I've created this list of my 15 favorite country Christmas albums of all time. These are all albums by individual artists. Be sure to check out my other list for the Top 5 Country Christmas Compilation picks. It was really hard to pick just 15 favorites. There are so many great holiday albums to choose from. Hopefully, my selections will help you choose what you might want to add to your holiday collection this year.
It's not Christmas without a little country humor, and Cledus T. Judd is one of the best, with his wacky country Christmas album, Cledus Navidad. The 10 tracks include a few "originals," a couple parodies and even adventurous remakes.
This is the first Christmas album from Faith Hill and it was two years in the making. With such intricate productions for the orchestra and everything that goes along with it, you wonder just how they got it done in what seems to be a long period of time. Along with 10 traditional songs, Faith has added a single new track entitled "A Baby Changes Everything."
I think the album title says it all. No jazzy music, no big bands, just a tasteful collection of traditional and some modern standard Christmas songs. The best Christmas albums are often the ones which cut out all the glitz and the glamour in favor of the traditional arrangements and vocal readings. Joe Nichols's A Traditional Christmas is a fine holiday album that may just become a classic.
When a country music artist chooses to record a Christmas album, typically they don't have to stay close to their traditional style that they've been known for. Much like Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and even Garth Brooks have done previously, Lee Ann Womack has recorded an excellent collection of old classics, some with a full orchestra and some with a big jazz band.
There's something to be said about the familiar. And on Classic Christmas, George Strait takes songs that practically everyone has heard of and puts his own traditional spin on them. The result is a true classic, just like George himself.
This one is getting a little harder to find, but well worth it if you haven't got a copy of your own yet. Garth Brooks goes from sassy, with "The Old Man's Back in Town," to reflective, thinking of Christmases past in "Silent Night," to fun, with "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy." A wonderful collection of songs, by one of country music's most popular artists.
This album isn't for anyone that wants the tried and true traditional arrangements of Christmas songs. Some of the music is island-inspired, and some is inspired by Kenny Chesney's East Tennessee upbringing. That said, if you are a fan of Kenny's recent music, you will enjoy this Christmas collection.
This is a great country Christmas album. Emphasis on country. So many stars make Christmas albums in the traditional style. Brooks & Dunn have added a little honky tonk to their arrangements, and it's a pleasure to listen to. Along with old favorites like "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland," there are some new songs, such as the title cut, "Rockin' Little Christmas," and "Hangin' Around the Mistletoe." Put this one in your cd player and bring some country to your holiday.
15. Cledus T. Judd - 'Cledus Navidad'
It's not Christmas without a little country humor, and Cledus T. Judd is one of the best, with his wacky country Christmas album, Cledus Navidad. The 10 tracks include a few "originals," a couple parodies and even adventurous remakes.
14. Faith Hill - 'Joy to the World'
This is the first Christmas album from Faith Hill and it was two years in the making. With such intricate productions for the orchestra and everything that goes along with it, you wonder just how they got it done in what seems to be a long period of time. Along with 10 traditional songs, Faith has added a single new track entitled "A Baby Changes Everything."
13. Riders in the Sky - 'Christmas the Cowboy Way'
Riders in the Sky sing beautiful harmonic cowboy-style country music. They also portray wacky characters in comedic bits. Put the two together, and add some lovely songs, and you have this album of different, but enjoyable, Christmas music.
12. Joe Nichols - 'A Traditional Christmas'
I think the album title says it all. No jazzy music, no big bands, just a tasteful collection of traditional and some modern standard Christmas songs. The best Christmas albums are often the ones which cut out all the glitz and the glamour in favor of the traditional arrangements and vocal readings. Joe Nichols's A Traditional Christmas is a fine holiday album that may just become a classic.
11. Tracy Lawrence - 'All Wrapped Up in Christmas'
Tracy Lawrence has released a very heartwarming holiday album. It was originally released in 2007 as a Wal-Mart exclusive, but has since been re-released where you can buy it anywhere now. It contains seven Christmas classics and three brand new songs. So, load it up on your CD player, grab your cup of cocoa, and get down to the preparations of decorating, baking and enjoying quality family time at home. Buy from Wal-Mart
10. Lee Ann Womack - 'The Season for Romance'
When a country music artist chooses to record a Christmas album, typically they don't have to stay close to their traditional style that they've been known for. Much like Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and even Garth Brooks have done previously, Lee Ann Womack has recorded an excellent collection of old classics, some with a full orchestra and some with a big jazz band.
9. George Strait - 'Classic Christmas'
There's something to be said about the familiar. And on Classic Christmas, George Strait takes songs that practically everyone has heard of and puts his own traditional spin on them. The result is a true classic, just like George himself.
8. Garth Brooks - 'Beyond the Season'
This one is getting a little harder to find, but well worth it if you haven't got a copy of your own yet. Garth Brooks goes from sassy, with "The Old Man's Back in Town," to reflective, thinking of Christmases past in "Silent Night," to fun, with "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy." A wonderful collection of songs, by one of country music's most popular artists.
7. Kenny Chesney - 'All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan'
This album isn't for anyone that wants the tried and true traditional arrangements of Christmas songs. Some of the music is island-inspired, and some is inspired by Kenny Chesney's East Tennessee upbringing. That said, if you are a fan of Kenny's recent music, you will enjoy this Christmas collection.
6. Brooks & Dunn - 'It Won't Be Christmas Without You'
This is a great country Christmas album. Emphasis on country. So many stars make Christmas albums in the traditional style. Brooks & Dunn have added a little honky tonk to their arrangements, and it's a pleasure to listen to. Along with old favorites like "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland," there are some new songs, such as the title cut, "Rockin' Little Christmas," and "Hangin' Around the Mistletoe." Put this one in your cd player and bring some country to your holiday.