Hey...I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving!
We were in NYC to pick up Emma from school and we stayed to watch the parade and have our usual Hard Rock Cafe Thanksgiving dinner.
Since we were all home we went out and cut down our Christmas tree yesterday. Emma selected it because she liked that it was wide. It was wide, alright. When we got it home it looked HUGE in our small living room. I didn't even have enough lights to cover the whole thing. I put all the strands we have on it last night and the needles were so sharp they kept making little holes in my hands. You should see...my hands and fingers are all red today! When I finish the job later today I'm going to wear gloves!
So the tree is up and will be decorated by this evening....now all we need is some snow! Then it will REALLY feel like Christmas-time!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Okay..so once in a while I google my own name!
....and sometimes I find some really cool stuff that I didn't know was out there....like this blog from Vermont which was written by someone who attended our Dartmouth Hop-Stop Series concert about a year ago.
Thank you, Bettina! Hope to see you again sometime!
http://damnyankeevermont.blogspot.com/2008/10/judy-pancoast.html
Thank you, Bettina! Hope to see you again sometime!
http://damnyankeevermont.blogspot.com/2008/10/judy-pancoast.html
House on Christmas Street Contests
Hey all you crazy decorating types!
There are currently TWO contests out there for homeowners who are using The House on Christmas Street in their synchronized lighting shows this year.
First, check out www.planetchristmas.com. I've talked about this site before as THE go-to site for decorating enthusiasts. There's a wonderful community there who are more than willing to share their expertise and help you get going in the world of mega-decorating. The site holds an annual decorating contest and this year there is a category for The House on Christmas Street. Go there and check it out!
The other contest is being run by http://www.litefavorites.com/christmas, an internet Christmas radio station. They are giving away copies of my CD to their winners. Check out the details on their website!
And good luck!
There are currently TWO contests out there for homeowners who are using The House on Christmas Street in their synchronized lighting shows this year.
First, check out www.planetchristmas.com. I've talked about this site before as THE go-to site for decorating enthusiasts. There's a wonderful community there who are more than willing to share their expertise and help you get going in the world of mega-decorating. The site holds an annual decorating contest and this year there is a category for The House on Christmas Street. Go there and check it out!
The other contest is being run by http://www.litefavorites.com/christmas, an internet Christmas radio station. They are giving away copies of my CD to their winners. Check out the details on their website!
And good luck!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Christmas Time's a Comin'
Hello!
Well, the turkeys are still in hiding and the Christmas decorations are out in the stores! I hear rumors floating around that certain radio stations are going "All Christmas" sometime soon...and so I come to you with my yearly request for your requests!
PLEASE begin calling early and often and request The House on Christmas Street at your local station...even if they only play one Christmas song an hour.
If the station says they don't have a copy, please get the name of the contact person and their address and I will mail one out right away.
This blog is going to automatically show up on Facebook, and so I especially implore my FB friends near and far to please take the time to email or call your favorite station...especially all you PC and Lonestar Holidays folks!
This song has already made it farther than I ever thought it would all because of people like you...yes, you! You who have used it in your home displays, already got some of your local stations playing it, requested it on internet stations, written about it, blogged about it and told your friends about it. Now it just needs that extra little push to make it a hit.
Someone asked me recently how I will know that its a hit.....well, one way will be when I actually start getting royalties from it being played on radio stations. So few stations play it now that I really don't get much at all. Not even enough for ASCAP to cut me a check! The only way that will change is if there really is a grass roots campaign of people calling and requesting it. Think of it...that's how "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" became a hit. It was played in a California radio market for seven years before it finally "broke out." We can do the same! I know so many of you love the song because you have written to me about it! So please take this extra step.
I also want to let you know that this year I will not be selling my own CD of the song to make way for the new SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS 2009 CD that features it, along with other Christmas songs by artists like Huey Lewis & the News, Stephen Bishop, Richard Marx and more. This CD is to benefit William Shatner's Hollywood Horses Charity which pairs special needs kids with horses and does great things for them. I donated my song to this project because I believe in it and, let's face it, it's pretty cool to see my name on the same label as Huey Lewis!!
Thank you for all you have done so far and all you continue to do. Being a self-employed indie artist is a risky proposition and can sometimes be kind of scary, but your emails and comments of support...and of course, the laughter and smiles of the kids...really make it possible for me to keep going even when times are tough. I could never thank you enough!!
Please be sure to let me know if your local station needs a copy of The House on Christmas Street!
