Remembering “The Voice of the Hudson Valley’s” Christmas Classic [VIDEO]

The Family of Van Ritshie announced this week that "The Voice of the Hudson Valley" has passed away after a brief illness surrounded by family. Van was in the radio/voice over business for over 50 years. He received a congressional Medal of honor for doing such.

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Remembering Van Ritshie, The Voice of the Hudson Valley

Van Ritshie was a radio host and voice over artist that worked in the field for over 50 years. According to his LinkedIn, Ritshie was a radio DJ for the Q92.1 Morning Show from 1989 - 2004, WGNY-Fox Oldies from 2009 - 2017 and later for The WALL Radio starting in 2017. He was also the Image Voice for The PGA Tour from 2005 - 2008, and served as President and CEO of Digital Media Productions from 2008 - 2009. Connections on LinkedIn had a lot of great things to say about Ritshie:

• "Van has an uncanny ear for music and a voice like pure velvet..." - Ric Aliberte
• "He is truly the best of old school broadcasting..." - Ron Carson

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Van also was the voice of LIRR, MTA, Disney ride Earthquake, and many other commercials that were and still heard over the radio and television sound waves. Ritshie mentored many up-and-coming DJ's in the Hudson Valley, taught singing lessons, and performed for weddings and events all around the area. Not to mention, he loved giving back to the community by hosting many charity events for various causes and hosted ski trips through the radio station to local ski resorts.

"Christmas in Poughkeepsie" by Van Ritshie Should Be a Christmas Classic

I'm sure there will probably a slew of tributes to Van Risthie in the coming days, but since the Christmas season is right around the corner (to some of you, it's already here), I figured I share this incredible Christmas holiday tune, "Christmas in Poughkeepsie!"

Let me tell you, this video is so sweet and wholesome. It's definitely a little cheesy and corny, and you have to love the 80s/90s VHS video quality, but it all adds to the magic. The song is well produced and Van Ritshie's vocals are superb. This song, especially as Ritshie sings, "And if you haven't got the spirit of the year, then I invite you to spend it right here!" reminds of me of classics like "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" in the style of Andy Williams. Ritshie's smooth baritone voice is perfect to carry this holiday tune, and it'll have you humming "Christmas in Poughkeepsie" all night.

The video offers a special thanks to Frank Dwyer, the Executive Director of the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie at the time. The band behind the song consisted of Johnny Dell, Van Ritshie, Matt Jordan, Mike Del Vecchio and Geri Del Vecchio. As stated in the credits of the video, the benefits from the song were to go to The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie. If you look through the credits of sponsors, you'll find a number of familiar names like Adams, Central Hudson, Marshall & Sterling, Ship Lantern Inn, Vincitore Pianos and Organs and many more!

A friend of mine said that her husband has the song on a record. While talking with other coworkers here at the Townsquare studios, I found out that one of them has the song on cassette! You can enjoy the Poughkeepsie-based holiday song below, and be sure to share it with all your loved ones!