2023 Christmas Stories, part one.
Wow! Two weeks until this year’s edition of the 25-Hour Holiday radio Show!
Here are the first half of the Christmas Stories recorded exclusively for the 2023 marathon on 103.3 fm WPRB. They’re posted in the order they originally aired.
Part two will appear here on December 17th!
Please follow the links provided to support these musicians, artists and incredible folks who were gracious enough to create original pieces to debut during the show.
May these recordings – many of which are “name your price” downloads for charitable causes – encourage you to record something for this year.
The submission deadline is December 20th! Don’t be late!
You can explore a complete archive of stories recorded from 2011-2022 here.
The Brixton Riot – “All My Friends (Winter Coat)”
We begin with the 10th (!!!) contribution to the marathon by The Brixton Riot, a rock band from right here in New Jersey.
Outer World – “Rain, Sleet, Snow”
An ace Paul Revere & The Raiders cover courtesy Richmond’s retro-futurist crate diggers Outer World.
Aux Caroling – “10 p.m. Midnight Mass, Christmas 2007”
An exclusive new Xmas tune by Aux Caroling that goes nicely alongside their collection “New Carols for the New Canon.”
Deth Elf – “Lacey Chabert”
A terrific paean to frequent Hallmark Christmas movie star Lacy Chabert was the Deth Elf contribution to last year’s marathon.
Jake McKelvie – ’It’s Either Christmas or It Isn’t”
Have you heard “A New Kind of Hat,” the latest full-length for sensational songsmith Jake McKelvie? Well, check that out right after you press play on his holiday gem.
Phil Jackson – “Christmas Memory 2023”
A story from Phil Jackson, host of Side-B Radio right here on WPRB!
George Korein and the Spleen – “Merry Tannenbaum, Happy Neu Year”
The first of four pieces Philadelphia’s George Korein contributed to last year’s broadcast is a Krautrock holiday tribute.
Leonids – “Truckin’ Trees for Christmas”
Toronto’s Leonids cover a Red Simpson song for their 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show debut.
Joshua Joy Kamensky – “Christmas Radio”
JJK a/k/a Captain Automatic also makes their marathon debut with a song not just about the broadcast itself, but also about when we first met 40+ years ago. We didn’t see each other again until this summer. What a world.
Snow Contagion – “High Tech”
An original story by a listener / author that completely floored me. Perhaps they’ll permit me to share more information here, perhaps not.
The Claussies – “Frosty”
A raucous nod to The Chats by WPRB’s own Commie Francis and Pethie, plus their extended families for good measure. All proceeds from this track will be donated to Doctors without Borders.
Tobias Carroll – “Faces in the Window”
Great to have author Tobias Carroll back with another story! You can also read his piece here.
Ken Forbes and Walter Greene – “On Delta, On Comet”
A surprise holiday rocker from members of New Jersey’s Eastern Anchors.
SAVAK – “I Want Noise For Christmas”
The prolific powerhouse SAVAK offer up a drum machine, distorted guitars, a bass, a deadpan vocal and lots of swirling, echoed and reverberated stereo effects resulting in “I Want Noise For Christmas.”
(Big) Black Christmas – “Holiday Cheer Where You Need It”
From Chicago’s finest forges, the remarkable Neal Markowski turned four different Big Black tracks into festive, family-friendly (!) chestnuts. All proceeds will be donated to the One Tail at a Time Pet Mutual Relief Fund. Incredible.
The Brown Christmas – “Pavuchky”
New Jersey’s The Brown Christmas are proprietors of ambient noisescapes and improvized electronics.
George? / Korein! – “Santa’s Always On His Way”
A second George Korein cut that debuted during the 2023 marathon. Hear the whole “Santa’s Always On The Way” EP here.
Bret Saunders – “What’s In The Box???”
Whole lotta good stuff over on the Bandcamp of friend to music Bret Saunders for you to snag.
Cardboard ’93 – “Rusty Roll of Quarters (Live)”
Members of West Jersey Airport, Human Adult Band, the Ergs! & Crystal Violet blasted and blown out live at Flemington D.I.Y in December 2023. That’s who Cardboard ’93 are.
Emily – “Light Transmission”
Made for the marathon and also found on the album “everything,” this piece was written, recorded, performed, produced & engineered by Indiana’s emily.
Plaza – “The Tomb of Santa Claus (version)”
Bec (drums, vox) and Mike (bass, vox) are Plaza, Cape Cod’s #1 band. They want to play your town.