Here at Radio World we are proud to have an amazing team of staff writers and contributors who keep our publication fresh with news of the latest industry trends and technology. To finish out another busy year, we asked our radio family to share how they’ve been celebrating the holiday season.
Below, you’ll find a plethora of festive photos — including pics of furry friends, unique decor and, of course, Santa. Plus, we reveal which holiday songs “take the fruitcake.” Enjoy!
Paul McLane
Our fearless Radio World Editor in Chief Paul McLane, based near Washington, D.C., shared this photo of the Capitol Christmas Tree, taken this month. He said the tree on the West Lawn is something of a local secret compared to the more famous one up Pennsylvania Avenue on the Ellipse near the White House. This year’s tree is a red fir from Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.
Paul said: “I will spend part of the holidays with family, swapping tales of childhood Christmases around my family’s own tree in the 1960s, including memories of Lionel train sets and glass ornaments — before they became ‘vintage.'”
Paul’s favorite holiday tunes: “The Holly & the Ivy,” “In Dulci Jubilo” and “Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming” — choral classics he and his family would sing in four-part harmony!
Elle Kehres
Radio World Assistant Editor Elle Kehres enjoyed a stroll around the Christkindlmarket in Denver, Colo., with her new husband, Matt, this past week.
Elle said: “Nothing beats a nice mug of Glühwein and a German pretzel! Denver has all kinds of festive events, so Matt and I have been very busy attending light shows, eating holiday treats and scouring local markets for homemade goods.
“We’ve had an unseasonably-warm winter thus far, so I’m wishing for more snow this Christmas! I have a feeling my wish will soon be granted tenfold.”
Elle’s favorite holiday tunes: “Happiest Christmas Tree” by Nat King Cole and “The Christmas Waltz” by Frank Sinatra
Nick Langan
Radio World Content Producer Nick Langan shared the following pic of himself, his mother, Barbara, and saxophonist Kenny G at his Dec. 11 show at the State Theater in New Brunswick, N.J.
“It’s at least the fourth time around Christmas my mom and I have seen him,” said Nick. “He is still on top of his game, my only wish: He needs to play more Christmas music at his holiday shows. He is extremely gifted at performing Christmas melodies!
“My mom and I both deeply share in our love for smooth jazz music and I feel lucky I can take in shows with her! Within the last two months, we saw Kenny G, Dave Koz and Boney James — all firmly on the Mt. Rushmore of smooth jazz artists.”
Nick’s favorite holiday tune: “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music. He said: “I love guitarist Russ Freeman’s version the most!”
Randy Stine
Longtime RW contributor Randy Stine shared the following pic of himself and his wife Christine in front of this year’s official State Christmas Tree in downtown Lansing, Mich., in front of the State Capitol Building.
“Thousands gather in late November each year to see the official tree lighting,” said Randy. “The tree is a 68-foot blue spruce, which was harvested near Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.”
Randy’s favorite holiday tune: “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano — his favorite sing-along Christmas song!
John Bisset
Our beloved Workbench columnist John Bisset has been spreading smiles this holiday season.
“After being hospitalized for two weeks with no razor, I decided to let the beard grow,” said John. “I picked up a Santa hat, wearing it to the store, post office and gas station. It’s neat to see the positive reaction — and smiles — as folks reflect on the hope that Christmas brings.”
John’s favorite holiday tunes: “Silent Night” and “Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives
Andy Gladding
RW contributor (and recipient of this year’s Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award) Andy Gladding shared a couple snapshots of WKZE staff, along with former owner Barbara Stanley, at the station’s holiday party and toy drive at “The Falcon” in Marlboro, N.Y.
Gladding is chief engineer for Salem Media’s New York City stations. He and his wife Katie purchased WKZE in March.
Mark Persons
RW contributor and Tech Tips aficionado Mark Persons shared this photo of the entryway of his home in Brainerd, Minn.
L to R: Radio Daze print by Jim Daly, Rohn 25 Tower with an on-air sign and a 1929 Majestic model 90-B radio with Nipper the dog giving his holiday wishes into a microphone.
Mark’s favorite (novelty) holiday tunes: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Randy Brooks and “I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas” by Harry Stewart.
John Casey
Radio World Publisher John Casey shared this adorable snapshot of his daughter Anna with her first snowman, circa 1999. He said: “This pic always melts my heart!”
John’s favorite holiday tune: “Please Come Home for Christmas” by the Eagles
Raffaella Calabrese
Radio World Account Director Raffaella Calabrese shared the following pic of her skidding on ice in Lapland, Finland, while visiting Santa’s town!
Dan Slentz
RW contributor and WDOG(LP) “Rock Dog” advisor Dan Slentz shared the following pics from WDOG’s staff Christmas party.
“As a non-profit/non-com, the on-air folks are volunteers,” said Dan. “The board of the station always likes to have a little get-together with food and a nice gift for the volunteers. Besides jackets coming with the v.2 Rock Dog logo, the midday guy Adam Shepperd, and afternoon host Sarah Stone each got miniature AI-generated ‘stand-ups’ of themselves.”
Station morning person, Steve Slentz, got a LED “neon” update of The Rock Dog.
Dan’s favorite holiday tunes: “The Closing of the Year” from Disney’s “Toys” soundtrack, and Paul McCartney’s “We All Stand Together.”
Jon Accarrino
RW contributor Jon Accarrino, founder of Ordo Digital, said: “Since I write about AI for Radio World, I couldn’t resist letting the technology generate my Radio World holiday card. Here is a ‘snapshot’ of me in the Santa suit, making sure the latest issue of Radio World gets delivered to the very top of a radio tower.”
Jon’s favorite holiday tune: “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues
Rima Dael
RW guest columnist and CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Rima Dael shared a pic of two of her dear friends — er, gnomes.
“These two cuties are my favorite Christmas decorations that just make me smile,” said Rima. “They are on the window ledge at the top of our stairs going down to the front door. So they greet you going down or up the stairs.”
Rima’s favorite holiday albums: “Ella Wishes You Swinging Christmas” by Ella Fitzgerald, “Christmas Portrait” by Carpenters and “A Christmas Together” by John Denver & The Muppets. She writes: “Can you tell I was born in 1973?!”
Michael Baldauf
RW contributor Michael Baldauf shared a cute pic of himself and “Webster the wonder dog.”
“Although he is kind and gentle I tell people he is 12 pounds of furry fury,” said Michael.
The semi-retired engineer adds: “The adventure continues! It seems as soon as I phase out one engineering project a new one arrives. I always thought when I hit 65 things would begin to wind down. Maybe in my 70s?”
Raphael Obonyo
RW contributor and public policy analyst Raphael Obonyo sent in a snap of himself at Hemingsways Nairobi Christmas celebrations.
Raphael’s favorite holiday tune: “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano
Ruxandra Obreja
RW contributor and chairman of the DRM Consortium Ruxandra Obreja shared a picture of she and her husband, taken in a manor in north England this month — festive!
“My husband is in the background as you can see in the mirror,” said Ruxandra. “He’s always beside me!”
Ruxandra’s favorite holiday tune: “Silent Night” by “Mahalia Jackson”
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