I know the sun seems to be setting on the radio industry, but I'm still a big believer in live radio. I think there is a connection between announcer and listener that can only be made through radio. You don't connect to people on ipods or TV or even the internet the way you do on radio. You can't. And for all the hype certain sitcoms get for doing a live episode, live radio is still where the only real magic happens.
23 years ago, a teenaged disc jockey on a college radio station in New Jersey got the Christmas eve shift and determined to stay on the air for as long as he could (or until the next DJ showed which, you know, it's Christmas...could be days) and play as many Christmas records as he could find in the station's record library.
"Cherry Bomb" by Anitra Hamilton
23 years later, Jon Solomon's Christmas Eve marathon on Princeton's WPRB 103.3 FM is an institution, a holiday tradition as revered by its listeners as the Macy's Thanksgiving parade is to others. There are even Christmas songs that have been written about Jon Solomon's annual marathon. For 24 hours, from 6:00 PM Christmas Eve to 6:00 PM Christmas night, Jon Solomon plays radio Santa, handing out musical gifts of every size, shape and color.
23 years ago, a teenaged disc jockey on a college radio station in New Jersey got the Christmas eve shift and determined to stay on the air for as long as he could (or until the next DJ showed which, you know, it's Christmas...could be days) and play as many Christmas records as he could find in the station's record library.
"Cherry Bomb" by Anitra Hamilton
23 years later, Jon Solomon's Christmas Eve marathon on Princeton's WPRB 103.3 FM is an institution, a holiday tradition as revered by its listeners as the Macy's Thanksgiving parade is to others. There are even Christmas songs that have been written about Jon Solomon's annual marathon. For 24 hours, from 6:00 PM Christmas Eve to 6:00 PM Christmas night, Jon Solomon plays radio Santa, handing out musical gifts of every size, shape and color.
This isn't 24 hours of Bing Crosby and the 1001 Strings; this is serious (and not-so-serious) Christmas music from bands and artists like The Would-Be-Goods, Jimmy Reed, Billy Childish, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Punks On Eggnog, and Cheech and Chong. Tons of stuff that only a handful of people have ever heard before. Not that Jon's completely averse to the classics. If the moment calls for it, he'll certainly toss in the Sonics or Run DMC. Last year's show even featured a duet of Dizzy Dean & Dinah Shore. Jon takes his music wherever he can find it, including vinyl, CD, free internet downloads, obscure compilations, CD-Rs, and mp3s and mix discs submitted by listeners.
We spoke about connecting and Jon loves to connect with the listeners to his mighty marathon. Sometimes, a voice on the other end of the phone is better than coffee. Jon tries to honor requests when he can and he's got listeners around the globe for this annual event. The playlist is updated in real time on line, so you can follow along. And there's even a live webcam feed so you can see how the man is holding up.
We spoke about connecting and Jon loves to connect with the listeners to his mighty marathon. Sometimes, a voice on the other end of the phone is better than coffee. Jon tries to honor requests when he can and he's got listeners around the globe for this annual event. The playlist is updated in real time on line, so you can follow along. And there's even a live webcam feed so you can see how the man is holding up.
Now, clearly, people have things to do Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No one expects everyone to be glued to their radios for 24 hours straight on Christmas. But, when you find yourself with a free hour or two--and you will--there's no better or more magical way to spend that time than listening to Jon Solomon's Christmas Eve Marathon on WPRB. You can stream any or all of it by clicking on the orange "Listen Now" button on the left-hand side of WPRB's homepage. And if you happen to be one of those people who is up at those odd overnight hours, give Jon a call. He'd be happy to hear from you.
JON SOLOMON'S CHRISTMAS EVE MARATHON can be heard live on WPRB 103.3 FM in and around Princeton, New Jersey and on the Internet from 6:00 PM Christmas Eve through 6:00 PM Christmas night. To stream any or all of the show, click on the "Listen Now" button on the WPRB web site. Then choose your preferred stream.
JON SOLOMON'S CHRISTMAS EVE MARATHON can be heard live on WPRB 103.3 FM in and around Princeton, New Jersey and on the Internet from 6:00 PM Christmas Eve through 6:00 PM Christmas night. To stream any or all of the show, click on the "Listen Now" button on the WPRB web site. Then choose your preferred stream.
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