13 Concerts in New York to Get You Ready for the 2019 Holiday Season

The holidays are fast approaching! With 11 days until the start of Hanukkah and Christmas exactly two weeks away, the festive mood continues to grow here in New York, as it undoubtedly has in the rest of the world. Why not continue to ramp up the festivities with some live music?

New York is full of great live music all year round, but during the holiday season it can’t be beat! From huge artists like Mariah Carey and annual concert events like Jingle Ball to smaller yearly Hanukkah events from the likes of Moshav and Golem, there is something for everyone. We even celebrate the winter solstice big!

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of holiday shows happening in New York over the next couple of weeks. Here are 13 to get you deeper into the holiday spirit!

1.       WALK Holiday Show/Goo Goo Dolls: Long Island’s WALK 97.5 is already getting into the holiday spirit with a 100% Christmas playlist, so it would make sense that the station would be gearing up for a holiday show of their own. That happens tonight at the Paramount in Huntington. 1990s rockers the Goo Goo Dolls headline the event with Beach Slang and ‘American Idol’ alum David Cook will opening. (12/11 @ The Paramount Huntington)

2.       Idina Menzel: Actress and singer Idina Menzel is a busy women. Aside from the release of ‘Frozen 2’ a few weeks ago, she also released a new holiday album, ‘Christmas: A Season of Love,’ in October. Menzel will be ending a three-show tri-state area holiday run of shows tonight with a stop at New York’s Carnegie Hall. (12/11 @ Carnegie Hall)

3.       Pre-Hanukkah Smackdown: Looking to get into the Hanukkah spirit even before Hanukkah begins. Drom NYC is presenting their “Pre-Hanukkah Smackdown” this Thursday with a worldly list of artists that put a spin on traditional klezmer, including the Afrobeat-infused sound of Zion80 and the klezmer-bhangra fusion of Sharabi. Headlining you have gypsy-punks Golem, who’s mix of klezmer, Yiddish melodies and high-intensity performance makes for a lively show you won’t want to miss. (12/12 @ Drom)

4.       Jingle Ball: iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball has become synonymous with the holiday season at this point. The series of yearly holiday events from the radio mega network, Jingle Ball brings together some of the year’s most popular artists to celebrate the season. This year’s New York line-up is a veritable who’s-who of chart-toppers, including Taylor Swift, Lizzo, the Jonas Brothers, Camila Cabello, 5 Seconds of Summer, Dan + Shay, Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, Halsey, Monsta X and Fletcher.  (12/13 @ Madison Square Garden)

5.       Mariah Carey: The queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey is currently celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of her first Christmas album, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and the inescapable holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The singer will be wrapping her 2019 holiday tour on Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden. (12/15)

6.       Hot For The Holidays: If you’re looking for a hip-hop holiday show, Hot 97 is gearing up for their annual Hot For The Holidays show next week. This year’s artists include Khalid, Wale, Layton Greene and The Bonfyre. (12/18 @ Kings Theatre)

7.       Lea Michele: Actress and singer Lea Michele released her first-ever Christmas album, ‘Christmas in the City,’ in October, which hit Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart at number 3. Catch her perform music from the album and more during a special three-night residency at the New York Society For Ethical Culture.  (12/19 -21 @ NY Society For Ethical Culture)

8.       Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Perennial holiday instrumental favorites the Trans-Siberian Orchestra are heading our way to spread some Christmas cheer. The group will be bringing their “Christmas Eve And Other Stories” show to Long Island and New Jersey next week. (12/20 @ Nassau Coliseum; 12/21 @ Prudential Center)

9.       Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg: Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, featuring former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, is set to rock New York’s Gramercy Theatre for their annual ‘Holiday Blitzkrieg.’ Like last year, the group will be joined by Bad Religion/Circle Jerks guitarist Greg Hetson.  (12/20 @ Gramercy Theatre)

10.   Make Music New York Winter: Back for its winter festival, Make Music New York will be celebrating the winter solstice with as much outdoor music as possible all over the city. Favorites such as Piano City (which features pianos placed randomly around the city for people to play), Flatfoot Flatbush (a folk music gathering) and “The Mobile Hallelujah” (traveling carolers singing Handel’s famous ‘Messiah’ movement) all return, and there will be plenty of opportunities to jump in and join a holiday parade or sing Christmas carols with your fellow New Yorkers. (12/21)

11.   CeeLo Green: “Forget You” singer and Goodie Mob member CeeLo Green is celebrating the holidays on the road for his “Holiday Hits” tour. Green will be playing songs from his 2013 Christmas album, ‘Magic Moment,’ as well as hits from throughout his career. (12/21 @ Sony Hall; 12/22 @ Suffolk Theater)