Well, the turkeys are still in hiding and the Christmas decorations are out in the stores! I hear rumors floating around that certain radio stations are going "All Christmas" sometime soon...and so I come to you with my yearly request for your requests!
PLEASE begin calling early and often and request The House on Christmas Street at your local station...even if they only play one Christmas song an hour.
If the station says they don't have a copy, please get the name of the contact person and their address and I will mail one out right away.
This blog is going to automatically show up on Facebook, and so I especially implore my FB friends near and far to please take the time to email or call your favorite station...especially all you PC and Lonestar Holidays folks!
This song has already made it farther than I ever thought it would all because of people like you...yes, you! You who have used it in your home displays, already got some of your local stations playing it, requested it on internet stations, written about it, blogged about it and told your friends about it. Now it just needs that extra little push to make it a hit.
Someone asked me recently how I will know that its a hit.....well, one way will be when I actually start getting royalties from it being played on radio stations. So few stations play it now that I really don't get much at all. Not even enough for ASCAP to cut me a check! The only way that will change is if there really is a grass roots campaign of people calling and requesting it. Think of it...that's how "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" became a hit. It was played in a California radio market for seven years before it finally "broke out." We can do the same! I know so many of you love the song because you have written to me about it! So please take this extra step.
I also want to let you know that this year I will not be selling my own CD of the song to make way for the new SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS 2009 CD that features it, along with other Christmas songs by artists like Huey Lewis & the News, Stephen Bishop, Richard Marx and more. This CD is to benefit William Shatner's Hollywood Horses Charity which pairs special needs kids with horses and does great things for them. I donated my song to this project because I believe in it and, let's face it, it's pretty cool to see my name on the same label as Huey Lewis!!
Thank you for all you have done so far and all you continue to do. Being a self-employed indie artist is a risky proposition and can sometimes be kind of scary, but your emails and comments of support...and of course, the laughter and smiles of the kids...really make it possible for me to keep going even when times are tough. I could never thank you enough!!
Please be sure to let me know if your local station needs a copy of The House on Christmas Street!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
House on Christmas Street in Columbus, OH
Yes, I know, Halloween is still about three weeks away but decorating enthusiasts all over the country and the world are already thinking about Christmas....getting out their blow molds and blow-ups, untangling lights and checking wires and bulbs and more.
One of those folks, a guy named Joe, sent me an email to let me know that he's going to be synchronizing his display to "The House on Christmas Street" this year, and he personally made a REALLY cool sign to go with it. He sent me a picture of it and I just had to share it with you.
So if you are roaming through Columbus, Ohio during December be sure to look for The House on Christmas Street and say "hi" to Joe!
One of those folks, a guy named Joe, sent me an email to let me know that he's going to be synchronizing his display to "The House on Christmas Street" this year, and he personally made a REALLY cool sign to go with it. He sent me a picture of it and I just had to share it with you.
So if you are roaming through Columbus, Ohio during December be sure to look for The House on Christmas Street and say "hi" to Joe!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
If You're a Grown-up Who Likes My Music....
....then you will probably love the music of Mike Viola. Even if you don't know his name, you have heard his voice and songwriting talents in the movie "That Thing You Do" for which he wrote the title song and provided the voice. He has written music for other movies, too, including "Walk Hard, " which stunk as a movie but had good music.
I saw Mike in concert last night in Cambridge and he was so great and it was so much fun! It was the first time I've walked into a bar alone since 1985 and I was feeling a little awkward but it was well worth it because he was just so fantastic. He was so down-to-earth and every single song was incredible. He talked about how he was influenced by the pop music of the 70s and right then I knew we were soul-mates because that's my main influence too.
Check out Mike and his music at : www.mikeviola.com
He also recently produced, wrote songs for and sings on Mandy Moore's newest album. There's one song, "Merrimack River," which is the most gorgeous thing I've ever heard. http://www.last.fm/music/Mandy+Moore/_/Merrimack+River
That's Mandy & Mike doing it live. You'll love it!
I saw Mike in concert last night in Cambridge and he was so great and it was so much fun! It was the first time I've walked into a bar alone since 1985 and I was feeling a little awkward but it was well worth it because he was just so fantastic. He was so down-to-earth and every single song was incredible. He talked about how he was influenced by the pop music of the 70s and right then I knew we were soul-mates because that's my main influence too.
