released the singles “Snow In San Francisco” and “Snowman Moon (A Christmas Crime), which she says she hopes captures that magic that is found in love and also at this very special time of year.

Linda Imperial is also back for her fourth time. She has a new original Christmas single called “Christmas In The Tropics”, and she’s previously released “Christmas, You And Me” and a version of her favorite Christmas song - “Little Drummer Boy”.

David Lanz and Kristin Amarie are back for their third year, with a new album called Ayres, which isn’t exactly a Christmas album, but there are some Christmas songs on it, including “Ave Maria” and “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” (with special guests Apollo Five), following recent releases of “Silent Night” and “Mary Did You Know”.

David Arkenstone is back for his second year, following last year’s release of the album Winterlüde. David has released around 80 studio albums in his amazing career, along with soundtracks and video game scores, including a number of songs for World of Warcraft. He’s also released many Christmas and Christmas-themed albums, and is heading out on his “Winter’s Eve” tour with David Arkenstone and Friends, which kicks off December 1!

Singer/songwriter Michelle Malone is back for her second year, following last year’s Christmas album with the Hot Toddies, called Toddie Time, which follows a previous Christmas single, a Christmas album (and lots of other Christmas goodies on her website)!

As if that wasn’t enough, there are some super-talented, amazing singers and musicians joining the Sounds of Christmas this year for the first time.

Carpenters Legacy joins us with their first Christmas album, Christmastime With You, an amazing tribute to the Carpenters that includes all your favorites, plus the original title track, done in the style of the Carpenters, too!

Luminare Christmas! is also joining us with their second Christmas album Mistletoe Madness (due out 11/22). Led by a former member of Mannheim Steamroller, their sound can be described as a blend of Mannheim Steamroller’s holiday classic vibes, the high-energy rock of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the cinematic atmosphere of Hans Zimmer.

Fans Of Jimmy Century, who you may already have met in a Halloween episode of this podcast, are joining us for their first time with the release of their first holiday album A Coupla Holiday Spirits (Halloween Perils and Christmas Carols). You probably heard tracks from the Halloween side of their album in October when we were the Sounds of Halloween. Now that the new season has started, you’ll get to hear their Christmas songs!

And finally, Judith Owen joins us with her latest Christmas release Judith Owen Swings Christmas, a very cool, jazzy album that will keep you moving throughout the season, It follows last year’s “Winter Wonderland” EP and the previous holiday release “Christmas In July”.

I’m very grateful to each and every one of these artists for supporting the Sounds of Christmas this season, and I wanted to mention them here, even though you’ll get the chance to meet most of them in upcoming podcast episodes (though quite a few of them have already made appearances on this podcast, and you can check those out right now, if you haven’t already). And, of course, you’ll get to hear their music on the Sounds of Christmas, now that our new season has begun!

I probably should take this opportunity to let you know, just in case you’re new to us (and also just in case you’re not new but you don’t remember), how to listen to the Sounds of Christmas.

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.

Both of those options are also available on the Listen Now page. I also want to mention that some browsers don’t show the player, and in those cases, you’ll only be able to click the tree for our pop-up player.

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

I know that you may not be ready for Christmas music, yet, but when you are, we're ready for you! The Sounds of Christmas is 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 your support! And may you always believe in Santa Claus!

Podcast Countdown 2024

10/22/2024

To mark the pending arrival of the new season of the Sounds of Christmas (November 1 at 6am Eastern), I thought I’d continue something I started last year. Starting on October 22nd, I began highlighting the top ten most-listened-to and most-downloaded episodes of the Sounds of Christmas podcast, one each day up through Halloween.

This past year, although it wasn’t until May, the Sounds of Christmas podcast was added to YouTube. I don’t know what impact that may have on the overall numbers, but that’s really the only thing different this year (aside from the addition of another year’s worth of podcast episodes, of course).

If you have a favorite, you are certainly welcome to listen again and try and boost it up into the top ten over the next few days, but many that are there have their spots pretty secured, however, there are a few that are close to each other, and there’s a bit of a bottleneck around number ten. At least there is right now. So if there’s an artist interview you really liked, or a topic that you thought was really good, give them another listen and maybe you’ll get them into the top ten.

