Jon Solomon’s Holiday Radio Show on WPRB.


Here’s everything you could possibly need while Jon Solomon hosts his 35th-Annual 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show live from home on WPRB between 5:00 pm ET on Christmas Eve and 6:00 pm ET on Christmas Day.

Festive requests? Email jon@wprb.com!

Listen to the marathon at 103.3 fm WPRB or by clicking here.

If you’re within our terrestrial broadcast radius, tuning in via an actual radio is preferable so as to not keep those far away from accessing the web stream.

The 2023 Xmas Playlist will be updated throughout the program at wprb.com. You can find the Live Listener Chat there too!

Expect a new “Christmas Story” to premiere in-between every full set.

You can follow Jon on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

Find the finest marathon merch here.

The webcam (no audio) is below.



2022 Christmas Stories, part two.


Seven days until this year’s 35th-annual 25-hour marathon!

As promised, here’s the second half of the Christmas Stories recorded exclusively for the 2022 edition of my Holiday Radio Show on 103.3 fm WPRB.

Part one can be enjoyed here!

The deadline for this year’s submissions is December 21st!

Greg McGarvey & Friends – “Every Time A Bell Rings (Live at RRAT Club)”

Greg McGarvey is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and visual artist based in Hopewell, New Jersey. Recorded at the Hibernia Fire Company.

Keith Karabin – “A Gift from Saint Noah”

Returning champion Keith Karabin specializes in helping clients create enjoyable anxiety and stress management lifestyles. He has been a counselor for over 20 years and believes that we all seek to live well and already have within us that capacity to thrive. You can read his contribution (plus several pieces about past marathons) here!

The ‘Mericans – “A Feel Good Christmas”

Rhode Island’s The ‘Mericans add to the collection “A Merry ‘Merican Christmas” with “A Feel Good Christmas,” their latest tune to debut on the 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show.

Bela Koe-Krompecher – “Christmas 2022”

Bela Koe-Krompecher works as a social worker in Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of the book “Love, Death & Photosynthesis” as well as the author of several graphic comics. A text version of this piece is posted here.

Tobias Carroll – “HOLIDAY CUSTOMS OF NEW JERSEY TOWNS EPISODE 14: Okcidenta”

I’m a big fan of the writing of Tobias Carroll and this contribution to the show might be his best to-date. Read it here. Carroll is the author of four books: the novels Reel and Ex-MembersTransitory, a short story collection; and Political Sign, a work of nonfiction in the Object Lessons series.

Happy Slobber – “Jingle Bell Blob”

“We kept it in the family this year.” – T.

Edith Frost – “WPRB Xmas”

Edith Frost · WPRB Xmas

To celebrate a decade of recording songs for the show, the great Edith Frost wrote a tune *about* the marathon! Exceptionally flattering. Hopefully she’ll be back in 2023 too…

Matthew Reid-Schwartz – “No Snow”

MR-S is a member of the exceptional Kinski.  Drums here courtesy Mr. Cutts Peaslee.

The New Birds of America – “Christmas Jam”

A “mod holiday anthem” by Canada’s New Birds of America, primarily Blaise Moritz and sometimes others.

Doug Gillard – “The Christmas Ballad of P-22”

Doug Gillard is a guitarist, songwriter and solo artist who has recorded with many, including Guided By Voices, Nada Surf, Lifeguards, Neko Case, Death Of Samantha, Gem, Bambi Kino, Sally Crewe, The Hold Steady, Scarcity Of Tanks, My Dad is Dead, Gramercy Arms and somehow more.

Andy Kindler – “Two Stockings”

Thank you to Dan from the podcast Wheel of Randy for finally getting one of my favorites, comedian Andy Kindler, on the show!

The Rutabega – “Cancel Christmas”

the rutabega · cancel christmas

Singer-songwriter/guitarist Joshua Hensley and drummer/carpist Garth Mason are The Rutabega, a duo from South Bend, Indiana.

