Request Lines Now Open For Tomorrow Night's Kosher Christmas Music Show on The Ticket

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Dec. 23 2010 at 4:29 PM

Categories: Happy Holidays, Not Navel-Gazing, Swear

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Former News-man-turned-Lodge'r Michael Precker grabbed this last night at the kosher Tom Thumb in Preston Forest, which clearly doesn't want to wind up on Robert Jeffress's Grinch List.

If you listen to KTCK-AM (1310, The Ticket), perhaps you've heard: Tomorrow night, from 9 till midnight, I'm yet again hosting a Christmas-music show. Which reminds me of this Darlene Love, um, standard? At last, an excuse for collecting far too many Christmas odds and sods lo these last few years -- and, why, yes, you just may hear Steve Martin and Paul Simon's unreleased "Silver Bells," matter of fact, amongst other cuts seldom heard on radio at this most wonderful time of the year.

That said, as I spike the egg nog, spark up the mistletoe and put the finishing touches on the Christmas Eve playlist, I'm more than happy to take your suggestions. Just last night, Noah Bailey slipped me Johnny & Jon's Jewel classic "Christmas in Viet Nam," which I'd somehow forgotten all about. No doubt it's but one among many overlooked gems needing a spot on The Nice List. And so, dear Friends, leave your requests in the comments, and I'll see what I can do.

