FEATURE — When is the appropriate time to start playing Christmas music? Is it cool to break out Eric Clapton’s “Happy Xmas” album before the Thanksgiving feast, or must I wait until after the first of December to start blasting out the holiday hits? My grandmother would say any time of the year is perfect. My grandpa, not so much.
It’s a debate that has been raging across American households for decades, sparking up every holiday season as soon as the first sleigh bell rings. Some would say it’s never too early to enjoy the Christmas spirit , while others prefer to celebrate their holidays one event at a time. The subject even has local radio stations divided.
Tom Rezny, program director for Easy 101.5, told St. George News his station has made the switch to an all-holiday format and said it is absolutely never too soon to play Christmas music. He has hits from Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey and Nat King Cole already hitting the airwaves 24-hours a day.
“It fills us all with hope and joy and happiness, and it puts a smile on your face. If it’s come along time or sing along time, it just makes you feel good,” Rezny said.
At 95.9 The Hawk – a classic rock station – it’s way too early unless it’s Motorhead’s “Run Run Rudolph,” which DJ Peter Gunn jokingly said can start playing right now. But for DJ Bill Cash, the next couple of weeks are better to start listening to Christmas tunes.
“If you want to listen to a rock station, once in a while a rock Christmas song comes in,” Cash said, “but, you know, we’re not Walmart.”
KONY Country’s Amy Chesley had her Christmas tree decorated the day after Halloween, and considering she has been playing her holiday favorites since July, it is in no way too soon, she said. However, over at JUAN 106, Canyon Media’s Spanish language station, it’s not Feliz Navidad quite yet.
“It is November. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet,” DJ Pedro Magdiel said. “It’s too soon.”
Though normally a great team during their morning show, Planet 105.1 deejays Colleen Rue and Matt Wilber were more than just a little divided.
“You have got to go in a pattern here,” Wilber said, adding that you have to eat Thanksgiving turkey first, but maybe Christmas music is appropriate that night – maybe.
Rue, who’s been playing her Christmas melodies since Oct. 15, said start playing it as soon as you want to.
“Bring in the Christmas cheer. We all need it.”
Ultimately what matters during this season is not what we are listening to but who we are spending the holidays with. If you are not a fan of Christmas music, sit back in a recliner with an eggnog and relax.
But if you are a fan, St. George News Radio’s Carl Lamar says crank up the volume anytime “you feel it deep within. And have a holly, jolly Christmas.”
St. George News reporter MIKAYLA SHOUP contributed to this report.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews | @andrewjpinckney
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.
If you want to listen to Christmas music early then go for it!
If you don’t want to listen to Christmas music early then don’t!
Either way stop worrying and complaining about what other people do. Life’s too short to be upset over stupid things.
I dont have a choice, I work retail, they already started playing it in the store. Frankly, I’m pretty good at blocking it out but others are annoyed.
I tuned in on a channel t=yesterday and heard the Christmas music. I love Christmas and the associated music, but I felt it was too early for it, so I changed to another station.
I love Christmas music on 101,5. I found it a week ago and sing along..it puts you in a good mood.. I even tipped the bag guy at the market, the delivery boy, landscaper.. it’s that time of the year , we should give thanks on Thanksgiving , but look aHead. Dec. 25 is not the only day we should give gifts .. think abou5 it all year round,, I saw an elderly man who cleans the side of Indian hills rd. Stopped and gave h8m some money.. I don,t think he reLized what a good job he was doing.. spread the love..
I’ll give you my address
LOL, me too. A personal check is fine 😉
There’s 12 days of Christmas, pick any 12 you want. The 15th through the 26th works for me. That’s when the Xmas music will be on.
I have better things to do than worry about what kind of music people listen to
You should know
I’d be satisfied if I never had to hear any xmas music again in my entire life.
I heard the Christmas music before Halloween on 101.5 and in some of the retail stores before Halloween too…what the Hell?….Yes it’s too early….just like the BS Christmas in July crap….and before Christmas is here the damn stores will be stocking the shelves with Valentines….You are killing any feelings for these seasons with the endless greed
I haven’t listened to FM radio for years. I subscribe to an online streaming service for music. Works great because there are no commercials, you can download an unlimited amount of albums, create your own playlists, can listen offline when you have no internet connection. I can cast the music over Wi-Fi to my home theater system, listen with headphones, or sync it to bluetooth in my car or my speaker at work. I can choose when the Christmas music starts and stops! Which is great for me because Christmas music before Thanksgiving is way too soon! Listening to Christmas music too early does not make me jolly, happy, or full of joy. It makes me wish Christmas was over with.
Well, seeing how the radio stations around here only have a 12-13 song playlist, throwing in a few Christmas songs would be welcomed. Of course, it will be the same Christmas songs played over & over but what the heck !