Belonging – “Back to Church on Christmas with my Parents”

There should be a Canadian band that plays guitar pop, so finally there is. Belonging are members of Spruce Island (Regina/Edmo), These Estates (Regina/Edmo), and Alloys (Edmo).

Joel RL Phelps – “This Year (Every Day Like Christmas)” 

Canada’s Joel Phelps is a member of The Downer Trio. Joel remains the only artist to record a “Christmas Story” every year since this tradition began.



12/13/23 : 17:00 – 20:00 pm ET


It’s my 11th-annual ALL-HANNUKAH SHOW. Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

Santa Sabbath – Electric Hanukkah – Children of the Sleigh
Kosha Dillz – Dreidel Trap (ft. Meir Kay)
Josh Dolgin – A Parakeet Named Dreidel – As It Happens – Reading of an Isaac Bashevis Singer short story.
Socalled – Dr Drei Dreidel – Lit Hanukkah 2020 – [C]
Mike Skliar – Holiday Merger – Eight Nights of Indictments and More…
Domi Edson – Mi Yimalel – A Jazzy Hanukkah with the Domi Edson Trio – [N]
Dr. Dreidel – 8 Days of Hannuka – A Very Hairy Christmas
The Schleps – Maoz Tzur – 2023 EP – [N]

The Manischefits – Hanukkah – To the tune of “Halloween” by The Misfits.
DJ Tenderloin – Halevai for Hannukah (The Latke Mix) – Halevai for Hannukah (The Latke Mix) – [N] – 🚨🚨🚨 HANUKKAH PREMIERE! 🚨🚨🚨
Soupy Garbage Juice – Hanukkah at Charlie’s House – A Very Garbage Christmas 2022 – [C]
Micah E. Wood – Hanukkah Without Ya (feat. Britt Olsen-Ecker & Jon Birkholz) – A Hanukkah EP Part 1 – [N]
The Philly Specials Feat Lil Dicky & Howie Roseman – The Dreidel Song (Hanukkah Edition) – A Philly Special Christmas Special – [N] – Local.
Dee Bird – I’ve Never Known You in December – The Hanukkah Project
Stahlschlag – Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah – Have Yourself a Noisy Little Christmas
Tambourines & Weekend Voodoo – Hanukkah Stomp – Hanukkah Stomp

Electric Menorah – Charmonica For Chanuka – Charmonica For Chanuka
The Asthmatix – Latke – Latke
Duckmandu – Hanukkah in Santa Monica – Quacky Holidays 2022 – Tom Lehrer cover.
Shudder To Think – Al Hanisim – O Come All Ye Faithful: Rock For Choice – [C]
Steve Lawrence (with Don Rickles) – Outtake from “Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders – Rob’s 2023 Christmas CD – [C]
ebeam and Jordanosaur – Maoz Tzur – PRF Week 14: It’s Christmas! – [C]
Bird Peterson – 8 Day Oil (Featuring Steven Davis) – Resound Presents: A Very Homie Holiday – [C] – [N]
Schoolyard Heroes – Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel! – I Want Your Soul For Christmas

3 SPEED SLEIGH – Hanukkah Nights – Hanukkah Nights – In the style of the Bay City Rollers.
Jon Fursh, Sydney, and Crew – Latkelicious
Duck The Piano Wire – Last Night of Hanukkah – It’s Hanukkah
Mars Williams – The Divine Peacemaker Plays Dreidel In Frightful Weather – Mars Williams Presents An Ayler Xmas Vol. 5 – RIP.
Teen Rom-Coms – Hanukkah (Please Come Home)
Everything Is Terrible – Hanukkah Homeboy – Chestnuts!
Moishe Oysher – Drey Dreydele – The Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party
Shmear – Chanukah – I: The Drastic Fantastic Sarcastic Ecclesiastic Dynastic Gymnastic Monastic Thermoplastic Elastic Enthusiastic Scholastic Bombastic CD (Genesis)