Although, I must admit that if you already liked any particular episode that much, it’s probably already in the top ten.

Anyway, I’ll be posting these each day here, as well as on our social media accounts, so you can follow along, catch any you may have missed, and listen to your favorites again.

This will all lead up to the new season of the Sounds of Christmas, which we’ll also kick off with at least one brand new episode - all on November 1!

All that said, you can find the top ten podcasts below (updated daily until all ten are released)!

The Best Variety Of Halloween Music (2024 Edition)

10/1/2024

This is a variation of a blog I posted a couple years ago. I always say that the Sounds of Christmas plays the best variety of Christmas Music, and that's also true for the Sounds of Halloween. 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 until next year, here's a list of most of the artists we played on the first day of October, when the Sounds of Halloween 2024 began.

4 Flops, 5 Seconds Of Summer, a-ha, Accent, Adam Sandler, Alan Parsons Project, Alana Davis, Alfie Boe, Alice Cooper, Alixandrea Corvyn, AdELA, Alice Ripley, Allman Joys, the allSTARS, Amanda Seyfried, Amber Pacific, Andrew Gold, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Andy Williams, the Animals, Anita Baker, Ann Wilson, Annie Lennox, Annie Marie, Aquabats, Arnold McCuller, Arthur Brown, Ashleigh Murray, Ashton Gardner and Dyke, Atlanta Rhythm Section,

Aurelio Voltaire, Bacon Brothers, Bad Detectives, Baked A La Ska, Barefoot Movement, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, B.B. King, Benny Spellman, Best Coast, Bette Midler, Better Than Ezra, Betty Grable, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Big Country, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Billy Cobb, Billy Sheehan, Billy Taylor, Bing Crosby, bird and the bee, Black Oak Arkansas, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blenders, Blood Sweat and Tears, Blue Öyster Cult, Blues Brothers, Bo Diddley,

Bob Dylan, Bob Malone, Bobby Bare, Bobby "Boris" Pickett, Bobby Caldwell, Bobby Curtola, Bobby Please and the Pleasers, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Vee, Bobby Vinton, Bobs, Bon Temps, Bonzo Dog Band, Booboo Stewart, Bow Wow Wow, Bowling For Soup, Brave Combo, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Ferry, Brynn Stanley, Buckwheat Zydeco, Cab Calloway, Cage the Elephant, Canned Heat, Carl Bonafede, Carmen McRae, Cassandra Wilson,

Cast of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Chambers Brothers, Chandler Kinney, Charlatans, Charlie Daniels Band, Charlie Sexton, Chelsea Wolfe, Cher, Chet Baker, China Anne McClain, Chipmunks, Chris Isaak, Chris Montez, Christina Aguilera, Christina Milian, Chuck Berry, Clarence Clemons, Classical Renaissance Symphony, Claypool Lennon, Cliff Richards, Clovers, Coasters, Colm R. McGuiness, Commander Cody, Concrete Blonde, Conway,

Cowboy Junkies, Cramps, Crash Test Dummies, Cream, Creed, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cris Kevin, Crypt Keeper, Dartmouth Aires, David Bowie, David Essex, David Johnsen, DBone and the Remains, DCappella, Deb Bowman, Del-Vikings, Delta Rae, Dennis Quaid and the Sharks, Descendants Cast, Devo, Dick Cavett, Dick Robinson, Dickie Goodman, Disney's ZOMBIES Cast, DZ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Dollyrots, Don Hinson, Donovan,

Doors, Dorothy, Dove Cameron, Dr. Hook, Dr. John, Drugstore Cowboys, Duprees, Duran Duran, Eagles, Eartha Kitt, Echo and the Bunnymen, Elites, Ella Fitzgerald, Elmo, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, Emersons, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erutan, Ervinna and the Stylers, Extreme, Fans Of Jimmy Century, Faster Pussycat, Fats Waller, Fawn, Feargal Sharkey, First To Eleven, Five Blobs, Five Man Electrical Band, Flat Five, Fleetwood Mac,

