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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- 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 […]
- Mindy Smithby e_xander on October 3, 2024
Americana artist Mindy Smith has been referred to on 12 Songs before. At some point in the COVID years I talked about my love of “Santa Will Find You” from […]
- Behind the Christmas Songs with Annie Zaleskiby e_xander on September 26, 2024
Music journalist Annie Zaleski returns to 12 Songs this week. She last appeared in 2022 to talk about Wham!’s “Last Christmas.” In 2023, she wrote This […]
- A Drive-By Truckers Christmas with Patterson Hoodby e_xander on September 12, 2024
I’ve long believed that if you can’t get a good interview out of the Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood, you should hang up your keyboard and mic. The […]
- Boney Jamesby e_xander on September 5, 2024
Saxophone player Boney James has two Christmas albums, Boney’s Funky Christmas and Christmas Present. Both make sense as the place where jazz and R&B […]
- Calypso Christmas with Charlie and the Tropicalesby e_xander on August 29, 2024
Our surf Christmas episode inadvertently laid the groundwork for this week’s, which focuses largely on Calypso Christmas music. New Orleans’ Charlie and […]
- Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick (an encore presentation)by e_xander on August 22, 2024
In 2021, I interviewed Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick, a band I’ve only grown to appreciate more over the years. They released their first three albums–Cheap […]