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The Sounds of Christmas
Ken Kessler
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Ken Kessler from the online Christmas music station The Sounds of Christmas talks about the station, Christmas music and related topics.
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Controversy, Tragedy and Jingle Bell Rock
May 17 2022
34 mins
Controversy, Tragedy and Jingle Bell Rock
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about "Jingle Bell Rock" and how different artists release Christmas music. He also talks to singer/songwriter/consultant/blogger John O'Leary about some of the lesser known things about the writing of "Jingle Bell Rock", including the conspiracy theories about what might have happened (which probably did happen) in which careers were ended and lives were threatened. They also talked about the songwriting story behind "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", and how that song evolved thanks to Judy Garland, and then, several years later, thanks to Frank Sinatra.You can find out more about John O'Leary and read his blogs on his website: http://businesslessonsfromrock.com
May 17 2022
34 mins
New and Future Classics
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to Gerry from the Totally Rad Christmas podcast, Scott from Holly Jolly X'masu podcast and Tim from the Can't Wait For Xmas podcast about Christmas songs from the last twenty years that they think are classics, or on their way to becoming classics (or, at least, worthy of being considered classics). This is in response to a growing number of posts and blogs over the last few years claiming that there isn't any good Christmas music being made any more.Find out more about Gerry and the Totally Rad Christmas podcast at https://linktr.ee/TotallyRadChristmasFind out more about Scott and the Holly Jolly X'masu podcast at https://hollyjollyxmasu.libsyn.com/websiteFind out more about Tim and the Can't Wait For Xmas podcast at https://cantwaitforchristmaspod.com/
May 9 2022
54 mins
Christmas Music and the National Recording Registry
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about Nat King Cole's 1961 version of "The Christmas" being inducted into the National Recording Registry. Then he researched which other Christmas songs were in there, and talked about what should be on there (maybe) and how you can nominate your favorite Christmas songs and/or albums!
Apr 25 2022
8 mins
Talking Upcoming Christmas Music Releases With JJ From @NewXmasMusic
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to JJ from Christmas Music News (@NewXmasMusic on Twitter) about upcoming releases for the 2022 Christmas Music Season. They talk about the ones that are confirmed, the ones that we may get his year, and the ones that are rumored to be on the way. They also talk about some of the rumored releases from Christmas Past that haven't shown up, yet. And about a couple artists that they wish would surprise us with Christmas music releases for the upcoming season!
Apr 18 2022
49 mins
Christmas Music at the Grammys
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about Chanticleer recent win at the Grammys for their album "Chanticleer Sings Christmas". He then wonders if any other Christmas music won Grammy Awards. He then reveals a short list of artists that did just that, and a much longer list of artists that you might think won Christmas music Grammys, but didn't, and in most cases, didn't even get nominated!
Apr 5 2022
9 mins
Christmas Covers
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about an article from Stacker.com that uses data from WhoSampled.com for a list of the most covered songs of all time, which includes a bunch of Christmas songs. Since the article is from 2020, he looks at updated data from WhoSampled.com and cross-references it with data from the Sounds of Christmas library and the website SecondHandSongs.com. The original article can be found on Stacker's website here: https://stacker.com/stories/3975/most-covered-songs-all-time?fbclid=IwAR1Zzj0x7pzP0adph41t8hNgdnBFDWk9WKJ12YiwPbjN4bRxVJJT6Uy0nzEWhoSampled lives here: https://www.whosampled.com/SecondHandSongs lives here: https://secondhandsongs.com
Mar 18 2022
14 mins
Aric from Sweet Relief On Help For The Music Industry (and How You Can Help, Too)!
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to Aric Steinberg, Executive Vice President of Development and Artist Relations of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. He shares many of the ways you can help singers and musicians, so they can continue to make the music we all love! Plus, for singers, musicians and others in the music industry, Aric explains how you can get the help you need! You can find out more, and get involved, at https://www.sweetrelief.org
Feb 20 2022
17 mins
Christmas Music and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about a list from Cleveland.com - "50 Greatest Christmas Songs by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers". He weighs in on their choices, offering some alternatives to their picks, and then runs down his own list of artists and songs that didn't make their list.
Feb 8 2022
35 mins
The Beatles' Christmas Records
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about the Beatles and their contributions to Christmas music, including their solo stuff and their fan club Christmas records (which you might be able to get today if you hurry)!