12.   Yo La Tengo: Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah shows are a holiday tradition at this point. The band will be playing eight consecutive nights at the Bowery Ballroom starting December 22 (the first night of Hanukkah), celebrating every night with special surprise guests. All shows are sold out except the 24^th and 25^th (Christmas Eve and Christmas).  (12/22-29 @ Bowery Ballroom)

13.   Moshav: Another Hanukkah tradition: Moshav. The band will be playing their annual “Festival of Lights” show on Hanukkah night three / Christmas Eve. Soulfarm and Yimmy will be opening. (12/24 @ SOB’s)

With the holidays only weeks away, now is the perfect time to start celebrating with live music. Check out some of the shows listed above and let us know what holiday shows you’re excited to see this season in the comments below.

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Find the perfect holiday music and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music lovers. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Five Songs to Represent How Thankful You Are for Family and Friends This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the people in your life. For many, the emphasis is placed on family. Whether that is the family that raised you or the friends who took you in as their family, these are the people we care the most about and are most grateful for.

In honor of Thanksgiving, which occurs tomorrow, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at songs that celebrate the familial bond. Here are five to help you show just how grateful you are for your family this holiday.

1.       The Cranberries, “Ode To My Family”: Late Cranberries frontwomen Dolores O’Riordan wrote “Ode To My Family” to pay tribute to her family growing up, telling the Los Angeles Times (quote found on Genius) that the song is “about childhood, family and how important they are.” The song is meant to be a realization that once you’re out on your own, you learn to appreciate and be grateful for what your parents did for you growing up. (video)

2.       Sister Sledge, “We Are Family”: Written by Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards and performed by family act Sister Sledge, “We Are Family” is one of the most well-known songs about sticking together as a family. Sung to a funky, upbeat disco beat, the lyrics boast about how they have each other’s backs. Whether you’re talking about actual family or very close knit friends, everyone can feel grateful for having people like that in your life. (video)

3.       Celine Dion, “Because You Loved Me”: Written by Diane Warren and performed by Celine Dion, “Because You Loved Me” gives back to those who have watched you grow and advocated for you when no one else would. Personally, I’ve always visualized the song as a child giving a heartfelt “thank you” to a parent who loves unconditionally and has given them every chance to succeed. (video)

4.       Bon Jovi, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”: “There’s no place like home.” It was true for ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and it remains true with Bon Jovi’s 2000s classic “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” The song talks about how you can go as far away as possible, but there will always be something special and welcoming about going home. There’s something warming about coming home to the people that know and love you, and that’s something to be thankful for. (video)

5.       The Rembrandts, “I’ll Be There For You”: As stated above, sometimes your friends are your family. The Rembrandts got this sentiment right when they wrote “I’ll Be There For You,” best known as the theme song to the hit sitcom ‘Friends.’ When you’re in a rut, sometimes the best thing to have is a set of peers to support you, who know you and how to make things better. Like with “We Are Family,” you have each other’s backs. (video)

It is important to be thankful for your family and friends this Thanksgiving and holiday seasons music is a great medium to show just how grateful you are. Check out some of our favorite family-centric tunes above and let us know what your favorite songs of thankfulness are in the comments below.

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Find the perfect soundtrack to your Thanksgiving and holiday season at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a plethora of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Music Exhibits to Check Out in New York This Holiday Weekend

With Passover and Easter both coming up this weekend, there will be a lot of family time to be had. One of the best ways to spend quality time doing something together as a family is to check out a museum. And with a handful of music-related exhibits recently popping up in the city, this holiday weekend is a great time to take the family out for some fun.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the music-related exhibits that have hit New York in the last month. From learning about a legend to taking a closer look at punk art and rock’s most famous instruments, here are three big exhibits you’ll want to check out.

1.       ‘Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything’: Spend Passover learning about one of the most important Jewish artists of the last 50 years, Leonard Cohen. ‘Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything’ opened at the Jewish Museum last week, giving attendees a unique look into the singer/songwriter’s “imagination and legacy.” The exhibit, which was commissioned before Cohen’s passing in 2016 and first premiered at the Musee d’art Contemporain de Montreal, features commissioned works inspired by his style and recurring themes, projections of his own artworks and multimedia galleries with audio recordings of Cohen covers by the likes of Feist, Moby and The National with Sufjan Stevens. Special in observance of Passover, the Jewish Museum will have free admission on April 20 & 21 and April 26 & 27, so practicing Jews wishing not to carry or participate in commerce during the holiday’s high days can still see the exhibits. (Now through September 8)

