
Nashville Music Guide’s 2017 Christmas Round-Up
From tours and events to albums and singles, we took the time to create out favorite Sounds of the Season and bring to you our list of Christmas must-sees, dos, and hears. Holiday’s are a time for family, friends and cheer, music is a vital part of this and uplifts spirits and hearts of all those that hear it. Hopefully, this puts a lit pep on your holiday step!
Kenny G’s The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour 2017
One of the world’s most revered saxophonists will be making Yuletide bright this holiday season, as multi-million selling instrumentalist Kenny G announces The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour 2017. On this highly-anticipated holiday tour, Kenny G will perform some of his greatest hits, including songs from his 1994 smash album Miracles: The Holiday Album, which ranks as one of the most successful holiday albums ever – with over eight million copies sold.
“Performing the classic holiday songs is such a pleasure for me and the band,” said Kenny. “I’m asked year round to play songs from my Miracles Holiday album and even in July we sometimes throw in a classic holiday song. We can’t wait to get on the road in November to bring the sound of the holiday season to our wonderful fans. We hope everyone will come out and join us to celebrate.”
It’s been 25 years since Kenny G, the most celebrated instrumental musician, debuted the Grammy Award-winning album Breathless, selling over 12 million copies in the United States alone. The saxophonist is the biggest-selling musician of the modern Jazz era, with worldwide sales of more than seventy-five million records.
Dating back to his self-titled debut album in 1982, he has released eighteen studio albums – the most recent being 2015’s Brazilian Nights, which topped the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. He has charted twenty-two albums (including Holiday albums and Greatest Hits collaborations) on the Billboard 200 – including seven in the Top 10.
Dates:
Dec. 03 Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Kellie Pickler & Phil Vassar’s A Christmas Tour

Dates:
Nov. 24 Wheeling, WV The Capitol Theatre
Nov. 25 Van Wert, OH Niswonger PAC
Nov. 30 Waukegan, IL The Genesee Theater
Dec. 1 Milwaukee, WI Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Dec. 7 St. Charles, MO The Family Arena
Dec. 8 Madisonville, KY The Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
Dec. 9 El Dorado, AR Griffin Music Hall
Dec. 10 State University, AR Fowler Center @ AR State Univ.
Dec. 14 Hamlet, NC Cole Auditorium & Community Center
Dec. 15 North Canton, OH Canton Palace Theatre
Dec. 16 Rising Sun, IN Rising Star Casino Resort
Dec. 20 New Brunswick, NJ State Theatre
Dec. 23 Charlottesville, VA The Paramount Theater
For more information and tickets: www.philvassar.com and www.kelliepickler.com.
LeAnn Rimes’ Today is Christmas 2017 Tour

Dates:
12/3 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
12/4 Naples, FL Artis-Naples
12/8 The Villages, FL Sharon L. Morse PAC
12/9 Oxford, AL Oxford PAC
12/10 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
12/12 Fayetteville, AR Walton Arts Center
12/14 Lake Jackson, TX Clarion at Brazosport College
12/15 Tulsa, OK Paradise Cove at River Spirit
12/16 Emporia, KS Emporia Granada Theatre
12/18 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
12/19 Salt Lake City, UT Abravanel Hall
12/20 Aspen, CO Belly Up Aspen
Home Free’s 2017 A Country Christmas Tour

Dates:
For more information on Home Free, visit www.homefreemusic.com.
Martina McBride’s The Joy of Christmas Tour
Break out the Christmas lights and hang your stockings because Grammy Award® nominated country superstar, Martina McBride is hitting the road on her holiday-themed tour called, The Joy of Christmas. Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday, August 25th. The Joy Of Christmas’ is a magical show full of beautiful scenery and classic beloved Christmas music as well as a few hits from my career. It’s a show for the whole family,” said McBride. “With this tour, we create a sort of Christmas winter wonderland.”
Dates:
11.24 | Biloxi, MS | Beau RivageTheatre
11.25 | Lake Charles, LA | L’Auberge Casino
11.26 | Fort Smith, AR | First National Bank of Fort Smith Exhibit Hall
11.29 | Troy, OH | Hobart Arena
11.30 | Paducah, KY | Carson Center
12.1 | Dubuque, IA | Five Flags Center
12.2 | Manhattan, KS | McCain Auditorium
12.7 | Wabash, IN | Honeywell Center
12.8 | Charles Town, WV | Hollywood Casino
12.9 | Charles Town, WV | Hollywood Casino
12.14 | Champaign, IL | The Virginia Theatre
12.15 | Harris, MI | Island Resort and Casino
12.16 | Harris, MI | Island Resort and Casino
12.20 | Norfolk, VA | Chrysler Hall Theatre
12.21 | Red Bank, NJ | Count Basie Theatre
12.22 | Roanoke, VA | Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
For more information on tickets and Martina McBride, visit www.martinamcbride.com.
