Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours – Merry Christmas From The Trailer Park
November 24th, 2007
Antsy McClain & the Trailer Park Troubadours
Merry Christmas From The Trailer Park
Now, when I first hear something about Christmas in a trailer park I have to admit that the first thing that comes to my mind is Elmo & Patsy’s annoying contribution to the Christmas music canon–Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. And then I gag a bit because I can’t stand that song. I hope that Elmo & Patsy get nothing but coal every Christmas for the rest of their days.
Thankfully, Antsy McClain and pals have come forward to rescue a down-home Christmas from dangerous reindeer and radio overplay (though they certainly deserve the latter).
That being said, fans of Elmo and Patsy’s little ditty would also find much to like here. The same sort of humor that made that song a hit is on display here. There are some of the same unsavory characters, indulging their love of whiskey and Nascar during the holidays. It’s a world that’s been painted in popular culture by the likes of Jeff Foxworthy and Larry The Cable Guy. But McClain draws his characters with greater subtlety and affection. His humor is far less caricatured than theirs. When you listen to these songs it’s not as an outsider, pittying the poor folk that populate these stories. You are McClain’s invited guest, looking though snapshots of family Christmases long ago. And in those snapshots you can see your own ghosts of Christmas past staring back at you, whether or not your home ever had wheels or a pink flamingo out front.
The music is expertly arranged, played and recorded. It’s a bit of down home country, with some folk and pop thrown in. It would not be out of place on Lake Wobegon (McClain spins some yarns with Garrison Keilor’s ear for language and dialog). I hear echoes of Chris Isaac’s twang in McClains velvety voice. The music is certainly fun. But then the band will take a quick turn and serve up a reverent "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day" or "O Little Town of Bethlehem" that evoke a genuine sense of Christmas wonder. There’s lots to love here.
Take a listen at one my favorites (naturally), The King of Christmas:
[audio:http://www.falalalala.com/music/mcclainkoc.mp3]
We even have permission to let you download an MP3 of the song: DOWNLOAD
You can pick up a CD or MP3 download of the album at Antsy’s site: http://www.unhitched.com. (You can also hear some more samples.)
I have to say that a lot of newer Christmas albums just don’t have the real spirit. This one does. So go and pick it up.
O.K. Here’s some more incentive. Antsy and his friends have offered us three personally autographed copies of the CD for FaLaLaLaLa readers. So here’s how you can get a chance to nab one:
Post a comment to this thread that includes a haiku about Christmas in the trailer park. We’ll pick the best three who will get each get a CD. The deadline will be Friday, Nov. 30th.
UPDATE: Antsy himself will judge the haiku and send out the discs personally. So hop to it!
UPDATE: The submissions are closed and we’ll move on to the judging. Stay tuned….
Have fun and be creative….
This is an awesome giveaway! Here’s no haiku:
Plastic furniture
Pink flamingoes in the snow
Double-wide Christmas
Baby needs some shoes
My sister kisses the best
Santa’s on his way
OR
Cigarettes and beer
Look lovely in the stocking
Santa calls for me
Ooh! Those are good ones.
A Christmas twister
Our home is falling like snow
Boom! The trailer
parks
Eh, I suck at poetry.
Elvis, Make Me Toys!
O Little Lawn of Bethlehem
Steel plant laid me off.
singlewide pops and cracks
old vinyl skips into
the sound of Christmas
Cold December winds
House resting still upon blocks
Nascar ornaments
another one came to me at work today…
I’m a Poor Boy Too
and I saw Mommy Kissing
Da Rump of a Bum
Mom passed out from Schlitz
Daddy "cuddles" with us kids
No Santa this year
Red is for Bud Light
Green is for a Heineken
Rudolph’s trashed again
I got a 3 car
Hanging on my Christmas tree
Merry Christmas Dale
Here’s trailer Santa
Flamingo pulling his sleigh
Smoking a Winston
Trailer park Christmas
Just like Christmas anywhere
May your’s be merry
Gun Shots & Beer Cans.
Screaming Kids, Crying Babies
No Silent Night Here.
My wife just left me
Christmas just won’t be the same
Oh wait there’s a sixer
Manger got nuthin’
On my double-wide trailer
We’s got flush toilet
My Gosh, I can’t stop…. :)
You can’t find virgins
in a trailer park Christmas
Wise men are scarce, too
up on the house top
out on parole for two days
this santa gig rocks.
Snow bound front yard couch
A way cool marshmallow world
Colored lights year round
Momma was on "Cops"
Yellin’ out the trailer door
Locked Daddy’s butt up!
In a Wal-Mart aisle
Wailing boy wants wrasslin’ toy
Mama whups his butt
None of my presents match
the joy of the squeak toy
we got for the dog.
See the cookie plate –
nothing on it now but crumbs
Can’t prove it was me
Sirens are wailing
Family brawling in the street
Trailer park Christmas
Christmas tree sparkles
decorated with beer cans
Ain’t Christmas something?
Santa eats cookie
another coat button pops
and rolls away
In a Wal-Mart aisle
wailing boy wants wrasslin’ toy
mam whups his butt
I’m sleeping single in a double wide
You’re in the pen
Silent Night
gifted gold this Child’s
light settles on my joyed soul
like gossamer snow
by Shashi
Trailer Park Christmas
Modern isle of misfit toys
Why don’t Santa come?
D’You Hear What I Hear’d?
A Child Shivers In the Night
Propane Tank’s Empty
Happy Holidays
Just a pinch is all it takes
A Toast to You. Skoal.
Spam in My Stocking
and Wonder bread and mayonaisse and
Twinkies and Koolaid