Florence + the Machine, Frankie and the Fashions, Fuzztones, Gary Brooker, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Gary Warren, Gene Moss, Gene Vincent, Geoff Castellucci, George Thorogood, Gerald McCann, Ghost, Gil Scott-Heron, Gino Vannelli, Glass Prism, GLEE Cast, Gnarls Barkley, Golden Earring, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Gordon Lightfoot, Groovie Ghoulies, Groovy Ghoulies, GTR, Hairy Growlers, Hammer, Harry Belafonte, Harry Gold,

Harry Nilsson, Hawthorne Heights, Hayseed Dixie, Helen Welch, Hellogoodbye, Henry Hall, Herry and Grover, Hipwaders, Hollies, Holly Cole, Hoodoo Gurus, Hound + the Fox, Howlin' Wolf, Hozier, Hugh Cornwell, I The Mighty, Invader Zim, Invasions, J. Geils Band, Jack and Kim, James Wesley Masters, Jennifer Rush, Jerry Reed, Jessica Lange and the Cast of American Horror Story, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts,

Joe Bob Briggs and the Lone Stars, Joe Jackson, Joe Johnson, Joey Cook, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, John Mayall and the Blues Breakers, Johnny Otis, Johnny Winter, Johnson Brothers, Jonathan Coulton, Judas Priest, Judy Garland, Junior Wells, Kai Jette, Kathryn Hahn, Kay Starr, Keiran Berry, Keith David, Kenny and the Fiends, Keytones, Kingston Trio, Kip Tyler and the Flips, Koko Taylor, Kords, Korn, Kris Kristofferson,

Kristin Chenoweth, Krokus, Krystina Alabado, Larkin Poe, Laurie Berkner Band, Lennon & Maisey, Leroy Bowman and the Arrows, Leslie West, Levi Stubbs, Lewis Lee, Lex Land, Little River Band, Liz Kennedy, Lone Justice, Lord Luther, Lou Rawls, Louis Armstrong, Lynda Carter, Lynn Anderson, Magics, Margo Price, Mark O'Conner, Meg Donnelly, Melanie C, Mellomen, Men At Work, Michael Jackson, Michael Schenker Group, Midnight Chimes, Mike Campbell,

Miley Cyrus, Milo Manheim, Misfits, Mitchell Hope, Molly Hatchet, Morris Day, Motorhead, Munsters, MST3k RiffTrax Guys, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Norma Tanega, North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative, Ohio Express, Oingo Boingo, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Godwin, Paul Williams, Pentatonix, Pete Best Combo, Peter Hollens, Philly Joe Jones, Piney Gir, Pixies, Plain White T's, Poets, Polyphonic Spree, Postmodern Jukebox, Punchline, Queen,

Rachel Potter, Ramones, Raveonettes, Ready For The World, Red Buttons, Redbone, Reel Big Fish, Reeve Carney, Rihanna, Robert Johnson, Rockin' Ryan and the Real Goners, Roky Erickson, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Orbison, Rubinoos, Rudy Vallée, Rush, Saint Chaos, Sam Tinnesz, Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford, Sci-Fi Romance, Screamin' Lord Sutch, Sesame Street Cast, Sharks, Sierra Nelson, Simple Plan, Siouxsie and the Banshees,

Squirrel Nut Zippers, Sting, Stonegarth, Strangeloves, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Sweet, Swingin' Neckbreakers, Tag Team, Thurl Ravenscroft, Tia Carrere, Tim Curry, Tom Waits, Tommee Profitt, Tony's Monstrosities, Tracey Thorn, Trisha Yearwood, Tuesday Knight, Valerie Broussard, Vincent Price, VoicePlay, Walter Murphy, Warren Zevon, Wayne Brady, White Zombie, Whitney Avalon, Will Champlin and the Young Frankenstein Cast!

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 we play the best variety of Halloween music!

And if you don't see your favorites here, don't worry. This is just the line-up of most of the artists that we played on the first day of October. There's a lot more to come!

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

May you always believe in the Great Pumpkin!

