Category: Christmas country music

Inside Track on Music Row December 2024

New albums, singles, tour updates and more!

By Preshias Harris

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I was a different person before I started to write. When I realized I could be a songwriter and that people would listen – that was when I started feeling good in my life.” – Gwen Stafani

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. – Psalm 34:1-2

December already? It seems like only yesterday it was November! So it’s time for the December 2024 edition of Inside Trak on Music Row, the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA. A lot of new music to check out. Albums from Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, Red Cat Strays and Ringo Starr… Singles from Tanner Adell, Bowman, Ian Flanigan, Thomas Rhett, Lily Rose, Shaboozeyand Swon Brothers… plus tour updates, news about Christmas music, Bluegrass, music videos and a whole lot more. Scroll down and click on ‘Continue Reading’ to catch up on the music news you can use…

ALBUM NEWS 

BROOKS & DUNN

BROOKS & DUNN: The best-selling duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn, have released their highly anticipated collaboration project Reboot II, via Sony Music Nashville. The album serves as the sequel to their acclaimed 2019 release Reboot, following a similar concept but with a fresh twist. This time, a new generation of today’s top artists—from country to beyond—were given full creative freedom to join forces with the duo. The result is a collection that showcases Brooks & Dunn’s iconic catalog while pushing genre boundaries. Featuring 18 exciting new collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Marcus King Band, Megan Moroney, Warren Zeiders, Jelly Roll, Riley Green, The Cadillac Three, Halestorm, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Earls of Leicester, Jake Worthington, Hailey Whitters, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, HARDY, ERNEST, A Thousand Horses and Corey Kent. Fans can listen to Reboot II now here.

Reboot II‘s 18 tracks include reinterpreted hits such as “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and “Believe,” resulting in a dynamic and eclectic collection that spans genres and generations. To celebrate the release of Reboot II, Brooks & Dunn performed their hit song “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” on Today on November 13, watch here.  

They recently announced 2025 dates for the first leg of their Neon Moon Tour; for a full list of upcoming tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit www.brooks-dunn.com. #Brooks&Dunn

GEORGE JONES

GEORGE JONES: With excitement peaking, George Jones: The Lost Nashville Sessions is available now (play/listen here), offering fans a long-awaited treasure trove of music from the legendary George Jones. This album features sixteen tracks, blending beloved classics with rare gems from Jones’ extensive catalog. Fans will recognize favorites like “The Race Is On,” “The Grand Tour,” “White Lightnin’,” and “Tender Years.” The collection also highlights lesser-known recordings of songs such as “Old Brush Arbors,” “She’s Mine,” “Four-O-Thirty-Three,” and more, providing a fresh glimpse into Jones’ iconic career.

Continue reading “Inside Track on Music Row December 2024”

Christmas albums, singles, live shows!

‘Tis the season for the sounds of Christmas!

By Preshias Harris

It’s getting to feel a lot like Christmas… and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!  I just couldn’t wait to start setting the Holiday mood, so – ahead of my December column – here is the news you can use to start jingling the bells! Scroll down for Christmas albums from Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldridge, Megan Moroney and Dolly Parton… seasonal singles from George Birge, Mackenzie Carpenter, Randall King, Tori Martin, Hillary Scott, Sophia Scott, Blake Shelton and Bailey Taylor. Plus news about star-studded live Christmas shows at Gaylord Opryland, the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry and more! Keep scrolling!

HOLIDAY ALBUM ROUNDUP

GABBY BARRETT: Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett gives a warm welcome to the holidays with the release of her first-ever Christmas album, Carols and Candlelight. Available now, the 11-song collection includes a lovingly curated selection of cherished Christmas carols, time-honored Advent hymns, and joyous songs of celebration — all spotlighting the multi-Platinum star’s unforgettably beautiful talent. Listen hereand check out the adjoining videos. 

Carols and Candlelight opens with Barrett’s poignant rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?” (written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, and produced by Ross Copperman). Listen here and watch the visualizer. With its poetic contemplation of the relationship between Mary and her son, “Mary, Did You Know?” brings her distinct sensibilities to the modern Christmas classic, blending her bright and soulful vocals with a gorgeously subtle arrangement of pedal steel, piano, strings, and more. Along with showcasing the phenomenal range and nuance of her voice, the slow-burning and richly detailed track makes for a prime introduction to the full-length project’s stellar musicianship. 

With its era-spanning mix of Christmastime favorites, Carols and Candlelight also includes standouts like “Go Tell It On The Mountain” (for KING & COUNTRY feat. Gabby Barrett) – an exultant Gospel number nominated for Christmas Recorded Song of the Year at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards. More at Gabby’s website and updates on social media. #GabbyBarrett

DAN + SHAY:  It’s another ‘first’ from Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney (aka Dan + Shay). They have released their first-ever Christmas project, titled It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album (listen/stream/download here) and is available as a CD and a two LP package pressed in opaque red and green vinyl. The vinyl version comes with printed inner sleeves in a two-pocket gatefold jacket. Signed copies of both versions at Dan + Shay’s official website.

Continue reading “Christmas albums, singles, live shows!”