So my dad texted me one day. It was just a list of Christmas songs. I texted him back "huh?". He called me. Because that's how he rolls.

He said he wanted to record a Christmas album. Out of the blue. He's about to turn 70, so I am thinking mid-life crisis, make-a-mark-on-the-world kind of thing. I grew up singing songs with him in the car. He loves to sing. I thought, what the hell, this will be great, let's do it. I pitched it to my daughter Eve, she was in too.

We set up a trip to Indiana to a secret recording studio. He was expecting a boombox in the basement, he said. Instead, we had background tracks, software, headphones, monitors, multiple tracks, technical problems... a real studio exprience. We had a blast!

So here it is. It has some warts, but I hope it captures a bit of his inner 40's crooner - alongside Eve's modern arrangements. My favorite part was when Eve took control and started telling us our parts, when to come in, the right way to do it etc. And for the most part, she was absolutely right. It was a memorable day - and now it is crystalized for all here. Three Generations of kraut. It has more Senderhauf per square inch than a bratwurst with cheese curds on it. Merry Christmas!