Ken

Listen To The Sounds Of Halloween 2024

10/1/2024

The new season of the Sounds of Christmas starts November 1. While we get ready for that, we're playing all Halloween music throughout October. We're also trying to make it as easy as we can to listen to the Sounds of Christmas (and the Sounds of Halloween).

There are three pretty simple ways to tune in.

First, simply click on the player on the front page of our website, or on the LISTEN NOW page. 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 (between the embedded player and the News Headlines) or on our LISTEN NOW 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'll keep the Halloween music going all the way through Halloween night! Then, on November 1, it's back to the best variety of Christmas music, with all your favorite tunes and artists, along with hundreds of brand new songs!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and for listening!

May you always believe in Santa Claus! And the Great Pumpkin!

The Sounds Of Halloween 2024

9/22/2024

The Sounds of Christmas station switches to Halloween music in October, which is now just around the corner.

I get questions about that a lot, and I even re-posted a blog about it recently on the Sounds of Christmas website, and I’ve recorded similar podcasts episodes about it in the past, but since this is starting up next week, I thought it was time to talk about it again..

This is a tradition I started years ago, in the early days of the Sounds of Christmas station. I’m going to share this story once again, as I think it really illustrates how and why the Sounds of Halloween came to be.

Like most families, Halloween and Christmas have always been big at our house. Lisa and the kids are on the Halloween side, while I'm with Santa.

I learned long ago not to try and convert any of them. I think what happened at Disneyland once explains it best. In one of the studios at California Adventure, you can use this machine to determine which hero or villain you are.

I was Tarzan. All three of them were villains.

Oh, well. They love me, anyway.

So as we move toward October, I get super-busy working on the new season of the Sounds of Christmas. While the station stays on year-round, I had decided to make a change in October, turning the Sounds of Christmas into the Sounds of Halloween from October 1 through Halloween night.

I admit, mostly, this was just for my family, while I kick the tires and otherwise make sure everything is set to go for the coming season, including loading lots of new music.

But I found there are a lot of other people that love Halloween, too, so, year after year, I've expanded the playlist, finding more and more Halloween music.

With all that said, what exactly is Halloween music?

Some of it is pretty obvious. Monster Mash. Purple People Eater. Ghostbusters. Songs about things you associate with Halloween - ghosts, monsters, werewolves, vampires and witches. Some are scary stories, and some are about candy or trick-or-treating.

I also include songs from scary movies and TV shows. Some of those are pretty creepy. And some are funny. Many are in-between.

While there are some kids' songs (like The Count from Sesame Street), a few of the songs do have bad language. And some of the themes of some songs are straight out of horror movies, and those probably aren't for little kids, either. I only say that so you’ll know that, for the month of October, parental guidance is suggested.

And like the Sounds of Christmas, I add new stuff to the Sounds of Halloween every year - like Charley Crockett’s version of “Ghost Riders In The Sky” from this summer’s movie Twisters as well as a track or two from the deluxe version of Duran Duran’s album “Danse Macabre”, which was originally released last year, Miley Cyrus' new take on “Psycho Killer” and new music from Disney Plus’ series’ Agatha All Along.

On the Sounds of Christmas, I play many versions of many songs, so you won't just hear Bing Crosby's version of "White Christmas". You'll hear lots of different singers and bands, old and new, offering their takes on that classic. And l do the same thing with the Halloween tunes. For example, I have over a dozen versions of "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" and almost three dozen different takes on “I Put A Spell On You” (though I may not get to all of them this year, as I try to separate songs and artists so you don't hear the same songs and same voices over and over).

During the Sounds of Halloween, you will hear from many of your favorite Christmas music singers and bands, including Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Mannheim Steamroller and even Bruce Springsteen!

There are songs about Killer Tomatoes, Black Magic Women and Haunted Houses. There are also songs about Alien Invasions, Invisible Men and over a dozen versions of “Monster Mash").

And I play lots of Disney songs, from movie villains and from spooky shows on Disney Plus. I also have at least half a dozen songs from Mystery Science Theater 3000.

