Interesting fact (according the the Internet) - Ricky Zahnd, in adulthood, became an executive VP for the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Nuttin' and Barking
The first share of this season is the single "(I'm Gettin') Nuttin' For Christmas" b/w "Something Barked on Christmas Morning" by Ricky Zahnd and the Blue Jeaners. Recorded in 1955 by nine-year old Ricky Zahnd and backed by the Blue Jeaners (also children), these are actually a pretty good couple of songs. Novelty-ish songs sung by kids have a short shelf-life for me, so thankfully young Mr. Zahnd performs well and the songs themselves are fine. Not something that I want to play on repeat, but enjoyable in small doses. Cute, but not overly sappy. Mirthful, but not annoyingly so.
So, please enjoy this single to start our sharing season this year!
Thursday, November 27, 2025
New Music from The Wildwoods, Joey Curtin, and Kirby Lyle
"Echoes of Evergreen" - The Wildwoods
Our friends from Lincoln, NE The Wildwoods are back with a new EP, "Echoes of Evergreens". Featured is the title track, a meditative and heartfelt Christmas song that captures the quiet magic of the holidays. With calming harmonies and a timeless sound reminiscent of classic Christmas records, the song blends warmth and nostalgia into something both familiar and deeply personal.
The Wildwoods - Chloe Gose (violin), Noah Gose (guitar), and Andrew Vaggalis (upright bass) - are superbly talented instrumentalists and vocalists. Their songs bring a sense of comfort, and are truly sublime.
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"O Christmas Tree" - Joey Curtin
"O Christmas Tree" is the newest addition to the Christmas performances by Joey Curtin, composer and keyboard artist. Joey brings influences from jazz, classical, Americana, and Celtic music into her arrangements of many popular seasonal tunes. "O Christmas Tree" is her most recent release, and is included in her "Joy Joy Joy to the World" playlist on Spotify.
I pick up just perhaps a wee bit of Suzanne Ciani in Joey's music. Very nice, relaxing, joyful music for your holidays.
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"Joy" - Kirby Lyle
Nashville-based folk artist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Kirby Lyle gives us his new single for the 2025 season, "Joy". "Joy" The blends uplifting folk melodies with grounded optimism. It's a powerful anthem about gratitude, integrity, and the beauty of everyday hope.
Kirby has played across many different genres of music in his long career, and has traveled the world performing for enthusiastic audiences. Stages he has graced include Carnegie Hall and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Kirby Lyle website
Monday, November 24, 2025
Q&A with the Sleigh the Holidays Artists!
The artists behind the brilliant compilation Sleigh the Holidays Vol II graciously answered a few questions I posed to them about their favorite Christmas holiday traditions. I asked the musicians:
1. What is your favorite Christmas song (and performer)?
2. What is a favorite or unique Christmas tradition from your family?
3. What is your favorite holiday treat?
The responses were fantastic! There were some surprises, and a couple new (to me) holiday treats that look incredibly scrumptious. Here are their answers (click the link in the artist name for more info):
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
B.K.L.A.
1. "O Holy Night" by Celine Dion and "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway
2. Opening presents!
3. Swedish Saffron Bread (Der Bingle note: I googled this, and it looks delicious! I may try my hand at making this.)
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| B.K.L.A. |
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| Swedish Saffron Buns |
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e.woolf
1. "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
2. Chinese food for dinner and a movie! (we're jewish)
3. warm apple cider
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| e.woolf |
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Julianne Hope
1. "My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears
2. Christmas Day Breakfast!
3. Cookies
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| Julianne Hope |
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Miette Hope
1. "Last Christmas" by Wham
2. My family usually decorates a big wreath rather than a whole tree so we don’t have to kill a tree to be festive.
3. Russian tea cookies
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| Miette Hope |
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Olivia Reid
1. "Last Christmas" by Wham never misses
2. We’ve gone to the movies on Christmas Eve several years and it’s always so fun and cozy. (Shout out to the concession stand employees for still being there dishing up popcorn and giant sodas for us on a holiday)
3. Peppermint mochas!
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| Olivia Reid |
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The Blah Blah Blahs
1. Dominick the Donkey - Lou Monte
2. My late grandma who raised me would always make trays of struffoli for friends and family. It’s an Italian holiday dessert that is a real pain in the ass to make, but every year I would help her roll out and cut the dough. We probably made thousands of those little delicious fried bread balls together. She passed the struffoli torch to me, so now I’m the one making her recipe for friends and family for Christmas. (Der Bingle note: I had never heard of this treat. It looks decadent! Another one to try to make this season.)
3. All 12 fishes in the Italian Christmas feast
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| The Blah Blah Blahs |
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| Struffoli |
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Devon Michael
1. The one Christmas song that always ends up on repeat at my house is "Dominick the Donkey." It’s such a quirky classic, and it never fails to make me smile - it’s pure, festive joy! (Der Bingle note: TWO votes for Dominick the Donkey!)