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The soothing sounds of Big Bob put me out like a light around 12am yesterday. Lovely. Mr. Catlin (??) If you are listening, all I want for Christmas is another round of "'Til 2: The Non-Christmas Edition". Make it another few rounds, because, why not, while I'm at it. Some of the oddest, and yet, most interesting music to play the waves all year. You know you want to. Dallas wants you to. MORE BIG BOB!
Hopefully there'll be a podcast of this show somewhere. I'm sure it was a gas.
Merry Christmas, Bill. We miss everyone a lot! I sent Josh home for the holidays, I'll have him give you a call!
That was great, Robert. You got me home, all the way from just outside of Houston to the TCU area of Fort Worth. I love hearing what I have never heard, what was great and haven't heard in waaaay too long, and a new twist on a familiar song. Somewhere, Glenn Mitchell is smiling. Shalom and Merry Christmas from the guy who requested the Klezmer Carol, as he left his job i H-town, heading home for Christmas Eve.
You really outdid yourself sir. A really amazing mix of classics and versions I have never heard, and we really loved you working a little blue there. As I told you on the phone the same 60 song christmas loop has been playing at my work for 3 weeks and my ass is thoroughly whipped. We heard a bit of the show last year and it was great to turn of the evil tv tube and finish wrapping with a nice spirit and christmas cheer thats not so commercialized. Great times.
We've got ya streaming. Is it too late for Darlene Loves "Christmas time for the Jews"?????
I accept your challenge! I'll be listening on the old computer, can't tune in 1310 of 104.1 out here on the western front where, as you well know, it is all quiet. Sucks for Stars games.
I see your dare and raise you one "run away."
I dare you to play this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23FAKiPlJ10
104.1 FM
Anyone know what number on the dial "Ticket" is up in Frisco? What about Richardson? My computer doesn't get the most awesome volume, so I prefer to listen to it on an actual radio (I know...I'm old school).
can't wait, have a great time!
Thanks for the suggestions -- many being considered, though, not surprisingly, in unfamiliar forms. Because, look, it wouldn't be late-night music on The Ticket without rare cuts, bootlegs, live versions and oddball covers. I like to think of it as a cross between Glenn Mitchell, George Gimarc, Paul Slavens and Dallas radio in the '50s. Currently working on the playlist at this very moment.
The Tractors have several Christmas songs. Gotta play Adam Sandler's Chanuka even though it's overplayed. ditto on the Hippo
"The River" by Robert Downey, Jr. (Cover of Joni Mitchell). Surprisingly effective, esp. when the female voice comes on and adds layering. Back from his Ally McBeal days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etfxRJdoUwo
That would be cool...I'm sure Bob has some obscure old country to surprise with.
I am not a country fan, whatsoever, but, that said, have you heard "Christmastime's a Comin'" by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys/ Rhonda Vincent and the Rage also sang it. My mother tortured us with it and the rest of "A Country Christmas" on cassette tape in the car as kids. I'm pretty sure that this is the reason that I walk today. But, thought that it was worth giving you a more specific suggestion that you could pass on to Big Bob, so you might get something you like played. Merry Xmas!
How about Twisted Sister's version of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful"? I'm dead serious...great for inducing the need to drink on Christmas Eve.
I love Prine
Right there with you on a little REK, mushmouth...the inlaws all went crazy for it Xmas when i played it.
It's just not Christmas without Mojo Nixon's Son of Santa & Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.
Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and The Rebel Jesus by Jackson Browne are my 2 all-time faves. Although The Bell That Couldn't Jingle by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass ranks up there.
Big Bob, How about some classic country...something from ET or JC (no...not that one), Willie would work. You get the picture.
john prine: christmas in prison
come on robert, play it for amanda! Merry Christmas Josh and Amanda. how about Cry of a Tiny Babe by Bruce Cocburn, I love me some Bruce Cockburn. this is on Nothing but a Burning Light, but he's got a really nice Christmas album too. Robert, wouldn't miss this. Merry Christmas, you're a Christmas Mensch.
The Kinkster - They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore And of course be sure to go down to the Stop-N-Go to get a bag of lemons and some Diet Sprites, a box of Tampons and some Salem Lights
Band Aid, "Do They Know it's Christmas?" Mindy Smith, "My Holiday" Allan Sherman, "12 Days of Christmas" Halford, "O Come, O Come, Emanuel" Mediæval Bæbes, "Coventry Carol"
My holiday would not be complete without "Santa Baby". Nobody will ever beat Eartha, but for purposes here, Pussycat Dolls and Snoop is a treat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXCNO7X99ZI Another different version of "SB" is by Puff Daddy, Rev Run, Salt & Pepa, & Onyx (all together). Can't say I love it, but, a trip nonetheless. Oh, and as ammo to get my request played, I'm helping my mother (who really loves her Xmas music) break her "Big Bob radio cherry" this year. Yes, BB, get ready to meet the parents! I'll liquor 'em up 1st, so that the show will go down easier, no worries. Also, I think that all of us awesome Unfair Parkers who put in requests should get shout-outs. Who's with me?
In the spirit of ecumenicalism, how about: (I'm Spending) Hanukkah In Santa Monica by Tom Lehrer? Jesus Loves Me (But He Can't Stand You!) by The Austin Lounge Lizards? River written by Joni Mitchell, performed by anyone but Joni Mitchell? Beware! You may be visited by Glenn Mitchell's ghost, followed by the Spirits of columns past, present, and future.
"Kidnap the Sandy Claws" from The nightmare before Christmas...sung by Paul Reubens, Catherine O'Hara, Danny Elfman.
I'll be listening. I'd love it if you could figure out a way to squeeze some Mudhoney in there, but I'll settle for Sonic Youth. Or Chomsky's local x-mas song from like a decade ago. That would be great!
Hey Big Robert,request suggestion,'Such A Night' by Aaron Neville.Always good for a smile on my sour puss.Toe tappin Christmas cheerful.
Greg Lake, "I Believe In Father Christmas" Big Star, "Jesus Christ" Sonic Youth, "Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope" The Flaming Lips, "Christmas At the Zoo" Kip Adotta, "I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus" Sufjan Stevens, "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever" Wonder Woman, "The Prisoner of Christmas Island" Lou Monte, "Dominick the Donkey" 2 Live Crew, "Ho Hoe Hoes"
Boy, I would love it if you could treat the public to Lady Gaga's "Christmas Tree" (featuring Space Cowboy), the Dead Kennedys' classic "Holiday In Cambodia" or the Eels "Everything's Going To Be Cool This Christmas" (all-time line: "Baby Jesus...born to rock...")
Marshmallow World I prefer the Raul Malo version. You probably like Darlene Love's or Dean Martin's. I still haven't listened to all of last years spectacular that I downloaded from The Ticket.
But of course, one more way to make me less homesick!
Mistyped - I heard the bells on christmas day by Pedro the Lion. Or anything off the Maybe this Christmass Tree album.
Pedro the Lion - Maybe this Christmas Tree?
Will you still listen even if I don't?
1800 miles away from home, but I'll be listening online, especially if you play 'I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas'...