Saturday 9: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Crazy Sam’s Saturday 9: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1971)

On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun…
For those who want to read about my 50^th high school reunion you can read about it here.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

In memory of David Cassidy, who died on 11/21/17.

1) This song mentions celebrating the holidays in "the new old-fashioned way." What's a holiday tradition that began with you (or your generation)?
Um… nothing. We just have a traditional Christmas.

2) The lyrics include dancing, caroling and pumpkin pie. Will you enjoy any of those three between now and year-end?
Nope. I don’t dance. I don’t sing. I can’t stand anything to do with pumpkins, as far as I’m concerned they are for carving on Halloween not eating.

3) David Cassidy and The Partridge Family were intensely popular for a short period of time. For example, this song was from the best-selling Christmas album of the 1971 holiday season. Have you added any holiday music to your collection this year?
No. But what I do have is my mother’s Christmas CD collection which includes Nat King Cole singing Christmas carols.

4) In 1971, the official David Cassidy fan club had a membership that exceeded both Elvis' and The Beatles'. Have you ever joined a fan club?
Nope. I think that those are stupid.

5) David recalled that his first hero growing up was the Yankees' Mickey Mantle. When you were a little kid, what grown-up did you look up to?
My father, he was the one who had most influence in my life.

6) David was a notoriously bad driver. In 1990, he was sentenced to traffic school for speeding. He was late for the class because he was stopped for speeding en route. Do you have a "lead foot?"
Um… I take the fifth. I have been known to set the land speed record.
In truth I usually drive around 5 mile per hour over the limit but I have been known to keep up with traffic.

7) David's parents divorced when he was only four years old. He and his mom lived with her parents until he was 10. Have you ever lived in an extended, multi-generational household?
Yes, my material grandmother lived with us when my grandfather died.

8) In 1971, when David and the Partridge Family were at their height, the US Mint introduced the Eisenhower Silver Dollar. Think of the last thing you bought. Did you pay with cash or plastic or your phone?
I very rarely pay cash for anything, but yesterday I paid cash for one of my meds. It was only two dollars.

9) Random holiday question: Let's talk regifting. Tell us about a time you regifted, or you received a present you suspect was regifted.
It was a support group Yankee Swap*. For a while a singing fish made it rounds at the group’s holiday party.

*How we do a Yankee Swap.

1. Everyone draws a number from a hat or mug.
2. Number one goes first and picks a gift from the pile. You can pick it up or shake it first and then you unwrap it for everyone to see.
3. Number 2 can either take the gift from #1 or pick a gift from the pile. If you take #1’s gift then #1 gets to pick again from the pile.
4. The process is repeated with all the numbers until the last person has picked a gift or taken a gift from anyone other player and that player picked the last gift..
5. Then #1 gets to swap the gift they have from anyone else.

So who ever has drawn #1 has the best choices while the lower numbers have fewer choices than the higher number players.