Christmas Music News

Eric Church's Thanksgiving this year was extra special, as it was his first real holiday spent with his newborn son, Boone McCoy, who was born in October. With Christmas right around the corner, the singer is now looking forward to experiencing another of the many holidays to come with his precious son.

Although we tragically lost the "Big Man" earlier this year, the lasting legacy of Clarence Clemons can be felt this holiday season with two newly available Christmas tunes that have just been released.

The Hawaiian Christmas song has always been a chance to imagine the smell of coconut oil and the breeze from a grove of palm trees during a cold, continental U.S. winter. Jake Owen's interpretation of 'Mele Kalikimaka' is more of a strict two-four march that John Philip Sousa would admire. It has all of the warmth of an out-of-tune horn section.

Tim McGraw's first release from his post-Curb Records days is a Christmas song called 'Christmas All Over the World.' The pop-country song -- released on McGraw's own StyleSonic Records -- was sent to radio today.

Fans of Sunny Sweeney's would be horrified to hear her sing a jolly Christmas traditional like 'Silent Night' or 'O Come All Ye Faithful.' That sort of song fits the East Texas singer like a dress fits Blake Shelton. 'One More Christmas Beer' is, if nothing else, honest.

When December rolls around, touring artists begin to slow down their hectic schedules and soak up all the family time they can before hitting the road in full swing after the first of the year. For Jake Owen, Christmas will be extra special this year, as he has been traveling so much that down time at home in Florida is hard to come by these days...

Alice Cooper has invited Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Bruce Kulick formerly with Kiss to perform at the 11th annual 'Christmas Pudding' show. Taking place at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., on Dec. 17, the show will benefit Solid Rock and Cooper's new teen center 'The Rock,' opening in Spring of 2012.

A snippet of T-Rex's song 'Christmas Bop' is featured in Target's latest holiday commercial advertising the notion "Santa Has Elves - You have Target." Marc Bolan's T-Rex may not seem like the most likely band to back a Fisher-Price toy but when it comes to advertising a mega dinosaur, it's as logical choice as any.

As Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles remarked, Martina McBride has one of the best voices in music -- not just in country, but in all genres. McBride practically floated as she sang her rendition of 'Please Come Home for Christmas' on the Dec. 1 'CMA Country Christmas' special, which we'd argue could be the performance of the evening.

The Marshall Tucker Band wants their fans to get in the Christmas spirit! The legendary rockers have released their new holiday-infused album, 'Carolina Christmas.' Rather than just an album of Christmas classics, the band has also included a handful of originals that will be sure to put a smile on your face as you decorate your tree this year...