Christmas Songs (for kids of all ages!)

Story of the Singing Santa 

Several years ago, I realized that I wasn’t booking enough gigs during the winter months, which meant that December and January were going to be financially tight for us. Donna, my partner, decided that it was time for me to hit the streets again to earn some money. Additionally, she saw an opportunity in our location in Cologne, Germany, which is known for hosting one of the largest Christmas markets in the country. So we went to the Carnival costume shop to find a Santa suit. Although earning tips on the street can be decent, they weren’t sufficient to cover all our bills. We needed something more.

Fortunately, our friend Kurt offered us his home studio, allowing us to record a Christmas CD. It took some time for me to get accustomed to the recording program, but eventually, I got the hang of it and recorded several tracks. We rushed to complete the CD in time for the market’s opening. Finally, it was ready, mixed, and prepared for production.

The big day had arrived! I put on my Santa suit, adjusted my beard, grabbed my guitar and Christmas CDs, and set off for the Christmas market. Riding the street train dressed as Santa Claus felt surreal, as everyone in the car couldn’t help but stare. At the market, I had to find a suitable spot to perform. Street performers can be possessive of their spots, but I managed to secure a great location near the Dom, the famous cathedral in the heart of the market. I set up my guitar case, placed it on the ground for people to contribute money, and have a look at the CD. The response was positive.

People enjoyed the bluesy renditions of Christmas songs on my resonator guitar. December in Cologne is quite chilly, but I was able to keep warm. At some point, a group of people from the Netherlands approached me and offered me glühwine, a traditional German Christmas beverage made with warm wine. They even suggested adding a shot of amaretto to it, which I gladly accepted. It was comforting and helped combat the cold. After playing another song, they offered me another mug, and I happily agreed. This cycle continued throughout the evening. The music was lively, and I managed to sell many CDs. It turned into quite a festive atmosphere. Unfortunately, the evening became hazy as I indulged in more glühwine.

The next thing I remember is stumbling through the front door of our house. I have no recollection of packing up, changing trains, or anything else. It must have been quite a sight for other passengers to see a drunk Santa Claus on their street train. Fortunately, I made it home with my guitar, the money, some souvenir mugs, and a few unsold CDs. Even when I laid down with my eyes closed, the room was still spinning. Donna found it amusing since it was out of character for me. Thankfully, Santa’s bag was full of money, so if the month continued this way, we would be able to cover our bills. However, I decided to be more cautious in the following nights, limiting myself to only three glasses of glühwine for the evening.

Now you can enjoy a piece of that evening home the form of our special Christmas album free download. Merry Christmas!