want to hear , ever again . He also played George Strait ' s song
" Christmas Cookies ."
Because there were fewer commercials than usual " that opens up the freedom to pick out songs ."
One of his favorite songs to play was Robert Earl Keen ' s " Merry Christmas from the Family ."
He also played Christmas songs from Willie Nelson , Clint Black , Tracy Byrd , Faith Hill and Tim Mc- Craw .
" The best part about working at the station on Christmas Day , you ' re the only one there ," he said . " If you make a pot of coffee , it ' s yours ."
Thomason would work the phones while the records or commercials played and sometimes would put the caller on the air .
One such Christmas caller was the late C & W legend Charley Pride , who lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area back in the day .
Thomason said he talked to Pride for 30 to 40 minutes off the air and put him on the air for a short time .
Through his job Thomason met some other famous people , including C & W artists Nelson , Jerry Jeff Walker , Kenny Chesney , Toby Keith , Martina McBride , Mark Chesnutt , Terri Clark , Jack Ingram , Pat Green and Keith Urban .
He also met the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and the folk singer Jewel , who was married at the time to professional rodeo cowboy Ty Murray .
GREENVILLE LIFE 11 HOLIDAY 2024