2. My family gets very competitive about baking. Our annual holiday cookie contest is no joke.
3. Snickerdoodles! My aunt only makes them for special occasions - those fluffy, cinnamon & sugary cookies are the highlight of the season :)
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| Devon Michael |
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disco shrine
1. Last Christmas - Wham (Der Bingle note: That's three votes for "Last Christmas", nosing out ol' Dominick for the lead)
2. Persian food + Queen dance party.
3. Pecan Pie
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| disco shrine |
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Rachel K Collier
1. Snowman - Sia
2. Decorating the Christmas tree with wild baubles
3. Mince pie with a load of cream
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| Rachel Collier |
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BITTERS
1. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
2. I'm British so doing the Christmas crackers around the dinner table on 25th was always a favorite!
3. Sticky Toffee Pudding
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| BITTERS |
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JPOLND
1. The Chipmunk Song!! I just love them so much - I can't help it!!
2. We always had spaghetti and meatballs for Christmas eve and I’ve kept that tradition going. Mine has to be gluten free now, but it’s still delicious
3. Chocolate chip cookies!!
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| JPOLND |
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Devon Baldwin
1. Carol of the Bells
2. My mom and I throw a Christmas caroling x karaoke party every year with a live band (made up of friends) and it's one of my favorite nights of the year!
3. Pumpkin pie!
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| Devon Baldwin |
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With all this music and all of those amazing treats, the HBM holiday party has got to be a blast! I wonder how one gets an invitation to that.... hmmmm...... 😉
Monday, November 17, 2025
New Music: Sleigh the Holidays Volume 2
It is a true pleasure to bring you one of the best albums of 2025, Sleigh the Holidays, Volume II, from HBM Records.
Sleigh the Holidays, Volume II is a compilation album featuring an outstanding collection of seasonal tunes from an all-queer, women, and non-binary lineup of musicians from across the globe. In the words of Head Bitch Music (HBM) founder Marilyn Reles-Lozano, Sleigh the Holidays, Volume II "celebrates queer joy, chosen family, and the beautiful chaos of the season". The compilation also supports The Ally Coalition, raising funds for LGBTQIA+ youth.
I absolutely love the idea of this album. I love the cause this album supports. I love the sense of community that exudes from this album, both in its music and in its spirit. And, most of all, I love the music that HBM has gathered from an amazing collection of musicians. From beginning to end the performances and arrangements are strong, played with passion, reverence, wit, pride, and attitude!
Some of my personal favorites from the album:
"Jingle Bells" by The Blah Blah Blahs. I've heard a gazillion versions of Jingle Bells, but this cut by the Los Angeles band The Blah Blah Blahs hooked me immediately. Within five seconds I knew it was going on my annual comp, and that I'd be playing it on my December guest-DJ gig on local radio. Rhythmically, it pretty much sticks to standard. Stylistically, it's erupting like a pyroclastic flow with creativity and energy.
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| The Blah Blah Blahs |
"Singing in the Snow" by Olivia Reid. This one caught me by surprise - listen and you'll understand why. Beautiful vocals, soft and gentle guitar accompaniment, a reserved rhythm section. This also made my annual Christmas compilation.
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| Olivia Reid |
"In the Bleak Midwinter" by Rachel Collier. "One-woman electronic production machine" Rachel Collier modernizes and funky-techs this 19th-century Christmas standard (one of my all-time favorite carols).
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| Rachel Collier |
"A Marshmallow World" by e.woolf. Layered sound, slight, expertly-done deviations from the original melody, and gorgeous vocals make this truly enjoyable. e.woolf's playfullness with melody is discreetly applied and sounds natural and wonderful.
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| e.woolf |
So, my holiday music loving friends, treat yourself and add Sleigh the Holidays, Volume II to your playlist. At present the album is available via streaming. And stay tuned, as there may be more treats from the Sleigh the Holidays artists in Santa's bag...
Sleigh the Holidays, Volume II track list:
1. Christmas Time (Me, Myself and I) Bitters
2. Jingle Bells The Blah Blah Blahs
3. It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Liv Slingerland
4. two queens in a king sized bed NIKI DEMAR, Julianne Hope
5. snowglobe Skyler Cocco
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Frances Anderson
7. A Marshmallow World e.woolf
8. Santa Baby JPOLND
9. Bestie Christmas Donnie Brightko
10. In the Bleak Midwinter Rachel K Collier
11. Blue Christmas Miette Hope
12. Singing in the Snow Olivia Reid
13. Dear Santa Disco Shrine
14. Silent Night Devon Baldwin
15. Auld Lang Syne Devon Michael
Listen on Spotify here!
Sleigh the Holidays, Volume II:
Still reading? Surprise! In addition to streaming Volume II, you can stream Sleigh the Holidays, Volume I, released in 2024. Enjoy!
