The Caroleers

The Caroleers, often referred to as the Caroleer Singers and Orchestra, were North American recording artists known for their children's music, particularly in the genres of holiday and traditional songs. Their recordings were widely distributed on budget labels such as Peter Pan Records, Rocking Horse, Diplomat, Varsity, and Tinkerbell Records, among others. These labels were associated with the Synthetic Plastics Company of Newark, New Jersey. The Caroleers' music spanned several decades, from the late 1940s through the 1970s, and was frequently repackaged and sold in various formats, including 78rpm, 45rpm, and 33 1/3 LPs. Their repertoire included popular holiday tracks like "Frosty the Snowman," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." The group's personnel were not consistently documented, but some notable performers associated with their recordings include Dick Edwards, Suzy Williams, and Frankie Starr.

The Caroleers' music was marketed primarily towards children and was often sold in discount stores. Despite the lack of detailed credits on many of their releases, their recordings remain popular for their nostalgic value and are still accessible today through online platforms. One of their tracks, "Santa's Birthday," was even sampled by the Fugees in their 1992 album "Blunted on Reality." The Caroleers' style and sound evolved over the years, with later albums featuring more cohesive performances, such as the 1970 release "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," which included original material sung by Toby Deane and Ray Dorey.