Behind The Christmas Hits with Drew Savage

The boyband era of the late 90s gave us a bunch of original Christmas hits from groups like NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and the group that joins us for this episode, 98 Degrees! Nick, Drew, Justin, and Jeff are all here to talk about their Christmas hit, 'This Gift'!

They join Drew Savage to talk about their Christmas album & their My2K Tour!

They also share times when they hear their own song 'This Gift' in public!

Ron Payne joins Drew Savage to talk about working with John Hughes on movies such as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and of course Home Alone. 

Ron Payne worked alongside Hughes as either his music supervisor or post production supervisor on those films. 

How shares how he came to work with John Hughs, the musical production & clips cut from the films!

In the fall of 2000, Britney Spears was arguably the most famous person on the planet. Her first two albums sold a combined 47 million copies worldwide. Her second album, "Oops!... I Did It Again" was released in May of that year and by the fall, she was preparing to release her third single from that album. But she took a slight detour to record a Christmas song. 

This is the story of 'My Only Wish (This Year)'.

Before becoming a household name, one of the biggest artists of 2024 dropped a Christmas album.

This is the story of Sabrina Carpenter's 'Fruitcake'.

The iconic Andrew Ridgeley sits down with Drew Savage for a feature interview for Behind The Christmas Hits!

Andrew and Drew chat about writing the iconic Christmas hit at the late George Michael's House, which modern day covers he prefers, and going Christmas caroling as Wham!

If it wasn't for a broken organ in an Austrian Church, we never would have heard what would become the most recorded Christmas hit ever.

This is the story of 'Silent Night'.

Johnny Mathis says its his favourite Holiday song to sing!

It's time to learn the story behind the Christmas hit 'Sleigh Ride'.

A case of mistaken identity led to the very first Christmas hit recorded by one of the greats. 

This is the story of 'Here Comes Santa Claus' by Gene Autry. 

A song commissioned for one department store was inspired by an ad for another.

This the story behind the Christmas hit 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'. 

Who does a young punk-rocker from Orange County want to grow up and be just like? If you're Gwen Stefani, it's Mariah Carey! ... At least for part of the year.

This is the story behind Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's Christmas Hit 'You Make it Feel Like Christmas' 

Brenda Lee is a member of the Rock N Roll, Country Music, and Rockabilly Halls of Fame and has sold over 100 Million records worldwide - and Drew had the immense pleasure of talking to her!

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

One of the biggest duets of the 80s lead to one of the most successful country Christmas albums ever!  This is the story behind Once Upon a Christmas by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton!

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

How is this even possible? There hasn't been a Christmas song named after the greeting we all share every year at Christmas time!? Well there wasn't! Until Ed Sheeran and Elton John gave us one. This is the story behind the Christmas Hit 'Merry Christmas'

Behind The Christmas Hits is Presented by Tylenol Arthritis, fast and long-lasting pain relief. This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.