Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

This month, Duane and Scott discuss "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Songs played in this episode: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Solo Piano) by Vinheteiro Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Banjo Duet) by Fitzpatrick Media Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Jazz Nutcracker) by Peter Hostage Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Lindsey Stirling Dance of the Sugar Plum Fai...

For the first episode of 2026, Duane and Scott discuss the song "Mele Kalikimaka". Here's the documentary called " Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around " that listener Pandy told us about. These are the two versions that listener Pandy sent us of I Saw Three Ships: The first is from Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band and the second is John Renbourn of Pentangle . If you'd like to submit versions of "Dance of t...

This is a re upload of a deleted episode. This was originally uploaded back in Dec 2018, but to due to copywrite claims was taken down by the host provider.

Happy New Year everyone!! Duane here for a short episode where I reveal the new listener-led concept for Tinsel Tunes 2026. This listener-led season puts Christmas music fans in control, from song choices to monthly themes and special guest episodes. Your voice helps shape the year ahead. Google form link for submissions https://forms.gle/j51mso27RKyV36rq9

For the final episode of 2025, Duane and Scott discuss the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". They also reveal the winner of the 2025 song battle. Check out Santa Duane and give him a follow on the socials: https://www.hawkesbaysanta.nz Songs played in this episode: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by The Holy Rocka Rollaz (Rockabilly) We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Jacob Miller & Ray I (Reggae)...

This month, Scott and Duane discuss the song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". They also reveal the winners of each episode in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025 - please go vote for your champion using the poll: https://pollforall.com/pk7jyyjm Here's the version recommended by our Welsh listener: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Mel & Kim Songs Played in this Episode: Rockin’ Around t...

This month, Duane and Scott look at the history of the 1914 Christmas Truce and songs written about the event. Don't forget to vote for your favorite song of the episode in The Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025 . Songs from the episode: I Saw Three Ships by Fisherman’s Friends Yorkshire Three Ships by Kate Rusby 1914 (Christmas Truce) by Elias Dummer

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "I Saw Three Ships" with Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast. Don't forget to vote for your favorite song in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025. Songs played in this episode: I Saw Three Ships by the Barenaked Ladies (Tim) I Saw Three Ships by Blackmore’s Night (Duane) I Saw Three Ships by King’s Colleg...

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "Away in a Manger" with special guest Lynnora Gilbert. Vote for your favorite song in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025. Songs played during the episode: Mueller Cradle Song Away in a Manger by King’s College Choir Away in a Manger by Christafari Away in a Manger by Phil Wickham Away in a Manger by Home Free Away in a Manger by Rob Half...

This month, Scott and Duane celebrate seven years of Tinsel Tunes with our very special guest, Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast. They each share some versions of the carol "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear". Here's Brian's "Christmas podcast wish list" video from 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fViebraVgQ Don't forget to vote for your favorite song from this episode in the Great Ti...

This month, Duane and Scott explore jazz Christmas music. Vote for your favorite song from this episode in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025. Songs played in the episode: Christmastime is Here by Steve Hunter Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by New York Jazz Lounge Frosty the Snowman by Erik Veldkamp God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Ramsey Lewis Trio Deck the Hall by Southside Aces The Little Dr...

This month, Duane and Scott explore the song "Here We Come A-Wassailing" and the tradition of wassail. Here's the link to the Tinsel Tunes Song Battle poll: https://pollforall.com/plqqxw2j Songs played in this episode: Magdalen College Choir Rockabilly version by Under The Streetlamp featuring Michael Ingersoll Celtic version by Carlyle Fraser English folk version by Ian Giles Tony Meade Blackmore...

This month, Duane and Scott reveal the history of the hymn "Joy to the World". Versions played in this episode: Celtic Women The Altar Billies (Rockabilly) Brian Setzer Orchestra (Big Band) Orion’s Reign feat. Minniva(Heavy Metal) Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble & The Tabernacle Choir Lift Up Your Heads (Handel) Lindsey Stirling (Modern Violin) The Petersens (Bluegrass) Christafari (Reggae) Randy Travis...

This month, Duane and Scott explore the history of “Good King Wenceslas”. Versions played in the episode: Blackmore’s Night The Irish Rovers Chris Hendricks Tori Amos Reggae All-Stars Stan Kenton Jazz Orchestra Matthew Green’s Orchestral Rainbow Mannheim Steamroller Odyn Here's the link to the poll to vote for your favorite song from this episode: https://pollforall.com/p346dorm Here’s the clip fr...

