1 of 1- RadioActive
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Is This U.S. Thanksgiving Radio Tradition Also Practiced Here?
I don't think so, but maybe someone here knows. While Christmas music is now everywhere. it's become the practice of some stations during the annual U.S. Thanksgiving holiday to play the entire 19-minute "Alice's Restaurant" at some point during the day.
The Arlo Guthrie classic was once a favourite of FM progressive outlets, but the business has changed, and devoting almost 20 minutes to a single song seems crazy today.
Except, it would seem, on Turkey Day down south.
"The "first breakthrough" for "Alice's Restaurant" came when the song made its February 1967 radio debut on New York City’s WBAI-FM.
“I'd been a big fan of WBAI. I’d been to their studios a few times and one night they asked me to perform live. I had no idea they were taping it, although it wouldn’t have stopped me from performing. I loved those guys," Guthrie explained.
By the spring, WBAI was getting so many requests to play "Alice's Restaurant" that the non-profit station used the song to raise funds.
Does this happen on Canadian radio in October? I'm not sure I remember it being a big deal here.
How This 1967 Folk Classic Became America’s Favorite Thanksgiving Song
- Shorty Wave
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Re: Is This U.S. Thanksgiving Radio Tradition Also Practiced Here?
I have heard about “Alice’s Restaurant” pretty much my entire life, know a bit of its history, but have never actually listened to it. I also don’t think it gets radio play in Canada as I probably would have heard it by now. Still, interesting story for a way too long song, Wiki it!
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Re: Is This U.S. Thanksgiving Radio Tradition Also Practiced Here?
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Thread Starter- Binson Echorec
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Re: Is This U.S. Thanksgiving Radio Tradition Also Practiced Here?
The only place I heard "Alice's Restaurant" was on Q107's Psychedelic Psunday, but in October for Canadian Thanksgiving.
Last edited by Binson Echorec (November 27, 2025 3:09 pm)
- Tq345
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Re: Is This U.S. Thanksgiving Radio Tradition Also Practiced Here?
At the all volunteer college station at which I worked, I always arrived early for my shift, which often led the previous jock the opportunity to skidaddle early.
I would put on Alice's Restaurant, which gave me almost 20 minutes to hit the record library to pull the albums I wanted for my show.
The only problem was the copy of the record we had was not in great condition, and it used to skip and I'd have to frequently run into the booth to un-skip it.
- darcyh
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Re: Is This U.S. Thanksgiving Radio Tradition Also Practiced Here?
A few months ago I heard it on the Jim Wright Sunday afternoon show on CJBQ 800 Belleville. It might have been around Canada's Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Wright actually does a LIVE show on a Sunday afternoon playing an eclectic of music on AM radio. Just imagine live / local on a weekend afternoon in a smaller market!
Before that I had not heard to song for many years.