Meet the people responsible for the tunes you keep hearing
Christmas on the air waves
By Thiruni Kelegama and Vidushi Seneviratne
"Last Christmas I gave you my heart and the very next day you gave it away. This year to save me from tears, I'll give to someone special"

Sounds familiar this time of year?

Come December, and you are sure to get an overdose of this and many other Christmas tunes played on the radio. True, Christmas comes just once a year and so listening to these classics maybe quite a treat, but hearing these hackneyed tracks year after year can get quite tedious at times. And so, it's in the hands of those individuals who are behind the controls at the radio stations, to give the listeners something different this time around. While some disc jockeys (DJs) try to spin tunes that have been composed newly for the season, others believe that since these traditional songs can be played just once a year, the monotony doesn't really count.

"We have to be extremely animated on air, since radio is a medium that's heard and not seen. It's all a part of interacting with our listeners. This time of year is especially hectic, with all the extra promotions and advertisements that are on, but it's all a part of the season," says Justin Case of TNL Radio. Presenting the Drive Time Show on weekdays from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., he has been at TNL Radio for the last seven months. This would be his first Christmas on air. He went on say that they need to make sure that the seasonal music isn't overplayed since it is just a limited section of listeners who want to hear it. "We start playing Christmas songs somewhere near the end of November, and slowly get our listeners in the festive mood, but we need to strike a balance and be conscious of all our listeners, not just the ones who enjoy this type of music."

Hugs, smiles and laughter. That is what Christmas is all about for one bubbly DJ. Karin from Lite FM who does the Lite Request Cafe from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. seems to be a firm believer of spreading good cheer not just during the season, but also throughout the whole year. Having been on radio since 1995, celebrating Christmas on air is not something new to her. "However, this year I have a fresh perspective on what is probably the most commercialised time of the year. My daughter, Danielle is the reason for this. I feel I have been so jaded with life, and having her around is like a breath of fresh air!"

Christmas on air is extremely difficult, she admits. You have to cater to the people who want to listen to Christmas songs, and the people who don't want to listen to it at all. However, this year it has been relatively easy. Colombo is totally in the festive mood this year, and most people do not feel sick of the joys and the highs of the season! They actually do not mind the hype this time!"

For Shaq, the host of the Morning Show on Yes FM, this Christmas on air is different. The reason being their move to Crescat Boulevard, so they could be closer to their listeners. "Usually going to work is like going on a picnic! Each morning we have to travel all the way, and now we are in the heart of the city," says Shaq, "and it is quite different, and quite fun."

Of course, this is the toughest time of the year, with commercials and promotions, he admits. "But we try to make each year as different as possible!"

So how is this year different, we ask? "This year we did something unique! We released a Christmas CD featuring local artistes such as Kreb's Cycle, Deja vu, Independence Square, and Delaine Joseph. Their versions of the Christmas songs are extremely innovative. The listeners seem to like hearing them sing, rather than hear the same old versions of Silent Night, and Jingle Bells," he adds.

Jodie, who hosts the Evening Show from 6:00 to 9:00p.m., adds that they try not to repeat the same songs over and over again. "I know that some people feel like throwing away the radio around Christmas as they have heard the same song so many times. So we try our best not to repeat, and play music which is as diverse as possible."

And, oh yeah, we try not to play 'Last Christmas' like a prayer, she adds with a smile. "However, we do get the people who love to listen to Christmas songs, as well as the ones who think they get an overdose of the songs this time of year."

"Having a season dedicated only to requests is as hectic as it can get," says Ocean Summerz of Sun FM who hosts Backtracking on Tuesday nights. "It is quite nice to do requests, but somehow it is very difficult to manage playing only requests when there are people who love listening to carols and old Classical Christmas songs."

How do you manage to make each season different, we have to ask. "We try our best to find a new group who has done a cover of old Christmas songs. That way, each year we do not end up playing the same songs over and over again!"

"Christmas is very commercialized," he agrees. "But now, we find that many people are trying to move away from the whole superficial aspect of Christmas, and do charity. We find that most often even our sponsors want us to donate the proceeds to charity. This certainly shows that society's perspectives are changing."

But for The Saint, who does Weekend Eve on Friday and Club Hopping on Saturday, Christmas is all about playing the right kind of music! "I live for music, and I think it is important to somehow convey the spirit of Christmas through the songs, and I try my best to do this even on my show, which is a non-stop music show," he explained. "I try to play Christmas music even on my non-stop music shows!"

They're the voices we look forward to on the radio and they certainly strive to give their listeners something different every year, during this season. Who knows what's in store for us next year.

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