2.       ‘Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die: Punk Graphics, 1976-1986’: The punk and new wave movement of the 1970s and 1980s had some of the most distinct art of any musical culture. ‘Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die,’ which opened at the Museum of Arts and Design on April 9, takes a look at pieces from the decade in an effort to “explore the visual language of punk through hundreds of its most memorable graphics, from the shocking remixes of expropriated images and texts to the DIY zines and flyers that challenged the commercial slickness of the mainstream media.” Along with the exhibit, the museum is holding special events, including a punk film series and discussions with people who created within and documented the era. (Now through August 18)

3.       ‘Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll’: Co-organized with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s ‘Play It Loud’ exhibit features famous instruments from throughout rock music history, many of which were donated by the artists themselves. Some of the featured items include a guitar from Chuck Berry, a Petite Grand Piano played by Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters’ “The Hoss,” one of Ringo Starr’s Beatles drum kits, one of Paul McCartney’s custom-made basses and the first Fender guitar ever built. Alongside the “approximately 130 instruments,” which include guitars, pianos, saxophones and more, the exhibit also features concert posters and costumes worn by the artists. This exhibit is in addition to the museum’s recently reopened permanent exhibit, ‘The Art of Music.’(Now through October 1)

From punk and rock to the influence of Leonard Cohen, music is hitting New York’s museums big this season. These exhibits are sure to be a great way to get some music and culture in your life and spend some quality time with family this holiday weekend (outside of Passover and Easter rituals).

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Find a wide selection of titles from music’s vast history and culture at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in an array of genres to suit most music lovers’ tastes. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Year's Eve Musical Television Specials to Ring in 2019

Watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve is a time-honored tradition in New York. Times Square is filled with revelers who come down just to witness the LED-lit orb usher in the coming year. However, many people dislike the chaos of it all, making it as much a tradition to stay home and watch the event unfurl on television.

Music is often a deciding factor in which New Year’s Eve program you tune into. Over the last month, news has been creeping out about which programs will get which performers. And from what we know so far, between all the specials, a lot of this year’s hottest artists will be present to ring in 2019.

With New Year’s Eve only a week-and-a-half away, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the musical specials ushering in 2019. From pop and R&B to country and rock, here are the biggest television options to help you make the best New Year’s Eve choice possible.

1.       ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’: Ryan Seacrest fills the shoes of Dick Clark for a 12^th year to ring in the New Year. The special takes the celebration national with musical acts taking the stage in three different time zones. Christina Aguilera is the big headliner this year with additional performances by Bastille, Dan + Shay, New Kids on the Block and more taking place in New York City, Camila Cabello, The Chainsmokers, Halsey and more in California, and Florida Georgia Line in New Orleans. (8PM, ABC)

2.       ‘New Year’s with Steve Harvey’: After the success of last year’s broadcast, Steve Harvey and Maria Menounos return for a second year as hosts of Fox’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The special will include performances from Sting, Florence & the Machine, Jason Aldean, Robin Thicke, Juanes and Why Don’t We, among others, as well as appearances by comedians Ken Jeong and  Kenan Thompson and Fox’s NFL Sunday commentators. (8PM, Fox)

3.       ‘New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly’: Learning from last year’s New Years programming flub, NBC is bringing back their Carson Daly-hosted holiday eve program.  Joining Daly as co-hosts will be ‘SNL’s’ Leslie Jones and Chrissy Teigen. The event will have performances from Kelly Clarkson, Andy Grammer, John Legend, Blake Shelton and headliner Diana Ross. Also performing are Keith Urban and Brett Young, though their sets will be telecast from Nashville’s ‘Music City Midnight’ event. (10PM, NBC)

4.       ‘New Year’s Eve Live’: Anderson Cooper takes you into the New Year for his 16^th time and second with co-host Andy Cohen. The straight-man/funny-man nature of their relationship made last year’s broadcast the network’s most watched NYE of all time. No music announced yet, but there are sure to be a lot of celebrities dropping by. (8PM, CNN)

This year’s New Years Eve programming line-ups are filled with some of the hottest artists in music today. Whichever you watch, there are sure to be some great performances leading up to the midnight ball drop.

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Ring in the New Year with Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to satisfy most music lovers’ tastes. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for holiday gifts or the perfect song to usher in 2019, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Christmas Albums for 2018

Christmas is only a couple of weeks away. And in case you missed it, a lot of this year’s holiday new album releases have already hit shelves. That means it’s time to delve into some of the new holiday albums that came out this year.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is gearing up for the holiday season with a look at some of this year’s Christmas album releases. From the highly popular to ones off the beaten path, here are seven holiday releases that might be worth checking out.

(Note: This list does not reflect which albums we have or do not have in store.)

