Stay Lit! - Ep. 3: Christmas Lights and Woodworkers (w/ A.R. Woodworking)

What's up, dudes? I've got Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas and Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu here to talk the jangle pop/alternative rock album by the Chris Stamey Group “Christmas Time!” After a stint with the dB's, Chris Stamey went out on his own as a solo artist. He invited his former bandmates back for a fun Christmas album. "Christmas Time" was released as a 7-song vinyl EP under the credit Chris Stamey Group with Special Guests The dB’s. The EP mixed original songs with inventive takes on Christmas music, emphasizing chorused and reverbed guitars, melodic power pop, and quirky holiday charm. The record was mostly comprised of original tunes, the exception being a reworking of Deck the Hall by Cathy Harrington called Sha La La (Deck the Halls). Something Came Over Me is a reflective, melodic original that balances bittersweet lyrics with shimmering guitars and sophisticated pop arrangements. The opening title track is a bright, jangly power-pop original featuring Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple’s harmonies, chiming guitars, and an infectious holiday hook that perfectly captures the warmth and excitement of Christmas. The Only Law That Santa Claus Understood is a witty folk-pop original by Ted Lyons that pairs clever storytelling with acoustic instrumentation and understated charm, offering one of the collection’s most unique lyrical perspectives. Snow Is Falling is a lush, atmospheric ballad featuring bass ostinato and Mary’s haunting lead vocal, slowly building into a dreamy meditation on the quiet beauty and peaceful solitude of a snowy Christmas evening. Both are followed by the acoustic guitar instrumental It's a Wonderful Life which quotes What Child is This? to end on a remarkable, intriguing disquiet.Keyboards? Yep. Guitars? Got ‘em. Outlaw wild west Santa? For sure! So grab your record player, put on “Christmas Time,” and listen to this episode!Sounds of ChristmasFB: @SOCMusicTwitter: @SOCMusicIG: @socmusicHolly Jolly X'masuFB: @HollyJollyXmasuTwitter: @HollyJollyXmasuIG: @hollyjollyxmasuGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? I wanna rock and roll all night while dreaming of a white Christmas! Yes, we’re talking KISS “White Christmas!” I’ve got my whole band with me: Adam Pope from Wizards! The Podcast Guide to Comics and The Retro Network (Geekster), and Remember That Show?, Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa, Vinnie Brezinsky from Huey and Bax, and Kathryn Sugg!On Dec 19, 1987, KISS came out for an encore and sang the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas!” The a capella harmonies were tight! And yes, Gene helps the audience keep the beat as they start clapping.Also, Paul took over MTV for the Paul Stanley Guest VJ Hour! He’s joined by two present wrapping helpers in sexy Mrs. Claus outfits. He introduces videos, and does a QVC-style gift demo. Some are wild, like the mini car for Gene.Makeup? Check. Guitars? Got ‘em. Waterbugs and ‘80s robots? What?! So paint your face, hop in your little car, and sing an encore to this episode on KISS “White Christmas!”Wizards!Twitter: @WizardsComicsIG: @wizards_comicsFB: @TRNsocialIG: @alamocitysanta Etsy: North Pole General Store FB: @northpolegeneralstore                             IG: @northpole_generalstore Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? If you’re looking for the ultimate Dolly Christmas special, her 1990 NBC holiday TV event “Dolly Parton: Christmas at Home” is a heartwarming trip back to a simpler Christmas. CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder and I have a blast with this one! The special was made to coincide with the release of her new Christmas album. It follows Dolly from a charming Christmas store to a garland-filled Nashville recording studio in the middle of July—where she records holiday classics surrounded by enough tinsel, bows, and magnificent mullets to make any child of the ‘80s smile. From there, she heads home to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, reuniting with her family for playful sibling teasing, treasured childhood memories, and unforgettable performances of Christmas favorites including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Deck the Halls,” “We Three Kings,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” It’s classic Dolly: equal parts