Event Recap Chat with Aaron Henton of Merry & Bright Blog

[Aaron Henton]

I find them a couple ways. One is trying to stay in tune with the new releases coming out, and if there is contact info I may reach out to them. Kickstarter has been a source like that too - I kick in a few $$ to help fund their album, and then contact them.

 

[Aaron Henton]

The other way is that I get contacted by the artist or their agent, offering review material and potential for interviews.

 

[Jeff Westover]

Have you ever thought of doing a podcast or radio stream with some of this material?

 

[Jordan Rivers]

I would wonder how your playlist personally compares to most. A lot of people I know listen to the same old stuff over and over when it comes to Christmas

 

[Aaron Henton]

My fans: probably a split between the christmas music collector community throughout the internet and my friends and family that I personally know.

 

[Jeff Westover]

@Jordan Rivers -- that's why I look out for what Aaron and few others out there have to say about new music, if they say it's good, I'll inclined to go venture out, so to speak

 

[Aaron Henton]

Podcast: Thought about? Just a bit. Had the energy to follow up and try to make it happen? Not yet One obstacle is not knowing enough about playing music on a podcast and the legal/copyright/royalty aspects.

 

[Jeff Westover]

I can tell you music for the podcast is easier to work with via indies and new artists....

 

[Aaron Henton]

That's good to know.

 

[Jeff Westover]

Do you have an idea how new Christmas music will look for 2020?

 

[Aaron Henton]

I do have a public performance outlet, in that I'm invited to a local radio station annually to play an hour of Christmas music. I get to introduce the listeners to a lot of music they haven't heard before.

 

[Jeff Westover]

That sounds kinda fun...

 

[Jeff Westover]

Not to be a shill or anything but ya do know Kringle Radio is looking for folks to do radio shows....I think it would be fun to hear an Aaron Henton show...

 

[Aaron Henton]

2020: Not yet. There are some inklings of projects going on - Dolly Parton was one, Trisha Yearwood was also a maybe, but there's not much info out yet. I think that the pandemic has halted a lot of possibilities. 2020 may have more re-releases than new material.

 

[Meceka]

@Jeff Westover, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Aaron Henton]

Kringle Radio - that's a thought!

 

[Jeff Westover]

I'm hearing rumors that some are rushing into studios to do Christmas releases because they can't tour

 

[Jeff Westover]

I know a guy at Kringle Radio i can talk to for you...

 

[Aaron Henton]

Interesting - that would be good for us Christmas music lovers, although I wish the artists could tour.

 

[Jordan Rivers]

Do you get into all genres of Christmas music...or are there any you avoid?