The Goblins – Ha-Ha Hanukah – Ha-Ha Hanukah Comedy Variety Special – [C]
Eric Schwartz – Hanukkah – Chocolate Coins
Avi Jacob – Every Night of Hanukkah – Every Night of Hanukkah
Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars – TOPZ REMIX (Sevivon) – Chronika
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – 8 Days (Of Hannukah) – It’s a Holiday Soul Party
Jewish Nine Inch Nails – Ei8ht NiTes (Chanukah song)
Alex Frankel – Hanukkah In ’96 – Hanukkah+ – [C]
Andy Rivkin and his Gedankenband – Judah and the Maccabees – Holiday Single 2011

Brad & Barry – Hanukkah Bitch – Brad & Barry Stuff Your Stocking – …members of Oneida?
Stephen Colbert & Jon Stewart – Can I Interest You In Hanukkah? – A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! – [C]
David Nagler – Hanukkah in Cambodia – Recorded live at The Oracle Show #7 (Places) at Sid Gold’s Request Room, NYC, December 6, 2015 – Inspired by Dead Kennedys.
Chaki – How To Hanukkah – Christmas Funk
Amanda Duncan – Light Those Candles Bright – Amanda Duncan’s Holiday Classics
Hxlly’s Wxrld – Explanation Of What Chanukah Is – TRASHFUCK Chanukomp 2012
Unexpected Vibe – Jewish Drummer Boy – Cincincrimcram Holiday Sampler – [C]
Emotional – I Wanna Be Your Dradle – Gnartivity Scene – [C] – Ramones redone for Hanukkah.

Angry Snowmans – Hannukah – The Yule Album – Adolescents “cover.” Next stop Christmas Eve!



2022 Christmas Stories, part one.


Just two weeks until this year’s Xmas marathon?! What? How is that even possible?

Here are the first half of the Christmas Stories recorded exclusively for the 2022 edition of my 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show on 103.3 fm WPRB.

Part two will appear here on December 17th!

Please follow the links provided to support these musicians, artists and incredible individuals who were kind to create original pieces for the show.

Follow them! Like them! Buy their stuff! 

May these works encourage you to record something for this year.

The submission deadline is December 19th.

You can explore the complete archive of stories recorded from 2011-2022 here

The Brixton Riot – “Christmas Bells”

Kicking us off is the ninth contribution to the marathon by The Brixton Riot, a rock band from New Jersey. Remember those?

Maria T. – “Most Perfect Thing”

Returning for the 2022 marathon, Philadelphia’s Maria T. wanted to see if she could make a song version of a Hallmark Christmas Movie.

Mesmer – “Next Christmas”

Also hailing from Philadelphia, Mesmer were first active in the mid-90s to early aughts. They took a 20-something-year break to play in other bands like Lefty’s Deceiver, Audible, The Bigger Lovers, Rhode Island, The Swivel Chairs, Static Shapes and more.

Deth Elf – “Merry Christmas Anyway”

Another Philadelphia-area outfit? Most certainly when it comes to the dynamic duo Deth Elf, who are making their much-welcomed seventh appearance on the marathon.

Mac McCaughan – “Dragging A Tree”

Superchunk? Portastatic? Bricks? Wwax? Slushpuppies? Mac McCaughan‘s been in ’em all. What a wonderful surprise this submission was.

Hattie – “The True Story of the Town that Kills Xmas Decorations”

George Korein – “Merry Xmas (Burn The Goat)”

Two separate pieces by Hattie and George Korein, both about the Gävle goat, a remarkable Swedish holiday tradition I was unfamiliar with before last December. Sadly, the goat did not burn in 2022.

Jason Sims – “Cracker Barrel”

Jason Sims · Cracker Barrel

Jason Sims is not secretly 1,000 years old. He wants you to laugh.

