It always happens this time of year. As I make my way around the area, people begin asking me if 92.9 The Lake is going to play Christmas music again this year. The question is asked in many different ways. There are people who ask by saying, "You're not going to play Christmas music again this year are you?" On the other hand, there are people who want to know, "when are you going to start playing Christmas music?" I can tell how they ask the question just side of the fence they are on. , I know there are some people who just don't like Christmas music. They're not Scrooges or anything like that, it's just not their cup of tea. On the other hand, there are so many people who can't wait to hear all the Christmas classics on The Lake. What I like most about the Christmas music is the way it makes these listeners feel.

On any given day, we have a large audience and that's all well and good, but during the Christmas season, the audience changes somewhat. People who don't want to hear Christmas go to their XM radios and other mobile devices, but there are people who stick around and then there are people who normally listen to other stations during the year, but tune us in for the holidays. Now, I love our audience year round, but I must confess a certain fondness for our Christmas audience and here's why.

During this time of year, everyone is listening because they love Christmas and Christmas music. It's like this great united front that is rallying behind the music. It's like we're all united in our love for Christmas. When I answer the request line during the holidays, it seems that people are just in a better mood.

One thing that makes our Christmas listeners so special is that, most of them, are still just kids deep down inside. That kid comes out to play this time of year and the transformation in some people is remarkable. I love being on the air knowing that you are listening and enjoying the music. It's like we are of one mind and being of one mind with an audience is a fantastic feeling.

Now, I do get a lot of flack over the Christmas music from some folks including some of my friends, but I forgive them. In a way I kind of feel sorry for them because they obviously have lost track of that inner kid. I think people who tune in just for the Christmas music are very in touch with that inner kid and, if you recall, when you were a kid, chances are, you loved most Christmas music.

So there's my reason. I love to be the one playing the music that makes you happy. I guess I could have just said that and made this article a lot shorter.

Thank you for tuning us in for Christmas. Stick around after Christmas, why don't you?

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