A Pentatonix’s Christmas Tour, Deluxe Holiday Album, and NBC Special
Three-time Grammy® Award-winning and multiplatinum-selling artists Pentatonix have announced A Pentatonix Christmas Tour. The concerts will be the group’s first to feature songs from their 3 hugely successful holiday albums. To coincide with the tour, Pentatonix has also announced a deluxe version of 2016’s platinum-selling & chart-topping album – A Pentatonix Christmas. Additionally, Pentatonix has announced that they will return to NBC with a brand new holiday special featuring live performances from the group and so much more. Last year’s “A Pentatonix Christmas Special” drew more than 10 million viewers across two airings on the network. An airdate for the special will be announced at a later date.
Dates:
12/03/17 – The Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL
12/04/17 – The Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL
12/05/17 – The Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL
12/07/17 – Tower Theater – Upper Darby, PA
12/09/17 – Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
12/12/17 – Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA
12/13/17 – Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA
12/14/17 – Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA
12/17/17 – The Anthem – Washington, DC
12/19/17 – The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
12/20/17 – The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
12/21/17 – The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
For more information visit: http://ptxofficial.com/
The Wizards of Winter’s Holiday Tour and The Christmas Dream Album

Dates:
Balsam Range’s Bluegrass Album It’s Christmas Time
World-renowned Bluegrass quintet, Balsam Range delivers an orchestrated holiday EP of contemporary and traditional tunes. It’s Christmas Time features this award-winning band with the guest talents of the Nashville Recording Orchestra.
This is the group’s first Christmas project, and the result is unexpected, magical, exciting, reflective and genuine. Perhaps the most unexpected marriage of ‘grass and gloss, the orchestra mirrors the band throughout, and then takes exceptional solos, adding an immediate vibrancy to a well-loved classic.
For more information visit: www.balsamrange.com
Reba McEntire Hosts 8th Annual “CMA Country Christmas” Along with Release of My Kind of Christmas Album
Iconic entertainer Reba McEntire will debut as host for the eighth annual “CMA Country Christmas” event from Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House on Monday, Nov. 27, 8/7C. The two-hour holiday music celebration that airs on the ABC Television Network will feature performances by McEntire and a lineup of today’s best in Country sharing their favorite sounds of the season. Leading into the holiday season, McEntire released My Kind of Christmas on Nash Icon Records.
“Christmas is such a special time. It reminds me of growing up in Oklahoma and singing carols with my family,” said McEntire. “I’m just tickled to join a group of some of my best Country buddies onstage to celebrate the holiday season. This is where my love of music began.”
For more information visit: www.CMAChristmas.com and www.Reba.com
Holidays Rule Vol. 2, Offers a Fresh Take on the Holidays
Holidays Rule Volume 2 lets today’s artists put their own mark on tradition by offering wonderfully fresh takes on holiday chestnuts old and new (Barns Courtney and Lennon Stellaremake “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”; Judah & The Lion reinvents “The Christmas Song”; Albin Lee Meldau delivers a soulful version of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”), reframing songs for the holiday season (The Dec.ists cover Big Star’s “Jesus Christ”; Norah Jones covers Horace Silver’s “Peace”; MUNA covers McCartney’s “Pipes of Peace”), unearthing rarities (Kandace Springs delivers a glistening new version of “(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag”; Rosanne Cash dusts off Louis Jordan’s “May Ev’ry Day Be Christmas”; Lake Street Dive offers up the cheeky novelty song “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas”), and contributing new songs to the seasonal repertoire (Grace Potter‘s original song “Christmas Moon”).
Dylan Scott’s First Holiday EP, Merry Christmas
Featuring brand new renditions of five traditional Christmas songs, the EP is a classic throwback brought to life by Scott’s warm and expressive baritone vocal. And with a track list that includes “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “The Christmas Song,” “White Christmas,” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” the singer-songwriter says MERRY CHRISTMAS is filled with his own happy memories.
“Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I am really excited about the release of my first Christmas EP,” shared Scott. “I grew up listening to the holiday classics and to be able to record and perform some of these songs is a dream come true.”
For more information visit: http://www.dylanscottcountry.com/
Sara Evans’ Brings Back Her At Christmas Tour
Dates:
Dec. 1 | Lincoln City, OR | Chinook Winds Casino
Dec. 2 | Lincoln City, OR | Chinook Winds Casino
Dec. 7 | Stroudsburg, PA | Sherman Theatre
Dec. 8 | Northfield, OH | Hard Rock Casino
Dec. 9 | Shipshewana, IN | Blue Gate Theater
Dec. 14 | Des Moines, IA | Hoyt Sherman Place
Dec. 15 | Norfolk, NE | Divots Event Center
Dec. 16 | Mayetta, KS | Prairie Band Casino & Resort
For more information: www.saraevans.com
Alabama’s American Christmas Album
Country music’s best-selling band of all time, ALABAMA, is ringing in the holiday season early with the release of AMERICAN CHRISTMAS, out today on BMG.
Marking the supergroup’s first newly recorded Christmas album in 21 years, AMERICAN CHRISTMAS features a collection of holiday favorites including “Away In A Manger,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “Silent Night,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bells,” as well as four new songs contributed by the band. The record also includes an updated version of ALABAMA’s holiday classic “Christmas In Dixie,” which celebrates its 35th Anniversary this year.
Get AMERICAN CHRISTMAS at Cracker Barrel or your favorite retailer: https://alabama.lnk.to/americanchristmas
The Oak Ridge Boys Celebrate Christmas
Celebrate Christmas from Gaither Music Group, available at the 600+ locations of Cracker Barrel® Old Country Store. No stranger to Yuletide musical offerings over their career – this being their seventh, the disc features many timeless holiday classics such as “Away In A Manger” and “Joy To The World,” with a few new songs thrown in for good measure. New songs include the breathtaking “Come To The Manger” and the endearing “Rest In You Tonight.”
Longtime tenor singer Joe Bonsall says that finding the right mix of the past and the present is a must. “First of all, we have to find songs we’ve never recorded before and that’s always challenging. Because we’ve done so many Christmas albums over the years, there aren’t a lot of classics left. Duane (Allen) works hard to find songs, whether it’s for a regular project, a Gospel project or a Christmas project. We try to mix it up, and that’s always been our goal.”
For more information: www.oakridgeboys.com
Cassandra Kubinski Brings the Holiday Magic
Cassandra Kubinski has created the new soundtrack for your holidays, with songs you love, and brand new holiday originals.
Featuring a unique new mashup of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas/ Homeward Bound”, and a duet with R&B/pop artist Matt Cusson on the classic “Sleigh Ride”, as well as three original soon-to-be-classics.
Produced by Grammy-nominated Chris Sclafani. They’re excited to bring the magic to you for your tree-trimming, office-partying, nights by the fire, cookie baking, ice skating, and most importantly- good times with family and friends this Holiday season.
For more information: www.CassandraKubinski.com
Brian Setzer Brings the 14th Annual Christmas Rocks Tour to Nashville
The 14th annual BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA “Christmas Rocks!” Tour–presented for the second consecutive year by SiriusXM–will kick off November 10 and stop in over 34 cities nationwide this holiday season, including NASHVILLE on SUNDAY, Dec.EMBER 3 at the RYMAN AUDITORIUM. Tickets for the annual holiday extravaganza are on sale now.
The iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy-Award winner BRIAN SETZER and his 19-piece THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA will perform music off of their latest Christmas album, ROCKIN’ RUDOLPH, plus music off their three previous best-selling holiday albums and original material from BRIAN SETZER.
For the past two years (2015 and 2016), THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA has had a strong presence on SiriusXM during the holidays. They performed exclusive invitation-only concerts for SiriusXM listeners in New York City which aired on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country and Holly channels, a tradition that will continue this year (date and location TBA).
For more information: http://www.briansetzer.com/
Lucas Hoge’s Christmas is Here
Lucas Hoge ‘s brand-new Christmas album, Christmas Is Here, available NOW. This new album includes Christmas classics such as “White Christmas and “Silent Night” alongside four all-new songs, “Christmas Is Here,” “Ho Ho Home For The Holidays,” “Without Christ In Christmas” and “Baby’s Got A Present,” which were co-written by Hoge.
