Christmas Music-When do you listen?

[Runwildboys]

Me either, but this movie puts that old myth to rest. As much as the are laughing at themselves, the movie 'laughs' at some of the Soviet culture.

Well in that case, I too am surprised Hollywood hasn't adapted it for U.S. audiences!

 

[CouchCoach]

Anytime after Halloween is fair game for us. We have a real eclectic collection of Christmas music at home and, beginning about December 1, the local FM station plays continuous 24/7 Christmas music until December 31.

What about Christmas/New Year's movies?

For some reason, the Harry Potter movies have become a Christmas tradition for us (along with a few of the Hollywood classics, of course).

On New Year's Eve, we watch a Russian movie (wife is Russian) entitled "Ironies of the Fates" about the misadventures of a few friends on Christmas. Great movie - surprised Hollywood hasn't adapted for the US audience. What is surprising to me is the level of satire in a Soviet-era comedy.

Yep, have a set holiday movies play list that begins on Thanksgiving eve with "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" and the Christmas movie kick off is on Black Friday with "Christmas Vacation" followed by a bevy of others with "It's A Wonderful Life" the last before Christmas day and capped off on New Year's Eve with "When Harry Met Sally".

I also play the entire "Harry Potter" collection during the holidays as tradition as well as "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" in early January. Those fit the season for me like "Jaws", "Independence Day" and "The Patriot" on July 4th and war movies on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and D Day. I am all about the themes.

 

[Melonfeud]

Even though I'm as far from a religious person as there is, I find O Holy Night to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written, but I've never heard Nat's rendition. I'm sure it's incredible.

I think the first time I ever heard the song was when Robert Guillaume sang it on Benson.

That Mannheim Steamroller kicks out some rightously awesome instrumental Renditions of Christmas tunes,bro (imo)

 

[Montanalo]

,,,Ah-Ha! So, you were the inspirational impetus for Warren Zevon to compose that "Lawyers Guns and Money" tune,,eh?


* yer' blushing bride being employed as a waitress once/ or,at one time in life, is absolutely crucial in the sheer brilliance of my Theory'd Theorem

Wow. I am impressed - that is quite a connection between my Russian New Year's movie and Warren Zevon... I resemble that remark!

 

[Runwildboys]

That Mannheim Steamroller kicks out some rightously awesome instrumental Renditions of Christmas tunes,bro (imo)

Yes they do.......but I won't listen to them until Christmas is a week or so away.

 

[FloridaRob]

Even though I'm as far from a religious person as there is, I find O Holy Night to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written, but I've never heard Nat's rendition. I'm sure it's incredible.

I think the first time I ever heard the song was when Robert Guillaume sang it on Benson.

to me the most awesome version of this song I have ever heard is by David Phelps. The power and control in this guys voice is second to none. I probably listen to him sing this song five times a week just because it is so amazing. I could listen from 3:00 till the end on a loop.

 

[Runwildboys]

to me the most awesome version of this song I have ever heard is by David Phelps. The power and control in this guys voice is second to none. I probably listen to him sing this song five times a week just because it is so amazing. I could listen from 3:00 till the end on a loop.

I made the mistake of actually watching the video, instead of just listening to it, but he does have a tremendous voice, and it's a beautiful rendition.

 

[Melonfeud]

Wow. I am impressed - that is quite a connection between my Russian New Year's movie and Warren Zevon... I resemble that remark!

 

[CouchCoach]

Interesting tidbit of information for you. The radio station credited with starting the trend to all Christmas music is KVIL in Dallas, actually licensed to Highland Park. They did this many years ago and the industry watched to see what would happen because this station was a major player in the ratings back then with legendary morning man, Ron Chapman. They were actually nationally ranked, very heavy hitter and they're suspending their normal programming for all Christmas in the most important ratings sweep of the year? As ballsy a move any station has ever made. The results came in and stations began to follow suit and as many as 4 were doing it in Dallas the last time I lived there.