As a further example, and to give you a better idea of what I mean by Halloween music, here are a dozen songs I randomly shuffled from the Sounds of Halloween library as I put this latest blog together and added it to the Sounds of Christmas website...

Fifth Harmony “I’m in Love With A Monster"
Joe Wallace “Leopard Man"
Seaway “Brain In A Jar"
Jeff Bridges and the Rusty Pistols “Riders In The Sky (A Cowboy Legend)"
Van Halen “Runnin’ With The Devil"
Monotones “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow"
L.A. Guns “Cry Little Sister"
Alice Cooper “Welcome To My Nightmare"
Billy Cobb “Halloween"
Rosemary Clooney “That Old Black Magic"
Justin Hayward “Forever Autumn”
Harry Belafonte “Reincarnation"

You probably recognized some of those songs, but are either unfamiliar with the artist I mentioned, or just didn’t realize they recorded a version of it as well as the popular one. For example, I have a bunch of versions of “Cry Little Sister”, including the original by Gerald McCann from the movie The Lost Boys, and I play all of those, but the one that shuffled out this time around was from L.A. Guns. Hope that makes sense.

One thing that is different this year is that the Sounds of Halloween will run until 6am (Eastern) on November 1. That way, the West Coast of the U.S. (and even Hawaii) will get a chance to finish celebrating Halloween, before the new season of the Sounds of Christmas begins.

I hope you enjoy this upcoming celebration of Halloween throughout October! And then the new season of the Sounds of Christmas will be here, starting on November 1!

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

Ken

P.S. - To listen, just go to our home page (or click LISTEN NOW above) and click on the player. For some reason, the player isn't showing up on some browsers, so you can also just click on the tree which will give you a pop-up player. And you can search for us in the Google Play store and get our free app for your Android Phone and take us along with you!

Revisiting the Myth of Christmas Creep

9/9/2024

I’ve noticed the creeps are back again (actually noticed this weeks ago but was trying to ignore them). The creeps I’m talking about have nothing to do with Halloween, or with the podcast with that same name. It’s actually in reference to what some complaining people like to say, regarding any signs of Christmas that turn up before Thanksgiving (or even before October).

This is a topic I’ve talked about before, but since it now seems to include Halloween and all things fall-related, I thought it was worth bringing it up again.

Since you're on this website, there’s a good chance you’re a fan of Christmas and Christmas music, and you’ve run across your share of these particular creeps yourself.

Once again, I’m coming across articles, blogs and posts 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, of course, some are just people who like to complain, period. Sadly, we all know the type.

I remember working in the receiving department of a large, box bookstore almost thirty 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?

Despite these Grinches saying that Christmas is creeping into stores earlier and earlier every year, this is nothing new.

I remember when I was in college (and even high school), 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.

And 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? Well, here are some things you can point out to any of these creeps that you come across, when they start complaining about you rushing the season.

Elvis Presley’s first Christmas album was released on October 15. And that was 1957. Some 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 released a Christmas album a month earlier. Go back to the previous decade, and you’ll find that Gene Autry released “Here Comes Santa Claus” on October 6. And that was 1947!

So over seventy-five years ago, no one complained that Gene Autry was rushing the season when his Christmas single 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).

They wouldn’t do it if people weren’t buying it.

And for those creating Christmas-related things, the season starts even earlier. Mel Tormé famously recorded “The Christmas Song” in the heat of summer, decorating the studio with Christmas lights to help get into the spirit. In the summer of 2021, Rob Thomas was working on his first Christmas album, and had a giant TV screen put in the studio, so he could watch Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel to help get into the spirit.

And on previous episodes of this podcast, you can hear Suzanne from Suzanne’s Band, Michael Sinatra and many other artists talk about all that goes into the creation of their Christmas releases, and how early they have to start to have it ready in time.

They aren’t rushing the season. And neither is your local Michaels’ just because they have Christmas decorations on their shelves before Summer has officially ended.

The Sounds of Christmas launches its new season on November 1. I don’t expect everyone to drop what they’re doing and start listening. Likewise, everyone doesn’t have to run to Macy’s for new ornaments just because they’ve been put on display before Thanksgiving, or before Halloween. Or before the first official day of Fall.