Check out Mike and his music at : www.mikeviola.com
He also recently produced, wrote songs for and sings on Mandy Moore's newest album. There's one song, "Merrimack River," which is the most gorgeous thing I've ever heard. http://www.last.fm/music/Mandy+Moore/_/Merrimack+River
That's Mandy & Mike doing it live. You'll love it!
Friday, September 25, 2009
HUGE AMAZING ANNOUNCEMENT
Next month, my song "The House on Christmas Street" will be featured on a CD compilation called “The Sounds of Christmas 2009”. Proceeds from this CD will go to William Shatner’s Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which benefits disabled, disadvantaged and special needs children (and you can find out more about them at http://www.horseshow.org ).
The CD will also feature these songs and artists:
Lis Soderberg “All I Need”
Huey Lewis and the News “Winter Wonderland”
Lisa Kessler “Christmas Vacation”
Pete Hopkins “Home For Christmas”
Stephen Bishop “Rock Little Reindeer”
Tina Lambert “O Christmas Tree”
Roy Holliday “Christmastime On The Beach”
Hayseed Dixie “Misty Wonderland Hop”
Dennis DeYoung “When I Hear A Christmas Song”
Annie Pattison “Love For Christmas”
Tey “Silver Bells”
Richard Marx “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”
DJ Icy-Ice and the Fresh Elf “The Night Before Christmas”
William Shatner “Good King Wenceslas” (yes, I'm going to share CD space with CAPTAIN KIRK!!!!!)
Lis Soderberg is a singer/songwriter from Toronto. Her song “All I Need” finished 3rd in Billboard’s World Song Contest, and you can hear it right now on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/lissoderberg
Huey Lewis and the News originally sent copies of “Winter Wonderland” to their fan club (they were mailed out on pretty green cassettes). This was in December of 1984. It has never been available on CD.
Lisa Kessler is a gifted Soprano whose first CD, A New Life, has songs that continue to appear on iTunes and Amazon‘s best-seller lists. You‘ll be able to hear “Christmas Vacation” on her MySpace page soon at http://www.myspace.com/lisakesslervocalist
Pete Hopkins is a singer/songwriter from L.A., and was recently a semifinalist in the Shure National Songwriting Contest. You can hear “Home For Christmas” on his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/petehopkins
Stephen Bishop has been nominated for Grammys and Oscars, and appeared in “Animal House“ and “The Blues Brothers“! He also released his own Christmas CD through his website a few years ago (it‘s now sold out). His original song “Rock Little Reindeer” has been freshly re-mixed for this compilation!
Tina Lambert is releasing her second Christmas CD next month, and both feature her a cappella, singing all the parts, and then mixing them together , with the result being a beautiful chorus of Tina‘s! You can hear her Christmas songs on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/tinalambertmusic
Roy Holliday describes himself as “Vegas meets the beach for a unique, yet classic, blend of original Christmas music.” Check out his MySpace page to hear this song and you’ll get exactly what he means at http://www.myspace.com/royholliday
Hayseed Dixie has made a career out of their very original bluegrass interpretation of rock artists like AC/DC (a style they call Rockgrass)! Their song here is a unique blend of “Winter Wonderland” sung to the music of Led Zeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop”. You can hear samples of their other songs on their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/hsdx
Dennis DeYoung, former lead singer for Styx, released “When I Hear A Christmas Song” a couple years ago through his website. This marks its first national release!
Annie Pattison is a nine-year-old singer who was recently a finalist on Calgary Junior Idol! You can hear her original song “Love For Christmas” on her website at http://www.scorecreative.com/anniesings/
Tey is an L.A. singer/songwriter, who was recently described by Music Connection Magazine as a “gifted songwriter and vocalist who sets herself apart with a raw sexuality and palpable soulful influence." You can hear more from Tey on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/teypunsalan
Richard Marx has had so many hits, that he actually holds a record as he first solo artist to have his first seven singles hit the Top 5 on the US charts! While he doesn’t have his Christmas song up right now, you can hear a lot of his music on his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/officialrichardmarx
DJ Icy-Ice and the Fresh Elf are a pair of rappers that you probably know. At this time, though, we can’t reveal any other info about them.
William Shatner. James T. Kirk. T.J. Hooker. Denny Crane. The Big Giant Head. The Priceline Negotiator. You know who he is. He originally recorded this song for KROQ (Kevin and the Bean), as a part of one of their annual Christmas cassettes (yes, cassettes!). This is its first appearance on CD!
You can hear a clip of William Shatner on the label's website at http://www.socmusic.net (and you can pre-order the CD, too)!