1.       William Shatner, ‘Shatner Claus’: Though his musical career often times feels like the punchline of a joke, William Shatner’s debut Christmas album, ‘Shatner Claus,’ sounds interesting. The album features reworkings of holiday classics, a handful of which are performed as duets with rock music heavy-hitters. These include “Silent Night” with Iggy Pop, two versions of “Jingle Bells” with Black Flag’s Henry Rollins, “Silver Bells” with Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and more.

2.       Eric Clapton, ‘Happy Xmas’: Over the course of his more than five decade career, Eric Clapton had never released a Christmas album until this year. The album features 14 holiday songs both well-known and obscure, all rearranged to fit his bluesy rock style. There is also , as well as an original tune written by Clapton and producer Simon Climie. In addition to the album, Clapton also released a special video to YouTube with interview footage about the making of the album and acoustic performances of some of the songs.

3.       Monkees, ‘Christmas Party’: Just like Clapton, this is the first time the Monkees have released a Christmas album. Filled with classics and originals, the remaining members of the band teamed up with the collaborators from their 2016 album ‘Good Times!’ for the new release. Davy Jones wasn’t left out, however. His vocals were used on two of the album’s tracks.

4.       John Legend, ‘A Legendary Christmas’: One of the most anticipated holiday albums of the year, John Legend brings some soul to the Christmas season with ‘A Legendary Christmas.’ The singer accompanied the album with a primetime television special of the same name earlier this year, securing his hold on this year’s yuletide season.

5.       Mike Love, ‘Reason For The Season’: Despite all the Christmas music he put out with the Beach Boys back in the day, Mike Love has now released his own album of holiday songs. ‘Reason For The Season’ features even more classics and originals, including a re-recording of Beach Boys hit “Little Saint Nick” and a duet with 1990s brotherly trio Hanson.

6.       August Burns Red, ‘Winter Wilderness’: A bit different than the typical holiday fare, metalcore band August Burns Red released a Christmas EP this year. Another mixture of covers and originals, including an entirely instrumental track, this is sure to be the most aggressive you’ll hear this season.

7.       Ingrid Michaelson, ‘Songs For The Season’: Singer / songwriter Ingrid Michaelson put her own spin on some holiday and winter classics this year for her first Christmas album, ‘Songs For The Season.’ She adds one original to the mix as well; “Happy, Happy Christmas” is a melancholy track written around the time her mother passed away in 2014.

A lot of highly-anticipated and some not-so anticipated holiday albums were released this year. From pop and R&B to rock, there seems to be something new for everyone. Check out our album picks above and let us know what new holiday albums you’re listening to this season in the comments below.

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Find holiday music and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Music-Focused Specials Hitting Television Screens for the 2018 Holiday Season

What would the holiday season be without all the special programming that will be saturating television viewing for the next month? From movies and holiday-themed episodes of your favorite shows to the numerous specials both classic and new, it’s almost as inescapable as holiday music.

Of course, many of these specials center on music as well. Such yearly television offerings began last week with the Thanksgiving Parade, which saw a handful of popular artists cruising down 34^th Street “performing” their own music as well as holiday classics. Between now and New Years, even more musical specials will be hitting the small screen, ranging from tree lightings and parades to concerts and Disney’s complete takeover of the holidays.

In gearing up for the holiday season, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at all the musical Christmas and holiday specials coming to a television set near you in the next month. Here are nine programs to get you into the festive spirit. (Note: Not included are specials where music comes second to the event, like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show or the ‘A Home for Christmas’ special. Also not included is New Years programming, as it deserves its own list.)

1.       ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’: A New York tradition for decades, ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’ ushers in the holiday season by building up to the lighting of the Rockeffeller Center Christmas tree. This year’s performers include Diana Ross, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, Pentatonix, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, Brett Eldredge, Ella Mai, John Legend and Rob Thomas. (11/28, NBC)

2.       ‘A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy’: Speaking of John Legend, following the success of April’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’ (which won him a coveted EGOT), the soulful R&B singer/renaissance man returns to holiday television with his wife Chrissy Teigen to host a traditional variety show. ‘A Legendary Christmas’ will feature Legend performing music from his new holiday album of the same name, as well as special guests and tons of lovey-dovey schmaltz. Music-focused guests include fellow ‘The Voice’ judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, Raphael Saadiq and many more. (11/28, NBC)

3.       The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration’: Not to be outdone by NBC, ABC will be airing their annual ‘Magical Holiday Celebration’ special direct from Disney’s amusement parks. This year the program is being hosted by ‘Modern Family’s’ Sarah Hyland and ‘Dancing with the Stars’’ Jordan Fisher (both of which are ABC shows) and will feature musical performances from Gwen Stefani, Becky G, Meghan Trainor, Aloe Blacc, Andrea Bocelli and more, plus appearances from your favorite Disney characters. (11/29, ABC)

