"Swing Years and Beyond" New Year's Eve Special December 31, 2016

The Swing Years and Beyond was a radio program on KUOW, an NPR station from Seattle. It began in 1968 and was hosted by then-KUOW program Director Don Wirtz before he handed the reins to Bill Snoopy who became the first to hold the position long term. In 1979 Cynthia Doyon took over the hosting duties, and in 2003 Amanda Wilde hosted until the last show on February 25, 2017.

There is a generation of Seattle residents that spent at least some of their Saturday nights listening to a thoughtfully curated playlist of music from the 1920s to the 1950s. I was able to connect with Amanda Wilde and offered to make one of her shows available for fans to download. Then, my scouring of the internet turned up two other shows available and have added them here.

"The Golem" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - December 30, 1974

A man tries to aid an elderly Jew and his granddaughter evade the Nazis tailing them. The old man begins to resurrect a mythical being from old Hebrew legend to save them.

"The Prize Fight Fix" - Rocky Fortune - December 29, 1953

Rocky Fortune is an American radio drama that aired weekly on NBC Radio beginning in October 1953. The series ended its run in March 1954 after 25 episodes. The program was created by George Lefferts. Frank Sinatra voiced the title role of Rocky Fortune for the entire series.

"NC9-8012" - Candy Matson - December 27, 1949

Candy Matson is a radio program on NBC West Coast that aired from June 29, 1949, to May 20, 1951. It centered on Candy Matson, a female private investigator with a wry sense of humor and a penthouse on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. The program was notable for having a striking female character "without a trace of squeamishness" as well as a veiled gay character in Candy's best friend Rembrandt Watson.

"The Elixer of Death" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - January 14, 1976

Seeking refuge from the noise of the city, a doctor moves to the country for a quieter life. His new-found peace is shattered when he discovers that the lynch pin that holds the village's economy together is a strange drink-- a drink whose ingredients could prove fatal.

"Turn About Is Foul Play"CBS Radio Mystery Theater - December 26, 1974

A man together with his girlfriend plots to kill his rich and sickly wife. At the last moment he experiences a change of heart but someone carries out the job for him. As all evidence point towards him, he must prove his innocence to the police without even a shred of proof to support him.

Just a short list of songs I have collected to listen to as I travel over the river and through the woods today.

"Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy" - David Bowie & Bing Crosby

"Christmas Song" - Owl City

"Christmas Wrappings" - The Motels

"Gabriel's Message" - Sting

"2000 Miles" - The Pretenders

"Do They Know it's Christmas" - Band Aid

"Thank God it's Christmas" - Queen

"Christmas in Hollis" Run DMC

"Last Christmas" - Wham!

"Winter Wonderland" - Eurythmics

"A Very Private Miracle" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - December 24, 1974

A very moving story about a cranky old man and a little girl trying to persuade him to play Santa Claus.

"Give the Devil His Due" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - December 23, 1974

An aged dancer attempts to enter a pact with the devil to sacrifice her soul in return for her youth and skill. But she backs out of the deal at the last minute - with severe consequences.

"Miracle on 34th Street" - Lux Radio Theatre - December 22, 1947

Starring the original motion picture cast.