December 10, 2007
A list of all the latest Christmas CDs released in 2007
by the CountryMusicOnline.net staff
The end of the year is nearing once again… Stores are displaying their Christmas aisles and Christmas trees and lights are going up on houses everywhere. The true meaning of Christmas is revealed once again – the birth of Jesus Christ. So, as your family gathers for the holiday, remember the true meaning of Christmas. With all that Christmas cheer spreading around, you'll also find a stack of new Christmas CDs – waiting to help you ring in your New Year. Below is a list of some of the Christmas CDs that were recently released by artists in country music. Enjoy your upcoming holidays!
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON, THE TAYLOR SWIFT HOLIDAY COLLECTIONRelease date: October 14, 2007, Exclusively at Target, $6.99The most highly anticipated Christmas CD for the majority of young country music fans for 2007 is probably Taylor Swift’s holiday collection – brought to the fans exclusively by Target as part of the NBC Sounds of The Season. Swift has been doing everything right from the time she stepped into the spotlight. The popularity that she has attained doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon either. Sounds Of The Season, The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection features 2 originals – "Christmases When You Were Mine" and "Christmas Must Be Something More" along with 4 covers. Once again, Taylor went into the studio with Nathan Chapman to record thisproject. Their collaborating in the studio seems to be working magic for them, and again Taylor gives the fans her unique sense of style with songs for the upcoming holiday.The full track listing is shown below… For more information on the CD, visit your local TARGET stores, or visit their official website at: www.target.com
Track listing:
1. Last Christmas
2. Christmases When You Were Mine (Lyrics)
3. Santa Baby
4. Silent Night
5. Christmas Must Be Something More (Lyrics)
6. White Christmas
MINDY SMITH – MY HOLIDAYRelease date: October 9, 2007Mindy Smith released her first Christmas CD, My Holiday, from Vanguard Records on October9th. The album features six originals, plus classics like “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Away In A Manger.” Alison Krauss steps in to sing harmony on “Away In A Manger” – and their voices match beautifully. Mindy co-wrote two of the originals with countrystar Chely Wright. Wright also wrote "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)" which appears on this record plus she sings harmony on "Follow The Shepherd Home." Mindy also collaborates with another fellow folk/country artist, Thad Cockrell on “I Know The Reason” which they co-wrote together. Mindy gets the full song credit for writing the title track “My Holiday” along with “Come Around” which rounds out the CD. If you're a fan of Mindy's previous songs, you'll enjoy this CD.The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Mindy, visit her official website at: www.mindysmith.net. My Holiday is available for $12.88 at Wal-Mart. Visit: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7779550
Track listing:
1. My Holiday
2. The Christmas Song
3. Santa Will Find You
4. Follow The Shepherd Home
5. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
6. Away in A Manger
7. I Know The Reason
8. Silver Bells
9. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
10. It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)
11. Come Around
HEAR SOMETHING COUNTRY – CHRISTMAS 2007Release date: October 2, 2007A big lineup from the SONY BMG Music group roster can be found singing their Christmas favorites this year on one CD compilation. The Hear Something Country Christmas 2007 CD features most of the established artists from their label group including Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Brooks & Dunn and others. Plus, theCD showcases their newer artists like Kellie Pickler, Keith Anderson and Blaine Larsen. Some are original recordings, while others are found on the artists’ own Christmas CDs. HearSomething Country Christmas is a great CD if you’re looking for a variety of artists and Christmassongs on one CD.The full track listing is shown below… For more information on the Hear Something Country projects, visit the official website at: www.hearsomethingcountry.com. Hear Something Country Christmas is available for $14.88 at Wal-Mart. Visit: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7695742
Track Listing:
1. Do You Hear What I Hear – Carrie Underwood
2. Winter Wonderland – Brad Paisley
3. Let It Be Christmas – Alan Jackson
4. Jingle Bells – Kenny Chesney
5. Santa Baby – Kellie Pickler
6. Away In A Manger – Blaine Larsen
7. Please Come Home For Christmas – Keith Anderson
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem – Terri Clark
9. Merry Christmas From The Family – Montgomery Gentry
10. Let’s Make A Little Christmas Tonight – Phil Vassar
11. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Sara Evans
12. Santa Claus In Comin’ To Town – Brooks & Dunn
13. O Come All Ye Faithful – Martina McBride
14. Silent Night – Johnny Cash
