“MrZerr0’s 39th Xmass Show”
Article #166 December 2024
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0
When I was a kid growing up in the west side of Sioux City Christmas was my absolute favorite time of year, the only day that a person gets a really big score of toys, along with all the colored lights and decorations, and the TV Specials and myself, I loved Christmas Music, now I know a lot people don’t care for it but I do! So starting sometime in the early 80s I started to collect what little Christmas music I could find, as most of it was released on Vinyl, and by the early 80s Cassettes had taken over the market with about 60 to 80% of releases sold, and there just were not any used record stores where I was living. Then in 1984 I had this idea to make a “Mix Tape” (on Cassette) of my favorite Christmas songs that I owned, except at that time I did not own enough Christmas music to fill up a whole cassette. But then in 1985 I had amassed enough to make my 1st Christmas MixTape (Show) I gave a few out as Christmas presents, now I am not sure if those folks loved them as much as I did, but playing that Cassette on Christmas Day in 1985 made a great day even BETTER!
Then the following year in 1986 I met on of my best friends, because he owned a copy of a Monkees Christmas song “Christmas Is My Time Of Year” (from 1976), well being the huge Monkees fan that I am this launched me on a mission to create a 90 minute Cassette of not only my favorites but any Rock ‘N Roll Christmas songs I could get my hands on, which back then, most bands only released a Christmas song on Non-Lp 45 Single that was only sold in November and December of any given year, so tracking these down was a real feat.
The 1st year I was on WDGY (2017) I was quick to deliver a My Christmas Show, and so this article is about Xmass Show #9. I did also deliver 2 Xmass Shows for WFNU (2019, 2020). Well after 10 different Christmas Shows I was kind of running out of ideas, but then I had an epiphany, I have worked with a lady on and off for 8 years, who loves music too, albeit a little different than my preferences. So for this Xmass Show 2024 I let (Janet) DJ Moonlite pick out the songs for this year’s (2024) Xmass Show, Which Just So Happens To BE: Episode #300 ! and away we go.
> Xmass Show 2024<
with Co-Host DJ Moonlite (Janet)
“Under The Mistletoe” The Harmony Sister: 1940s
This is a really obscure singing group as not much is known about them except they were from Finland, which is appropriate, since Minnesota has the 2nd largest Finnish population in the USA.
“Let It Snow” Von Monroe: 1945
Born Von Wilton Monroe on 7 October 1 in Akron, Ohio, he passed on 21 May 1973. I was reminded this song was played at the end of the film “Die Hard” (1988)
“Cool Yule” Louis Armstrong: 1953
Born Louis Daniel Armstrong on 4 August 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana, he passed on 6 July 1971. Now my best memory of Louis was when I saw a rerun of “What’s My Line?” and when Louis spoke the panelist guessed him straight away.
“It Happened In Sun Valley” Jo Stafford: 1956
She was born Jo Elizabeth Stafford on 12 November 1917 in Coalinga, California she passed on 16 July 2008.
I don’t have much recollection of Jo, other than I was working at DiscLand when she passed.
“Canadian Sunset” Dean Martin: 1959
He was born: Dino Paul Crocetti on 7 June 2017 in Steubenville, Ohio and passed on 25 December 1995. I remember it well, I was at my Ex-Fiance’s C.K.S. when I got the news. I did a full show on Dean Episode #148 in June 2020. I sent a copy to his daughter Deana, who appeared in The Monkees Episode #56 from March 1968.
“Jingle Bells” Jimmy Smith: 1964
He was born James Oscar Smith on8 December 1928 in Norristown, Pennsylvania he passed on 8 February 1985.
My memory of Jimmy was my 1st boss Marc at RecordShop (Valley West Mall: 1986) was telling me how much he loved Jimmy’s music, his family used to eat at some pizza place and this kind of music would play in the restaurant.
“Scrooge” The Ventures: 1965
This band formed in Tacoma, Washington in 1958. In their career they have released at least 66 albums. Well besides performing the “Hawaii 5-O” (1968) TV Theme, my best memory is my nephew Cody, I got him a Black Strat for his birthday and one song he played constantly was “Walk, Don’t Run” by The Ventures.
“Old Toy Trains” Glen Campbell: 1968
He was born Glen Travis Campbell on 22 April 1936 in Billstown, Arkansas, he passed on 8 August 2017. I met Glen in Spring 2000 in Des Moines, Iowa, once a session guitarist for The Monkees. One of my all time favorite songs is “Wichita Lineman” (#1 Oct 1968). I plan on delivering a full show on Glen for WDGY in 2025 .
“Toyland” Leon Redbone: 1988
He was born Dickran Gobalan on 26 August 1949 in Nicosia, British Cypress he passed on 30 May 2019. No I never really cared for Leon, but I do remember, my 2nd boss at RecordShop (VWM) did, so this was for you Matt M.
“Snowfall” Manhattan Transfer: 1992
This group was formed in New York City in 1969. My memory of this group, the son of Tommy Bolin’s Godfather Mark Ingals became their tour manager after he stopped working with Prince.
“Louisiana Christmas Day” Aaron Neville: 1993
He was born Aaron Joseph Neville on 24 January 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana. I saw Aaron in September 1990 in Ames, Iowa with Linda Ronstandt.
“Mixed Nuts” Dr. John: 1994
He was born Malcome Rebennack Jr. on 20 November 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana he passed on 6 June 2019. My favorite memory of Dr. John is when Tommy Bolin performed on his album “Hollywood Be Thy Name” in 1975.
“My Favorite Time Of Year” The Miracles: 2005
This group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1955. If you do your research Smokey Robinson wrote a great number of hits for the Motown Record Label. I saw Smokey in concert in 2002. I delivered a full show on The Miracles Episode #80 in Feb 2019.
“Christmas Time” New York Voices: 2013
This group formed in New York in 1986. Another group I really don’t know much about. But Janet picked them.
Tune into Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Radio Show on Radio WDGY 8am Sundays. Since 2017. on WDGY.Com, AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. You can hear the last 90 Episodes of this show at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can also hear Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” for 32 Programs and Rick Burnette’s “Hits And History” for 17 Programs at www.MixCloud.Com under MrZeros.
Upcoming Shows in 2025: BTO, Oh Canada, Oi Aussie, Yellow Submarine Film, Magical Mystery Tour Film, Johnny Rivers, Cars, Gentle Giant, Cowsills, Paul Williams, Eric Clapton, Matthew Sweet, Lobo, Fats Domino, Pretenders, B-Sides of 1972, Association, Smithereens and more ! I usually deliver at least 30 NEW Episodes per year. With Kimbolita, DJ Flee and the return of Lesee McKee, and newcomer Phyllis Rutter.
Come back and visit us in the New Year. Until then …. MrZerr0 signing off.
Mr. Zer0’s Inc.
*Est. 2009
174 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
www.MrZeroS.Com
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Vinyl, CDs, Cassettes.
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Nintendo, Sega, XboX,
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Vintage Toys In Package
And Shirts Too….
(IF it is NOT on This list you need to visit somewhere else)
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