Dan Hicks may be one of the wittiest musicians around, and when he sashays on stage backed by his effervescent Hot Licks, old-timers detect the raucous spirit of Spike Jones and the City Slickers. Just in time for the holidays, the two-time cover personality of Rolling Stone magazine and composer of “I Scare Myself” and “How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?” invades the Barns of Wolf Trap with “Crazy For Christmas.”

“We’re ready for the good times with a bunch of songs from our latest recording and some older favorites that people always like to hear,” he said. “I don’t make the claim that I’m a comedian, but I love to surprise the audience. I keep it light, the way people like it, and nothing makes me happier than when they come up afterwards and say they haven’t laughed so much.”