This is one of the most exciting developments ever to happen in my career, and I have Ken Kessler, the owner of Sounds of Christmas Music and the mastermind behind Sounds of Christmas Radio, to thank for it! And of course, you....for supporting my songs and me all these years.Merry Christmas!
The CD will also feature these songs and artists:
Lis Soderberg “All I Need”
Huey Lewis and the News “Winter Wonderland”
Lisa Kessler “Christmas Vacation”
Pete Hopkins “Home For Christmas”
Stephen Bishop “Rock Little Reindeer”
Tina Lambert “O Christmas Tree”
Roy Holliday “Christmastime On The Beach”
Hayseed Dixie “Misty Wonderland Hop”
Dennis DeYoung “When I Hear A Christmas Song”
Annie Pattison “Love For Christmas”
Tey “Silver Bells”
Richard Marx “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”
DJ Icy-Ice and the Fresh Elf “The Night Before Christmas”
William Shatner “Good King Wenceslas” (yes, I'm going to share CD space with CAPTAIN KIRK!!!!!)
Lis Soderberg is a singer/songwriter from Toronto. Her song “All I Need” finished 3rd in Billboard’s World Song Contest, and you can hear it right now on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/lissoderberg
Huey Lewis and the News originally sent copies of “Winter Wonderland” to their fan club (they were mailed out on pretty green cassettes). This was in December of 1984. It has never been available on CD.
Lisa Kessler is a gifted Soprano whose first CD, A New Life, has songs that continue to appear on iTunes and Amazon‘s best-seller lists. You‘ll be able to hear “Christmas Vacation” on her MySpace page soon at http://www.myspace.com/lisakesslervocalist
Pete Hopkins is a singer/songwriter from L.A., and was recently a semifinalist in the Shure National Songwriting Contest. You can hear “Home For Christmas” on his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/petehopkins
Stephen Bishop has been nominated for Grammys and Oscars, and appeared in “Animal House“ and “The Blues Brothers“! He also released his own Christmas CD through his website a few years ago (it‘s now sold out). His original song “Rock Little Reindeer” has been freshly re-mixed for this compilation!
Tina Lambert is releasing her second Christmas CD next month, and both feature her a cappella, singing all the parts, and then mixing them together , with the result being a beautiful chorus of Tina‘s! You can hear her Christmas songs on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/tinalambertmusic
Roy Holliday describes himself as “Vegas meets the beach for a unique, yet classic, blend of original Christmas music.” Check out his MySpace page to hear this song and you’ll get exactly what he means at http://www.myspace.com/royholliday
Hayseed Dixie has made a career out of their very original bluegrass interpretation of rock artists like AC/DC (a style they call Rockgrass)! Their song here is a unique blend of “Winter Wonderland” sung to the music of Led Zeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop”. You can hear samples of their other songs on their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/hsdx
Dennis DeYoung, former lead singer for Styx, released “When I Hear A Christmas Song” a couple years ago through his website. This marks its first national release!
Annie Pattison is a nine-year-old singer who was recently a finalist on Calgary Junior Idol! You can hear her original song “Love For Christmas” on her website at http://www.scorecreative.com/anniesings/
Tey is an L.A. singer/songwriter, who was recently described by Music Connection Magazine as a “gifted songwriter and vocalist who sets herself apart with a raw sexuality and palpable soulful influence." You can hear more from Tey on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/teypunsalan
Richard Marx has had so many hits, that he actually holds a record as he first solo artist to have his first seven singles hit the Top 5 on the US charts! While he doesn’t have his Christmas song up right now, you can hear a lot of his music on his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/officialrichardmarx
DJ Icy-Ice and the Fresh Elf are a pair of rappers that you probably know. At this time, though, we can’t reveal any other info about them.
William Shatner. James T. Kirk. T.J. Hooker. Denny Crane. The Big Giant Head. The Priceline Negotiator. You know who he is. He originally recorded this song for KROQ (Kevin and the Bean), as a part of one of their annual Christmas cassettes (yes, cassettes!). This is its first appearance on CD!
You can hear a clip of William Shatner on the label's website at http://www.socmusic.net (and you can pre-order the CD, too)!
This is one of the most exciting developments ever to happen in my career, and I have Ken Kessler, the owner of Sounds of Christmas Music and the mastermind behind Sounds of Christmas Radio, to thank for it! And of course, you....for supporting my songs and me all these years.Merry Christmas!
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