Christmas Is Coming: From Reba & Loretta to Garth & Trisha, Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s 10 New Holiday Albums

Christmas Is Coming: From Reba & Loretta to Garth & Trisha, Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s 10 New Holiday Albums

Posted on November 9, 2016

We hope you’ve been good boys and girls this year, because you’re going to need an extra-big stocking to fit all 10 of the new holiday albums from your favorite country artists.

You can buy all 10 (that’s what we recommend), or you can use our guide to help you pick out the perfect holiday album to complement your yuletide tastes.

Reba McEntire

Reba-McEntire-album-My-Kind-of-Christmas-Cracker-Barrel-2016Album: My Kind of Christmas
Release Date: Sept. 2
What You Need to Know: This is Reba’s first holiday album in 17 years and features her vocals with simple piano accompaniment by Catherine Marx—no bells and whistles, unless you count the “Jingle” in tracks 7 and 10.
Track Listing

  1. “Winter Wonderland”
  2. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)”
  3. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
  4. “Holy Night”
  5. “Hard Candy Christmas”
  6. “Come All Ye Faithful”
  7. “Jingle Bell Rock”
  8. “Silent Night”
  9. “White Christmas”
  10. “Jingle Bells”
  11. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

Loretta Lynn

Loretta-Lynn-album-White-Christmas-Blue-2016Album: White Christmas Blue
Release Date: Oct. 7
What You Need to Know: Recorded at Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tenn., White Christmas Blue has a little something for everyone: soulful interpretations of traditional carols like “Away in the Manger” and “Silent Night,” pop standards such as “Frosty the Snowman” and her recital of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” is the perfect bedtime story for the kiddies.
Track Listing

  1. “White Christmas Blue”
  2. “Country Christmas”
  3. “Winter Wonderland”
  4. “Away in a Manger”
  5. “Blue Christmas”
  6. “To Heck With Ole Santa Claus”
  7. “Frosty the Snowman”
  8. “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful”
  9. “Jingle Bells”
  10. “White Christmas”
  11. “Silent Night”
  12. “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Chris Young

Chris-Young-album-It-Must-Be-Christmas-2016Album: It Must Be Christmas
Release Date: Oct. 14
What You Need to Know: If you’re looking for added star power, It Must Be Christmas features Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and Boyz II Men, but Chris’ velvety vocals are smooth enough without any help on tunes like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Track Listing

  1. “The Christmas Song”
  2. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
  3. “Under the Weather”
  4. “There’s a New Kid in Town” (feat. Alan Jackson)
  5. “Holly Jolly Christmas”
  6. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
  7. “The First Noel” (feat. Brad Paisley)”
  8. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas””
  9. “Silent Night” (feat. Boyz II Men)
  10. “It Must Be Christmas”

Rascal Flatts

Rascal-Flatts-album-The-Greatest-Gift-of-All-2016Album: The Greatest Gift of All
Release Date: Oct. 21
What You Need to Know: The guys from Rascal Flatts put their own non-traditional spin on 10 festive fan-favorites, including a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas.”
Track Listing

  1. “Joy to the World”
  2. “O Holy Night”
  3. “Deck the Halls”
  4. “A Strange Way to Save the World”
  5. “Go Tell It On the Mountain”
  6. “Let It Snow”
  7. “Silent Night”
  8. “Someday at Christmas”
  9. “The First Noel”
  10. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Exile

Exile-album-Wrapped-Up-In-Your-Arms-for-Christmas-2016Album: Wrapped Up in Your Arms for Christmas
Release Date: Oct. 21
What You Need to Know: After 50 years together, Exile has uncorked some Christmas cheer for the first time on tunes like the self-penned title track and classics such as “Silent Night” and “Little Drummer Boy” that seamlessly meld the sounds of country, soul and gospel.
Track Listing

  1. “Run Rudolph Run”
  2. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
  3. “Little Drummer Boy”
  4. “Merry Christmas From Cancun”
  5. “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy”
  6. “O Holy Night”
  7. “Wrapped Up in Your Arms for Christ”
  8. “Go Where I Send Thee”
  9. “Silent Night”

Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer-Nettles-album-To-Celebrate-Christmas-2016Album: To Celebrate Christmas
Release Date: Oct. 28
What You Need to Know: Jennifer’s country twang and vibrant energy (seriously, look at the album art) will spice up your holiday season with traditional standards like “The First Noel” and “O Holy Night,” and the cross-genre cameos from Andra Day and Idina Menzel give the album a little extra pop.
Track Listing

  1. “Go Tell It On the Mountain”
  2. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (featuring Andra Day)
  3. “Little Drummer Boy” (featuring Idina Menzel)
  4. “Celebrate Me Home”
  5. “Circle of Love”
  6. “Do You Hear What I Hear”
  7. “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep”
  8. “O Holy Night”
  9. “Merry Christmas With Love”
  10. “The First Noel”

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey-Musgraves-album-A-Very-Kacey-Christmas-2016Album: A Very Kacey Christmas
Release Date: Oct. 28
What You Need to Know: With “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” Kacey’s whimsical throwback record is the perfect holiday soundtrack for your Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.
Track Listing

  1. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
  2. “Let It Snow” (feat. The Quebe Sisters)”
  3. “Christmas Don’t Be Late”
  4. “A Willie Nice Christmas” (feat. Willie Nelson and Trigger)
  5. “Feliz Navidad”
  6. “Christmas Makes Me Cry”
  7. “Present Without a Bow” (feat. Leon Bridges)
  8. “Mele Kalikimaka” (feat. The Quebe Sisters)
  9. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”
  10. “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”
  11. “”Ribbons and Bows”
  12. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”

Brett Eldredge

Brett-Eldredge-album-Glow-Christmas-Albums-2016Album: Glow
Release Date: Oct. 28
What You Need to Know: Recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City, you can hear the big-city soul and swing as Brett croons like his heroes Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra on classic songs such as “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland.”
Track Listing

  1. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
  2. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (feat. Meghan Trainor)
  3. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
  4. “The Christmas Song”
  5. “Glow”
  6. “White Christmas”
  7. “Winter Wonderland”
  8. “Merry Little Christmas”
  9. “Silent Night”
  10. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
  11. “First Noel”

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

Garth-Brooks-Trisha-Yearwood-album-Christmas-Together-2016Album: Christmas Together
Release Date: Nov. 11
What You Need to Know: This duets album is the fitting soundtrack to listen to while decorating the tree with your significant other. In Garth’s own words: “The Queen [Trisha] is unbelievable—when you’re the weak link in the chain, that’s a pretty cool thing. The Queen just owns this thing.”
Track Listing

  1. “I’m Beginning to See the Light”
  2. “Ugly Christmas Sweater”
  3. “Santa Baby”
  4. “Feliz Navidad”
  5. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”
  6. “Marshmallow World”
  7. “Merry Christmas Means I Love You”
  8. “Hard Candy Christmas””
  9. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
  10. “The Man with the Bag”
  11. “What I’m Thankful For (The Thanksgiving Song)” with James Taylor

Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers

The-Gatlin-Brothers-album-We-Say-Merry-Christmas-2016Album: We Say Merry Christmas
Release Date: Nov. 25
What You Need to Know: The Gatlins have teamed up for the biggest album of the holiday season—a two-disc, 19-song offering that features the brothers’ sweet harmonies on standards like “What Child Is This” and “Silent Night” as well as original tunes penned by Larry.
Track Listing

  1. “Joy to the World”
  2. “O Holy Night”
  3. “Winter Wonderland”
  4. “Carol of the Bells”
  5. “What Child Is This”
  6. “Heaven’s Child”
  7. “Silver Bells”
  8. “White Christmas the Christmas Song” (Medley)
  9. “No Star Tonight in Bethlehem”
  10. “All We Like Sheep”
  11. “Mary Did You Know”
  12. “Christmas Medley” (with The Lennon Sisters)”
  13. “Silent Night”
  14. “I Have Seen the LightChristmas All Year ’Round”
  15. “Alleluia”
Margo Price’s “Hands of Time” Music Video Is a Love Letter to Aledo, Illinois

Margo Price’s “Hands of Time” Music Video Is a Love Letter to Aledo, Illinois

Posted on November 9, 2016

Margo Price seemed to have come out of nowhere earlier this year with her fully formed retro-sounding album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter. Released on March 25 by Third Man Records—rocker Jack White’s label—the album reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and is highly regarded by music critics and fans of a more traditional country sound.

