“It’s Christmas Time, It’s Christmas Time” and all through the house not a creature was stirring just Jason Hartless drumming away! That’s right Jason Hartless the drummer for Ted Nugent is our featured artist of the day for our Christmas interview! Jason tells us about his first drum kit, the kit that started a career path for him as well as how many trees they have in their house.
Ryan: Christmas is a time for joy and happiness to spend with friends and family. How do you plan to spend your Christmas this year?
Jason: Christmas Day is always spent hanging with my family and my dad always makes killer Prime Rib and Snow Crab!
What are your favorite festivities surrounding Christmas?
Honestly, I really don’t know….I just enjoy this time of year!
Let’s settle the debate: when should someone put up their Christmas tree?
My family has always put up the Christmas stuff around Thanksgiving time…..Sometimes before, sometimes after; just depending on the year.
What is the best gift you’ve received for Christmas?
Probably my first personal drum set for my 5th Christmas. It was a Pearl Export kit in a black finish….and still have it!!
What song(s) get you in the Christmas spirit?
The Brian Setzer Orchestra is one of my all time favorite bands, so their big band Christmas records are some of my favorites during Christmas time. I also love the Andrew Sisters Christmas songs from the 1940s.
Would you consider creating a Christmas album? If so, what songs would you include, or would they be originals?
Being a studio musician, I have played on a lot of Christmas songs over the years. Those are always fun to play on because most of the time, they are reworks of classic Christmas songs. The last Christmas tune I played on a few months ago was a original song that was written in a Big Band jazz style, so they was super fun to pull those chops out!
Rank your top favorite Christmas themed movies
1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
2. A Christmas Story
3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey Version or Original 1966 Cartoon)
4. Trading Places
5. Santa Claus is Coming To Town
Does your family have any Christmas traditions that are unique?
We have a Disney themed Tree….One of the 3 Christmas trees in the house is decorated with only Disney ornaments and has a monorail that goes around the tree.
With Christmas comes cold weather and snow. Do you like enjoy the cold weather? Snow?
I love winter and Snow; but most importantly, cold weather means Hockey season is in full swing!
Did you build a snowman when it were a kid?
Honestly, I think I might have only made a snowman once……We didn’t rack the leaves that year, so the snow made was full of leaves. HAHAHA.
Music Matters Magazine 