A Charlie Brown Christmas, 50 Years Later

Let's admit it: Most Christmas music stinks.  Subjected to the same cloying songs about sleigh rides and snowmen, otherwise upstanding citizens seek comfort from well-fortified eggnog. But 50 years ago, composer Vince Guaraldi created a different sort of Christmas album. It's called "A Charlie Brown Christmas." It was the soundtrack to a television special of the same name. Many of its songs have become jazz standards. And half a century later, even humbugs seem to enjoy it.

Hear from some of the folks who were around when this iconic album was created: Jeane Schulz, the cartoonist's widow; Jerry Granelli, the drummer; and Lee Mendelsohn, the producer.

Other Stories On KUOW Presents:

• Hanford Whistleblowers: Southeast Washington Recorder Band Celebrates The Holidays
• A Cross-Country Holiday Tradition
• At His Own Risk, Somali Chef Creates Gourmet Haven In War-Weary Mogadishu
• Daniel Levitin On Music and the Brain
• Math Composer
• The Definition Of Cool
• New York Through The Eyes Of A Senegalese Immigrant Tour Guide
• Writers Almanac
• Learning Crucial Life Lessons Through Chess
• Classic Holiday Movies (starts 15 minutes into show)
• Should Zoos Have Elephant Exhibits?