“I have so many happy memories set to some of the Christmas songs I included on the album. It was a blast recording those and I also got to write and record some really fun new songs that hopefully people will be able to make their own memories to,” said Hoge.
For more information: www.LucasHoge.com
Nora Collins’ It Must Be Christmas Album
Light as a snowflake and sweet as a sugar cookie, Nora Collins’voice is a perfect fit for the holidays on her new EP, It Must Be Christmas, available at all online retailers now.
“I love Christmas,” Collins enthused. “It’s my favorite time of the year and holiday music has always been a big part of all our family celebrations. So, recording this EP felt very natural – even when I was singing about snow and it was 90 degrees outside.”
The EP, which is produced by MV2 Entertainment General Manager Tony Harrell, features contemporary and holiday classics such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Last Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Darling,” and “Silent Night” along with two songs that were co-written by Collins, “Christmas Kiss” and the title cut, which captures the heart of the holidays.
For more information: www.noracollins.com
Grammy Nominated Artists Release “Christmas Where You Are” on Jim Brickman’s A Joyful Christmas
Grammy-nominated artist’s John Ondrasik aka Five For Fighting and Jim Brickman have a special collaboration to send a message of thanks, love, and support to the troops this holiday season with the song, “Christmas Where You Are.”
The song is available for purchase on all digital platforms including iTunes as well as Jim Brickman’s album, A Joyful Christmas.
A percentage of the proceeds of the song will go to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities as well as What Kind Of World Do You Want, an initiative Ondrasik created which raised more than $250,000 for five designated charities — Augie’s Quest, Autism Speaks, Fisher House Foundation, Save the Children and Operation Homefront.
For more information: http://www.fiveforfighting.com/
Christmas with Kory Caudill & Friends Album & Tour
The 11-song collection includes timeless standards and the stirring new lullaby “Sleepy Little Baby Boy.” Produced by Caudill and Jamie Tate, the new album will be available on Rukkus Room Records.
“When Jamie, myself and the band set out to make a Christmas record, we knew there were several routes we could take in terms of our approach,” said Caudill. “Ultimately, we wanted to make a Christmas record that allowed folks to feel the same enthusiasm about the season when they listen to it as we felt when we recorded the album.”
Dates:
Nov. 24 First Christian Church, Elizabethtown, KY
Nov. 25 Live at the Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, OH
Nov. 26 Mountain Arts Center, Prestonsburg, KY
For more information: https://korycaudill.com
Have Christmas with Herrick
in Nashville
In support of the festive record, HERRICK will appear and perform at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville (entertainment stage by Aquarium). Mark Your calendar and enjoy a show filled with live Christmas music from the new album, buy their copy and spend a
Christmas with Herrick.
HERRICK LIVE CHRISTMAS SHOW
*Opry Mills Mall 433 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
12/2 4:00PM
12/9 5:00PM
12/16 5:00PM
For more information: www.HerrickLive.com
Have Yourself A MARi Little Christmas
Powerhouse vocalist MARi brings her own unique style to the holiday season with her new EP, Have Yourself a MARi Little Christmas, available wherever digital music is sold on November 10th. Produced by David Mullen, Gregatron and Paul David, the bi-lingual 5-song EP features a fresh take on MARis favorite Christmas classics.
Her music has that seasoning too, which is why MARi is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most groundbreaking and authentic new artists in the Christian, Gospel and Latin music genres today.
On November 23rd, MARi will be performing in the Dunkin Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA, followed by an appearance in the Nashville Christmas Parade in downtown Nashville, TN on Dec.ember 2nd.
For more information: http://mariburelle.com
1st Annual Carols by Candlelight Nashville
Little River Band is proud to announce a partnership with Foster care organization Monroe Harding. LRB and friends, special guests Sixwire, Stranger Friends (John Martin & Jamie Floyd,) and Andrea Zonn are lending their musical talents to present a holiday concert on Tuesday, Dec.ember 12, 2017 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Tickets for this benefit show can be purchased directly from the Marathon Music Works website. Tickets range from $15-$75.
Known for iconic hits like “Cool Change,” “Reminiscing,” “Lonesome Loser,” The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy On Me,” “Help Is on Its Way,” Happy Anniversary,” “We Two,” “Man On Your Mind,” “The Other Guy,” and “It’s A Long Way There,” LRB is also known for their caring hearts and giving back when and wherever they can.
