It has become an annual Christmas tradition: on the final Late Show of the year, Jay Thomas visits David Letterman to tell the story of how he drove Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger). Then they throw footballs at a meatball on top of the Late Show Christmas tree, and the show wraps up with Darlene Love singing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)".

I enjoy David Letterman, but I don't watch The Late Show as often as I should. I am usually watching The Colbert Report. I do make a point to see the last show of the year. The Jay Thomas story still makes me laugh, and Darlene Love continues to bring a tear to my eye.

In April, David Letterman announced that he will be retiring from The Late Show in 2015 (coincidentally, Stephen Colbert will take over as host of The Late Show). That means the last show of the year this year will be the final time we see the Jay Thomas / Darlene Love showcase.

According to an article in Billboard, Darlene Love probably won't perform "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" on another show. But Love did talk to CBS Orchestra leader Paul Shaffer about getting together once a year to do a huge Christmas show somewhere in New York. I'll bet that will be a hot ticket!

While we wait for the final show to air later this month, check out this video I stumbled upon. It is a mash up of several Darlene Love performances over the years.

It'll bring a tear to your eye.

Update: The final Late Show with David Letterman episode for 2014 is Friday the 19th, 10:35pm on CBS.

More From KICK FM, #1 For New Country