Jan 31 2022
8 mins
Ken Benson from P1 Media Group on Testing Christmas Songs
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to Ken Benson from P1 Media Group about how and why Christmas songs get tested, and how your local radio station may be using some of that data. They also talk about some of the songs on the list that were surprises, and some surprised about artists and songs that weren't on the latest list!
Jan 24 2022
27 mins
Ronnie Spector And Her Christmas Music Legacy
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about the passing of Ronnie Spector, her Christmas music and her love of Christmas!
Jan 18 2022
7 mins
Christmas Auld Lang Syne
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas thanks you for listening to this podcast and to the Sounds of Christmas station, and reminds you that both will be continuing, year-round, through all of 2022. Whenever you need a Christmas music fix, or some Christmas Spirit, the Sounds of Christmas will be there for you!
Dec 31 2021
4 mins
Christmas Yet To Come
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas revisits nineteen of his earlier podcasts with singers and musicians for a composite of some of the Christmas music that just might be in the works for Christmas 2022! Artists appearing (briefly) in this episode are Brynn Stanley, Cliff Beach, Corinne Cook, Karla Bonoff, David Browning, Judy Pancoast, Deb Bowman, Michael Sinatra, Linda Imperial, Paul Kelly, Dan Ashley, Noreen Braun, Pete Hopkins, Rosalie Drysdale, Liz Kennedy, Sarah Reeves, T.J. Winterbrook, Suzanne from Suzanne's Band and Rehya Stevens!
Dec 29 2021
29 mins
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas reminds you that the Twelve Days Of Christmas actually come AFTER CHRISTMAS! He talks about this, the origin (and changes of the song "The Twelve Days Of Christmas") and how it's used to compute the True Cost Of Christmas. Most importantly, he wants you to know you don't have to stop listening to Christmas music, just because the calendar date for Christmas has passed.
Dec 27 2021
8 mins
Merry Christmas!
Ken from the Sounds of Christmas, and many of the hosts of podcasts on the Christmas Podcast Network, wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Dec 24 2021
11 mins
Michael Sinatra Talks About Making His New Christmas Album (Complete)
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas compiles pieces of Michael Sinatra's previous appearances on the Sounds of Christmas podcast for a thorough listen to his process for making his latest Christmas album, from his first appearance last April when he was just starting work on it, to his appearance a few weeks ago, shortly following the release of "Christmas", his second Christmas album!
Dec 23 2021
43 mins
TJ Winterbrook Talks About Releasing 5 Christmas Singles This Year, And Plans For More In 2022
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to T.J. from Winterbrook about the appeal of Christmas music, which led him to release five original Christmas singles this year! He talks about inspiration for the songs, and what he loves about Christmas music. He also talks about plans for even more Christmas music for 2022!
Dec 22 2021
14 mins
Talking to Rehya Stevens About Christmas Music, Including Her Latest Christmas Album, And Much More!
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to singer/songwriter Rehya Stevens about her passion for songwriting, and her Christmas albums "Celebrate" and "Tis The Season" (the latter of which is her latest). They also talked about her process and inspiration for her music, her Halloween song and some of the non-Christmas music that is on the way in 2022 (along with the possibility of more Christmas music, too)!
Dec 21 2021
57 mins
Talking to Aaron from Merry and Bright About New Christmas Music You Might Have Missed
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks to Aaron from the Christmas music blog Merry and Bright (merryandbright.blogspot.com) about some of the new music he's found that he thinks you should know about (including Rehya Stevens, Cliff Beach, the Wires, Katie Garibaldi, Wes Walls, the Yule Logs and Cristina F). They also talk about the impact Mannheim Steamroller had, both on Christmas music in general, as well as on the Merry and Bright blog and on the Sounds of Christmas!
Dec 20 2021
54 mins
Everybody Loves Christmas: A Song For Dad
Ken Kessler from the Sounds of Christmas talks about Eddie Money's Christmas music, and the new song from his kids, Jesse Money and Dez Money, where they have rewritten lyrics to his song "Everybody Loves Christmas" to reflect on spending Christmas without him. This is not a sad song. It's warm and hopeful, and will resonate with anyone that is think about someone they've lost as we head into Christmas.
Dec 18 2021
5 mins
