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