4.       ‘Garth: Live at Notre Dame!’:  Back in October, best-selling country artist Garth Brooks played a stadium show at the University of Notre Dame in October, the first time in the stadium’s 88-year history that an artist of his magnitude has performed there. Fans across the country will get to experience the show on the small screen this holiday season as a concert special. (12/2, CBS)

5.       ‘Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas’: Amy Grant apparently loves Christmas. In addition to her annual block of holiday shows at the Ryman in Nashville, the country/gospel singer will have her own special on Hallmark. ‘Tennessee Christmas features performances from her, her husband Vince Gill and special guests Kellie Pickler and Michael W. Smith. (12/3, Hallmark)

6.       ‘CMA Country Christmas’: Another yearly tradition, the Country Music Association will be airing their ‘CMA Country Christmas’ again this year. Reba McEntire hosts for the second year in a row, with a list of performers new and established lending their voices to holiday classics. Artists performing this year include McEntire, Tony Bennett & Diana Krall, Dan & Shay, Brett Eldredge, Martina McBride, Dustin Lynch, Amy Grant, Brad Paisley, Lindsey Stirling, Old Dominion and more. (12/10, ABC)

7.       ‘Hollywood Christmas Parade’: The west-coast’s equivalent to the Thanksgiving Parade in New York, the ‘Hollywood Christmas Parade’ marches through the heart of Hollywood to ring in the holiday season and you’ll be able to see every detail on the small screen. Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie host the broadcast, which will feature balloons, floats and performances of all kinds, including a 100^th anniversary tribute to ‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.’ Musical performances include ‘American Idol’ alums Kimberly Caldwell-Harvey, Mikalah Gordon, Ruben Studdard, Blake Lewis, Elliot Yamin and David Archuleta, Ashanti, Claire Dunn, The Tearaways and supergroup Band of MerryMakers. (12/14, The CW)

8.       ‘iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018’: iHeartRadio begins its annual Jingle Ball tour tonight, bringing the year’s hottest artists to an arena near you over the next three weeks. Artists on the tour include Cardi B, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Kalid, Alessia Cara, Bebe Rexha, Meghan Trainor, Sabrina Carpenter, G Easy, Bazzi and more (though the line-up differs depending on the particular stop). If you can’t make these shows, The CW will be airing an amalgam of performances as a special this holiday season. (12/16, The CW)

9.       ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’: Disney continues their holiday domination with their annual Christmas day parade. The broadcast will feature the same performers as their ‘Magical Holiday Celebration’ a month earlier performing different songs, except with all the fanfare of a parade. (12/25, ABC)

Featuring concerts, parades, tree lightings and more, music is at the heart of many of the season’s holiday specials. Check out some of the musical Christmas and holiday specials mentioned above and feel the holiday spirit.

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Find holiday music and much more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in a vast array of genres to choose from. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Six More Songs to Express Your Thankfulness this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is tomorrow in the United States. A time to take stock and be thankful for all the good things in your life, it’s also a good time to tell those you love how thankful you are for them.

Music is a great way to do this, as there are many songs about being thankful and grateful out there. There are personal songs saying thank you to one very special person, as well as big, overarching songs that cover a whole swath of people who mean a lot.

Following up our 2016 blog post, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is back with a brand new list of songs about being thankful. Here are six additional songs to help you say “thank you” to those you hold dear.

1.       Backstreet Boys, “Everyone”: The Backstreet Boys have always been grateful to their fans. So on their third album, ‘Black and Blue,’ the band decided to show their thankfulness by writing a song. “Everyone” is a grandiose track that gives all the credit for their success to the group’s fans, who give them the “strength” to go out and perform. (video)

2.       Dido, “Thank You”: Singer Dido’s only real hit, “Thank You” was written about a past boyfriend. The song centers around letting that special person know how thankful you are for everything they’ve done for you. After all, one person’s generosity can have a really big impact on someone. (video)

3.       Big Star, “Thank You Friends”: Though many consider the song to be a sarcastic, there is no denying that “Thank You Friends” lyrically is a pretty spot on sentiment for the Thanksgiving holiday.  In it, Alex Chilton takes a moment to thank the people who made a career in music possible, as well as for grounding him when things get to be too much. (video)

4.       Descendents, “Thank You”: With “Thank You,” Desendents do what everyone hopes they can be able to do; saying “thank you” to their favorite band for the music they make. For many, an artist’s music can make them feel like they aren’t alone or it can help express a certain emotion they’re feeling better than plain words could. So not only is it important to thank the ones you love, but also the artists that know how you feel. (video)