DJ Tenderloin – “Mongoose King Go Straight To The Ghetto”

Mash-up master DJ Tenderloin contributed a few incredible pieces to last year’s marathon. If you missed his melodious Ramones-o-Clock jam, hear it here.

Ho Means Ho – “Santa”

Members of Das Kaltes Eis re-work a No Means No favorite to great delight. All proceeds benefit the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA.

B. Musikoff – “There’s Gelt in the Christmas Stocking”

He’s a bassist, cartoonist, friendist and tinnitust. He’s Seattle’s B. Musikoff, host of MusicOn with Musikoff!

Sebastian Petsu – “The 25th Kick Down”

Back with a fifth submission, Sebstian Petu‘s latest was inspired by WPRB’s Commie Francis playing the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog” right after the 2021 WPRB Xmas marathon, as part of a program based around non-Christmas songs that feature bells.

Santy Newman – “Remember (Christmas)”

Santy Newman · Remember (Christmas) — Santy Newman and the Second Language Point.mp3

I’m sure Santy Newman would love it if you listened to the podcast Wheel of Randy.

Polarekältebären – “Weihnachten (Es ist eine Jahreszeit)”

Synthesizer duo Polarekältebären (pronounsed po-LA-ruh-KELL-tuh-BAY-run) is Rentao Umali of Monona and Blaise Moritz of Toronto. “Weihnachten (Es ist eine Jahreszeit)” translates as “Christmas, it’s a time of year”. The only lyrics are those, plus later “Es ist keine Zeit der Tränen,” which translates as “It’s not a time of tears”. So the lyrics rhyme in a language other than the one in which they’re sung. There may be a technical term for that.

Bret Saunders – “Some Of Those Other Bells”

Bret Saunders is a friend to music. He once ate an entire bag of Twizzlers in a single afternoon.

Neal Markowski – “Zero Tolerance for Silent Night”

MVP Neal Markowski is a composer/musician in Chicago. He writes: In 1994, Pat Metheny released “Zero Tolerance for Silence”, a 40-minute compact disc made up of 5 tracks of improvised guitar. The jazzbo’s “Metal Machine Music” came complete with a pull-quote from Thurston Moore, stating the record was “…THE most radical recording of this decade…” Pretty sure he was wrong about that…Here’s my take on it, “Zero Tolerance for Silent Night.” This is a pay-what-you-want download, with all proceeds being sent to Chicago Abortion Fund. 



11/29/23 : 17:00 – 20:00 pm ET


A trio of remarkable mini cakes c/o my friend Amelia…

The Rub – The Death of Pop – Bikini Gospel

Hard Copy – Pile of Rocks – 12 Shots of Nature – [N]
Kurt Vile – Another Good Year For The Roses – Back to Moon Beach EP 
Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti and Egypt 80 – Government Chicken Boy (Previously Unreleased Version) – Army Arrangement
Gerycz / Powers / Rolin – Ivory – Activator – Out next year.
rocky – Contents – S/T – Xanthe Waite (Terry, Primo) & Raven Mahon (Grass Widow, Green Child).
Ibrahim Hesnawi – Watany Al Kabir – Habibi Funk 024: The Father of Libyan Reggae – [N]
Upper Wilds – Drifters – Jupiter

The Only Ones – Lovers of Today – 45
Ayalew Mesfin – Terèdjew Nèbèr – Ethiopiques, Vol. 24 – Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music (1969-1975) – [C]
Emily Robb – Side 02 – Bill Nace – Emily Robb Split LP 
Nonconnah – VIII-Wearied And Cold You Furled Your Wings – Don’t Go Down to Lonesome Holler 
The Happy Somethings – Time Flies – Don’t Mention It
Protomartyr – Let’s Tip The Creator – Formal Growth in the Desert 

The Victoria Lucas – 28:43 – Live on WPRB – https://www.discogs.com/artist/6308321-The-Victoria-Lucas

Mary Timony – Dominoes – Untame The Tiger – [N] – First solo album in 15 years!



