Christmas Merry & Bright : Play Backstories is a three hour radio special hosted by broadcaster, author and acclaimed vocalist Raymond Arroyo and being aired in NZ, Australia and the US.

The special sees Arroyo unveil hidden backstories to some of the most loved songs of Christmas and his big band playing arrangements from his Billboard chart-topping album called Christmas Merry & Bright, alongside other festive favourites. Arroyo also interviews Jose Feliciano and Amy Grant about their Christmas hits.

Christmas Merry & Bright : Play Backstories reveals:

* The origins of Jingle Bells had something more to do with drag racing, girl chasing and drinking than Santa.

* There’s a tragic backstory to White Christmas and a reason why it stir up emotions nearly a century after its premiere. And in countries like Australia and NZ where our Christmases are never white!

* Joy To The World and Deck The Halls were never intended to be Christmas songs.

And much more.

This radio special will be heard on the following radio stations on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

New Zealand:

BIG RIVER FM : 98.6FM – Dargaville & Kaipara Coast
WEST COAST RADIO : 87.6FM* – Auckland & 87.9FM* – Northland
EAST FM : 88.1FM* – Howick & 107.1FM* – East Auckland
RADIO TE AROHA : 88.0FM* – Te Aroha
HUTT RADIO : 88.3FM* – Lower Hutt
COMPASS FM : 104.9FM & 103.7FM – Rangiora & North Canterbury

* = LPFM Station: Limited Coverage Area

Australia:

CENTRAL WEST RADIO – Central West, NSW

USA:

 RETRO CLASSIC HITS – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

To find out airplay times contact the stations. For more on the radio special: www.absoundbites.co.nz .