Throughout the year, Margo could be seen performing on the The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon and other late night TV shows, including Saturday Night Live. In September, Margo was named the New/Emerging Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Awards. The week after that she performed “Two More Bottles of Wine” with the legendary Emmylou Harris as well as her own set at Skyville Live. In October, she was included in CMT’s 2016 Next Women of Country—a campaign to bring awareness to inspiring female vocalists in country music.

Margo Price performs with Emmylou Harris at Skyville Live
Margo Price performs with Emmylou Harris at Skyville Live

To create her latest music video for “Hands of Time,” Margo went back to Aledo, Ill., the Midwest town where she went to high school. Some folks might think Aledo meets the criteria for being considered “nowhere,”  but this very personal video suggests it is a special somewhere for Margo and her family.

According to Margo, the music video was shot “entirely on 16 millimeter film.” The use of a film camera certainly explains why the whole thing looks like a long-lost documentary from the ’70s or ’80s, with fuzzy footage of Margo, her husband and son around town, at a rodeo, a carnival and out amidst livestock and farmland in the Illinois countryside.

The picturesque rural and small town scenes—combined with the film grain and hand-held camera movement employed throughout the video—manage to avoid seeming like a gimmick. In fact, it looks and feels very authentic and crafted, much like Margo’s music. Check it out.

https://youtu.be/Ev4eFLpWFBk

Skyville Live photo by Jason Simanek

Child Missing in Oak Ridge

Child Missing in Oak Ridge

Posted on November 8, 2016

missing-oak-ridge

Oak Ridge police are searching for a missing child. Officials say an 11-year-old boy was last seen on West Outer Drive near Whipperwill. They don’t reveal the child’s name, but they did release this photo and description of the child. He has brown hair and glasses and was last seen wearing a black jacket, red shoes and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to contact Oak Ridge police.

You can reach them at (865) 425-4399 (or 911 for Emergencies). You can also text in a tip. Text TIP ORPD followed by your message, to 888777

It’s Election Day: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Craig Morgan and More Vote to Make Their Voices Heard

It’s Election Day: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Craig Morgan and More Vote to Make Their Voices Heard

Posted on November 8, 2016

Happy Election Day (Nov. 8)—the day when all of our fellow countrymen and women have the opportunity to let their voices be heard to help decide who becomes the next leader of the free world.

This is the day when we the people are on equal footing with our celebrity friends as we all get the very same privilege—the right to one vote! Country stars did their part today and headed to the polls. Don’t forget to do your part. Get out and vote, too!

Check out the country folks who shared their experience.

Got it done! #vote

A photo posted by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) on Nov 8, 2016 at 12:04pm PST

God Bless America 🇺🇸

A photo posted by Hillary Scott (@hillaryscottla) on Nov 8, 2016 at 6:25am PST

2016 CMA Awards Show Has Worst Ratings Since 2010—Let’s Blame Beyoncé (That’s a Joke)

2016 CMA Awards Show Has Worst Ratings Since 2010—Let’s Blame Beyoncé (That’s a Joke)

Posted on November 8, 2016

It may have been the golden anniversary of the CMA Awards Show on Nov. 2, but the number of viewers tuning in (12.5 million) was the lowest total since 2010 (11.7 million). Not even an all-star lineup of performances from George Strait, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Beyoncé, the Dixie Chicks and more could compete with Game 7 of the World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians that tallied more than 40 million viewers.

The good news: ABC’s telecast of the CMA Awards was the highest rated non-sports program of the night, crushing the competition in Survivor (6.9 million) and Code Black (4.5 million). So they got that going for them, which is nice.

Have a look at the CMA Awards Show ratings over the last seven years, courtesy of Nielsen.

 Year Number of Homes Number of Viewers
2016 not available yet 12,495,000
2015 9,492,000 13,620,000
2014 11,394,000 16,249,000
2013 11,977,000 16,762,000
2012 9,716,000 13,682,000
2011 11,364,000 16,390,000
2010 7,820,000 11,719,000

photo by Jason Simanek

Garth Brooks Thanks Fans for His Record Fifth Entertainer of the Year Award

Garth Brooks Thanks Fans for His Record Fifth Entertainer of the Year Award

Posted on November 8, 2016

“The CMA Entertainer of the Year is . . . Garth Brooks.” Those were the words heard around the country-loving world during the 50th annual CMA Awards held last week (Nov. 2) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

For the fifth time—the first in 18 years—Garth heard his name called when Taylor Swift opened the envelope and announced the winner. Garth previously won the award in 1991, 1992, 1997 and 1998. This win gives Garth the record for being the only artist to win Entertainer of the Year five times, breaking the tie of four wins he previously held with Kenny Chesney.