11/22/23 : 17:00 – 20:00 pm ET


The Rub – The Death of Pop – Bikini Gospel

SPRINTS – Shadow of a Doubt – Letter to Self – [N]
Lingo Seini et son groupe – Arne – Musique Hauka
Tuluum Shimmering – The Carved Stone, Which Stands Upright in the Whirlwind – The Mountains are Singing and the Roses are Singing – [N]
The Velvet Underground – Oh! Sweet Nuthin – Loaded – As heard in the penultimate episode of Loki season two…
Mammatus – Foreveriff – Expanding Majesty – [N]
Monde UFO – I’m So Tired – 4 Songs – Fugazi cover.
Golden Apples – Sugarfire – Bananasugarfire – [N] – Local.

Gold Dime – Denise – No More Blue Skies – [N] – Ex-Talk Normal / Death Pool.
Mars Williams – Stratus – ELEVATION – RIP Mars Williams, who did it all. His “An Ayler Xmas” collections were especially unique and wonderful additions to my holiday radio show. 
Mint Mile – Christmas Comes and Goes (remix) – PRF/BLM – [C]
Suzies – Secret Santa – The Living Room
Swansea Sound – Nadolig, Pwy a Wy – Santa Bail Me Out – In Welsh.
Squid – Pamphlets – Bright Green Field

GANG – 27:14 – Live on WPRB – https://gangtheband.bandcamp.com

Chris T-T – 100,000 Turkeys – Best Of



11/15/23 : 17:00 – 20:00 pm ET


The Rub – The Death of Pop – Bikini Gospel

Codeine – Jr. – Dessau – Recorded in 1992, not released until 30 years later.
Jane Weaver – Love in Constant Spectacle – Love in Constant Spectacle – [N]
Tallawit Timbouctou – Side B – Takamba
Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band – Free From the Guillotine – Dancing on the Edge – [N]
Terry Gross – Spicy Legato – Spicy Legato
Puçanga – 100 Middlemen – Impish
Haywood – Plastic – Discovered! (Men Called Him Mister Outtakes)

Yard Act – The Trench Coat Museum – 12″
The Ashantis – Come On and Do it – Ethiopiques, Vol. 24 – Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music (1969-1975) – [C]
Can – Vernal Equinox – Landed – Originally released in 1975.
Neil Young – Sample and Hold (Dance Remix) – 12″
Barbara Manning – Scissors – Super Scissors
House of Pain – Jump Around (Pete Rock remix) – House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics)
Penetration – Don’t Dictate – DIY: Anarchy In The UK – UK Punk I (1976-77) – [C]

Prowler – 27:02 – Live on WPRB – https://prowlerprowler.bandcamp.com

Terrible Signal – Switching View – The Window
Black Spell – Satanic Majesty – Season of the Damned
The New Pornographers & Aimee Mann – Firework In The Falling Snow (acoustic) – Firework In The Falling Snow



11/8/23 : 17:00 – 20:00 pm ET


For a special Fall Silent Drive broadcast, Don Giovanni Records founder (and former WPRB DJ) Joe Steinhardt joined me in-studio to celebrate two decades of his label through 20 songs (we didn’t get to all of them). We also aired archival live performances by Screaming Females and Waxahatchee engineered in the WPRB studios.