But if you want to, you can.

We all celebrate (or don’t celebrate) the season in different ways. And really, if someone wants to listen to Christmas music, or watch “Elf” or put up a decoration, how does that affect you?

It doesn’t. Unless it inspires you to do the same. But it has no actual impact at all on anyone else who doesn’t want to acknowledge Christmas until December.

Just before Labor Day, after Starbucks revealed, and made available, their Pumpkin Spice Lattes and other fall items, some people seemed to really get upset. I saw more than one person post on Facebook that it wasn’t even the first day of fall, so put down the pumpkin.

If I want one of their pumpkin flavored drinks (or one from somewhere else), why should that bother anyone? Likewise, if I want to pop into Spirit Halloween, or visit a pumpkin patch (whether or not I’m trying to determine how sincere it is), why does that bother anyone?

Some people just don’t seem to be happy unless they're criticizing others for celebrating something outside of some approved timeframe. Try not to let them get to you.

The Sounds of Christmas station flips to all-Halloween music on October 1, and then back to Christmas on November 1.

Now, the Sounds of Christmas station does have listeners on November 1, hopefully enjoying their favorite Christmas songs alongside new music from singers and bands they may or may not know. And while we haven’t always been on year-round, we have always started our new season on the first of November.

Like the bookstores, Bob’s Candy Canes and even Frank Sinatra, I’m not trying to rush the season, and I’m certainly not trying to force anyone to listen. I just love Christmas. And I love sharing the Christmas music that I also love. 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. In fact, whenever you need a little musical Christmas spirit, we’re here for you!

The point of all this is that no one is rushing anything. Christmas is ready for you to embrace it whenever you want, and it has been that way for a very long time.

In “A Christmas Carol”, Charles Dickens wrote “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Those last three words are All the year. Not just in December. Not just after Thanksgiving. Not just at any particular time someone else decides is appropriate for you.

All the year.

And those words were written in 1843.

That’s why, in the middle of September (which is when I’m posting this) you can watch Scrooged on PlutoTV right now. Or It’s A Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime. Or all three of Tim Allen’s Santa Clause movies on Disney Plus.

You don’t have to watch any of those, of course. But if you want to, you can.

No one’s making you buy Christmas decorations or candy canes, either.

So whether it’s December or September, if you feel like reveling in some Christmas spirit, you don’t need anyone’s permission. And you aren’t rushing anything.

It isn’t up to anyone else to determine when you are allowed to get into the Christmas Spirit. No matter what the creeps say.

May you always believe in Santa Claus!

Clip Show (Part 2)

8/15/2024

The Sounds of Christmas podcast is approaching 200 episodes, and in the latest episode, I look back at the conversations I've had with artists about their music (and Christmas)!

Here's the episode:

What I really wanted to do here, though, is thank all of the artists that have given me their time to come on the podcast, There were too many to list in the shownotes, so I thought I'd put them all here. Click on the image, or click on their name below, to find out more about them and their music!

98 Degrees

All-Star Kid

Aubrey Logan

Bart Zeal

Blane Howard

Bob Sirois

Brynn Stanley

Cliff Beach

Corinne Cook

Critical Mass

Dan Ashley

David Arkenstone

David Browning

David Lanz

Deb Bowman

Fawn

Grant Maloy Smith

Guy Maeda

Jane Monheit

Jeff Fowler

Judy Pancoast

Karla Bonoff

KEITH

Kevin McGrath

Kristin Amarie

Linda Imperial

Lisa Biales

Lisa Kessler

Liz Kennedy

Mark Winter

Matt Molnar

Michael Brandmeier

Michael Sinatra

Michelle Malone

Norine Braun

Paul Kelly

Pete Hopkins

Quinn Hedges

Rehya Stevens

Rhonda Burchmore

Rock By The Sea

Rosalie Drysdale

Russ Lorenson

Safety Harbor Kids

Sarah Partridge

Sarah Reeves

The Stephens

Suzanne's Band

The Tell Alls

Tommee Profitt

Tommy Byrne

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Vista Blue

Winterbrook