Christmas is about two weeks away, and country singers have been extra busy this year releasing new holiday anthems to be the yuletide soundtrack all Christmas season.
Here are 10 Christmas music projects that range from singles to albums and major label artists to entirely independent.
Videos by American Songwriter
Dan + Shay, It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album
The 21-song two-disc project includes 10 Christmas classics and 11 holiday originals penned by the duo.
“This project has been a decade in the making, and we are so proud of every single note,” the duo said. “We truly leaned into our love for the holiday season and think we found some magic in these songs.”
Songs on the album include “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.”
Little Big Town, The Christmas Record
With the help of producer Dave Cobb, Little Big Town wraps their unparalleled harmonies around 11 Christmas songs on their new – and first – holiday album. The tracks are a mix of originals and holiday favorites that remind listeners that regardless of who takes home the vocal group of the year trophy, Little Big Town is the vocal group of every year.
“Ever since we started as a band, we have dreamed of making a Christmas record,” said the group’s Jimi Westbrook. “We all love the traditions of the season and treasure the memories with our families. For our 25th year together, we finally made that record. We’re so proud of how it came together and hope the fans love it as much as we do.”
Gabby Barrett, Carols and Candlelight
Barrett’s first Christmas album is 11 songs deep and includes duets with Grammy-winning for King + Country, her husband Cade Foehner and The Piano Guys. Her for King + Country collaboration on “Go Tell It On The Mountain” earned a nomination from the Gospel Music Association for Christmas Recorded Song of the Year at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Other songs on the album include “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “The First Noel” and “Last Christmas.”
“With this (album), before I even decided to do the project, I had asked fans on the internet and said, ‘If I do a project like this, what do you want to hear from it?’” Barrett said. “And, so I went in and recorded those. Then, I added a couple of my favorites that I grew up listening to and loving and have memories with my family members, too.”
Michael Buble and Carly Pearce, “Maybe This Christmas”
Buble’s music is nearly synonymous with Christmas. However, the Canadian crooner enlisted country singer Carly Pearce in 2024 for a song he feels is extra special.
“Have you ever written a song and cried like 12 times?” Buble wrote on social media. “Listen, I wrote a Christmas song for people that might not love Christmas because they’re hurting, because they’re vulnerable, because it’s a tough time for a lot of people, and I wanted to write something to give some hope.”
Megan Moroney, Blue Christmas …duh
Produced by Kristian Bush, this three-song set starts with the jaunty “All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy.” Christmas heartbreak follows with “Christmas Morning.” Her cover of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” closes the holiday collection.
MŌRIAH, “Winter Wonderland”
Mexican-American singer/songwriter MŌRIAH released her first country Christmas song, a bilingual version of the holiday classic. Produced by Paul Mabury, the first verse is in English, and the second verse is in Spanish.
“Everyone experiences a winter wonderland’ differently,” MŌRIAH said. “For those of us who grew up in desert landscapes, we might imagine cacti with Christmas lights, ice-skating on the beach, or a warm cup of abuelita’s champurrado surrounded by family. My producer, Paul Mabury, and I kept the sonic landscape as diverse as the view outside our winter windows growing up. Whether you’re unwrapping gifts or tamales at this time of year, this rendition of one of my favorite classic Christmas songs brings many cultures together.”
Riley Green, “Christmas to Me”
This acoustic-driven sentimental ballad evokes images of a downhome Christmas rich with lyrics about cars filling grandma’s yard, last-minute shopping trips, and kids wanting to sit on Grandpa’s lap.
Lee Brice, “Single Bells”
Another song about spending the Christmas holiday alone, “Single Bells” showcases Brice’s soulful voice. And while the title might be a play on words, Brice’s vocal can’t be discounted. It might be one of his best. Written by Matt Alderman and David Tolliver and produced by Brice and Ben Glover, “Single Bells” is out now.
“The holidays are a time for many of us to gather with family and loved ones,” Brice said. “It’s truly one of my favorite times of year. When I heard ‘Single Bells’ for the first time, it really stopped me and made me think of all those folks out there who may not have the big family get-togethers or maybe missing it this year.”
Lady A’s Hillary Scott and Eisele Kaye, “Hard to Wait for Christmas”
Scott and her 11-year-old daughter co-wrote this sweet song with Chris Tyrrell, Scott’s husband. The idea for the song came from a family discussion about the advent calendar and how hard it is to wait for Christmas.
“We hope this song makes families smile and encourages them to laugh and have fun together as they wait patiently (or not!) for Christmas,” Scott said. “My favorite line from the song is about how it feels better to give than to receive, and if we could say anything about the Christmas season, it is that we hope you have a giving heart. That’s what really makes Christmas special – the gift of your time to the people you love and the gift of your generosity to those in need.”
Chris Janson and Alabama, “Christmas in Dixie”
Janson recently remade Alabama’s seminal Christmas song “Christmas in Dixie” with the remaining members of Alabama – Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry.
Janson co-produced the song, and the men recorded “Christmas in Dixie” in Janson’s cabin.
“I called them and said, ‘Would you join me?’ And they said, ‘Yes,’” Janson told American Songwriter. “And I was a little bit blown away. It doesn’t say Chris Janson featuring Alabama — none of that nonsense. It’s Chris Janson and Alabama, ‘Christmas In Dixie,’ which I’m super stoked about.”
(Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
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