The Rub – The Death Of Pop – Bikini Gospel

Screaming Females – 25:17 – Live on WPRB

Keith Secola – NDN Kars – Circle

Bad Bad Hats – Detroit Basketball – Walkman

Moor Mother – The Myth Hold Weight – Analog Fluids of Sonic Black Holes

Lee Bains + The Glory Fires – Whitewash – Youth Detention

Swamp Dogg – Soul to Blessed Soul – I Need a Job… So I Can Buy More Auto-Tune

Maura Weaver – Sunshine – I Was Due For a Heartbreak

Lavender Country – I Can’t Shake the Stranger out of You – Blackberry Rose

Paisley Fields – Iowa – Limp Wrist

Mikey Erg – Hopland Superette – Waxbuilt Castles

Winterhawk – Custer’s Dyin – Electric Warriors

Weakened Friends – Blue Again – Common Blah

Shellshag – 1984 – Rumors in Disguise
Waxahatchee – 18:13 – Live on WPRB



11/1/23 : 17:00 – 20:00 pm ET


The Rub – The Death Of Pop – Bikini Gospel

Telehealth – Mindtrap – 45 – [N]
Kool Moe Dee – Death Blow (Extended Remix) – 12″
Holger Czukay – An Electronic Night Ceremony – La Luna – “Recorded live at Holger’s lab in Cologne May 17th, 1996.”
Richard Roundtree – Man from Shaft – The Man from Shaft – RIP.
Telematics – Hounds – Hounds b​/​w Simmer – [N] – Members of Measles Mumps Rubella, Obits, Girls Against Boys and more…
Leon Keïta – Gnanassouma – Leon Keïta (Analog Africa Dance Edition No.16) 
Minibeast – Stimulance – On Ice – [N] – Peter Prescott from Mission of Burma / Volcano Suns and band…

Alien Nosejob – Split Personality – The Derivative Sounds of… OR… A Dog Always Returns to its Vomit – [N]
Dana Dane – Cinderfella Dana Dane – 12″
sunn O))) – Ron G. Warrior – Evil Chuck​ b/w ​Ron G. Warrior – [N]
The Fall – Athlete Cured – The Frenz Experiment – Totally rips off Spinal Tap’s “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight.”
Jaimie Branch – Burning Grey – Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) – [N]
Damien Jurado – Fool Maria – What’s New, Tomboy?
Comateens – Danger Zone – 45 – Reissue forthcoming on Left For Dead!

Bad News Bats – 23:48 – Live on WPRB – https://badnewsbats.bandcamp.com

The Adverts – One Chord Wonders – DIY: Anarchy In The UK – UK Punk I (1976-77) – [C]
Neal Markowski – River 2 (excerpt) – Erosional / Depositional – [N]



Jon Solomon’s 2023 Holiday Radio Show.


Year 35 of THE MARATHON is rapidly approaching, like an endless parade of robotic drummer boys.

The 2023 edition of my 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show on 103.3 fm WPRB will start on Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm ET and go straight until Christmas Day at 6:00 pm ET. 

This year’s marathon will happen LIVE FROM HOME for a fourth time, because once you’ve done a extended broadcast like this surrounded by your family with ample sunlight coming through numerous windows, not to mention almost no heavy lifting – it is impossible to turn back!

Header image and this year’s initial round of graphics by the esteemed ArtJerk.

You can find four different new designs here, plus prior years’ graphics with snails and my sleeping parents on them too.

Press folks, I would love to talk with you.

Now, let’s get to my absolute favorite marathon tradition…

Your Christmas Stories!

Each of the last dozen years I’ve asked a number of friends, musicians, comedians, fellow DJs and others that I admired to record their definition of an original “Christmas story” to be interspersed throughout my marathon, alongside other annual favorites.

These pieces have made something that matters a great deal to me all the more special.

For year XXXV, I’m counting on YOU + YOURS!

I’m not going to list all the amazing people who have recorded pieces in the past this time out. You can listen to past favorites here.

The deadline for 2023 is Thursday, December 21st. Please don’t be late.

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 brilliant hands.

The goal is to debut one of these an hour throughout the marathon, if not more frequently.

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! Please! Afterwards go wild, just mention the show when you do share on Bandcamp / Soundcloud / etc.

If you wanted some extra direction…pieces inspired by New Order or Joy Division could potentially complete a thematic set I’ve wanted to try for a few years now…

Please spread the word and have a safe holiday season.

Jon Solomon
103.3 fm WPRB