Christmas/ New Year’s Q&A With Rick Dean Allen

Do you prefer artificial Christmas trees or real trees? Artificial, the wife ain’t into vacuuming pine needles every day.

When do you decorate your Christmas tree? Nowadays it’s the weekend of Thanksgiving.

What is your favorite Christmas song? What makes it your favorite? I’ll be home for Christmas – Chet Atkins/Steve Wariner. I worked swing shift for years and missed a lot of holidays with my wife and kids and my dad/mom/brother. When I’d be on midnight shift I had this song on repeat and know someday I’ll be able to have a normal life and be able to celebrate every holiday with my loved ones.

What is your go-to holiday drink? Egg nog.

What is your favorite Christmas present that you have ever received? My first guitar, I was 11.

What were your Christmas traditions when you were younger? Going to each of my aunts and uncles houses and spending time with my cousins making a racket lol

How have your Christmas celebrations changed since becoming an adult? Now I am a music pastor and youth pastor, so my holidays are super busy planning services and events for church. Other than that it’s spending time with my in laws and my family.

How will Christmas be different at your house this year be different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic? It will honestly be the same.

What is your favorite Christmas memory? The Christmas morning I unwrapped a purple toaster my wife hijacked and wrote on my “Christmas list” to her mom.

How do you spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day? Recovering and planning for the new year.

How do you spend New Year’s Eve? With family and friends.

How will the pandemic impact your celebrations? There will be some folks who won’t be able to make it due to immunity issues.

What do you typically eat on New Year’s Day? Corn beef and cabbage.

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution for 2021? Make myself more visible to the local music community.