In my 9 years in my last radio gig in OK, I had my Oldies, soon to be known as Classic Hits because us old folks don't like the old word anymore than we like the no word, flip to Christmas music every year to mixed reviews but by far to the positive side but it was generational, the younger listeners into the Oldies didn't care for Christmas music so I played my regular format online since they were more likely to be net savvy.

If you ever get the chance to see the research on Christmas music and it's effect, done by The Research Group, it is really interesting. The dichotomy is that more people get the blues and depression during the holidays than any other time of year and you would think that the reminder with Christmas music would exacerbate that but it does just the opposite. It is a testament to the power of music to change the mood and lift the spirits.

The exceptions to that have been known to drive people to homicidal rages, which if I were a juror would accept as an insanity defense. "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", any Chipmunks Christmas song and the barking dogs Christmas song are responsible for drinking too much during the holidays and murder.

 

[StarMan2112]

Day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day. I generally prefer the old classics but I also like Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

 

[Sammy]

Even though I'm as far from a religious person as there is, I find O Holy Night to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written, but I've never heard Nat's rendition. I'm sure it's incredible.

I think the first time I ever heard the song was when Robert Guillaume sang it on Benson.

David Letterman ruined that song for me. He had a tradition of having Cher on every year to perform it, which was fine. But Paul Shafer's schtick talking about her muff is all I can think about now when I listen to the song.

 

[Runwildboys]

David Letterman ruined that song for me. He had a tradition of having Cher on every year to perform it, which was fine. But Paul Shafer's schtick talking about her muff is all I can think about now when I listen to the song.

Glad I never saw that!! Now you have me wondering if Cher even has one! With all the plastic she's got in her, I'm thinking she's more like a Barbie doll.

 

[Sammy]

Glad I never saw that!! Now you have me wondering Cher even has one! With all the plastic she's got in her, I'm thinking she's more like a Barbie doll.

Well see, the muff he was talking about was one she wore -- yes, wore -- on her first appearance. You know, one of those furry things where a woman puts her hands in the ends to keep warm.

But yeah, plastic too. I used to watch fascinated to see if her lips actually moved during the song. If they did, I never saw it.

 

[Runwildboys]

Well see, the muff he was talking about was one she wore -- yes, wore -- on her first appearance. You know, one of those furry things where a woman puts her hands in the ends to keep warm.

But yeah, plastic too. I used to watch fascinated to see if her lips actually moved during the song. If they did, I never saw it.

LOL.........Okay, well I guess I went straight to the same place Paul went on that one.

I don't know if I'd have the stomach to watch her face as closely as you did.

 

[Stash]

That's the thing.

It's good music.

And it's so positive and feel good music as well. Like @Reality I could listen to it all year long.

 

[DanteEXT]

Back in 90's when I delivered pizza the local AM station would play old timey radio Xmas programs (not sure if they were old or new). I would sometimes listen in the car. Not sure if they still do. There was one I really enjoyed but for the life of me I can't figure out how to find it. I vaguely remember it but it was something like family members asking for hints on what to buy someone but the person being asked thinks it's hints on what to buy them or something like that.

 

[DanteEXT]

Anytime after Halloween is fair game for us. We have a real eclectic collection of Christmas music at home and, beginning about December 1, the local FM station plays continuous 24/7 Christmas music until December 31.

What about Christmas/New Year's movies?

For some reason, the Harry Potter movies have become a Christmas tradition for us (along with a few of the Hollywood classics, of course).

On New Year's Eve, we watch a Russian movie (wife is Russian) entitled "Ironies of the Fates" about the misadventures of a few friends on Christmas. Great movie - surprised Hollywood hasn't adapted for the US audience. What is surprising to me is the level of satire in a Soviet-era comedy.

I think when Freeform had the Harry Potter movies they mixed them in with their 25 days of Christmas.

 

[HotDog37]

This one does it for me

 

[madcow74]

I listen as soon as they start playing it after Halloween and we are gonna put the tree up tomorrow

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I can listen to the following two any time of the year...




Not to fond of the others after a couple of times hearing them.

I will add TSO in the mix of stuff I can listen year round.