Do You Hear What I Hear?
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound's Christmas CD is among this season's yuletide releases.
By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
It’s getting closer to that most wonderful time of the year, the time to celebrate our Savior’s birth. For music lovers, it’s also a time to listen to favorite holiday albums. There are several new projects this year sure to become perennial favorites, including a bluegrass project by Charlie Daniels and friends, a new Gaither Christmas CD, and a special album from Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.
One of the most high-profile holiday releases is A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 7, featuring Colbie Caillat, The Carter Twins, Miley Cyrus, Gloriana, Vanessa Hudgens, Kellie Pickler, Ashley Tisdale, Carrie Underwood and many others. The CD streets November 23 from Universal Music Enterprises and you’ll not only get great music, you’ll be helping a worthy cause. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics.
“This is a fantastic Christmas record created by and for a new generation that wants to make the world a better place,” says Timothy Shriver, CEO of Special Olympics. “The songs on A Very Special Christmas have all the freshness and energy of the talented artists who recorded them. Through the spirit of their musical performances, these young recording stars bring the same passion and dedication to Special Olympics that our athletes display every day of their lives.”
This year for the first time, organizers are working a single to radio. “Let It Snow,” by the Carter Twins will hit radio Thanksgiving weekend and will be supported by a video.
The first A Very Special Christmas album released in 1987 and since then has raised more than $100 million for Special Olympics. The inaugural collection was launched by record executive Jimmy Iovine as a memorial to his father. Iovine’s wife at the time was a Special Olympics volunteer and suggested proceeds benefit the organization.
Born to Pick
The legendary Charlie Daniels returns to his bluegrass roots on Joy to the World: A Bluegrass Christmas, a CD/DVD featuring special guests Aaron Tippin, the Grascals, Dan Tyminski, Suzanne and Evelyn of the Cox Family, Kathy Mattea and Jewel. The project kicks off with Charlie and the Grascals delivering a lively version of “Christmas Time’s a Comin’” and includes such highlights as Tyminski’s version of “The Christmas Song,” Jewel singing “Blue Christmas” and Tippin’s “Christmas Time Down South.” The collection also features Charlie reading the Christmas story from the book of Luke. A recitation of “A Carolina Christmas Carol” is also sure to be a favorite with fans of all ages. Be sure to watch for music videos from the project on Joyful Noise Café.
“It’s a nice package and I’m very happy with it because of efforts of the most talented people in Nashville and some of the most talented bluegrass musicians around,” Charlie tells GMC.com. “I picked a little bit and my band picked a little bit, but basically it’s bluegrass players. The Grascals did a lot of work on this album.”
The release of Joy to the World: A Bluegrass Christmas coincided with Charlie’s recent induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Hall and included a performance by the veteran musician and his famed Charlie Daniels Band with special guest Dickey Betts.
“My first thought was ‘why me?’” Charlie tells GMC.com of his reaction to hearing that he would be inducted. “Why in the world, with all the people out there? I’m not being modest when I say that. I really mean it. Others deserve this award a lot more than I do, but to be recognized by my peers in an industry that I put my life into, what can you say? It’s absolutely wonderful!”
A Southern Gospel Christmas
Two other fine albums you won’t want to miss this holiday season come from the Gaither camp.
Christmas With Bill & Gloria kicks off with “Angels We Have Heard on High/Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and also serves up a fine version of “Winter Wonderland.” The project also includes Lynda Randle delivering a spirited version of “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” Sheri Easter’s moving take on “What Child is This?” and David Phelps’ powerful “O Holy Night.” Mark Lowry and the Gaither Vocal Band bring a terrific rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?” written by Mark and Buddy Greene, who closes the CD with “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Another fine Christmas collection from the Spring House label is Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s new release Every Light That Shines at Christmas. The popular quartet will support their new holiday collection with their very own Christmas tour, which kicks off December 1 in Nashville at Trevecca Nazarene University.
“We hope to be blessed by your presence at one of our solo Christmas shows in December,” Ernie wrote in a recent blog. “This will be an EHSS concert experience like no other! Our live band and a wonderful youth choir will add their signature sound to our Every Light That Shines... performances.”
Signature Sound members Ryan Seaton, Doug Anderson and Tim Duncan are excited about issuing their very first Christmas collection. The 16-song collection features such classics as “What Child Is This?” “Silent Night” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” alongside such tunes as “Marshmallow World” and “If It Doesn’t Snow This Christmas.”
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About the Writer
Deborah Evans Price has covered Christian/Gospel music for Billboard magazine since 1994. She also contributes regularly to Country Weekly, CMA Close Up, Devo’Zine, Christian Single, HomeLife, BMI Music World, and other publications.
A Nashville resident since 1983, Deborah has held editorial posts at Radio & Records, Country News, American Songwriter and Billboard. Amy Grant, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels, 3 Doors Down, Third Day, Don Henley, Bon Jovi, Chris Rice, Sandra Bullock, Mercy Me, Alan Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Steven Curtis Chapman are among her many interviews. Additionally, she's a sought-after music industry analyst who has been interviewed on CNN, MSNBC, TNN, The Today Show, and ABC PrimeTime Live, among other outlets.
Deborah is a member of the Gospel Music Association's board of directors and a graduate of Leadership Music. She resides south of Nashville with her husband, Gary, and 19-year-old son Trey.
