Listen. The snow is falling.
Maybe not literally. As I write this a few days before Christmas, the Syracuse snow is melting, and not likely to cover much (if any) ground by December 25th. I confess I do prefer a white Christmas--ol' Bing Crosby conditioned me well--but nor does the lack of snow get me down.
But time accumulates even when snow does not. And it keeps on falling, just as we ourselves will fall eventually. We raise our glasses to toast those we've already lost, and we raise them again to toast all who remain. We cherish both, and we cherish them on holidays and regular days alike.
I'm aware of loss. Yeah, like all of us, without exception. I know the ache of noticing fewer and fewer familiar faces at family gatherings. Our hearts go out to all who experience that sting, that sadness, whether the loss is fresh or long-established. Loss doesn't heal. We just try to find our best ways to continue through the loss.
And we remind all of you--all of us--of one thing that must never change:
You are not alone.
No one is a failure who has friends. If you're reading this, hell, we're your friends, regardless of how much or how little we do together.
Is it a wonderful life? It can be. Sometimes. Bells ring. Angels get wings. We pray we'll meet again.
In the mean time, we gather here as friends, listening to music as friends do. For whatever holiday you hold dear--even if it's not a holiday at all, but whatever light holds your delight--we wish you the merriest.
It's good to talk with you, my friend.
This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on a Christmas Eve Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
NEXT WEEK: On December 31st, This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio's 25th Anniversary Show. And IN TWO WEEKS, on January 7th: THE COUNTDOWN.
Merry Christmas, my friends.
This show is available as a podcast.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio
You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
TIRnRR # 1213: The 25th Annual THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO Christmas Show [12/24/2023]
JOHN & YOKO: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (Capitol, The John Lennon Collection)
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BIG STAR: Jesus Christ (Collectors' Choice Music, VA: Christmas Time Again)
THE SPONGETONES: Christmasland (Loaded Goat, Mersey Christmas)
THE BEATLES: 1963 Christmas Message
MARGO GURYAN: I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You (Oglio, 27 Demos)
CARLA THOMAS: Gee Whiz, It's Christmas (Stax, Soul Christmas)
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THE GEMS: Love For Christmas (MCA, VA: Rockin' Little Christmas)
THE BEATLES: 1964 Christmas Message
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER: I Believe In Father Christmas (BMG, The Anthology)
FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE: The Man In The Santa Suit (Virgin, Out-Of-State Plates)
THE MONTGOMERY CLIFFS: O Come All Ye Faithful (RPM, Christmas Stocking Stuffer EP)
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OTIS REDDING: Merry Christmas Baby (Razor & Tie, VA: Rockin' Christmas)
THE MONKEES: House Of Broken Gingerbread (Rhino, Christmas Party)
THE BEATLES: 1965 Christmas Message
MARVIN GAYE: Purple Snowflakes (Motown, VA: Christmas In The City)
LISA MYCHOLS & SUPER 8: A Very Merry Christmas (single)
THE LINDA LINDAS: Groovy Xmas (single) --
BIBI FARBER WITH THE MICHAEL LYNCH ORCHESTRA: Gonna Ask Santa Claus (single) THE POGUES FEATURING KIRSTY MacCOLL: Fairytale Of New York (Rhino, VA: Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Xmas)
THE BEATMAS: Mary's Boy Child (ISBA, Xmas!)
THE BEATLES: 1966 Christmas Message
MIKE VIOLA & THE CANDY BUTCHERS: Give Me A Second Chance For Christmas (RPM, Let's Get Christmas
TALL POPPY SYNDROME: Come Some Christmas Eve [Holiday Mix] (single) --
THE ROOKS: Christmas (Not Lame, Encore Echoes))
THE BEATLES: 1967 Christmas Message
SIMON & GARFUNKEL: 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night (Columbia, Old Friends)
SLADE: Merry Xmas Everybody (Polydor, Greatest Hits)
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The Greatest Record Ever Made!
THE RAMONES: Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) (Sire, Brain Drain)
ROB PARAVONIAN: We're Breakin' Up For The Holidays (Vandalay, VA: Hi-Fi Christmas Party Volume 2)
THE BEATLES: 1968 Christmas Message
CHRISTOPHER GREY: I Can't Sleep On Christmas Eve (Volunteer, VA: Ho Ho Ho Spice)
THE KINKS: Father Christmas (Velvel, Misfits)
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SI CRANSTOUN: A Christmas Twist (Ruf, Old School)
KIMBERLY REW & LEE CAVE-BERRY: All I Want Is You For Christmas (single) THE RONETTES: Frosty The Snowman (Abkco, VA: A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector)
THE BEATLES: 1969 Christmas Message
THE IDEA: It's About That Time (Black Vinyl, VA: Yuletunes)
THE PRETENDERS: 2000 Miles (Sire, The Singles)
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GEORGE HARRISON: Ding Dong, Ding Dong (Apple, Dark Horse)
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