About this podcast
The Twelve Songs of Christmas runs from Christmas in July (July 25) to Christmas with weekly conversations about Christmas music. Music journalist Alex Rawls talks with the musicians who make Christmas music and people connected to it, discussing how it fits into their personal, musical and professional lives. Guests come from across the musical spectrum and include such stars of Christmas music as George Winston, Mannheim Steamroller and Robert Earl Keen, as well as such indie artists as Amanda Shires, Mega Ran, Sara Noelle and Eli “Paperboy” Reed.
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- Ha-Sizzle, G*ddammit Jeremiah, Superchunkby e_xander on December 19, 2024
Season seven of 12 Songs comes to a conclusion with three very different conversations and artists. Ha-Sizzle is one of the finest examples of the New […]
- Porcupine Tree, É Arenas, and Ever More Nestby e_xander on December 12, 2024
We’re approaching Christmas, so this week I have excerpts from longer interviews that I’ll run at full length next season. Steven Wilson is the driving […]
- Blind Boys of Alabama, Donna Summer, and Siaby e_xander on December 5, 2024
We’re officially in December, the Christmas season, and I have more interviews than I can get through in the weeks leading up to Christmas. From here on in, […]
- “Do They Know it’s Christmas” at 40 with Midge Ureby e_xander on November 27, 2024
Midge Ure from The Rich Kids, Ultravox and Visage co-wrote and produced “Do They Know it’s Christmas” 40 years ago this week on November 25, 1984. He […]
- Dean & Britta & Sonic Boomby e_xander on November 21, 2024
Husband and wife duo Dean & Britta have a sound that suits contemporary Christmas music beautifully. They’ve done a few movie soundtracks including 13 […]
- Carpenters Legacy and Christmas Novelty Songs with April Bruckerby e_xander on November 14, 2024
Twelve Songs goes to Las Vegas this week, first to talk with Sally Olson and Ned Mills of the tribute act Carpenters Legacy about The Carpenters and their […]
- Jay Gonzalez and Christmas/Not Christmas Songsby e_xander on November 8, 2024
Earlier this season, I interviewed The Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood about his ambivalent relationship with Christmas music. This week I talk to the […]
- Jim Brickman and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (an encore presentation)by e_xander on November 1, 2024
I’ve been out of the country, so this week is an encore presentation with two very different artists–pop instrumental piano player Jim Brickman and Jeff […]
- The Christmas Blues with Jontavious Willisby e_xander on October 17, 2024
This week I’m talking with blues artist Jontavious Willis, who recently released his album West Georgia Blues. I wanted to talk to Jontavious not because of […]
- A Cajun Christmas at the Holiday with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboysby e_xander on October 11, 2024
This season has featured surf Christmas music, calypso Christmas music, Sicilian Christmas music and smooth jazz Christmas music, so it can’t be too much of […]