Today I played my final Christmas Show for the year. It has been a very interesting and honestly disappointing season for Christmas gigs. Oh, I had plenty of them - 19 to be exact, but some were hardly what they once use to be. It is sad and disappointing when you show up for a Christmas job to be told you can play ONLY secular Christmas music! At several places I was told to limit Christmas songs to only a few. This was not because the residents were tired of the season but because the Corporate owners of these places did not wish to OFFEND ANYONE! What a bunch of BS! So, next year I WILL SELECT WHERE I PLAY AND WHAT I play for the Christmas shows or they can hire someone else.

I also noticed a big change in our local radio stations and what kind of Christmas music they played as compared to past years. Things a changing folks and in my opinion not in a very good way.

Well, all this said, today I had a 3 hour Christmas show and It was awesome! I played just about every Christmas song I have ever known and much to my enjoyment when I played the traditional Christmas music the audience, about 150 of them, sang and clapped and totally enjoyed the experience! After the show dozens of the audience members took the time to thank me for bringing Christ back to their Christmas show and told me I was the ONLY entertainer this year who played these songs for them.

Well, sorry for the venting here but I thought it might be a good thread for the forum.

Deane

Deanne ... At least you ended on a good note ... (no pun intended)

Fortunately, I did not run into any of that ... Played Carols such "Mary's Boy Child", even ended some gigs with the audience singing"Silent Night" ...
But I hear what you are saying ...

A few years ago, our prior Governor decided that the State would have a "holiday" tree, not a Christmas tree ... The tree grower who donated the tree every year told him that he grew 'Christmas' trees, not holiday trees, so he would not be donating one ... The next Governor went back to a 'Christmas' tree ...
The thing is, the State closes on December 25th, which is CHRISTMAS, so saying Merry Christmas isn't taking anything away from anyone else, it's just wishing them a merry December 25th

Glad it ended well Deane. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Deane:

You are obviously very observant. Christians everywhere are being shoved to the back of the bus... or the ejection seat. Here in a nation founded on Christian principles, the ten commandments (foundation and basis of our laws)... and all the things our nation once stood for, fought for... on multiple fronts all over the world, are slipping away... and we are letting it happen for fear of being called zealots or even worse.

Who was it that said, a well fed public will not man the barricades or picket lines. Instead, we sit stupidly by and allow the damn NFL insult our Anthem and Flag. Watch all the dumbing-down going on each night with our TV offerings. Pure drivel and slime.

When the majority no longer rules, democracy is dead.

Atta boy, Deane

I may play secular also, but would not exclude CHRISTmas carols either. If the atheists don't like, too bad.

Deane, I know it takes a lot for you to vent, but it also shows that you have righteous values.
Enjoy this coming year, and may you have a HEALTHY new year.
John C.

Times are changing for sure. Some of the changes are good. The relatively new phenomenon of the Internet and widespread use of computers and other devices allow this forum to exist and help all of us in the creation (and sharing) of music. But, as Deane points out, the loss of traditional, family and religious values is an unfortunate trend in our society. My optimistic side (which is admittedly small) hopes this trend will reverse at some point.

Deanne: The irony in this situation, is that by denying the playing of religious Christmas songs...their practicing reverse discrimination.

I would find it offensive if Christian based Christmas songs weren’t included in a holiday set.

Good job Deane,
jingleman

That’s weird Deane, I haven’t encountered that at all.... but I only do senior events in the Dallas area, hardly ever north of the Trinity River and only about half the number of gigs you do. Either way , can I say “ Merry Christmas “ to you ?

Seems only appropriate for me to take this opportunity to wish everyone here a
VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year.

Deane