MARTINA McBRIDE – WHITE CHRISTMAS (re-release)Release date: October 2, 2007Martina re-released her “White Christmas” album on October 2. Even though the album is a re-release, “White Christmas” does feature 3 previously unreleased songs that Martina produced for this album. The unreleased tracks include: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Jingle Bells.” The album also includes the Dean Martin duet – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” along with several classics. (“O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Away In A Manger,” “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “What Child Is This,” and “O Holy Night” and many others) Whether you’re a longtime fan of Martina's music or you’re just looking for a Christmas CD with a lot of the classics, this CD would be the perfect addition to any collection. The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Martina McBride, visit her official website at: www.martinamcbride.com. White Christmas is available for $14.88 at Wal-Mart. Visit:
Track Listing:
1. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
3. Silver Bells
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (*previously unreleased)
5. Do You Hear What I Hear
6. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
7. Winter Wonderland (*previously unreleased)
8. O Come All Ye Faithful
9. Away In A Manger
10. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (with Dean Martin)
11. Jingle Bells (*previously unreleased)
12. White Christmas
13. Silent Night
14. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
15. What Child Is This
16. O Holy Night
A DIAMOND RIO CHRISTMAS – THE STAR STILL SHINESRelease date: October 9, 2007 RANDY TRAVIS SONGS OF THE SEASONRelease date: September 25, 2007Diamond Rio found a new label this year after they split with BNA Records in Nashville. Their new home, Word Records, is also the same label that houses Randy Travis. Both Diamond Rio and Randy Travis released their Christmas CDs to stores recently. A Diamond Rio Christmas – The Star Still Shines is the first album from Diamond Rio on the label. Randy Travis has already released a few popular albums and singles from Word Records including his hit single “Three Wooden Crosses.” Diamond Rio and Randy Travis have always leaned towards faith-based songs with positive messages on a lot of their country music singles, so they seem comfortable singing Christmas tunes. Diamond Rio sings the classic favorites “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” but they also include an original (“The Star Still Shines”) and an instrumental song (“Christmas Is Coming”) from Charlie Brown Christmas. The members of Diamond Rio are excellent musicians – and their tight harmonies shine through on this album.The full track listings are shown below… For more information on Diamond Rio, visit their official website at: www.diamondrio.com – and for more information on Randy Travis, visit: www.randytravis.com. The Star Still Shines is available for $14.88 at Wal-Mart. Visit: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7768499. Songs Of The Season is available for $14.88 at Wal-Mart. Visit:
Diamond Rio – Track Listing:
1. The Star Still Shines
2. Winter Wonderland
3. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
4. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
6. Sleigh Ride
7. Christmas Time Is Here
8. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
9. Christmas Times A Comin’
10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
12. Christmas Is Coming – (Instrumental From Charlie Brown Christmas)
Randy Travis – Track Listing:1. (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas3. O Holy Night4. Go Tell It On The Mountain5. Labor Of Love6. Angels We Have Heard On High7. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow8. Away In A Manger9. O Little Town Of Bethlehem10. Nothin's Gonna Bring Me Down (At Christmas Time)11. The First Noel12. Joy To The World13. Our King TRACY LAWRENCE – ALL WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMASRelease date: October 23, 2007, Exclusively at Wal-Mart, $9.72Tracy Lawrence released his first Christmas CD in his career on October 23, 2007, exclusively atWal-Mart. Tracy has been in the music industry for more than 16 years, but this is his first attempt at a holiday album. And, there is no better time for this album, than after all of the success with “For The Love” – the first (and successful) album released from his own label – Rocky Comfort Records. The album includes the smash hit (and winner of the CMA award forcollaboration of the year) “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” – a #1 for Tracy and the first on his new label. All Wrapped Up In Christmas includes many Christmas favorites including "HaveYourself A Merry Little Christmas," and "Frosty The Snowman" among others.The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Tracy Lawrence, visit his official website at: www.tracylawrence.musiccitynetworks.com. All Wrapped Up In Christmas is available for $9.72 at Wal-Mart. Visit: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7789302
Track Listing:
1. All Wrapped Up In Christmas
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
5. Here Comes Santa Claus
6. Something In The Air
