The Heartbreaking True Story Behind Your Favorite Christmas "Underdog"

We play all the holiday classics here at Shuffle 92.9, but have you ever wondered how the most famous reindeer of all actually came to be?

It wasn't a centuries-old legend or a folk tale from the North Pole. Rudolph was actually born right here in the Midwest, in the heart of an advertising office during the Great Depression.

A Story of Resilience In 1939, a copywriter named Robert L. May was working for the Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago. The company wanted a free book to give away to shoppers, and they tasked May with creating it.

While we know Rudolph as a hero today, his creator was going through a period of deep personal tragedy. While May was writing the poem about a reindeer who felt like an outcast, his own wife was losing her battle with cancer. Despite his grief and the mounting medical bills, May pushed through, drawing inspiration from his own childhood experiences of being "small and shy" to create the ultimate underdog story.

From the Page to the Airwaves Rudolph didn't become a household name overnight. It took a few extra steps to turn that department store giveaway into the legend we play on Shuffle 92.9 today:

• The Name Game: Before settling on "Rudolph," May considered names like Rollo, Reginald, and even Romeo!

• The Song: It wasn't until ten years later, in 1949, that May's brother-in-law (Johnny Marks) wrote the song. It was famously recorded by Gene Autry and became a massive hit.

• A Rare Win: In a surprising move, Montgomery Ward actually gave the copyright back to Robert L. May in 1947, ensuring his family could benefit from the character he created during his hardest year.

Keep the Holiday Spirit Shuffling! Next time you hear that famous intro on 92.9, remember that Rudolph isn't just a song about a shiny nose—it’s a reminder that even when things feel a little "foggy," there’s always a way to lead the sleigh.

What’s your favorite version of Rudolph? Tell us on our Facebook page and keep it locked to Shuffle 92.9 for all your Christmas favorites!