Santa Tracker: 75.4 percent

It might not look like it but we're fine, really. We're not seeing a few people until after Christmas.

Also, we're done with Christmas shopping for our dog.

Don't tell her!

Santa Tracker: 66.2 percent

So how is it that the Santa Tracker moves so fast?

Elves.

Santa Tracker: 52.5 percent

Wauwatosa! That's where that one hard-to-find item was hiding. So we're having them ship it to us from Wisconsin and it should be here in time. Yay!

Santa Tracker: 24.4 percent

Okay, our earlier Santa Tracker wasn't entirely accurate, but it's traditional for the first tracker to show 0%. Here's the real deal: We're at 24.4%, which isn't bad for a week before Christmas.

Santa Tracker 2011

Christmas time is here, by golly
Disapproval would be folly
Deck the halls with hunks of holly
Fill the cup and don't say "when"
Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens
Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens
Even though the prospect sickens
Brother, here we go again

Just as we did in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (and as we would've done in 2010 if that wasn't such a freaky busy December), we are proud to present the Santa Tracker!

Set your DVR: Orange Blossom Special - The Story of a Bluegrass Anthem

The Banjo versus TV project is over, but I still get automated reminders of TV programs that are of interest to banjo players. Here's one that my DVR will be recording tomorrow.

Orange Blossom Special: The Story of a Bluegrass Anthem

Orange Blossom Special is a provocative and moving salute to one of the most enduring fiddle tunes of all time. This is an exploration of an extraordinary song that helped define Bluegrass before it had a name. Covered by musicians around the world. Orange Blossom Special is a song that challenges the virtuosity of all who play it and provides inspirational room to be different each time it is interpreted. Named after a seasonal train that ran down the East Coast to Florida, Orange Blossom Special was written in 1938 by Ervin T. Rouse and made famous by Chubby Wise and Johnny Cash. The song's evocation of the train's sound and speed has been interpreted in every musical form on festival stages around the world. Featuring the music of Vassar Clements, Johnny Cash, Bela Fleck, Charlie Daniels, The Del McCoury Band, String Cheese Incident and others.

The program airs tomorrow (Friday, Feb 4) on Ovation.

Cross-posted at J.R.'s Banjo Hangout blog