Sleigh the Holidays, Volume I:
About Head Bitch Music:
Head Bitch Music (HBM) is a multi-faceted, multi-service creative company that was built for artists by artists. As a full-service music production house HBM offers studio time, production, and mixing/mastering services for our clients. In addition to creating custom music, HBM also offers a boutique digital distribution service as well as music licensing and publishing services. HBM can best be described in three simple words: Bold; Honest; Diverse. The HBM team prides themselves on being independent thinkers, empathetic strategists, and equitable partners with all of their clients. The music industry is always evolving, so HBM strives to stay ahead of the curve.Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Sipping and Reading at Parkville Coffee (Der Bingle's Holiday Gift Guide)
Parkville Coffee in Parkville, Missouri is a small-town haven on the outskirts of the city where coffee enthusiasts intertwine with book lovers, courtesy of owner and author Kristen Helling.
First, the coffee. Parkville Coffee is my favorite coffee shop in the Kansas City area, natch. Their specialty brews, especially the seasonal drinks that Kristen creates, are sublime. Summertime features berry-accented hot drinks, Fall (of course) highlights Pumpkin Spice lattes, and the colder months offer such deliciousness as the Campfire Mocha (dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow syrup, espresso, and milk topped with graham cracker sprinkles). Yum yum yum.
Parkville Coffee also offers small-batch roasted coffee beans (or ground, if you prefer) of several varieties and blends. Their Guatemala coffee and the seasonally-available "Christmas on the River" blend are my favorites. Kristen and her crew roast the beans in-house, so you are guaranteed freshness in the coffee you take home with you. And of course you can order coffee beans online, and Parkville Coffee will ship directly to you.
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| Kristin Helling |
All of Kristin's books are available through her website and through Amazon.
Kristin is also a co-owner of Wordwraith Books, a publishing company that she and her writing partners created. At Wordwraith Books you'll find fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, and the best steampunk western series ever!
So, if your holiday shopping list (for others, or for yourself 😀) includes great coffee and engaging books, visit Kristin's place, Parkville Coffee in Parkville, MO, grab a coffee, buy a book, take home some beans, and maybe even a coffee mug or two. Tell Kristin that Der Bingle (aka Aaron) sent you!
Parkville Coffee - Order coffee online!
Kristin Helling (Author) website
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
New Music from Twangtown Paramours, Zachary Friederich, and Batson Haines
More new Christmas music! Fa la la la la!
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"Waiting for Christmas to Come" - The Twangtown Paramours
The Twangtown Paramours are Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo Mike T. Lewis and MaryBeth Zamer. Their musical stylings lean to soulful blues, folk, and Americana.
They are excited to release their new Christmas single, “Waiting for Christmas to Come”. The song is a folk ballad with a country flavor. It’s a Christmas song, yet it is also a song for every day of the year. It’s a celebration of the season, but it is also a plea for all of us who are frustrated by the continual acrimony and conflict in the world to look within ourselves and to examine our relationships at home. Those are the places where we might find the path to peace and goodwill to men. The song was written and produced by Mike T. Lewis, who also played all instruments. The song was sung by MaryBeth Zamer.
The Twangtown Paramours website
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"Christmastime Is Here" EP by Zachary Friederich
Zachary Friederich, a storytelling songwriter from New York City, has released a new EP for the Christmas season. "Christmastime is Here" is an EP with five original songs
The songs on "Christmastime Is Here" are fine compositions, smartly arranged, and performed with a heartfelt aplomb. I think you will enjoy Zachary's new EP.
Christmastime is Here on Spotify
Zachary Friederich Facebook page
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Batson Haines - "Santa's Having a Tailgate"
Kicking things up a bit for your holiday hoe-down is Batson Haines with a new single, "Santa's Having a Tailgate"
Sunday, November 9, 2025
New Music from Cosmic Canyon, Kelsie Watts, and Judy Whitmore
Hello everyone! Here are a few new songs for your listening pleasure this Christmas season. Instead of one or two posts featuring many new songs like the Roundups in the past few years, I'll share them out to you in smaller bits here and there for your enjoyment. If you hear something you like, please support the artists with streams, saves, shares, and purchases. Enjoy!
"Bigfoot Christmas" - Cosmic Canyon
Coming to you from the Portland songwriting duo Cosmic Canyon, it's "Bigfoot Christmas", a song of togetherness and making new friends, and cryptids, and Christmas.
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"Christmas in New York" - Kelsie Watts
Currently starring as Queen Jane Seymour in "SIX The Musical" on Broadway in New York City, Kelsie Watts joins in the holiday spirit with a new single, "Christmas in New York"
Spotify link to "Christmas in New York"
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"The Ghosts of Christmas Past" - Judy Whitmore
The Ghosts of Christmas Past is the first single from Judy Whitmore's new album, Christmas.
Judy shares, "I was in the studio one day with my dear friend and Music Director, Michael Orland. We were trying out songs for my new Christmas album when he mentioned he had written a song titled “The Ghosts of Christmas Past.” He played it for me, and I knew instantly it had to be on the album. The lyrics are so heartfelt and the melody so haunting. I shed a few tears the first time I sang it. The song captures what Christmas is all about. I think it will stand the test of time."
Christmas, Judy's new album, is a 12-song collection featuring beautiful new versions of holiday standards, accompanied by a full orchestra.
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