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DEL.ICIO.USWhen is it time to rock around the Christmas tree?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before 2000, Atlanta radio stations would start sprinkling in Christmas tunes around Thanksgiving, then go all Christmas on Christmas Eve.
Then that year, Peach 94.9 came up with the brilliant idea of going all Christmas for an entire month starting on Thanksgiving. That meant 24/7 Mel Torme, “Feliz Navidad” and Johnny Mathis. At the time, some “bah humbug” types called this overkill. But it worked. Ratings shot through the chimney in December for Peach.
Fish 104.7, already a Christian pop station, jumped on the sleigh ride in 2002.
B98.5, the other soft rock station, held out but finally gave in to the holly, jolly tunes in 2004.
Some years, Peach would do weekends of Christmas songs in November and start a few days before Thanksgiving.
With Peach, which became Lite, gone country, it appears we’ll only have two all-Christmas stations later this month. On Halloween, the Fish teased us with a one-day tease of Bing Crosby and Andy Williams and will be back Thanksgiving. And B98.5 is set to start its holiday cheer the same time. There’s no word if a third station is willing to do the same. (There is a third soft rock station that may go all Christmas, dubbed Lite 96.7, but it’s a limited signal on the southside and not what I would consider a true metro-wide radio station.)
When is the right time to start pumping out the “Jingle Bell Rock” on the radio? And how about those retail stores?
Comments
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By Rose
November 12, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
I was ready for the holiday tunes this weekend and looked for them. I finally bought a variety CD of holiday music. I have a 4 year old and want him to learn the words so that is one reason I’m starting early, but honestly, I’m actually in the spirit and look forward to this year’s festivities! Happy Holidays every one!
By no please no ...
November 12, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
No, please, no. Tell me it’s not really the season to start hearing the latest batch of unspired versions of the classic Christmas songs sung by contemporary “artists.” The annual holiday season, which has booted out any mention of true religion, has gotten to be a tired bore consisting of nothing more than homage to materialism and overeating. The welcome days off are its sole redeeming quality. But I digress from this discussion about holiday music. No, it’s not time yet.
By Earl
November 12, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I love ‘em and the grinches can change the station, once they figure out how to. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
By somewhatscrooged
November 12, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
I personally hate when stores and radio stations start their holiday-themed music and decorations before Halloween— its too early! If a radio station is going to play Christmas/Holiday music, start it the day after Thanksgiving. I think that’s fair because its the next major holiday in line.
By E.
November 12, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
It’s WAY too early. Come on folks, it’s not even the MIDDLE of November yet! What’s next? We’ll all start hearing various versions of holiday songs starting on the day after Halloween, when all of the stores start decorating for Christmas? Yuk! Save it all until the day after Thanksgiving!!!
By Perkle
November 12, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Please, no Christmas anything until the day after Thanksgiving.
By ahhh
November 12, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Ahhh. Tis the season. I enjoy hearing the Christmas music, the old classics and some of the newer contemporary versions. But I do agree with Perkle, please hold off until the day after Thanksgiving!
By no thanks, heard it too many times
November 12, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
At my age I’ve been thru many, many holiday seasons and the years fly by faster and faster. So, when the holidays come around yet again it seems like last years’s holidays have barely ended and it’s like I heard the music just yesterday. So I downplay my own holiday celebration and try to make the holidays a better time for those who may not have a very good one.
By ChristmasLover
November 12, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
I love Christmas and I love the music and decorations that go along with it. But, please, please, please, don’t start the music or decorations until the day AFTER Thanksgiving.
Playing music and decorating too soon only dilutes the celebration. And yes, I DO know how to change the station and I assure you I will!
By Matt
November 12, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
No earlier than December 1st. Although, it would be even better if we only had the “Twelve Days of Christmas music”. I love most of the holiday songs, but play some of the regular stuff too. Hearing the same song 5 times in an hour gets old quick.
By Becky
November 12, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
I love Christmas & enjoy hearing the music now..Actually we had Christmas music on in our office last Friday..Some of us are ready, some aren’t…
By Mark
November 12, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Xmas lovers : The retailers are laughing at you behind your backs. Xmas was once an ignorant xtian holiday, and now it’s a retailers holiday. And all you foolish lemmings just follow along.
By Brian
November 12, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
I love Christams music when it is appropriate (Thanksgiving and after). 104.7 The Fish definitely has the best.
A TIP FOR THE LADIES:
Please, retire your Christmas sweater. Everybody hates them, and we all make fun of you behind your back for wearing them.
