At the turn of the century, the only way to experience music was through live performances. During the Christmas season, music was particularly cherished and could be heard in churches, carolers singing in the streets, and family members joining in Christmas songs at home. Then in 1901, Eldridge Johnson, the founder of The Victor Talking Machine Company, developed and perfected the Victrola phonograph player.

Suddenly, for $200, wealthy people were able to buy a machine that allowed them to play quality music in the home! In 1929 RCA purchased The Victor Talking Machine Company. Santa's little friend, Ruddie, is imitating, the famous RCA dog, Nipper. Nipper is perhaps one of the best-known and most loved advertising trademark. Nipper, a mutt, part bull terrier with a trace of fox terrier, started life in Bristol, England in 1884. When his master died, he became the pet of brothers, Mark and Francis Barraud.

Nipper would listen attentively to the old phonograph recordings at Francis Barraud¹s photographic studio. One day it occurred to Barraud that the dog might be waiting to hear his former master¹s voice. This inspired him to paint the 1895 oil of Nipper and the gramophone, which is entitled appropriately "His Master's Voice." Gene Autry, The Singing Cowboy, wrote and recorded "Here Comes Santa Claus" in 1947, and it became an immediate hit with the American public.

In 1998 it was voted one of the top holiday songs of the twentieth century. No doubt Nipper loves it, too. Santa pauses in his busy schedule to play a few old Christmas favorites on the antique Victrola. His dog, Ruddie, joins him while Tigger, the cat, plays with Christmas ornaments. Musical toys abound in Santa¹s sack, and a little mouse taps on a drum at Santa¹s feet. Everyone is partaking in the holiday music!