When it comes to Christmas music, I find it generates even stronger feelings for people than the rest of their music collection. This is not so much for the true meaning of the holiday but because folks believe "their" versions of these songs are the correct ones no matter if they were big hits or not.
I know exactly where this originates. It comes from whatever songs played on the stereo or hi-fi set when we were kids. Pulling out those albums seen only once per year was just another part of the magic of the season. Added to that would be whatever songs played a lot on the radio as anticipation grew for decorating, special cooking, and — of course — giving and receiving presents.
I am certainly not immune to this. In all the time I lived with my parents, aside from what they already owned, I think they only added one various artists Christmas album to their collection and that was only because it was a present. Thus, it is hard to convince me that any version of any holiday song is better than how Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Norman Luboff Choir, or the Harry Simeone Choir sang them…plus Louis Armstrong’s version of Winter Wonderland that came on the compilation album I mentioned.
Even with how I have tried to open up my mind to other versions of songs or open up my heart to other albums — most notably the first two Christmas albums by Buck Owens and His Buckaroos — this is especially a type of music where I want to open up the virtual request lines. Even with trips into Wikipedia and having downloaded everything I can find on Usenet in alt.binaries.sounds.mp3.christmas, I continue to find songs appropriate for KoHoSo Radio 66 that I never knew existed. Thus, I highly encourage suggestions.
Requests for songs or artists can be sent to me via the e-mail address that appears at the bottom of every page on this website. They can also be "tweeted" to @KoHoSo on Twitter or sent to the KoHoSo Radio 66 page on Facebook.
Before submitting, please consider all of the following.
1. The song must have been released from 1946 through 1966.
2. The song must generally fit with the station’s overall sound.
3. The song does not have to be a hit.
4. No out-and-out novelty songs.
5. Submissions come with the understanding that you better not pout, you better not cry if the song is not added.
If you have a request, review the list below first. This is everything already scheduled to be in the KoHoSo Radio 66 rotation from November 30th through December 25th. The frequency of Christmas music will be three songs per hour.
One more thing…know in advance if you suggest a song that already has two or three versions already listed, the mountain that song will have to climb in order to get in will be much steeper…but, not impossible. Part of this is due to the difficulty in manipulating Radionomy‘s interface to prevent different versions of the same song from playing too close together. So…for one example, think hard before asking for yet another version of Merry Christmas, Baby especially if you’ve never heard the explosive version by Ike & Tina Turner that I guarantee will put the jingle in your bells. (NOTE: The Dodie Stevens song with the same title is a different song from the Johnny Moore/Charles Brown original)
Songs are listed alphabetically by title.
(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays – Perry Como
A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
All I Want for Christmas Dear Is You – Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
Christmas (Comes But Once a Year) – Amos Milburn
Christmas In Jail – The Youngsters with the Earl Hyde Orchestra
Christmas In New Orleans – Louis Armstrong
Christmas Is a Feeling in Your Heart – Andy Williams
Christmas Time’s a Comin’ – Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
Cool Yule – Louis Armstrong (added by request from Fred in Minnesota)
Deck the Halls – Nat King Cole
Do You Hear What I Hear – Bing Crosby
Empty Stocking Blues – Floyd Dixon with Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers
Frosty the Snowman – The Ronettes
Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season – Andy Williams
Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane) – Gene Autry (added for multiple listener requests)
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) – Elvis Presley
I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Elvis Presley
I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Johnny Mathis
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Jingle Bells – The Mills Brothers
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
Linus and Lucy – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
Lonely Christmas Call – George Jones and the Jones Boys
Merry Christmas Baby – Dodie Stevens
Merry Christmas Baby – Ike and Tina Turner
Merry Christmas, Baby – Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers
Please Come Home for Christmas – James Brown
Pretty Paper – Roy Orbison
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry (added for multiple listener requests)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The Crystals
Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt with Henri René & His Orchestra
Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) – Elvis Presley
Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Elvis Presley
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – The Crystals
Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy – Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
Santa’s Gonna Come in a Stagecoach – Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
Shake Hands with Santa Claus – Louis Prima (added by request from Fred in Minnesota)
Silver Bells – Andy Williams
Sleigh Ride – Johnny Mathis
Sleigh Ride – The Ronettes
Sleigh Ride – The Ventures
The Christmas Blues – Dean Martin
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
White Christmas – Elvis Presley
White Christmas – The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter and Bill Pinkney
Winter Wonderland – Darlene Love
Winter Wonderland – Louis Armstrong
