So on Facebook, I decided to do a little thing where I post 22 songs this month leading up to Christmas Day on the 25th. These are Christmas songs that one wouldn’t typically hear on the radio, as if you recall in my last post, I complained a bit about that. So I decided to do something about it, and that’s what it was. Now, for recollection’s sake, here’s the first 11 songs I put up on Facebook…
Day 1: “Christmas in Hollis” – Run D.M.C.
Day 2: “Wish List” – Neon Trees
Day 3: “Christmas Lights” – Coldplay
Day 4: “Merry Christmas, Baby” – James Brown
Day 5: “Jesus Christ Eatin’ on a Chicken Wing” – Clownvis Presley
Day 6: “Won’t Be Home for Christmas” – Blink-182
Day 7: “White Christmas” – Iggy Pop
Day 8: “Gettin’ in the Mood (For Christmas)” – The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Day 9: “Fleck the Walls” – Ren & Stimpy
Day 10: “Santa Stole My Lady” – Fitz & The Tantrums
BONUS: Live versions of “Silent Night” and “Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis” performed by Tom Waits.
Looking back on it, I actually skipped a day, so I’ll have to correct that tonight.
I’ll be back on the day after Christmas with my other picks for songs!
So as I’m watching Monday Night Raw, and since Gmail, Twitter, and YouTube are all pretty much non-existent on my computer today for reasons I do not understand, I thought I would make a little post about Christmas, and, shockingly, the music that is associated with it.
I know what you’re thinking. “This guy NEVER talks about music!” Well, you obviously don’t know me, first off, and secondly, you’re wrong. I’ll try to change that later on, but I have lots of things to say about it.
This time, I want to talk about Christmas music.
Earlier today, just for fun, on Facebook I decided to start a ’22 Days of Christmas Music’ thing, where every day until the big one, I post videos of Christmas songs that people would otherwise be unfamiliar with. The first one I posted was Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis,” which is my favorite Christmas song. But when posting it, I thought about why it’s seemingly unheard by many, and I came to the conclusion that radio is to blame.
See, it’s the radio who plays Christmas music from, I don’t know, the beginning of November practically til the beginning of January. For two months, they play songs like “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and other favorites. But eventually, they run out. By two weeks, I’m sure even less time than that, they’ll have to start playing songs over that they’ve already played. That’s because they play ONLY the classics, and hardly anything new.
That’s where the problem lies.
New Christmas is being made YEARLY. Just this year, Cee Lo Green came out with a Christmas album. As did John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (yeah…I know, right?). So my question is, why don’t radio stations play new stuff? Why don’t they play “Christmas in Hollis”?
The whole thing about playing “traditional” Christmas music just bugs me. If I were to somehow control a Christmas radio station, I would play nothing but stuff that ISN’T normally played. I’d be all like, ‘hell yeah, bring on some Run DMC! Show me the Cee Lo! The two main characters of Grease? Why not!”
It’s just something I don’t quite understand and had to get off my chest.
My guess is they just want to appeal to old people.
Because someone has to. Isn’t that right, Betty White?
Yes, like the Madonna song. What a great song that is, by the way. I remember being a 7 year old punk who would sneak into his parents bedroom to watch music videos on MTV and VH1. Madonna’s “Music” was one that I remember vividly, as well as the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Californication.” 1999-2001 was a GREAT year for music. And fashion. Yeah, I said it. The fashion in those years is very underrated today. They looked so futuristic. I think members of the Backstreet Boys were on the Today Show or The View or something yesterday (don’t ask why I know this) and they showed some pictures of the band from the red carpet from 12 years ago, and I don’t know why, but they all looked so damn cool. Of course, girls like the Spice Girls and Christina Aguilera looked hella good in those days, too, but that’s besides the point.
I’m here to talk about music. And why I’m excited about it. Ready? Here goes:
– Queens of the Stone Age
Queens haven’t had an album come out since 2007’s “Era Vulgaris.” Nearly 6 years ago, which is way too long. But all throughout this year they’ve been dropping hints of recording a new one, and those hints became facts earlier in the month. It was reported that longtime drummer Joey Castillo left the band for reasons really unknown, which is a shame as he’s a highly underrated drummer. In his place? Dave Grohl, of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame. I know what you’re thinking, “WOAH!” Me too, comrades, me too. And if that wasn’t enough, Trent f’n Reznor is collaborating with the band for a song! I know what you’re thinking, “WOAH!” Yeah. The album’s supposed to drop sometime in the first quarter of 2013.
– Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Another one of my favorite bands. BRMC, garage rock gods, will have a new album out in March of 2013. As you can tell, I’ll be buying quite a bit of records next year. Personally, I’m hoping they go back to their roots are in your face badass rock, because although their folk-y tunes are amazing, nothing will ever compare to rock ‘n’ roll.
– Reignwolf
Not only is this guy one of the biggest up-and-coming rock artists today, but he’s also the best. And I will be seeing him live, in concert, next month. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to see a show than I am for this one, and if you watch this, you’ll more than likely be jealous.
– 8MM
Hella fine band, who I will also be seeing live in Columbus next month. And at a place I’d never heard of until I saw where this band was playing. Just when you think you know everything, you learn something new.
– Joey Hebdo
A local man, a man I know well, and a man who I’m gonna see next month as well. My words would never be able to do him justice, so check him out at www.joeyhebdo.com
– Zac Brown Band
Due to prior engagements, I won’t be able to watch this, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Fuse is airing his performance from Madison Square Garden LIVE on YouTube this Saturday night! If you’ve read my other articles, you know I’m a fan of live webcasts, and even though I’m not one for country music, I’d still love to see this.
So there you have it, music has never been more alive, in my eyes, than it is today.
Monday: Producing Sean & Philly Show on (2-3 PM)
Tuesday: Interning for Joe Jewett and the Morning Show on CD 102.5. (7-10 AM)
Wednesday: Producing Sean & Philly Show (2-3 PM)
Thursday: Producing Sean & Philly Show (2-3 PM) and doing camera work for the Columbus Clippers for Time Warner Cable Sports. (Game starts at 7:05)
Friday: Intern for Joe Jewett and the Morning Show
And next week I graduate from the Ohio Center for Broadcasting!
I’ll do a write-up next Friday.
I made a Facebook page, which can, and should, be liked here.
And, of course, I updated this site quite a bit, specifically by changing the entire layout, as well as promoting some of the things I did here.
Tomorrow, I’m attending CD 102.5‘s Summerfest, which will feature such bands as Metric, Ben Kweller, the Lumineers, and more. If you’re going, make sure you tweet about it before, during, and after using the hashtag “#Summerfest”!
I’ll be back on Sunday letting you all know about my experience!
Yeah, I couldn’t think of a better title.
Today, I was on air on my favorite radio station.
Now, for most people, it’s really not that big of a deal. But to me, it was an amazing experience, even if it was less than a minute.
A little background, I am an intern for Joe Jewett and the Morning Show on CD 102.5 (which you can like here), a local radio station here in Columbus. Joe had a segment just prior with Dr. DVD, a local DVD reviewer. In the segment, Dr. DVD mentioned the show Squidbillies, which is a cartoon shown on Adult Swim. Joe asked me in the following segment what it was about, and the rest is history!
In all honesty, I liked the way I sounded. Thought my voice was pretty cool. As someone who jumbles their words a LOT, and mumbles quite a bit as well, you really couldn’t even tell, and that’s awesome. So take a listen and enjoy!
Connor Mullen 