5.       Christina Aguilera, “I Turn To You”: Perhaps a better “thanksgiving” song might have been “What A Girl Wants,” simply because it mentions being thankful many times. But I argue that Christina Aguilera’s cover of “I Turn To You,” also from her debut album, is a much more sincere thank you. The lyrics are a loving tribute to the ones who stand by your side and help you thorough the bad times. (video)

6.       Boys II Men, “Thank You”: “Thank You” was written to simply say “thank you.” The self-aware jam finds 80s/90s R&B group Boys II Men “thinking up” the song to tell their love how thankful and grateful they are for being there and not leaving them when things got rough. (video)

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for the people around you and music is a great way to help you express just what those people mean to you. Thank you for checking out our list of songs above and let us know what songs about thankfulness you love in the comments below.

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Find music for your Thanksgiving celebration at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Seven Candy-Themed Songs for National Candy Month

June is National Candy Month. This fun month-long holiday celebrates sugary sweets in all their forms, being hard candies, chocolates, marshmallows, toffees and more. And what better way to celebrate than to check out some music themed around candy.

Let’s be honest, many of the songs written about candy are not about candy. However, “candy” is often used as a comparison for other things, mostly love. There are plenty of songs out there that talk about love or a lover/crush being as “sweet” as candy or sugar. Some go as far as to use it as a euphemism for sex. However, we can all agree that for better or worse, there are a lot of songs that use candy as their inspiration.

In honor of National Candy Month, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has gathered up a list of some of the sweetest songs themed around the sweetest of treats. Here are seven songs whose references might just give you cavities.

1.       Bow Wow Wow, “I Want Candy”: The quintessential song about “candy,” The Strangeloves’ “I Want Candy” has been covered by just about everyone, though Bow Wow Wow’s version has become the most frequently referenced. Using candy as a metaphor for the singer’s love interest, the lyrics use such food language as “make my mouth water” and “wrapped in a sweater.” (video)

2.       Mandy Moore, “Candy”: Pop star-turned actress Mandy Moore’s debut single, “Candy,” is perfect for lovers with a sweet tooth. In the song, she compares the feeling she gets from her her crush to the feeling she gets from a sweets-induced sugar rush, using lyrics like “craving for you,” “sweet to me like sugar to my heart” and “missing you like candy.” Part of the video also takes place in a soda shop, just to tie things up neatly. (video)

3.       50 Cent, “Candy Shop”: One of the more sexually suggestive songs on the list, instead of comparing his lover to a particular sweet, he compares himself to the entire store on his number one single “Candy Shop.” In the lyrics he tells the girl that she can “lick the lollypop” (ew) and that with one taste, he’ll have her “spending all you got.” Somehow he makes an M&Ms reference in there too, which seems like a disservice to the brand. (video)

4.       New Edition, “Candy Girl”: Back to the tamer love songs, New Edition innocently compares the main love interest to sugary sweets in “Candy Girl.” The song’s chorus sums up the song’s intent nicely: “Candy Girl / You are my world / You look so sweet / You’re a special treat.” (video)

5.       The Archies, “Sugar, Sugar”: Comic book band The Archies’ only hit, “Sugar, Sugar” uses sugar as a term of endearment. The singer goes between calling his “candy girl” “sugar” and “honey,” telling her that her “sweetness” has “got [him] wanting [her].” (video)

6.       Christina Aguilera, “Candyman”: Reinventing herself after her infamous “X-Tina” phase, Christina Aguilera came up with the old-style, “Bugle Boy”-inspired “Candyman.” The song fixates on the man Aguilera is eying, calling him “sugar-coated” and comparing his lips to sugar cane. It’s not all innocent though, also mentioning how he’s a “one stop shop” that “makes the panties drop.” (video)

7.       Sammy Davis Jr., “The Candy Man”: Originally written for ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,’ it was Sammy Davis Jr.’s cover of “The Candy Man” that made it a hit. The only non-love song on this list, the singer is a literal candy man singing about how he can make any day better with candy. This is a feel good song, no matter how old you are or what decade it is. (video)

Candy as a theme in music is very popular. There are a lot of songs written using these sweet treats as a way to compare love to something relatable. Celebrate this National Candy Month by checking out some of these candy-coated songs above, and then let us know about your favorite candy-themed tracks.

