Great news for folks who consider Martina McBride’s 1998 holiday album, White Christmas, the yuletide standard.
On Oct. 19, Martina will release a new album, It’s the Holiday Season, which will feature nine classic Christmas songs with accompaniment from more than 40 world-class musicians at the famed Capitol Studio in Los Angeles and Blackbird Studio in Nashville.
“It’s been exactly 20 years since I released White Christmas,” said Martina. “With that album I wanted to make it classic and something that would stand the test of time, which I feel like it has done. I wanted to accomplish the same thing with It’s The Holiday Season, but with a different feel. So I decided to make most of the album with a big-band swing vibe that takes you back to the Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald records. We recorded more of the pop Christmas numbers that lend themselves to that kind of feel rather than the focusing on the hymns like we did with White Christmas. I think they are great companion pieces and my hope is that they will both be enjoyed for years to come.”
In addition, Martina will once again embark on her The Joy of Christmas Tour—this time with a local orchestra at each stop.
The Joy of Christmas Tour
Nov. 23 – Biloxi, MS – Beau Rivage
Nov. 24 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
Nov. 25 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
Nov. 29 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Nov. 30 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Dec. 1 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Dec. 4 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
Dec. 6 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
Dec. 7 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theatre
Dec. 8 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre
photo by Jason Simanek