KRTH playing "Feliz Navidad"

[TheBigA]

Brenda Lee was a surprise musical guest at a benefit concert in Nashville last night:

Brenda Lee brought some holiday cheer to the show with a surprise performance of her classic hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Lee came strutting onto the stage to sing the 65-year-old song, which just hit No. 1 for the first time on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023. With Urban in a red sweater and Santa hat and Gill donning a necklace of stringed Christmas lights, the 78-year-old Lee belted out the rollicking song, proving that she still has plenty of spunk. The crowd was up and dancing from start to finish, awarding Lee the first standing ovation of the night. “She’s our history, she is to be revered and remembered,” Yearwood later raved of Lee during her set. “What this woman has done in her career is astonishing and she’s a true legend and hero. So that’s what this is all about, preserving those stories.”

MSN

 

[michael hagerty]

Here's a solid analysis of what drives Christmas music, based on Spotify data:

What Spotify Can Teach Your Radio Station about Christmas Music - Integr8 Research

At Integr8 Research, we routinely examine streaming data alongside our own callout for local clients and national subscribers for a full picture what music is most relevant right now. Generally, relevant music means contemporary music. However, there’s a special time of year when the most...

integr8research.com

 

[cer1992]

Considering the direction KRTH has been heading of late (music of the 80's, 90's and 00's), I find it interesting that they would dig up a true Christmas gem from 1970 with Jose Feliciano. It's being played sporadically, not as often as some of their 80's holiday selections and Mariah Carey, but it's there. As we get closer to Christmas, maybe they'll integrate more classics as the appeal for older Christmas music is out there. Even Brenda Lee's 1958 gem "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is charting top ten on Billboard every year. Hopefully KRTH will follow through and reflect a nationwide trend with older Christmas tunes being added.

I don't think it's surprising, considering that even contemporary stations like KIIS FM and Z100 plays older Christmas songs from that time as well.

 

[TheBigA]

Brenda Lee is spending her second week at #1

NASHVILLE, TN (Dec. 11, 2023) – For the second week in a row, Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee’s iconic holiday hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Last week the song made history 65 years after its debut and became Lee’s third Hot 100 No. 1, and her first since 1960. Today’s news came as Lee was celebrating her birthday.

“A second week at No. 1 – this is so surreal!” said Lee. “As I celebrate this with my fans and everyone who has supported me over the years, I really wish I could celebrate with Johnny Marks, who wrote the song, and Owen Bradley, who brilliantly produced ‘Rockin’.’ The song has truly stood the test of time and I am so grateful that this has become my signature song. As I always say, Keep on Rockin’!”

This year for the song’s 65th anniversary, Lee released the first ever music video for “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” featuring cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. She also released a new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, featuring “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.

 

[oldies76]

KRTH is playing a nice blend of genuine Christmas classics since 6pm yesterday through this morning, including Brenda Lee, Donny Hathaway, Bing Crosby, Beach Boys, Andy Williams, Ronettes, Chuck Berry...etc......Nice to hear that once again.

Merry Christmas to all....