laughter, storytelling, heartfelt nostalgia, and sparkling holiday magic.As the special continues, Dolly visits a nursing home, takes children through Dollywood during Christmastime, shares touching stories about homemade gifts and family traditions, and celebrates the true meaning of Christmas with performances of “Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and a beautiful closing rendition of “Silent Night.” Watching today also offers a delightful time capsule of 1990 Christmas commercials, featuring Chevy, Kodak, McDonald’s, Toys “R” Us, Tylenol, and other nostalgic favorites that instantly transport viewers back to the golden age of holiday television. Filled with faith, family, unforgettable music, and enough Christmas spirit to light up the Smoky Mountains, this is one Dolly Parton Christmas special that deserves a place on every retro holiday watchlist.One hundred year old carousel? Check. Wagon rides? Got it. Brothers teasing a sister’s looks? Definitely! So grab your guitar, sing about the wisemen, and visit a nursing home with this episode on “Dolly Parton: Christmas at Home!”Rose Suchak LadderIG: @rosesuchakladderpodGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

PARENTAL WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE WITH CHILDREN PRESENT!What’s up, dudes? It's July, and it's ridiculously hot, so we’re gonna have a watch-along party for the Rankin Bass classic “Frosty the Snowman”. I’ve got CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder, Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas podcast, Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast, Santa Ambassador Matt Spaulding from North Pole Radio, and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa with me to provide commentary and enjoy the ride!The story chronicles the experiences of Frosty the Snowman, an anthropomorphic being of precipitation who magically comes to life one Christmas. Embraced by the town's children because they created him, Frosty decides to escape the sweltering heat of the south and head to the North Pole. Throughout, he's chased Thunderbolt Ross-style by Prof. Hinkle, the Hogwarts reject. Unfortunately, the subpar magician even traps the enchanted snowman in a greenhouse which causes him to melt. Luckily, Santa Claus rescues the snowman and reanimates him with eldritch winter sorcery. He also forces the treacherous professor to write lines until he repents.Hogwarts flunkie? Check. All-powerful Santa? Yep. Sideshow Bob-level of vengeance plots? Messy, messy, messy! So grab your magic hat, pull out the super smart rabbit, and bellywhop to this episode on "Frosty the Snowman!"Rose Suchak LadderIG: @rosesuchakladderpodLost Christmas PodcastFB: @LostChristmasPodcastTwitter: @LostChristmasP1IG: @lostchristmaspodcast'Tis the PodcastFB: @tisthepodcastTwitter: @tisthepodIG: @tisthepodcastFB Group: Tis the Podcast GroupIG: @alamocitysanta Etsy: North Pole General Store FB: @northpolegeneralstore                             IG: @northpole_generalstore Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What's up, dudes? It's the third episode of the second season of the Stay Lit! podcast, all about the professional Christmas Light Installation industry. Matt Billington of Big & Bright Inflatables, retail genius Russ Schaller, and I sit down with A.R. Woodworking from The Woodworking Group. Is Christmas light installation a good fit for woodworkers? Can they use this business to supplement their slow months? Can they design custom woodworking projects to coincide with Christmas light installs? Tune in to find out!Let's Get Lit SupplyFB: The Woodworking GroupGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What's up, dudes? It's the second episode of the second season of the Stay Lit! podcast, all about the professional Christmas Light Installation industry. Nick Glassett of The Jump Off and Let's Get Lit and I break down the first half of the production cycle: pre-qualifying and making the deal with the client. There are quite a few items on a checklist to go over when first contact with the potential client is made. Don’t know them? Even if you do, check out this dive into the initial steps of a Christmas light installation business sale process.Let's Get Lit SupplyGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? Now that Masters of the Universe is out in theaters, we’re gonna have a watch-along party for the Filmation classic “He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special”. I’ve