The Christmas Jug Band

The Christmas Jug Band was a truly unique blend of alternative country, traditional American musics, and holiday songs that made their splash in the late 80's/early 90's. The group's roots are much older than that, as the band was a merger between two jug band concepts that had developed in California. Starting in the mid-70's, the Monday Night Wild Turkey Jug Band was an Ohio-based trio that performed massive jug band jams with local musicians throughout their ten-week stay in California. Cover songs were forbidden, and many homemade instruments were used in order to stay away from a slick-sounding approach. Meanwhile, participant Dan Hicks had a recording session to take part in and asked several of the other regular jammers to cover for him at a regular gig in late December. The group billed themselves as "The Three Wise Men + 4 - 1 Jug Band," and laid down a holiday-only set that won them a spot on Christmas Eve. The band crafted some originals to go with their covers quickly, and the reception was so great that the band made it an annual holiday tradition. Several of the members wanted to move after spending years in the area, so they decided to record their efforts in order to have a document of their Christmas shows. They moved into a studio and recorded an album that was only meant for one another to enjoy. But bootlegs leaked out and soon the record was in demand, so they set up Globe Records to release Mistletoe Jam in 1987. The record was a big success, and the band decided to come together for their annual holiday shows despite living in different areas. The band released a live CD in 1991, Treeside Hoot, and followed it with Rhythm on the Roof in 1997. Although mostly retired at this point, they would emerge again in 2002 for the reunion record Uncorked.
— Bradley Torreano , All Music Guide