I’ve been hosting Country Classics on 98 Country for over twelve years.  When December arrives, I can always count on requests for these five holiday favorites from loyal listeners. Take a look and listen.

 


 

 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Robert May created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 1939 for the Montgomery Ward Company. Because of the song, Rudolph is popularly-known as Santa’s ninth reindeer. Gene Auntry is still remembered for his Christmas songs “Here Comes Santa Claus" and “Frosty the Snowman.” But his biggest hit was"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” -- that 1949 holiday favorite sold millions.

 


 

Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

The novelty Christmas song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” was written by Randy Brooks and was originally recorded by the husband and wife team of Elmo and Patsy Shropshire in 1979.  In the lyrics, the grandmother of the family gets drunk from too much eggnog.  She forgets to take her medication and despite warnings from the family, staggers outside into a snowstorm. She's run over by Santa and his reindeer and killed. Sounds sad to me, in a festive sort of way. Take a listen.

 


 

Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas” is a tale of unrequited love during the holidays and is a longstanding staple for Christmas music, especially in the country music world.  Many artists have recorded the song.  But it's Elvis Presley's 1957 recording of “Blue Christmas” that gets requested.  No one sings, “Blue Christmas” like Elvis. Unless it's Elvis AND Martina McBride.

 


 

Hard Candy Christmas

The song “Hard Candy Christmas” was actually written for a Broadway musical. Carol Hall wrote it for the musical, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”  Dolly Parton’s version of the song was released as a single and went to number eight on the country charts in 1982. “Hard Candy Christmas” is not a true holiday song. It received a fair amount of airplay on country radio around the holiday season.

 


 

The Little Drummer Boy

Little Drummer Boy” was written by Harry Simeone, a distinguished music arranger, conductor and composer.  First entitled, “Carol of the Drum,”  Simeone changed the title to “Little Drummer Boy.”  Johnny Cash recorded the song on one of his many Christmas albums.  It’s one of my favorites.  Take notice of the haunting beat of the drum.

 


 


Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

 

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