Non Traditional Christmas Music

Each year I wade through an assortment of Christmas music, some decent, others not so much. When you've worked in radio longer than a few years, or more than ten, you start to dread Christmas time because you're forced to have to listen to the same 20-30 Christmas tunes each and every day for a month leading up to the holiday itself. I remember a time when "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night" were enjoyable. It's gotten better lately, but I think you'd agree with the overplay of Christmas music.

One thing I've been on the lookout for over the past few years is Christmas music that's original and inventive. I've also been searching for interesting interpretations of classic Christmas songs, as a way to present the season's sounds and tastes to you listeners in new and creative ways. I think I've found some yummy little morsels for you this year.

Our first hour of Christmas music is coming up this week on The Appetizer, and we'll present some non-traditional and original tracks from some artists you've heard of and some you haven't. If you haven't heard Colbie Caillat's "Mistletoe," Otis Redding's "Merry Christmas Baby," or the Killers' "Don't Shoot Me Santa," then you'll definitely want to check it out.

How about Christmas classics in a new style? I'm a fan of bands taking something old and adding something new to it. Here's a taste of what I'm talking about, and something you can look forward to in our next program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Vote for the 2009 Golden Fork Awards

Due to our online ballot being overrun with voting, we've had to move the voting here. You can either post a comment on who you'd like to vote for in each category, or email your vote to dgrantsmith@gmail.com. If you post a comment, please include your email address for verification and communication purposes. And PLEASE PLEASE vote in ALL the categories, not just one or two. It throws off the balloting to receive a message or email with 2 votes cast in the entire ballot. Thanks.


2009 Appetizer Golden Fork Awards

1. Best Band 2009
a. The Rocketboys [listen at www.myspace.com/rocketboys]
b. Leona Naess [listen at www.leonanaess.com]
c. A Fine Frenzy [listen at www.afinefrenzy.com]
d. Thriving Ivory [listen at www.thrivingivory.com]
e. Maria Taylor [listen at www.maria-taylor.com]
f. Dashboard Confessional [listen at www.dashboardconfessional.com]
g. Write in:________________________________



2. Best Song 2009
a. Paolo Nutini-Last Request
b. Citizen Cope- 107 degrees
c. William Fitzsimmons-If You Would Come Back Home
d. The Rocketboys-We Are A Lighthouse
e. Ingrid Michaelson-Once Was Love
f. Write in:________________________________



3. Best New Artist 2009
a. Rosi Golan [listen at www.rosigolan.com]
b. Elliott Park [listen at www.elliotpark.net]
c. Vanessa Peters and Icecream on Mondays [listen at www.myspace.com/vanessapeters]
d. Hannah & The Bloodlines [listen at www.myspace.com/hannahandthebloodlines]
e. Iron & Wine [listen at www.ironandwine.com]
f. Parachute [listen at www.weareparachute.com]
g. Write in:___________________________________


4. Best New Song 2009
a. Thriving Ivory-Alien
b. Iron & Wine- 16, Maybe Less
c. A Fine Frenzy-Ashes and Wine
d. Vanessa Peters & Ice Cream on Mondays-Coming To Meet Me
e. Great Northern-Story
f. Vib Gyor-Red Lights
g. Write in:___________________________________



5. Best Appetizer Artist 2009
a. Lindsay Katt [listen at www.lindsaykatt.startlogic.com]
b. Hannah and the Bloodlines [listen at www.myspace.com/hannahandthebloodlines]
c. The Rocketboys [listen at www.myspace.com/rocketboys]
d. William Fitzsimmons [listen at www.williamfitzsimmons.com]
e. Runaway Dorothy [listen at www.runawaydorothy.com]
f. Micah P Hinson [listen at www.micahphinson.com]
g. Write in:___________________________________


6. Best Cover Song 2009
a. Iron Horse- Crazy Train
b. Anakelly-November Rain
c. Iron & Wine-Such Great Heights
d. Cris Delano-Beat It
e. John Mayer - Bold As Love
f. Petra Haden-Don't Stop Believin'
g. Write in:___________________________________

Green Music Coming Soon

Being green is a big thing these days, but does it apply to music too? There are different meanings that this can take on, and the Appetizer looks to explore them in a future presentation.

Stay tuned for more details.

Great Ingredients Hr. 2

We've been hard at work here at The Appetizer. This week D. Grant Smith will be presenting his 2nd hour of his Great Ingredients Series. He has great music lined up from Runaway Dorothy, Hannah & The Bloodlines, Elliot Park, Micah P. Hinson, and many more. So, as always, don't forget to tune in on Saturday nights at 9 on www.kacu.org.
Also, we would like to remind everyone that The Appetizer will be having its' Syndication/6th Birthday Party at the KACU studios (Don Morris Building) this Saturday (Sep. 26) at 8pm.
Yep, that's right we are celebrating our syndication, you can now enjoy The Appetizer from 3-4 p.m. on 91.3 KVLU-one Beaumont! So come out, and celebrate. Not only will there be great food and fun, but special guests, such as Appetizer artists, Micah P. Hinson and Elliot Park!

Have You Heard Hr. 3

In this week's hour we will continue our musical journey with songs from the The Foo Fighters, Melissa Etheridge, Sting, Led Zeppelin, John Mayer, and many others.

You might be thinking, "Hey, I've heard these bands on commercial radio before!" Yes, BUT commerical radio only gives you a tiny sample of the delicious musical flavorings from these artists.

No need to fear, your host and chef, D. Grant Smith, will present a musical feast of hidden gems.

Join us at tonight, and every Saturday, at 9PM on 89.7 KACU or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Have You Heard?

It's a question we'll be asking in the next several hours of the Appetizer program.

We know all too well the songs that commercial radio puts out for listeners from the best bands in the world. Too bad they only play the same 2 or 3 songs from the immense songbooks available. If you're tired of the same old song......join us for the Appetizer as we provide some heard and unheard tracks from your favorite bands.

This week, a plethora of musical flavor from Australia's Missy Higgins, Mat Kearney, Green Day, Snow Patrol, Brandi Carlile and more.




Join us at 9PM on 89.7 KACU or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Indie Insights Hour 2-William Fitzsimmons Feature

One of our favorite Appetizer artists is William Fitzsimmons. We met William in 2007 and have kept up with his tours and his records. We were even fortunate enough to meet him in Dallas earlier this year. Coming up on Saturday night, we'll talk with William again about his tour with Rosi Golan that ended in the late spring and his new tour that's going on now, his new live EP, and the progression of his songwriting.

Also, we'll taste some great new indie flavor from around the country like Jerzy Jung, Matt Costa, Department of Eagles and more. Join us.


The Appetizer is heard Saturdays at 9PM on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or anywhere at www.kacu.org