By Joe Klein

As mentioned in the previous post, KARMA AUGER, who is the lead singer on Christmas In Malibu, was tracked down by former MTV veejay MARTHA QUINN to be a featured  guest on her “LIKE, TOTALLY AWESOME RAD HOLIDAY SPECIAL” which aired on the XM/Sirius satellite radio this weekend. Karma even opened the show, easily sliding right back into his past role as the definitive 80’s surfer who is “the most rad dude of them all.”

What followed was a short but sweet interview, in which the former RAD DUDE recalled the wild days of the late eighties when the song was first recorded. Mentioning that he was a little embarrassed at first about being on the “corny” record, Karma said that the more he heard the song and saw the video, the more it grew on him over the years. Karma said he now totally digs the song  and its “comedic genius.” The original Rad Dude also joined the growing ranks of those who consider Christmas In Malibu a holiday CLASSIC! At the interview’s end, Martha introduced the first song on the special, one that has become the “theme song every year she’s done her holiday show.”

I do believe that this is the first time Karma has done a media interview about the song since the flurry of media appearances made by The Rad Dudes when the song was first released two decades ago. So big kudos to Martha for a pretty cool music business “scoop” on the song’s twentieth anniversary.

Check out the segment of the show with Martha and Karma on the audio player below!

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO LISTEN NOW!

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***NEWS FLASH!***

Like Martha, I was also successful in locating Rad Dude Karma Auger! We emailed back and forth and, shortly after Martha’s special aired on XM, I called Karma’s cell. He answered and we spoke for about half an hour……the first time we talked in over nineteen years!

After a bit of OMG’s and nostalgic reminiscing, we decided it would be a cool idea to do an interview. Now, who will interview who is up for grabs at this point, but we’ll connect on SKYPE over the next day or two and just record some great musings and memories about the making of the……dare I say it……holiday classic!

Big shoutout to Martha Quinn for being the catalyst that got me and Karma back in touch after way too many years! Stand by for what just could be the coolest unexpected Christmas interview of the year……when Karma and I recall those crazy, hazy days back in 1988 that culminated with Christmas In Malibu! Coming soon to a browser near you, right here on the New Media Creative blog!

***UPDATE 12/22!***

I am happy to report that Karma and I had a great hour long chat last night. Not only did talk about our recollections of all the madness surrounding the making and promoting of Christmas In Malibu, but covered much more ground in what was really a heartfelt and in-depth talk between a coach and his lead player so many years after the big game! The conversation was really much more about Karma than me, and the vibrant musician, artist, husband and father of two was not in any way at a loss for words no matter what it is we spoke about.

Karma, now 38 years old, has been through a lot and I was left with the impression that he has very much enjoyed all he’s done and experienced in all the years since we worked together. It’s also clear that he’s grown and matured as both an artist and person and, through it all, maintained a very close, positive and production relationship with his father, renowned rock, blues and jazz keyboardist, Brian Auger. Listening to Karma, you really do get the feeling that he is living life to the fullest, and his stories, reflections and insights about the last twenty years are about as interesting as it gets. It’s pretty uplifting and inspirational stuff, and I am sure you will enjoy the musings of this experienced and righteous “old dude.”

Currently, there’s a whole lotta’ editing going on and it’s looking like the talk will probably be cooler to put out there in two, or perhaps three, parts. I hope to release the first installment before Christmas, with the remainder shortly therafter. So, as I have so often said, “Stay tuned……and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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