Kentucky
‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’ is a Kentucky Creation
Kentucky has produced some of the most well-known songs in the English language. The Happy Birthday song was created at the Little Loom House on South Louisville’s Kenwood Hill in 1893. There’s another ubiquitous tune echoed throughout the holiday season that got its start in Kentucky.
“You’d better watch out. You’d better not cry. You’d better not pout, I’m telling you why.”
Those words have been sung by Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra, and that’s just a short list of artists who have covered the Christmas classic. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town was originally composed by Haven Gillespie, a Covington, Kentucky native.
The song became a hit in 1933. Even though it’s a cheerful song, it comes from a place of pain, a similar refrain for the most talented songwriters.
“He was beset by personal tragedy, as his younger brother had recently passed away, when a New York contact asked him to write a holiday song,” Andrew Patrick wrote for the Kentucky Historical Society.
“The resulting hit drew on his childhood memories of his mother warning him and his brother to be sure to wash behind their ears, or Santa would take notice. He spun the somewhat bittersweet memory of his childhood Christmases into the jaunty tune that has become a staple of our holiday music.”
The song first hit the public conscience in 1934. Comedian Eddie Cantor sang it during a live radio broadcast during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, just as Santa Claus entered the department store. Within 24 hours, 100,000 copies of the sheet music were sold. Before Christmas, 300,000 people had purchased the sheet music, making it the most popular song in America. You can hear the first recording of the song below, by Tom Stacks and Harry Reser. Perry Como and Bing Crosby kept the song popular in the 1940s, and its legacy was cemented by the Jackson 5 in the 1970s.
The song’s success isn’t what’s most remarkable. Santa Claus was obviously not created by Gillespie, but his lyrics added to the lore. The chorus became instructive, teaching children that Santa is always watching, so you’d better be on your best behavior to ensure a happy Christmas morning.
The success of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town brought Gillespie fame and fortune. The Tin Pan Alley icon produced more hits, but none of this magnitude. In 1961, a Courier-Journal reporter asked the 73-year-old what he thought whenever the tune was played during the holiday season.
“It’s sort of like a crazy man hitting himself on the head with a hammer–it’s awful good when it stops,” said Gillespie, “but the royalties are so nice.”
Gillespie passed away in 1975 at age 87.
Christmas songs fill the air every December, but few have more of an indelible impact than the one composed by a Kentucky native nearly 100 years ago. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.
Sign up for the KSR Newsletter to get breaking news and daily headlines delivered directly to your inbox.
Kentucky
Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for June 25, 2026
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Kentucky
Takeaways from Kentucky’s home and away SEC schedule for next season
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and YouTube for the latest news.
Follow
Kentucky
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky? See laws ahead of Fourth of July
Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
-
News38 seconds ago“It’s blood money”: Family of exonerated man in Texas yogurt shop murders speaks out after settlement
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoWoman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoWhere to watch Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers: TV channel, start time, streaming for June 26
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours ago
I own a Turkish Restaurant in San Francisco. Turkey’s World Cup match here has changed my business.
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoAustralia advances at World Cup, how to buy Australia soccer tickets
-
Miami, FL2 hours ago2 detained after police pursuit ends with bailout, neighborhood search in NW Miami-Dade – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoDelta flight returns to Logan after smoke scare in cockpit – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoPat Surtain II Gets More Bad News Amid Broncos’ Uncertainty