got Mike Westfall from Advent Calendar House, Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas podcast,  and Chad Young from Horror Movie BBQ with me to provide commentary and enjoy the ride!Advent Calendar HouseFB: @adventcalendarhouseTwitter: @adventcalhouseIG: @adventcalendarhouseLost Christmas PodcastFB: @LostChristmasPodcastTwitter: @LostChristmasP1IG: @lostchristmaspodcastHorror Movie BBQFB: @HorrorMovieBBQTwitter: @HorrorMovieBBQIG: @horrormoviebbqGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It’s another bonkers He-Man Christmas tale from the UK comics! This time I’ve got Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas and Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast with me to break down the power of Grayskull!Hordak has cast a spell that freezes men’s hearts, cutting out all hope. Desperate to lift this ice-fear, He-Man and the heroic warriors battle the evil Horde. Unfortunately, the villains escape through a portal leaving Eternia to the desolation.  In a last ditch effort to bring hope to his people, He-Man concocts a plan with Man-At-Arms to deliver presents to all children. The fruits of his labor are seen through the eyes of woodcutter Nik-Las and his daughter Mouse. The sudden appearance of the doll gave Nik-Las hope and Mouse the courage to speak after many silent years. The ice-fear was banished from the realm!Cage of ice spears? Check. He-Man holding a basketball? Yep. Father Kis-Mus? Well…they tried, didn’t they? So grab the Sword of Power, fill a sack with toys, and stave off the evil Horde with this episode about He-Man Christmas!Lost Christmas PodcastFB: @LostChristmasPodcastTwitter: @LostChristmasP1IG: @lostchristmaspodcast'Tis the PodcastFB: @tisthepodcastTwitter: @tisthepodIG: @tisthepodcastFB Group: Tis the Podcast GroupGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas joins me to dive into the bonkers special “Andy Williams & the NBC Kids Search for Santa!”Andy Williams is on a mission to restore his family's honor. Years ago his ancestor used to help Santa with his mail until one day he abandoned his mission out of frustration. Andy convinced  several NBC kid stars from The Cosby Show, Silver Spoons, and more to join him. You see, if 12 true believers accompany him to Santa's, there's a chance Santa will forgive his bloodline. Dark!After searching for clues at political assemblies, museums, and churches, he finally finds the mailman that delivers to the North Pole. Of course, there's also a detour at a dinner where the NBC kids show the Finnish how 'Muricans sing and dance at Christmas. Eventually, they make their way through Lapland to the North Pole, where Andy forces the kids to freeze outside while he gets to be warm and cozy with Santa.Is there kidnapping? Sort of. Is there a funky “Jingle Bells?” Definitely! Does Santa explode? Absolutely! So grab your snow shoes, search for clues, and follow Santa’s mailman to this episode on Andy Williams & the NBC Kids Search for Santa!”Can’t Wait for ChristmasFB: @CantWaitForChristmasPodIG: @cantwaitforchristmaspodTwitter: @ChristmasPodGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It’s the toy company that practically owned Christmas morning in the mid-80s! Yes, it’s Mattel — the plastic powerhouse behind Barbie, He-Man, Hot Wheels, and enough colorful cardboard packaging to completely bury your living room floor! Today we’re talking the 1984 Mattel Christmas Wish List!Mattel goes all the way back to 1945, when Harold “Matt” Matson and Elliot Handler started a small company making picture frames. Eventually they pivoted from household goods to toys, and by the time the 1980s rolled around, Mattel had become an absolute giant in the toy industry. Barbie ruled the fashion aisle, Hot Wheels dominated the race track, and Masters of the Universe transformed action figures into a fantasy phenomenon.This Wish List provides a huge variety of toys. From Barbie Dream Houses to Snake Mountain, there’s something for everyone. Crystal Barbie shimmered like Christmas tree tinsel, and Rainbow Brite practically turned the entire catalog into a neon explosion of color. Of course, Castle Grayskull towered over all of them!Secret Wars Tower of Doom? Check. Hot Wheels Crack-Ups? Rad! Poochie stationery and stamps? Absolutely! So grab your Battle Cat, fire up your Attak Trak, and circle your favorites in this 1984 Mattel Christmas Wish List!Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!