Christmas Music Guide 2011

We at AGM are true lovers of the holiday gift-buying season and wonderful Christian holiday of Christmas. And being fans of the holiday - we are therefore required to love all things Christmas music. We're going to help you sift through all of this year's holiday offerings, and hopefully you can find that one (or more if you so please) seasonal recording to make your holiday the best it possible can be! These aren't all Southern Gospel releases - but there may be a few here that you might find enjoyable as well!

Karen Peck & New River - Georgia Mountain Christmas (Daywind Records)
For fans of: progressive and country based Southern Gospel and acts like Jeff & Sheri Easter, Sisters or The Martins
Great to have on while: looking at the Christmas lights around the neighborhood!

Karen Peck & New River just released their first ever Christmas recording. This album is perfect for people who like more original music and less classics. Karen and the gang also covered some hidden gems of the Christmas music market like "Mary Had a Baby," "Don't Save It All," and "Christmas Time Is Here."

Crist Family - Timeless: A Christmas Collection (Sonlite Records)
For fans of: jazz and blues infused Christmas music with Big Band elements thrown in for good measure and fans of recent projects by The Lesters or Talleys.
Great to have on while: cooking the Christmas dinner!

The Crist Family, like Karen Peck & New River, are releasing their debut Christmas recording. The aptly titled Timeless: A Christmas Collection, features some wonderful holiday themed harmonies that recalls acts like The Lesters of The Talleys. Fans of The Carpenters Christmas album or Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby will love this recording.

Jim Sheldon - Christmas (MontEagle Records)
For fans of: country and Southern tinged releases from the likes of Mike Upright, Ronnie Milsap or The Fox Brothers.
Great to have on while: traveling to church or other Christmas worship services!

Jim Sheldon is a new name on the Gospel music landscape - but his debut Christmas recording has a lot of country based classic holiday songs to make any fan of Christmas music happy. Jim covered some great tunes like "Come On Ring Those Bells," "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," and the recent hit "Thank God For Kids." Don't forget to check out this great new release!

Ronnie & Kim Booth - Christmas By Candelight (Independent)
For fans of: family based holiday recordings or past works from the Booth Brothers, Jim & Melissa Brady, or Back Home
Great to have on while: taking your sweetheart out on a Christmas date!

Ronnie & Kim Booth's debut recording together is a special holiday release - Christmas By Candelight. Both Ronnie and Kim have a deep appreciation for Christmas music - and this album showcases that love wonderfully. "New Star Shining" is a real highlight - but other songs covered include modern classics like "He Started the Whole World Singing," "Merry Christmas Darling," and "A Christmas to Remember." You don't want to miss out on this fantastic release from one of Southern Gospel's most cherished couples!

Three Bridges - Christmas Must Be Tonight (Mansion Entertainment)
For fans of: edgy and progressive Southern Gospel as well as inspirational crooners like Phillips, Craig & Dean or the Gaither Vocal Band
Great to have on while: wrapping those last minute gifts!

Very seldom does a group release a Christmas album and feel it is their strongest release to date. Well, that is exactly what Three Bridges is claiming with their latest Christmas offering and first to feature acclaimed vocalists Shannon Smith and Jeremie Hudson (along with group staple Elliott McCoy). Well, it's quite possible that the guys in Three Bridges are correct in their own assessment. This is a phenomenal release by some of the best singers in the business. Particularly check out their rendition of the classic "Mary, Did You Know?"

Various Artists - WOW Christmas 2011 (EMI/Word/Provident)
For fans of: various artist compilations with a lot to like or previous WOW or NOW Christmas collections
Great to have on while: mingling at your annual Christmas get-together!

The WOW brand has been a consistent seller in the Christian music community. The WOW Christmas albums usually boast 30 or more artists with a lot of new songs thrown in. This year's release only features a handful of new songs - like Tenth Avenue North's "Deck the Halls" and Sidewalk Prophets' "Hope Was Born This Night." It's a nice release though that features some of Christian music's most popular names like Amy Grant, Needtobreathe, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, and David Crowder Band.

Matthew West - The Heart of Christmas (Sparrow Records)
For fans of: lush Christmas recordings with sentimental songs that tug at the heart strings, similar to past releases from Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, or MercyMe
Great to have on while: trying to get the kids to sleep on Christmas eve

Matthew West has released hit Christmas singles over the last few years, so this release is not a shock. What is a shock is just how well West sounds on these tunes. West can croon with the best of them on this release - most notable his subtle yet stirring rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." His original songs like "Christmas Makes Me Cry," "The Heart of Christmas," and most notably "One Last Christmas" will have you reaching for the tissue box.

Michael Buble' - Christmas (Reprise)
For fans of: jazz and big band crooners like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and most recently Harry Connick, Jr.
Great to have on while: opening presents on the big day!

Michael Buble's previous Christmas EP has been a consistent seller every year since its release, and fans have been chomping at the bit for a full length Christmas album from the hit maker. Buble' delivers more than ever with 19 new songs recorded on Christmas. Buble' shows masterful artistry by honoring classic arrangements of songs while at the same time updating them to a modern sound and style. If you only get one Christmas album this year - this is the one to get!

FFH - One Silent Night (Independent)
For fans of: CCM from the early 2000s or bands like Casting Crowns, Avalon, or Watermark
Great to have on while: the kids are building the first snowman of the season.

From Jamie Vaughn's review last month: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is a fun Christmas classic song that the listener can feel the genuine relationship between Jeromy and Jennifer. Jennifer takes the lead on a fun version of "Jingle Bell Rock." After listening to two tracks, I am ready to bring out the rest of my Christmas collection! Although, there are familiar tunes on this Christmas record, three new tracks appear on this project.

Kathy Troccoli - Christmas Songs (Spring Hill Music Group)
For fans of: classic 90s CCM pop and big voiced altos like Margaret Becker, Lisa Bevill, or the girls of Sierra
Great to have on while: baking cookies with the family!

Kathy Troccoli delivers yet another Christmas recording with the jazz infused Christmas Songs for Spring Hill Music Group. Christmas Songs features Troccoli’s warm, sultry tones performing such classic favorites as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Home for the Holidays,” “The Christmas Waltz,” “O Holy Night,” “My Favorite Things,” modern-day classic “Breath of Heaven” and the original tune “Missing You This Christmas.” She also teams up with Jim Brickman for the aforementioned single.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - A White Christmas (StowTown Records)
For fans of: traditional Southern Gospel music with a classic Christmas spin on it - think past Christmas releases from The Cathedrals, Gold City, or Greater Vision.
Great to have on while: putting up the Christmas decorations!

This is Ernie Haase & Signature Sound's third Christmas release, though it is a bit of a different kind of release. It features four new songs - "Holly Jolly Christmas," "Tennessee Christmas," "Blue Christmas," and "White Christmas" plus three never before released live recordings of original tunes "Glory To God In the Highest," "Who Do You Think," and "Come Make a Place." Fans of Ernie and gang don't want to miss out on this release.

The Taylors - It's Christmas (Independent)
For fans of: family based harmonies sung in a traditional Southern Gospel style similar to The Perrys, The Hoppers, and the like.
Great to have on while: driving the back roads on the way to Grandma's on Christmas eve!

This is the first release from 2011 Horizon Group of the Year nominees The Taylors. The group's tender charm can be felt on many of these songs, especially the Andrew Peterson cover "Labor of Love" and now-Southern-Gospel-classic "Glory to God In the Highest." "Marshmallow World" is a cute ode to a snowy winter. "Love Lighting the Dark" has the makings of a classic Christmas song.