Weekly Playlist: Family Tradition

Family is an important thing during the holidays. Don't get me wrong, they are important the rest of the year as well but you miss 'em being around a little more right now. No matter whether they drive you crazy or not, they are the ones who will be there when things go awry. Since I don't make it back to Maine 'til Christmas every year these are some songs that I associate certain moments I've spent with my family from childhood on up.

Whether it was my Uncle Steve belting out Hank Williams Jr.'s Family Tradition at my cousin's wedding; my Old Man singing Dead Flowers as we trudged north to go ice fishing at camp; my Mama dancng in the kitchen with my younger brother and I as we 'helped cook' dinner to the Dead and Aretha Franklin; or my Uncle Phil playing every single Van Morrison song as he prepared a chocolate peppermint cheesecake that weighed in at 10 lbs, these are the moments I remember.

In my mind they are classics that bring smiles to my face and spark conversations about times from years past. Maybe I'm just an old soul but these are the things I want to remember... 

-Mike Maher