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Find candy-themed music and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse their wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at their Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to their selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Shows to Check Out in New York This Holiday Weekend (December 22 - 25, 2017)

Looking for something big to kick off your holiday weekend? Couldn’t get tickets to the final two shows of LCD Soundsystem’s Brooklyn residency? Don’t celebrate Christmas and want to get out and do something? Don’t fear, as there are still some great live shows happening in New York this weekend to cover all your needs.

Even during Christmas weekend, New York still has a lot of amazing live music to be seen. Darlene Love and The Slackers will both be playing holiday shows this weekend, as are the newly reformed Envy On The Coast. Rapper Playboi Carti will be bringing his first ever headlining tour to the area. As an alternative to Christmas fare, Moshav and Soulfarm will be bringing some post-Hanukkah Jewish rock to the city.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been searching the web for the hottest shows happening in New York this weekend. Here are seven that are sure to get you rocking out for the holidays.

1.       Darlene Love: It wouldn’t be the holidays without Darlene Love, whose classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is a staple of all holiday playlists. The singer will be bringing her ‘A Darlene Love Christmas: “Love For the Holidays”’ show to New York for two shows this weekend to get you in the holiday spirit. (Friday & Saturday, B.B. King Blues Club)

2.       Bruce Springsteen: If you haven’t seen it yet, Bruce Springsteen’s Broadway run has been getting rave reviews. A couple of weeks ago, the run was extended to June and more tickets are expected to be released soon. Tickets are usually sold out, but if you were able to snag them, this is the perfect weekend to see The Boss. (Friday – June 2018, Walter Kerr Theatre)

3.       The Slackers: Skank your way into the holidays with The Slackers. The band will be holding their annual two-night holiday show this weekend, at which they will be playing their breakthrough album, ‘Redlight,’ in its entirety for its 20^th anniversary. (Friday & Saturday, Bell House)

4.       Envy On The Coast: Long Island hardcore band Envy On The Coast returned this year with a new EP, ‘Ritual,’ their first new music in nearly seven years. Now a duo, the band will be playing their final shows of the year in Brooklyn and Long Island, respectively. (Friday, Market Hotel; Saturday, Mulcahy’s)

5.       Playboi Carti: One of the hottest new rappers of the year, Playboi Carti released his debut mixtape in April, catching the attention of critics, the music industry and hip-hop fans alike. Carti is currently on his debut headlining tour, which will hit Long Island this weekend and Europe in February. (Saturday, Paramount Huntington)

6.       Moshav: Hanukkah isn’t the only time for Jewish music. For Jews looking for something to do on Christmas Eve, Israeli-American rock band Moshav will be playing their final show of the year right here in New York. These guys always put on an energetic live show with tight playing and lots of dancing. (Sunday, Highline Ballroom)

7.       Soulfarm: Keeping the Jewish motif going, Soulfarm will be headlining the Oy Vey Festival on Christmas. The band’s music is filled with Mediterranean-influenced melodies and drum beats that will have you grooving all night. Joining them will be Kosha Dills (whose Jewish raps and freestyles never cease to amaze live), Zalman Krause, Meir Kay and Chillent. (Monday, Highline Ballroom)

Even during the holidays, New York is still a great place to get out and see a live show. These are our picks for the weekend’s best live shows. If you’re still looking for a little more Christmas cheer or avoid the holiday entirely, check out these shows and rock out into the holiday weekend.

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Before heading out to the venue or your next holiday party, drop by Vinyl Bay 777 to find music from many of these and other artists. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Christmas Songs for Your Holiday Party Playlist

Music is a big part of Christmas. It helps you get into the holiday spirit, as well as expresses the joyousness of the season. However, radio stations tend to play the same renditions of classic holiday tracks ad nausea at this time of year. And while these are classics for a reason, they can become a bit stale after a while.

There are a lot of artist who released original Christmas songs this year. Both Sia and Chance the Rapper released wholly original Christmas albums. Violinist Lindsey Sterling released a new holiday album this year with some of her own compositions. Pop artists like Gwen Stefani, Hanson and Mariah Carey all put out original songs this year, as did rock and alternative artists like The Maine and Sufjan Stevens.

To get in the holiday spirit, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been checking out some of this year’s new Christmas originals. Here are seven that are sure to spice up your holiday playlist.

