77 Santas

Jay Varner's Holiday Mix 2011

2011-12-18T13:14:00.001-05:00

Did we need another holiday mix? No. However, that never deters us from going totally overboard! Our final holiday mix of 2011 is now available at Talus, Or Scree (that's our new home; if you haven't visited yet, we're there all year round!). A little background here: this is the holiday mix Jay will give a select group of family and friends. Now, given that it’s December 18, he will most likely

2011 Holiday Mixes Are Up!

2011-12-10T20:29:00.004-05:00

Head over to Talus, Or Scree to download and enjoy all four mixes with 112 songs (and maybe a few hidden tracks?). That's five and a half hours of holiday music!

We're moving! Come with us!

2011-10-19T21:52:00.003-04:00

Faithful readers! You know how we usually only post here two months out of the year, at best? Well, we plan to continue with our love of Christmas songs mostly obscure and sometimes not, but we can't lie dormant during the other 10 or so months of the year! So, a little announcement: PC and JV have crossed over to an all-podcast all the time format. We hope you will find a new slew of our

What marred the Christmas festivity was a New Year's double catastrophe

2010-12-20T16:53:00.003-05:00

Just a couple Christmas songs about murder.Lord Executor: Seven Skeletons Found in the YardThe Felice Brothers: Murder By MistletoeKrampus. KRAMPUS!!!!!!!!!PC

Gee Whiz, It's Christmas Break!

2010-12-17T09:22:00.002-05:00

Loyal Underlings,I officially finish my semester today. It's been a long one. I'm tired, I'm cold, I'm haunted by Krampus, but I'm going to do my best to drop musical wonder in this last week.So, here goes:I was shopping for JV's Xmas present yesterday, and I found myself a most wonderful treat: Christmas with The Louvin Brothers. I will post from this often, as they are one of my favorites:The

Hardrock, Coco, and Joe

2010-12-15T21:41:00.001-05:00

Snow! Snow is on the way to Virginia. Apparently it’s been snowing in PC’s neck of the woods for quite a while. I know, I know—how are we supposed to glean that from an M.I.A. leader? I think he’s putting together something special out there in the Windy City. Word on the street is that it’s a time machine. Xmas Twist – Twistin KingsReally, this time of year, what better kind of twist is

Make This a Book Christmas

2010-12-13T19:28:00.001-05:00

Full disclosure here: PC and I are both writers. Words and books are our lives—aside from Christmas music, of course. It’s not just what we do, it’s who we are. And, this Christmas, I’m going to try my best to keep the holiday presents exclusively to books. I’m old-fashioned. None of those touch-screens or electronic screens for me. Give me a nice, thick book to hold in my hands. Sure,

The Hits

2010-12-10T17:33:00.000-05:00

You want the hits? You got em. Two hours of them. Over at www.jayvarner.com, I’ve been running a podcast for a few months now called VarnerCast!. This is the second podcast we’ve run this holiday season at 77 Santas. Download it, crank it up, and enjoy while eating some cookies and sipping eggnog. Throughout, you’ll hear some clips from our favorite Christmas movies.

Silver & Gold Onions

2010-12-09T18:56:00.002-05:00

Booker T. & The MG's will put plenty of yule in your log or fireplace, depending. As will Mr. T.Silver BellsJingle BellsSanta Claus is Coming to TownPC

For Rich and for Poor

2010-12-08T22:02:00.000-05:00

Thirty years ago tonight the world heard the news that John Lennon was murdered in New York City. There’s little else that I can add that hasn’t already been said. Lennon was a complicated man, but his songs—as a Beatle and as a solo artist—endure. And the message to the best of those songs are very simple: enjoy each day, spread love, and never take anything for granted. Dismiss it as

Thumpity Thump Thump

2010-12-07T09:02:00.003-05:00

Howdy! Think of this as a low, bellowing horn from out of the fog. I'm returning to the shore. My first post of songs will come... today? Tomorrow? This weekend? You'll just have to keep checking in to find out. In the meantime,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekt3y0KqVKQPC

Let Me Be Your Christmas Toy

2010-12-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

A short one today, folks. Been a busy weekend here at North Pole, knocking out a lot of work. A coming post will be a little gift guide—I’m working on something, and it’s taking a little while to put together. But, leave a comment and let us know what your ultimate Christmas wishlist included. Let Me Be Your Christmas Toy – Chocolate Snow A bow full of soul. Little Saint

That Christmas Spirit

2010-12-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

PC (who should be joining us shortly, I promise) says that I’m too cheery on 77 Santas. I’m too pleasant. I’m too smiley. Well, what can I say? The holidays just bring out the best in me. Even if you’re not religious, you have to respect the holiday. And there’s just something about the spirit that’s contagious. Today, I was at the gas station and Gayla Peevey was playing over the radio.

