Dan + Shay

There’s an abundance of Christmas music coming out of Nashville this year.

Dolly, Vince & Amy and Brett Eldredge have updated and/or expanded versions of their classic holiday collections. Monument and Pinecastle have both released all-star compilations of their rosters’ offerings. Starship rocker Mickey Thomas came to Music City to record a Christmas album. Home Free, Alicia Witt and Cat Cohen also have new collections.

Leading the way this year is Dan + Shay, whose jumbo Christmas portion is the Disc of the Day. Give Chapel Hart special recognition for the sweetest new Christmas tune.

Since November 1st, I have received 78 Christmas singles from Nashville artists. We’d be here for a week if I checked them all. Just so you know, there are four new versions of “O Holy Night,” three new renditions of “Christmas In Dixie,” and three Spanish-language holiday treats. The most intriguing new titles seem to be “All I Want for Christmas Is an Open Bar” by Drew Green, “Naughty List” by Trace Adkins, “Santa You Can Skip Our House” by Jessica Lynn and “Layaway Mama” by Adam Chaffins and “Single Bells” by Lee Brice.

Happy holidays.

MASON RAMSEY / “Silent Night”
Author: Franz Xaver Gruber/Joseph Mohr; Producer: Dan Fernandez; Label: Atlantic Records
– The 11-year-old who made himself famous by yodeling at Walmart is now a mature singer with a smooth baritone delivery. His reverent rendition of this beautiful ballad has just the right tempo. It’s from his debut holiday EP, Merry Christmas, baby.

GABBY BARRETT / “The First Noel”
Author: public domain; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The American Idol Alumna released her first Christmas album, Christmas carols and candlelight. It’s a mix of traditional melodies, classic pop compositions and a few new pieces. Accompanied by piano, acoustic guitar and strings, she performs this old British Christmas song with breakneck sincerity. It’s become something of a holiday favorite for her – four years ago she performed a live version of it on a CMA Christmas television special.

LITTLE BIG TOWN / “Merry Little Christmas”
Writer: Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane; Producers: Small big city, Wayne Kirkpatrick; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– This quartet with the golden voice has its first Christmas LP this year with the apt title The Christmas record. And I mean “LP”: you can buy it on vinyl. Karen’s lead vocal on this sweet classic has a radiant sound. Kimberly joins in on the soprano harmony, followed by Jimi and Philip to create a beautiful, muted, layered sound. The word is beautiful. The song was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1943 film Meet me in St. Louis.

KEVIN JONAS SR. / “Ready Set Glow”
Authors: Amy Strupp/Bob DiPiero/David Kalmusky/Kevin Jonas Sr; Producer: David Kalmusky; Label: Red Van Records
– This light-hearted toe-tapper is from his holiday EP, Joy for the world. He is sometimes referred to as “Papa Jonas” and is accompanied here by “Mama” Denise Jonas. Her world-famous sons must be proud, especially since Nick was apparently the inspiration for the recording.

DAN + SHAY / “Officially Christmas”
Authors: Dan Smyers/Dave Barnes/Jordan Reynolds/Nicolle Galyon; Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Shay Mooney’s tenor voice was born for this season. It sounds like a warm wool sweater on a cold night. Dan Smyers’ production sparkles with festive cheer. This is the rousing theme tune to a fabulous double album of Christmas music. Since this year, this duo has become the owner of the holiday.

AUTHENTIC UNLIMITED / “The Christmas season is here”
Authors: Lee Mendelson/Vincent Guaraldi; Producer: Authentic Unlimited; Label: Billy Blue Records
– These guys have the bluegrass Christmas album to get. Authentic Unlimited is the IBMA Vocal Group of the Year this year, and this is a great way to see why. Her playing and singing on this delicate, jazzy minor ballad are flawlessly perfect.

CHAPEL HART / “Come on, Santa Claus”
Authors: Chapel Hart/Dan Needham/Tre Corley; Producers: Chapel Hart, Dan Needham, Tre Corley; Label: Origins/Hitmaker Music Group
– Christmas of the Hartfelt family is this trio’s debut holiday album. Featured guests include Vince Gill, Rissi Palmer, The Isaacs, Darius Rucker, T. Graham Brown, Jason Crabb and Gretchen Wilson. On the opening single, the three girls go it alone, complete with sleigh bells, glockenspiel, a solid rhythm section, and an upbeat “girl group” vibe. Keep rocking, ladies.

SCOTTY McCREERY / “Feel Like The Holidays”
Authors: Bobby Hamrick/Derek George/Frank Rogers/Jeremy Bussey/Monty Criswell; Producers: Aaron Eshuis, Derek Wells, Frank Rogers; Tag: Triple Tigers
– McCreery puts a gentle twist on this jazzy, upbeat ditty in his best pop-baritone mode.

BEN FOLDS & LINDSEY KRAFT / “We Could Have This”
Authors: Ben Folds/Lindsey Kraft; Producer: Ben Folds; Label: New West Records
– Sleigh driver is the acclaimed pop singer-songwriter’s first Christmas album. He originally thought he would do cover songs, but aside from “The Christmas Song,” the collection is mostly originals. He is accompanied by his co-author Lindsey Kraft in this delicately complicated, lively piece. Very successful and highly recommended.

THE MILK CARTON KIDS / “Merry Little Christmas”
Authors: Hugh Martin/Ralph Blaine; Producer: The Milk Carton Kids; Label: Far Cry Records
– This star Americana duo’s seasonal album is titled Christmas in a minor key. Her gentle, austere arrangement of this classic is wistful and gentle. The same goes for the rest of the 10-song collection.

Robert K. Oermann is a long-time MusicRow employee. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.

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