7. White Christmas
8. The Christmas Song
9. Cold Beer
10. Frosty The Snowman
TOBY KEITH – A CLASSIC CHRISTMASRelease date: October 16, 2007You can pick up Toby Keith's A Classic Christmas exclusive CD set at Wal-Mart online now. The set includes a bonus MP3 download of “Little Drummer Boy” which Toby had performed during his Wal-Mart Soundcheck show. Toby delivers his version of his favorite Christmas songs including “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland” andmore. The 2-disc set features 20 classic Christmas songs from Toby. The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Toby Keith, visit his official website at: Track Listing DISC 1
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
3. Winter Wonderland
4. Silver Bells
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
7. The Christmas Song
8. White Christmas
9. Frosty The Snowman
10. Please Come Home For Christmas
Track Listing DISC 2
1. Little Drummer Boy
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. The First Noel
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Silent Night
6. Away In A Manger
7. We Three Kings
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Joy To The World
LONESTAR – MY CHRISTMAS LISTRelease date: November 6, 2007, Exclusively at Cracker BarrelLonestar has a new look and a new sound. Cody Collins took over as the lead singer – replacing former lead front man Richie McDonald (who decided to pursue a solo career after years with Lonestar). “My Christmas List” is Lonestar’s first recording since the change and it is being brought to the fans by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (or better known as just “Cracker Barrel.”) The CD was released on Nov. 6 and features the title favorite “My Christmas List” along with 9 Christmas classics including "Silent Night" and "Joy To The World." Lonestar recently hit the road for their ‘My Christmas Tour’ also being presented by Cracker Barrel. “My Christmas List” is available at all Cracker Barrel stores – and also online at: www.crackerbarrel.com. The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Lonestar, visit their official website at: www.lonestar.mu
Track Listing:
1. Joy To The World
2. Away In A Manger
3. Silent Night
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Up On A Housetop
6. Deck The Halls
7. That's What Christmas Is For
8. Jingle Bells
9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
10. My Christmas List
11. White Christmas
RICHIE McDONALD – IF EVERY DAY COULD BE CHRISTMASReleased in 2007Richie McDonald has also released his first solo album since parting ways with the country band Lonestar. If Everyday Could Be Christmas is here just in time for the holidays. Richie gets in on the songwriting process again, co-writing 4 of the 11 songs on this album. The album also includes a few that his producers Gary Baker and Frank Myers wrote or co-wrote… and of course, there are some Christmas classic favorites including "Mary Did You Know" and "The Christmas Song." Richie’s three children – Rhett, Mollie and Maise sing on this album and it’s a nice touch considering there is nothing like family for the holiday season. Richie kicked off hisupcoming Christmas tour with Jim Brickman a few weeks ago. They will hit 35 cities between November 23 and December 31.The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Richie McDonald or to buy the CD, visit his official website at: www.richiemcdonald.com or www.myspace.com/richiemcdonald
Track Listing:
1. If Everyday Could Be Christmas
2. Why Santa’s Fat
3. The Christmas Song
4. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
5. Mary Did You Know
6. Christmas In New York
7. Coming Home For Christmas
8. White Christmas
9. Christmas Lights
10. Blessed Are The Hands That Give
11. Miracles Happen
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL – SANTA LOVES TO BOOGIEReleased in 2006The guys from Asleep At The Wheel recorded their Christmas CD last year, called Santa Loves To Boogie. The CD spotlights guest appearances by some very notable artists in country music – Jack Ingram, Kevin Fowler, Willie Nelson and Dale Watson. Dale Watson wrote the song he collaborates on – a song called “Hot Texas Christmas Day” while Willie Nelson also wrote the song that he sings on – “Pretty Paper.” Kevin Fowler co-wrote the track he’s featured on (“Christmas In Texas”) with Ray Benson and David Sanger from Asleep At The Wheel. Santa Loves To Boogie has many original songs, but it also shuffles the classics in there as well – making for a well diverse CD for fans of this longtime group, Asleep At The Wheel.The full track listing is shown below… For more information on Asleep At The Wheel, visit their official website at: www.asleepatthewheel.com. Santa Loves To Boogie is available for $12.00 at their official online store:
Track Listing:
1. Santa Loves To Boogie
2. Hot Texas Christmas Day (Featuring Dale Watson)
3. Give You My Gift
4. Pretty Paper (Featuring Willie Nelson)
5. Mele Kalikimaka
6. Santa’s On His Way
7. I Hate Christmas
8. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Featuring Jack Ingram)
9. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
10. Christmas in Texas (Featuring Kevin Fowler)
11. Silent Night