On Monday (Nov. 7), the reigning Entertainer of the Year took to his Facebook page for the latest episode of Inside Studio G to thank fans for their support of his career.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you very much,” Garth says in his video. “We haven’t slept much since then. It was a great night, kind of still celebrating. We were lucky enough to get it on the 25th anniversary to start and lucky enough to get it on the 50th. Thank you for this.”

Garth went on to talk about his favorite moments from the CMAs, his mentorship coming up on The Voice, and answers questions from fans.

You can see all of Inside Studio G below.

Despite Going 0 for 7 in Grammy, ACM & CMA Award Nominations in 2016, Keith Urban Is Having the Best Year of His Career

Despite Going 0 for 7 in Grammy, ACM & CMA Award Nominations in 2016, Keith Urban Is Having the Best Year of His Career

Posted on November 8, 2016

“It’s an honor just to be nominated.”

That could be Keith Urban’s mantra after going 0 for 7 in major award nominations in 2016. While Keith crushed it on the charts and is in the midst of a monster headlining tour, it did not translate into any hardware at the Big Three—Grammys, ACMs, CMAs—unless you count his Mae Boren Axton Award for longstanding dedication and service to the ACMs.

Just how fruitful has Keith’s 2016 been on the charts? I’m glad you asked.

  • March 5: No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay single, “Break on Me”
  • May 28 & June 4: No. 1 Billboard Top Country Album, Ripcord 
  • July 9 & 16: No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay single, “Wasted Time”
  • October 8 & 15: No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Song, “Forever Country” (1 of 30 artists featured)
  • Currently: No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Song, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”

Never before has Keith, who turned 49 in October, had so much chart success in a single calendar year. In his 20-plus-year career, Keith has accomplished the feat of a Billboard No. 1 album and two or more Billboard No. 1 singles in the same year on three occasions.

  • 2004: album – Be Here; singles –  “You’ll Think of Me” and “Days Go By”
  • 2009: album – Defying Gravity; singles – “Start a Band” (with Brad Paisley), “Sweet Thing” and “Only You Can Love Me This Way”
  • 2013: album – Fuse; singles – “Little Bit of Everything” and “We Were Us”

The good news? A lot of the aforementioned success that Keith has had on the charts in 2016 will most likely translate into nominations when the 2017 awards season gets underway, so maybe there is some new hardware in his future.

Now, take a look at the seven nominations in 2016 in which Keith was bested by his competition.

2016 Grammy Awards

Best Country Solo Performance

“Traveller,” Chris Stapleton — WINNER
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” Keith Urban
“Burning House,” Cam
“Little Toy Guns,” Carrie Underwood
“Chances Are,” Lee Ann Womack

2016 ACM Awards

Song of the Year

“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton — WINNER
“Raise ’Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
“Burning House,” Cam
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“She Don’t Love You,” Eric Paslay

Vocal Event of the Year

“Smokin’ and Drinkin’,” Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town — WINNER
“Raise ’Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
“Hangover Tonight,” Gary Allan feat. Chris Stapleton
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild
“Wild Child,” Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter

2016 CMA Awards

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks — WINNER
Keith Urban
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year

Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church — WINNER
Ripcord, Keith Urban
Hero, Maren Morris
Storyteller, Carrie Underwood
Black, Dierks Bentley

Male Vocalist of the Year

Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Keith Urban
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Dierks Bentley

Musical Event of the Year

“Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King — WINNER
“The Fighter,” Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild
“Think of You,” Chris Young with Cassadee Pope
“You Are My Sunshine,” Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton

photo by Michael Becker/FOX

Jana Kramer Dances Her Way to Two Perfect Scores on “Dancing With the Stars”

Jana Kramer Dances Her Way to Two Perfect Scores on “Dancing With the Stars”

Posted on November 8, 2016

It was Showstoppers Night last night (Nov. 7) on Dancing With the Stars as the six remaining contestants performed two showstopping dances—one from a Broadway musical and one in a team-up challenge.