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the history of “Auld Lang Syne”. Here’s the poll to vote for your favorite song from this episode: https://pollforall.com/plz67252 When Harry met Sally quote: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/auaVllEHehQ Rod Stewart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al7ONqrdscY Boney M: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlZRXFuh5_E Home Free (Acapella): https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

This month, Duane and Scott dive into the surprising history of "Deck the Halls". Songs played in this episode: Nos Galan Nos Galan (instrumental) Deck the Hall by Cambridge Singers New Year's Night by Haydn Deck the Halls by Red Hot Chili Peppers Deck the Halls by SHeDAISY Deck the Halls/War Pigs Mashup by Aaron Gage Genre versions played in this episode: Orion’s Reign (Heavy Metal) Rob Halford (...

In this bonus episode, join Duane as he unwraps 8 fresh Christmas tunes for the 2024 season, spotlighting independent and lesser-known artists. Get ready to discover your next holiday favorites! 🎄🎶 Step Carse - The True Miricle of Christmas Annie Vander - Ornamental Christmas Laura Pursell - Three Miles from Christmas Stella Cole - It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Vanna and Me - Chris...

This month, Scott and Duane discuss the iconic song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Versions played in this episode: Thurl Ravenscroft Voice Play (Acapella) Small Town Titans (Rock) Brittany Smith (Contemporary Christafariband (Reggae) Famous for a Century (Metal) Matt Forbes (Jazz/Crooner) Darius Rucker (Country) Matrtrixx (Trap) Greg Kerr (Pop Punk) The Holophonics (Ska)

This month, Duane and Scott dive deep into the history of "O Come, All Ye Faithful". Songs played in this episode: Freddie McGregor (Reggae) For King and Country (Acoustic) Brett Eldredge (Country) Twisted Sister (Heavy Rock) Matthew Green's Orchestral Rainbow (Rock Opera) Luther Vandross (R&B/Soul) Jigsound (Chiptune) Bad Religion (Punk Rock) Strada9 (Ska) City High (Hip Hop) We didn't play t...

Scott and Duane are joined by Adam Parker from the Merry Britsmas podcast to listen to the 2018 album "Christmas with The Fizz".

This month, Gerry Davila from The Totally Rad Christmas Podcast joins Duane and Scott to discuss Christmas albums from 1980s cartoon character properties. Songs/Albums played: Strawberry Shortcake - Christmas Album, KidStuff Records, 1981 A Pink Panther Christmas, KidStuff Records, 1981 Pac-Man Christmas Album, KidStuff Records, 1982 A Care Bears Christmas, KidStuff Records, 1982 Merry Christmas W...

This month, Duane and Scott review metal and heavy rock Christmas songs with special guest, listener Matt Wheeler. Matt’s Songs Jingle Bells by Austrian Death Machine Joy to the World (Cover by Minniva feat. Orion's Reign) All I Want For Christmas Is You by Leo Moracchioli Christmas Truce by Sabaton Deck the Joy by Theocracy The Chronicles of Jacob Marley by Order of Nine Duane’s Songs Another...

This month, Scott and Duane listen to Christmas songs about summer and warm weather. Songs played during the episode: Summer Wonderland by Ronan Keating from Dec 2016 Christmas in Summer by Itty Bitty Beats and Suzy Cato from Nov 2019 Te Harinui - New Zealand Christmas carol, written by Willow Macky, performed by David Lyle Morris, from Nov 2013 Christmas in the Summertime by The Funky Monkeys Chr...

This month, Duane and Scott listen to funny, silly, and parody Christmas songs that were submitted by listeners. (and Duane!) Here's the playlist of all the songs played on the episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCpPixJu91TQsSsv_w_-rPlslc_2gsjGP&jct=T_PnZ3PnNZJ0R2Eh8tFxUZJf0ggoHw

This month, Duane and Scott listen to the First to Eleven album “ A Very First to Eleven Christmas ” Songs played: The Most Wonderful time of the year  All I want for christmas is you Feliz Navidad Underneath the tree Santa tell me Christmas C’mon This Season Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree Santa Baby Last Christmas Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com...