Jon Solomon’s 2018 Holiday Radio Show.

30 years, 30 hours.

The 2018 edition of my Holiday Radio Show on WPRB will be a special 30 hour marathon celebrating 30 years of Christmas programs.

Here’s the three part plan:

-From 3-5 pm ET on Christmas Eve, a unique mix will debut on 103.3 fm.

-That shall lead into the traditional live 25-hour broadcast beginning at 5:00 pm ET.

-When I do my scheduled sign-off at 6:00 pm ET on Christmas, a second festive “postgame show” mix will air – this lasting until 9:00 pm ET – though the option exists to scrap that and keep going if I’m up for it.

This is the best solution I could come up with to properly honor an important broadcasting anniversary and also stay alive.

I don’t plan on doing a >25-hour marathon again.

Image by the incomparable Kate R. of Seltzer Flavors.

Additional promotional show art / graphics / keys to cities welcomed.

Press folks, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Now, let’s talk Christmas Stories!

Each of the last seven years I have asked a number of friends, musicians, comedians and others that I admired to record their definition of an original “Christmas story” to be interspersed throughout my marathon, alongside Snaildartha: The Story of Jerry the Christmas Snail, The all-Misfits-inspired sets, Ramones-o-Clock, Lindstrom’s “Little Drummer Boy,” The all-Fall Christmas set, Joel Phelps’ myriad pieces and other annual favorites.

This addition has brought a new level of excitement to the program and made the tradition all the more special.

For year 30, I’m counting on everyone to top themselves. If you’ve always meant to record something in the past, this is the year to come through!

In 2011-2017, Mac McCaughan (Superchunk), wrestler/author Mick Foley, Glenn Mercer (The Feelies), Tom Scharpling (“The Best Show”), director Lance Bangs, Screaming Females, Pete & Alex from Star Wars Minute, Danny Tamberelli (The Adventure of Pete & Pete), Chris Brokaw, Jennifer O’Connor, Peter Prescott (Mission of Burma/Volcano Suns/Minibeast), Rick Rizzo (Eleventh Dream Day), David Hill (“Snap Judgement”, “This American Life”), Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz), comedian Jon Daly, Nick Thorburn (Islands), Doug Gillard, Rebecca Clay Cole (Wild Flag), Bill Goffrier (The Embarrassment/Big Dipper), Joel R.L. Phelps (Silkworm/The Downer Trio), Mark Robinson (Unrest/Flin Flon/Air Miami), Brett Davis (“The Special Without”), Seth Herzog (“The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”), Boston Red Sox organist Josh Kantor, actor Ethan Sandler, Matthew Reid-Schwartz (Kinski), Pat Byrne (“Prove It All Night”), Edith Frost, comedian Chip Chantry, The Rutabega, SAVAK, Amanda X, The Gotobeds, “Financial Guru” Gregg Gethard, David Nagler, Fond Han, Jeff Lyons (Used Wigs), Franklin Bruno and many other remarkable people have recorded pieces for the marathon.

The deadline for 2018 is December 21st.

What is a Christmas Story?

Well, it can be a reading of a favorite Xmas tale, a cover of a holiday song you love or an original piece.

I leave that in your capable hands.

I’d love to get so many recordings that I can once again debut one of these an hour throughout the marathon.

Submissions can be sent to this email address.

My lone request is that you do not post your piece elsewhere before it airs during the show! Afterwards knock yourself out, just mention the show when you do share on Bandcamp/Soundcloud/Et cetera.

Please spread the word and have a happy holiday season.

Can’t wait for year 30!

Jon Solomon
103.3 fm WPRB

Ps. Songs inspired by The Fall, The Ramones and/or The Misfits get priority status!