Little River Band has hosted Carols by Candlelight concerts in numerous cities for more than a Dec.ade. This particular event is being dubbed the 1st Annual Carols by Candlelight – Nashville, as it is the first time the band will bring the event to Music City. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Monroe Harding and their services for children and youth in foster care.
For more information: https://www.marathonmusicworks.com/event/1569012-little-river-band-nashville/
“A Nashville Christmas”
Popular country artists Wynonna, Emmylou Harris, Lorrie Morgan, and Pam Tillis come together for A Nashville Christmas, getTV’s first-ever original production, airing Thursday, Dec.ember 7th at 8/7 CT
An homage to the classic variety shows getTV viewers love, this concert special features the music legends performing traditional carols, pop standards, and songs of the season. Wynonna demonstrates her soulful stylings on “O Holy Night” and “Let’s Make A Baby King.” Living legend Harris delights with “The First Noel,” “Coat Of Many Colors” and “Light Of The Stable,” a song she first recorded in 1975. Grammy-winner Tillis rocks out with “Santa Claus Baby” and duets with gospel singer Ashley Cleveland on the powerful “Take A Walk Through Bethlehem.” Hitmaker Lorrie Morgan offers a jazzy interpretation of “The Christmas Song.” And bluegrass ensemble Dailey & Vincent harmonizes on “Silent Night” and “That Spirit of Christmas.”
But the highpoint of the evening is Wynonna’s first-ever duet with Harris on the hymn “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Emmylou was “one of my first heroes,” Wynonna says in her emotional introduction. Have some tissues handy.
All Strung Out Like Christmas Lights
Nashville’s Boo Ray is kicking off the Holiday Season with the release of “All Strung Out Like Christmas Lights,” a duet with Elizabeth Cook. This is the first in a series of vinyl duet releases Boo Ray is putting out through his partnership with Kindercore Vinyl.
Ray is a long time fan and admirer of Cook’s so the song had to be just right. “Elizabeth is inspiring, entertaining, self-effacing and clever as hell,” says Ray. “That Texas shuffle is a cool vehicle for the kind of good-natured cuttin’ up and carrying on that Elizabeth and I have in common.”
To celebrate the Holiday vinyl release Ray will be supporting Stoney Larue at 3rd and Lindsley Saturday, November 18th.
Have a Barnyard Christmas with David Frizzell
“The greatest story ever told…the birth of Christ as told by the animals that were there. What a blessing for me to create these amazing animated characters as they tell of their participation in the birth of Christ and the wonderfully talented artist, graphic designers, musicians, singers, studio engineers and co-producer who help bring the whole project to life. From my heart to yours!!! ”…. David Frizzell
Producers: Harrison Tyner & David Frizzell Engineers: Tom Pick & Steve Chandler Arranger: Harold Bradley Recorded at Hilltop Recording Studios in Madison, TN and vocals, mixing and mastering at Frizzell Studio
Musicians: Eric DiNenna (drums), Darran Smith (guitar), John Marcus (bass) Perley Curtis (steel/dobro), Hargus “Pig” Robbins (piano), David Hoffner-(electric piano), Jimmy Capps (guitar), Harold Bradley (guitar
All 10 songs written and recorded by David Frizzell with Special guest’s Allen Frizzell (Pete & Repete) and The Martin Family Circus (Bethlehem & We Were There)
For more information: www.DavidFrizzell.com
Santa’s Gone Country with Rae Mattei
TrendyGirl Records flagship artist, Re Mattei, paints an alternative contemporary picture of “the man in red.” Moving away from the traditional character as we’ve come to know and love “St. Nick,” the singer/songwriter tells the tale of the jolly ole’ soul who trades his famed stocking cap for a red cowboy hat and a guitar in her new holiday track titled “Santa’s Gone Country.” Long inspired by traditional country music legends, Mattei offers a nod to country music notables throughout the light-hearted, festive tune with shout-outs to Hank Williams, George Jones and the infamous Grand Ole Opry.
The holiday release coincides with Mattei’s early welcome and momentum at country radio. Re Mattei celebrated the release of her new single (“Bump Bump Bump”) in September as an introduction to her forthcoming CD (BELIEVIN’ IS SEEIN’) due in early spring 2018.
For more information: http://remattei.com/
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