Jana and her partner Gleb Savchenko, who was hurt during rehearsals but made it for the main performance, danced the waltz to the song “She Used to Be Mine” from the musical Waitress.

“My darling, keep up that kind of service, you’re going to get huge tips,” Bruno said of the waltz. “I can see a promotion coming. What you said through your body was so clear, so focused, you two were partnering each other like a dream. It was like watching a movie, it was fantastic.”

Jana received her second perfect score of the season for the waltz. The couple received a 10 from each of the judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, guest judge Idina Menzel, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Check out her waltz below.

But it was the team-up challenge that excited Jana the most. The “I Got the Boy” singer was paired with her good friend and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez for a team dance.

“It’s team sisters, we were like sisters since the day we met,” said Laurie before hitting the dance floor for their showstopping contemporary routine to Sia’s “Bird Set Free.”

“I love that you guys took a completely different approach,” said judge Julianne Hough. “This was much more emotional and raw. I want to commend you because you guys are both very different dancers and so I think you got to be able to learn from each other and push yourself in another way. I thought it was amazing.”

For the second time during the night, Jana—this time with her friend, Laurie—received a perfect 40 out of 40, ensuring her a spot in next week’s show.

At the end of the night, Marilu Henner was eliminated from the competition, leaving Jana as one of the five remaining contestants. Congrats to Jana for making it this far.

You can watch Jana’s team-up dance with Laurie Hernandez below.

Darius Rucker Joins MGC Sports Agency as a Partner; Plans to Reduce Tour Dates

Darius Rucker Joins MGC Sports Agency as a Partner; Plans to Reduce Tour Dates

Posted on November 8, 2016

From the Cincinnati Reds to the Miami Dolphins to the Dallas Mavericks, Darius Rucker is an avid sports fan who can be found watching any and all sports on his 150-inch television in his man cave in South Carolina when he’s not on tour or playing golf.

According to a report by ESPN, the super fan is now in the game . . . as a partner at MGC Sports, which represents golfers, football players and coaches.

“If I didn’t see Jay Z crushing it in the business [Roc Nation Sports] like he is, I probably wouldn’t have done it,” Darius said to ESPN. “But I think I have a lot to offer.”

Darius, who recently concluded his Good for Good Time Tour, was interested in a new challenge while looking to reduce his annual tour dates.

“The sports agent business is definitely a cutthroat business,” Darius said. “I think I have a lot to offer, coming from my upbringing to where I got to. We’re not going to be that firm that offers $100,000 marketing guarantees as loans, but I think we’re going to get the right kids.”

Currently, MGC Sports represents golfers Ben Crane, Troy Merritt, Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry, among others.

“I’m going to be really involved,” said Darius. “I will be one phone call away if a client needs some advice or needs me to be at their game.”

Sounds like Darius may need two 150-inch televisions in his man cave to keep up with the clients in his new venture.

photo by Jason Kempin/ACM2015/Getty Images

Craig Morgan Personally Thanks Everyone For Support After Loss of His Son

Craig Morgan Personally Thanks Everyone For Support After Loss of His Son

Posted on November 7, 2016

It’s been four months since Craig Morgan tragically lost his son, Jerry Greer, in a boating accident on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee.

The singer and his family have been mourning the loss of Jerry and asked for privacy during this difficult time. On Friday (Nov. 3) Craig emerged with a Facebook Live post thanking all the people who have been so supportive of him and his family.

“It’s been a while since I’ve talked to anybody,” Craig begins the video. “As everyone knows we had a tragic loss, here recently, of our son. And I wanted to personally get on here and tell all of you thank you so much for your kind words and your support. It’s been amazing. The fans—we’ve gotten letters and emails and Facebook posts and all kinds of stuff, so we want to say thank you. This is from my family.

“My son, Jerry, was a most amazing young man,” Craig adds. “His spirit and his attitude and his love continues on through all of us. And I don’t just mean me and my family— I mean my crew, my friends, his friends and it’s an amazing story. We continue to cherish that in the time we had with him. And I want to share that with you all.”

You can check out Craig’s full video below.

Donations to the Jerry Greer Memorial Scholarship may be made by dropping off or mailing a check to: TriStar Bank, Attn: Ann Petty, 719 East College Street, Dickson, TN 37055

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