That title could refer to so very many things. But it refers to Christmas. Yet again, I am preparing for the ol’ K-Cow going all-Christmas music much, much earlier than I personally would like. This year Reindeer Radio takes over November 13th. And I have come to peace with it. This is something like the 4th or 5th year we’ve done it, and I am convinced that enough people dig the all-yuletide format enough to make it worthwhile. The fact that I am not one of them is immaterial. I don’t have to like everything!
What I do like is Jingle Cash, our multi-market cash contest. Because it gives our listeners a chance to win some foldin’ money, and it gives me a chance to write some fun promos to remind people that the contest is coming back. Christmas is a season that fills the young with excitement, and brings back warm memories in grown ups. It’s fun to write stuff with that kind of mojo behind it.
What you will hear, if you choose to listen, are not finished promos…there’s a little bit of aural fiddling left to be done, and most of these spots need to have an announcer read added at the end. (Our professional Big Voice Guy® is recording this material as we speak.)
“Deck The Halls”. Herr Kroheim and I croon our way through a Christmas standard, Which is in the public domain. In case anyone from the beloved parent company is concerned.
“Uncle Stan.” This is a loving tribute (or shameless ripoff, six of one/half dozen of the other) to Stan Freberg’s “Twas The Night Before Christmas”, which is played with great regularity at Christmastime on the ol’ K-Cow. That’s me doing Uncle Stan, and the amazing sales account executive Amanda Jurado as a tiny tot.
“Perry Como.” What can I say? I love Perry Como. And since this promo mentions Reindeer Radio, I can use song clips since they are in service of promoting our on-air programming. (I can play radio lawyer ball with the best of them.) Mike Glesinger tries in vain to be the voice of reason. I feel stupidly proud to have come up with “Perry Como Sings The Best Of Kalin Krohe Reference Live From The Holy Land.”
“Oh Jingle Cash.” Another musicale from the happiness boys, Wenty and Krohe. This one will actually have the announcer part in the middle, after we sing “Let’s hope the rules don’t bore you.” Nothing wrong with a little truth in advertising.
“Tom Turkey”. Kalin plays some kind of rabid turkey as we explain that the game will not be played Thanksgivng Day.
“Fed Up Panel Discussion.” The holiday haters are George Bailey (me, trotting out my mediocre Jimmy Stewart); Sad little girl (Amanda again!); Scrooge (Gles) and our North Platte friend Lewys Carlini as the panel moderator.
“Jingle Jam”. KCOW’s basement tenant, Bob S. Bestos, has a devious plan to give away jams and jellies and keep all the prize money for himself.
“Ben Franklin Sits In For Santa”. Marking the 2,671st time I’ve swiped Stan Freberg’s Ben Franklin voice. Kalin, with the assistance of pitch shift, plays a wee lad wanting to see Santa.
And here’s the audio…when you hear the finished versions of these on the radio, possibly as soon as early next week depending on the aforementioned Big Voice Guy, you can think with pride: “I heard these silly promos first!’ Okay, maybe pride is too strong a word. Bemusement perhaps.