New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Christmas Must Be Tonight" by The New Bardots


By Bob Makin

originally published: 12/08/2023


The New Bardots’ new holiday single, a cover of The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

All-star veteran outfit The New Bardots have remade a modern take on The Band’s 1977 holiday classic, Christmas Must Be Tonight,” that cranks up the energy and brings home the spirit of season with a well-produced, upbeat, contemporary sound.

Fittingly, the holiday chestnut is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Christmas Must Be Tonight” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 8 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and MixCloud.

“I was discussing The New Bardots looking to do a Christmas song remake with my girlfriend, Vicki, one night over dinner,” co-founding front man Wayne Oliveira said. “Being a longtime personal friend of the guys in The Band — she was one of their guest at ‘The Last Waltz’ — she suggested I listen to Rick Danko doing ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight.’ I had never heard the song before, but after listening, I heard the potential for us to put our spin on it.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



“I brought the song up at our rehearsal that week, and we all decided to do the remake,” Wayne continued. “Considering the recent passing of (song composer) Robbie Robertson, it seemed a fitting thing to do. A week later, we were back in Skylab Studios — our home away from home — and knocked it out in a day.”

The New Bardots — also Gar Francis, guitars and vocals; Dan Skye, bass and vocals; John Croot, keyboards, and Johnnie Rago, drums and percussion — are finishing up the last batch of new tunes for their next LP. Expect an early 2024 release with slew of gigs to follow.

For more about The New Bardots, visit them on Facebook.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected]



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.



Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | COMMUNITY | DANCE | FILM | KIDS | MUSIC | THEATRE

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Steve

Steve Earle Solo Acoustic Fifty Years of Songs and Stories (Laura Cantrell to open)

Saturday, November 08, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
category: music


 

So

So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience starring Robert Neary

Saturday, November 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music


 

The

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD - "La Bohème"

Saturday, November 08, 2025 @ 1:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Raulin

Raulin Rodriguez

Saturday, November 08, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: music


 

James

James Maddock and Band (with special guest Jackson Pines)

Saturday, November 08, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Jersey Shore Arts Center
66 South Main Street, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
category: music


 

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


 


Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





EVENT PREVIEWS