Ten Sleepless Knights to continue holiday tradition serenading St. Croix communities

ST. CROIX — Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights will be up and out in the wee morning hours spreading good tidings and joy in St. Croix communities east and west next week.

Now known fondly as TSK, the group has been serenading residents in neighborhoods for nearly 50 years with the sweet sounds of quelbe during the holidays. This year is no different as the iconic scratch band that has had residents literally dancing in their Christmas pajamas at wee morning hours, as their flatbed truck carrying huge speakers slowly makes its way through neighborhood streets will once again partner with WTJX, the local public television station, to present the “Crucian Christmas Foreday Serenade” beginning at midnight on Monday and again on Christmas eve.

The serenade tradition began in the 1970s when Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights carried their instruments and walked from house to house, spreading Christmas cheer with their scratch band music. The tradition continued until 1992 when it was shut down after some grinches complained about the early morning “noise.” Then, 19 years ago, it became an annual tradition for the group to serenade at Christmas with oldtime carols — some set to quelbe melodies — after it was revived when WTJX — under the leadership of Osbert Potter — set out to film a documentary on the group with assistance from then St. Croix Avis owner and publisher Rena Brodhurst.