2023 Christmas Stories, part two.
Seven days until this year’s 36th-annual 25-hour marathon!
As promised, here’s the second half of the Christmas Stories recorded exclusively for the 2023 edition of my Holiday Radio Show on 103.3 fm WPRB. These pieces are posted in the order they originally aired.
Part one can be enjoyed here!
The deadline for this year’s submissions is December 20th!
If you’re looking for ways to make the 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show playlist, I wrote up some “Ways to make the 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show playlist!“
Sebastian Petsu – “Christmas Buy Yourself”
Returning with a sixth marathon submission, utilizing french horn, Whirlpool washing machine, Roland RA-50 drum machine and his own voice, please welcome Philadelphia’s Sebstian Petu.
Keith Karabin – “Gettin’ Hanukkahed for Christmas”
Keith is a counselor, coach and clinical consultant who specializes in helping clients create enjoyable anxiety and stress management lifestyles. You can read his original story here.
George Korein and the Spleen – “Dickens Village Dummies”
A tribute to a Philadelphia seasonal tradition detailing the timeless redemption-through-self-giving story of stone-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge courtesy the considerably less stone-hearted George Korein, adapted from “Showroom Dummies” by Kraftwerk!
Greg McGarvey – “Silent Night (instrumental)”
New Jersey’s Greg McGarvey is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and visual artist who used the guitars passed on by his father and grandfather to teach himself music. His latest album is titled “Crickets Surround.”
Grass Jaw – “Welcome Christmas”
Hailing from up and over in Ithaca, New York, Grass Jaw, released “I Don’t Want To Believe” earlier this year.
Mudfroot – “Man in Red (for Mij)”
To quote Mudfroot:
“Man in Red” is a Christmas parody of “Man in Black” by Johnny Cash. Robbie and Christina wrote the lyrics based on the title idea from her dad, who unfortunately passed away earlier this year after a short battle with cancer. We’d like to dedicate “Man in Red” to him, who we affectionately call Mij (pronounced “midge” – it’s Jim spelled backwards, haha). Mij had only come up with the title before he passed, so we wrote the lyrics with his very silly style in mind.”
The New Birds of America – “Every Corporate Christmas Tree in Toronto”
The inspiration for this New Birds of America song – and the phrase “Every Corporate Christmas Tree in Toronto” – come from a series of instagram posts by Toronto Urbanist Shawn Micaleff rating and commenting on various faux festive trees encountered around the city’s corporate-public spaces.
Edith Frost – “Calling Santa Claus”
First of all, there’s going to be a NEW EDITH FROST ALBUM on Drag City in early 2025. “Calling Santa Claus” is a re-working of the tune “Calling Over Time” off Edith’s debut record of the same name. She’s got 10 other pieces recorded for the 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show you can find in a playlist here.
George Korein – “Joy Division to the World”
Another genius George Korein gem, which was featured in the marathon’s first-ever ALL-JOY DIVISION / NEW ORDER-INSPIRED SET!
DJ Tenderloin – “Happy Holly Jolly Shadowplay (WARsaw IS OVER)”
…as was this bit of brilliance by secret Xmas MVP DJ Tenderloin.
Wild Carnation – “Bells of Consent (Age of the One Horse Open Sleigh)”
Not to be outdone, New Jersey’s Wild Carnation answered my call for pieces inspired by Joy Division and New Order and sent in this wonderful, unexpected surprise.
The ‘Mericans – “Twinkle Twinkle”
the ‘Mericans are a Rhode Island band founded in 2001 by singer / guitarist Chris Daltry (Purple Ivy Shadows). This 2023 premiere is now part of their collection “a Merry ‘Merican Christmas,” along with many other songs you first heard on WPRB during the show.
Bela Koe-Krompecher – “Christmas 2023”
Frequent marathon contributor Bela Koe-Krompecher works as a social worker in Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of the book “Love, Death & Photosynthesis.” Read this story here.
DJ Tenderloin – “Fall Into Christmas (Jon Solomon’s 125th Dream)”
The ALL-FALL SET was one of the first thematic portions of the 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show to come together and it got even better in 2023 thanks to this remarkable DJ Tenderloin mash-up.
ANDEMIC – “Massapequa Park (parts 1-3)”
The solo work of Andy Williams, guitarist and vocalist of the band Lefty’s Deceiver and contributor to a number of other Philadelphia-based collaborations. For “Massapequa Park” Andy interviewed his parents about how they met ice skating 58 years ago, wrote a song about this event and then recorded their reactions to the song. Absolutely incredible. Happy Anniversary to Art and Cathy Williams!
The Rutabega – “We Start Over”
A beaut from Midwestern songbirds The Rutabega. With emily (additional vocals), Gary Gahan (tenor saxophone), & Billie Howard (viola & violin). There’s a playlist of past holiday radio show contributions to explore here.
1039 Washington Appreciation Society – “Alone on Christmas Day”
Lastly but not leastly we’ve got Jerry Lardieri (of The Brixton Riot) and Brian Musikoff joining forces as The 1039 Washington Appreciation Society. All proceeds from paid downloads of this song go to Engineers Without Borders.