My favorite time of year is here…
We’ve “flipped the switch” to Christmas music on my nightly radio program! I’m all about celebrating Christmas the whole year through, but I have to wait for the rest of the world to catch up to my enthusiasm.
To try and narrow my favorites down to a list that would fit on a page or two isn’t remotely possible, but every year there’s a few stand-outs I like to bring your attention to.
Here’s my Christmas Music Musts list!
Add these to your holiday playlist!
LeAnn Rimes: “Greatest Hits Christmas”
LeAnn Rimes had been keeping a Christmas secret… She's just released her fourth holiday album!
"Greatest Hits Christmas", available on CD and vinyl, is comprised of holiday classics like "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" and songs from holiday Hallmark movie soundtracks including, 'Holiday in Your Heart' and 'It's Christmas Eve."
She unwrapped another surprise too... The album will feature three brand new recordings, the single, “All I Want For Christmas Is You" and two duets, one with Luke Evans on 'There's No Such Thing' from the musical '32 Hooves', and one with Gavin DeGraw, on 'Celebrate Me Home.'
Her Greatest Hits Christmas Tour hits 7 cities between December 4th and December 22nd. You’ll will be one lucky little elf if you're able to catch the show!
ADD: “Greatest Hits Christmas” to your collection
Available on CD and vinyl LP
Natalie Grant: “Christmas”
If you want to feel better about the world, spend a minute or two with Natalie Grant.
Her new holiday album, simply titled “Christmas” features 10 tracks to fill you with the Christmas Spirit.
The spine-tingling“Go Tell It On The Mountain”, and “Silent Night” ft. Mercy Me’s Bart Millard are favorites, as is the lead single, “Christmas Looks Good On You”, a delightful ode to her hubby, who gets a little Scroogiee when it’s time to put up the tree.
If you get the opportunity, go see Natalie when her Celebrate Christmas Tour visits your home town - or one nearby!
It will be a beautiful night to remember!
“Christmas” is available now
VISIT: NatalieGrant.com
Sia: “Everyday Is Christmas ~ Deluxe”
While the 9-time Grammy® nominated pop legend, Sia’s, “Everyday is Christmas, ~ Deluxe Version” isn’t a new release, the original holiday album has been added to and now features 20 songs including the viral sensation “Snowman”: with over 1.25 BILLION streams on Spotify!
All tracks are originals, and because Christmas music is only played for a few short weeks a year, they are still as fresh as the boughs of holly you’ll be decking your halls with this year!
Kick up your holiday playlist with “Santa’s Coming For Us,” “Candy Cane Lane” ,“3 Minutes ‘Til New Years” and every one of the 20 terrific twinkling tracks!
ORDER: the full original album, “Everyday Is Christmas”
Train:“Christmas In Tahoe”
If you don’t have this album in your Christmas music collection, you’ve been missing out!
Not to worry though, this year you can pick it up in translucent green vinyl and be the talk of the ugly sweater party crowd!
Taking its title from the Hallmark movie of the same name, Train's Christmas in Tahoe is about saving a Christmas show at a family hotel. Frontman Pat Monahan plays Jackson, the concierge and the best friend of the main character, Claire. It’s delightful and one you should add to your holiday watch list!
But back to the album… packed with 17 tracks of old and new, all with the signature Train sound, Christmas in Tahoe delivers the goods! Do I have a favorite? Of course I do! Their original Shake Up Christmas gets me on the right track every time!
ORDER: “Christmas In Tahoe”
Green Vinyl Edition
Bob Seger: “Ultimate Hits”
Bob Seger’s version of “Little Drummer Boy” is a favorite of mine!
During a career spanning more than 50 years, Bob Seger has crafted an impressive body of instantly familiar tunes that capture the spirit of America’s heartland.
The GRAMMY Award-winning rocker has sold over 53 million albums and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His best selling Ultimate Hits collection is packed with 26 fan favorites including “Night Moves,” “Turn the Page,” “Still The Same,” “Old Time Rock And Roll,” “Against The Wind,” and “We’ve Got Tonight,” and features his timeless rendition of the Christmas classic, “Little Drummer Boy.”
PICK UP: Ultimate Hits
for King & Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE)
for KING + COUNTRY drums in the 2025 holiday season with A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE: The Cinematic Concert Edition.
This live rendering of their beloved Christmas show captures the joy, the wonder and the pageantry of the seasonal tour that’s become an annual tradition for the duo capped by their signature rendition of “Little Drummer Boy.”
Don’t let another Christmas pass by without “A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE)” in your holiday music collection!
Pa rum pa pum pum!
The Smallbone brothers will bring their talents to the stage December 2 through December 19, playing 4 nights in a row at The Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Don’t miss the chance to experience the power of this performance!
ORDER: “A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE)”
GET TICKETS TO: A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour
Elton John: “Step Into Christmas”
Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas” has become a timeless and enduring holiday classic, adding a touch of musical magic to holiday celebrations worldwide.
Originally released as a stand-alone single in 1973, with “Ho, Ho, Ho (Who’d Be a Turkey at Christmas)” on the B-side, the track was intended as an audible holiday card for his fans following the monumental release of his chart-topping, record-breaking album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
The catchy tune, recorded on a Sunday and released less than a week later, was Elton’s first single aside from “Rock And Roll Madonna” in 1970. It peaked on the UK Singles Chart at No. 24 upon release; it reached a new peak at No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart 46 years later in 2019, and certified double platinum in 2021. In the US, the single hit the top of the Billboard Christmas Singles Chart in 1973, and it was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2021.
“Step Into Christmas” has become an essential part of the Christmas music canon, and its cheerful and festive spirit continues to delight audiences during the holiday season. This year, you can get “Step Into Christmas” on evergreen colored 7 inch vinyl!
ORDER: “Step Into Christmas”
Lady A: “On This Winter’s Night ~ Volume Two”
Grammy-winning trio Lady A just released their first full holiday album in over a decade.
The cozy mix of 11 sparkling singalongs, instant-favorite originals, modern-take classics and timeless tradition are all packaged in warm harmony in “On This Winter’s Night Volume Two”.
It features stirring collaborations with friends like Ricky Skaggs on“Why We Sing Noel”, Chris Tomlin lends his voice on “Silent Night,” and the trio’s take on “O Holy Night” rings in hallowed harmony.
Lady A will also share Christmas magic with their first-ever holiday tour. This Winter’s Night Tour kicks off December 5th in Atlanta delivering 12 festive nights of music and magic across the US, with a special three-night run at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium, December 21, 22 & 23.
VISIT: Lady A
for tour and music information
Straight No Chaser: “Holiday Road”
My guys have done it again! Walt, Jerome, Michael, Seggie and the gang have recorded another astounding holiday album, aptly named, “Holiday Road”.
My a cappella pals have been recording all summer long and are now delivering the goods. "Holiday Road" includes 14 masterpieces including “Christmas is Different,” ft. 5x Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling, Hunter Hayes.
The 9-member group, originally formed in the early 90’s at Indiana University, have taken a cappella to heights never imagined.
Their viral favorite, “12 Days of Christmas” propelled them to universal stardom and now they sprinkle their magic across the cosmos with brand new arrangements coming faster than you can say, “five golden rings”!
They're rollin' across the US sharing all the new music and all the old favorites on their “Holiday Road Tour,” Hit the "Holiday Road" with SNC! Check their website for tour and ticket information: SNC Music