By James
November 12, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
There is no better way to wrap up Thanksgiving Dinner, than kicking off the Christmas Season. Lighting up the Christmas Tree and listening to Christmas. Therefore, wait at least until Thanksgiving night!
By Sarah
November 12, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Mark, that was sooooo deep your post, gosh I am cancelling Christmas after reading your post. What hooked you into the conversation, a need for attention or just to spout off like the bitter you old queen you seem to be.
By teach1
November 12, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Well weather we lke it or not our little first graders have the Dec PTO presentation. So we have been singing Christmas since before Halloween. Personallly I love it.
By teach1
November 12, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
OUCH! I know I spelled whether wrong. So sorry!
By hishelper
November 12, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Mark & Brian are evil. GO AWAY.
By hishelper
November 12, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!! & Christmas music. Please people do not take Christ out of Christmas by using X.
By Mel
November 12, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Mark - Just because you refuse to spell it correctly doesn’t at all make the holiday ignorant…just you.
CHRISTMAS (note the spelling Mark) will never be an ignorant holiday as long as it is celebrated. It is not just about the music a few days or a few months out of the year. If you are celebrating correctly this question of “too early” is a non issue, because Christians celebrate the birth of Christ all year.
As for the question at hand. I love the music, could care less about the stores (I shop online), and coincidentally finished putting 88 Christmas songs on my Ipod about an hour ago.
Remember what the music is about, and celebrate the true reason for Christmas!
A better topic…What do you think about saying “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” instead of “Merry Christmas?” My answer, I don’t shop there!
By Cindy Lu Who
November 12, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Gee Rodney…you refer to B98.5 as the “other” soft rock station…but right now they’re the “only” soft rock station. So they must be doing something right.
By ghost rider
November 12, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
I remember my parents listening to Bing, Rosemary, Sinatra and Gene Autry (among others) sing all the christmas standards…Nothing brings christmas (and memories home) like listening to these classics…Christmas is not christmas withhout reliving your chilhood through this great music
By BiteMe
November 12, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
I don’t care to hear the songs until Christmas Eve, when I’m with my family celebrating. Otherwise, between the Christmas decorations starting to come out before Halloween, and now over a month of 24-7 Christmas music, I may go insane. Which is why I normally avoid all those radio stations during this time of year to begin with, it’s just TOO MUCH!
By Terri
November 12, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
The time to start with the Christmas songs? The day before Christmas. That will be just fine.
By Katie
November 13, 2007 6:10 AM | Link to this
I don’t want to hear any Christmas music crap. The holiday is a joke and it’s all commercial these days. I don’t want my ears to be bothered with the latest crappy remix of songs that are crappy to begin with. Why is nobody mentioning Thanksgiving? At least Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and not for giving over priced meaningless gifts.
By Greg Leathers
November 13, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this
Christmas music is not bad during the holidays, but get a rotation of more than 5 songs. I was about to rip out the speakers from the ceiling after hearing the same cheesy songs over and over. Also get rid of any Kenny G or musak versions of Christmas songs. Stop being cheap and buy versions with real musicians and not cheese musicians. We are not stupid, the customers hear the difference. Pay little more money and go for quality.
By gman
November 13, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
The day of Thanksgiving is the perfect day to start christmas music.
I miss the days 96Rock would play “Alice’s resturant” every thanksgiving.
By Love it but don't overkill it
November 13, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Like many on this blog I love the Christmas music but believe that all things Christmas should be held until the day after Thanksgiving. I want to always love Christmas and not get sick of it, so I wait until after Santa appears at the Macy’s parade (my official start to the season!)
I do have a problem with all of those people who seem to equate “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” with some sort of evil, anti-Christian agenda. I remember when these phrases were just alternate ways to say “Merry Christmas” and people said all three. Now, however, it’s trendy to take offense at this totally non-offensive (and, in fact, benevolent) language. Everybody, please reclaim these greetings and use them all, including “Merry Christmas!”
By FCM
November 13, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
I don’t know about the music, but I saw my first Christmas commerical (Zales) last night…BAH HUMBUG! It is much to early for that…and certainly did not get me to want to shop them.
As for the Seasonal Greeting debate: I agree with the poster who said use them all…I have a SIL who is Jewish—I always send her a Channuakh greeting.
By Red Roosterette
November 13, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
The day after Thanksgiving, please. Let’s keep things traditional folks, as we have lost or become soft on so many things that are of tradition. Merry Christmas everyone and be joyous in saying it! Hold onto what is important and means a lot to you and stop trying to satisfy everyone. If I know someone is Jewish or non-Christian, I will say Happy Holidays, but in general, MERRY CHRISTMAS IT IS!!