Don Kirshner could smell a hit from a mile away. His music empire created hundreds of hits and provided the soundtrack for much of the ’50s and ’60s. ►
Sugary-sweet songs sank their hooks into music history, thanks to artists like The Archies, The Village People, The Lemon Pipers and The 1910 Fruitgum Company. ►
Despite the floundering economy, it’s still a busy Christmas for new music. Some of these will cheer you up, and others, well, won’t. So without further introduction, and with emphasis on “exclusive” versions, let’s plunge into some of 2008’s holiday releases. ►