1.       Lindsey Sterling feat. Becky G, “Christmas C’mon”: I included this song in a recent “week in review,” but it deserves a mention here too. Unlike a lot of instrumentalists working with singers, Sterling’s violin does not get lost in the mix with on “Christmas C’mon.” In fact, it stands out as another voice, complimenting Becky G’s. (video)

2.       The Maine, “Winter Means Nothing”: The Maine have had a banner year with their latest album, ‘Lovely Little Lonely,’ and have now released a new Christmas EP. The EP’s first single, “Winter Means Nothing,” is a somber song about missing your significant other during the holiday season. Because without love, the season “means nothing.” The song is just as good as anything on “Lovely Little Lonely,” continuing the forward momentum the band has been building this year. (video)

3.       Gwen Stefani feat. Blake Shelton, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas”: Gwen Stefani’s foray into country music, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” is a high-energy holiday love song ripe for professing one’s love for the person next to them. Blake Shelton’s country twang comes through as the main melodic influence, though some of Stefani’s pop tones can be heard as well. (video)

4.       Sia, “Candy Cane Lane”: Sia decided to release an entire album of Christmas originals this year. “Candy Cane Lane” is the most adorable and joyous of these tracks. While some of the other tracks are either incoherent or about bourbon, this song peps you up and gets you into the holiday spirit. (video)

5.       Hanson, “It’s Finally Christmas”: After 20 years, Hanson finally released a new Christmas album, as well as a very upbeat original single. “It’s Finally Christmas,” the album’s title track, feels like one big Christmas party. The song perfectly mixes the band’s pop, country, jazz and rock influences with lyrics about celebrating the season and feeling that Christmas cheer. (video)

6.       Mariah Carey, “Lil Snowman”: It’s not Christmas without Mariah Carey. The legendary singer put out a new song to coincide with her new holiday special this year. Trading in her signature pop high notes for a little rockabilly flair, “Lil Snowman” finds Carey singing to her “little snowman” about how cool Santa is. The song is upbeat and ready for livening up the dancing at your holiday party. (vinyl)  

7.       Sufjan Stevens, “The Greatest Gift”: Not all holiday songs have to be peppy, or about Santa Claus or Christ. Sufjan Stevens makes it clear in his low-key new track, “The Greatest Gift,” that being with friends and family is the best gift of all. (video)

These are some of this year’s best new original Christmas songs. Add these to your holiday playlist and have a great holiday season.

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Find Christmas music and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location during our holiday hours or shop online at vinylbay777.com anytime. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Why Vinyl Records Make Great Holiday Gifts

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, looks at why you should get the music lover in your life the gift of vinyl

With Christmas less than a week away and Hanukkah almost over, the thought of finding the perfect last minute gift can seem daunting. If you’re still looking for something to get the music lover in your life, why not consider getting them the gift of vinyl records.

It’s no surprise that vinyl has been making a resurgence over the last decade. More and more people have been purchasing the analog medium, making for its highest sales numbers since the 1980s. In 2016 alone, sales went up nearly 26% from the previous year while other physical mediums, like CDs, continued to lag. Even digital sales lagged for the first time last year. Events like Record Store Day bring more awareness to the vinyl format, in turn helping to create a new environment and audience for it.

So despite this newfound popularity, why should you get your music-loving loved ones vinyl records for the holidays? There are a handful of great reasons to do so. These reasons include selection, physicality, the experience, community and self-expression.

Because of the recent popularity, many more artists are putting their music on vinyl than they have in the last 25 years. Young music fans just being introduced to new formats can find the latest album from Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran on vinyl. Bands from the 1990s and early 2000s, Like No Doubt, the Beastie Boys and Pearl Jam are reissuing their albums and releasing them on vinyl for the first time. That makes this a great time to introduce generations that didn’t grow up with vinyl to the medium.

There is also a certain satisfaction in holding an album physically in your hands that you don’t get when you purchase a download. It’s hard to get attached to a digital file, something you cannot hold or see, and completely eliminates the need for album art. With vinyl records, the art is right there, a prominent part of the experience and something you can be proud to own. You can pass down a record from person to person, whereas a digital file you cannot.

Related is the experience you have when you play a vinyl record. Listening to a record is an active form of entertainment. Most people don’t simply put it on in the background and go into another room. You need to put down the tone arm to play it and flip the record when side A is done. It keeps you involved in the playing process. By giving someone a vinyl record, you are just as much giving them an experience as you are a gift.

Music is extension of one’s own individuality and vinyl records are a good way of addressing a loved one’s individual taste. It’s definitely a more personal gift than just getting someone a gift card to download music. If you get something from an artist that they like, it shows that you’ve taken the time to get to know them and put some thought into a gift. Even a gift card for their record shop shows that you at least know where they like to purchase their music.

There are many reasons why vinyl records make great gifts. Between the experience of holding and listening to vinyl, the individuality that it compliments and the growing selection of titles being pressed, it’s no wonder they have grown in popularity so much over the last 25 years.  If you’re still wondering what to get the music lover in your life, why not consider getting them the gift of vinyl this holiday season.

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Find the perfect gift for the music lover in your life this holiday season at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to get them something new or one of the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.