Santa was talkin’ with his missus, said let me help you with those dishes…

2010-12-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

Santa was cracking the whip late last night at the other North Pole. Yes, we can’t always be at 77 Santas all the time, though we’d love to be. Anyway, by the time Santa grabbed some Five Guys, made it home, and kicked off his boots, he was bushed. But we’ll make up for that little slip right now. Christmas Eve Can Kill You – The Everly Brothers But let’s hope not.

Ding Dong Bell!

2010-11-29T20:13:00.000-05:00

Well kids, we can thank Comcast for the outage yesterday. Apparently the entire East Coast suffered an Internet outage, and that affected the home base here at the North Pole. So, boo hiss on Comcast. But let’s not delay and get right to it. Ding Dong Bell – The Ethiopians I don’t think is like anything we’ve ever posted on 77 Santas. You’ll get down with that funky island groove. Santa

Jingle Bells Ringing in my Ear

2010-11-27T11:38:00.001-05:00

It’s a cool, breezy Saturday. And it’s also the close of Big Ten Football. PC is snuggled up in Columbus with his boys, ready to watch the Buckeyes. I’m ready to watch Penn State take down the Michigan State Spartans. And, after that, time to decorate the house for the holidays—luckily, I have some great music to listen to. And thus begins our annual Christmas extravaganza. A post a day

Decorating Music

2010-11-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

Over at jayvarner.com, I’ve been running a little podcast called VarnerCast! It’s just your standard podcast featuring music that will most likely change the way you see the world. And, since it’s the holidays, I’m simulcasting the latest VarnerCast! on 77 Santas as well. First off, have a great Thanksgiving to all those celebrating. The day after is usually reserved for

If It Wasn’t for those Slimy, Sneaky Motherjumpers

2010-11-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

Who’s ready for the turkey? Eat up, then bust out the holiday decorations because it’s on. After Thanksgiving, we’ll he up and running daily. Hopefully November has slowly wet your appetite. December will be loaded with sacks of goodies, including some great YouTube videos you might not have seen before. And maybe PC will finally break out of the North Pole and share some tunes! And keep

It’s A Long Way Down the Holiday Road

2010-11-16T21:22:00.000-05:00

Santa drawing entries! They are finally coming in. And we couldn’t be happier. Seriously, one of the things this time of year is about is bringing a smile to our faces. I wish I could reply to each one individually—and, in due time, I’m sure that I will. But yes, these are bringing smiles to our rapidly aging faces. Keep them coming! The details to the contest is at

Hey. Ho. Where’d You Go?

2010-11-12T17:40:00.000-05:00

As someone in the comments, we’re kicking things off a little earlier this year. But, once Turkey Day comes around, you can expect to see daily posts like always. In the meantime, I’m having fun giving you a little taste of what’s to come. And, we also announced the Santa drawing contest. Wow, I wish you could see some of what we’re received so far! Because there are

A Few of My Favorite Things

2010-11-08T18:56:00.000-05:00

I’m back after a few days off for the book tour and a trip to North Carolina. So, without further ado, here we go friends! My Favorite Things – Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass How exactly did this song become associated with Christmas? Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the song for The Sound of Music (I’m not a musical person, but it’s my favorite simply because it involves

2010 77 Santas Contest: Absurd Santa Drawing

2010-11-03T12:18:00.001-04:00

Okay folks, this is a big one. Our first contest. And we’re excited to get it underway. We heard that Santa recently started an Elf of the Month program, and it really inspired some work ethic (not to mention, a gift certificate to the North Pole Denny’s for one-luck Elf). So, here’s the deal. We want your hand-drawn renderings of Santa. And, keeping with the theme of our drawings, we’re

Christmas Is for Losers

2010-11-02T19:41:00.000-04:00

Today, I was out in town at a doctor’s appointment. Before I left, the doc asked if I was glad election day would soon be behind us. Yes, I was—no more negative, pessimistic, fear-mongering ads. He nodded and said, “Yeah, but you know what comes next? Christmas songs on the radio.” I didn’t say anything, but I thought, there’s your problem chief. You’re listening to

Sleigh Bells Ring.

2010-11-01T21:00:00.000-04:00

A-hoy-hoy! It’s November 1. Halloween is gone. The leaves are coming down. The air chills. And Christmas is coming soon. 77 Santas is back for another season. So sit back and relax. As is tradition, we’ll start our first day (and always our last) of the season with two of our favorites. We’ve got some new tricks in store this year, and a lot of fun planned. Not to

November 1

2010-10-31T20:08:00.000-04:00

Coming November 1. 77 Santas. 2010. Songs, pictures, writing, and more.