Spirit & Joy
Jamie O’Neal’s debut holiday album, Spirit & Joy, celebrates the cheerful nature of the season, while also honoring the sentimental side of the holidays. With cuts from Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Idina Menzel, and more, Jamie co-wrote three originals for Spirit & Joy. The track listing also includes collaborations with her husband, father, sister, and daughter, as well as a duet with fellow ACM Award winner Collin Raye on “Silver Bells.”
Spirit & Joy Track Listing:
1. Christmas – Jeffrey Steele
2. Christmas You – Jamie O’Neal, Corey Lee Barker
3. Please Come Home for Christmas Feat. Rodney Good Charles Brown, Gene Redd
4. White Christmas – Irving Berlin
5. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Kim Gannon, Walter Kent
6. Gulf of Mexico – Jamie O’Neal, Rodney Good, Jimmy Murphy
7. Do You Hear What I Hear? Feat. Jimmy Murphy, Melissa Murphy and Aliyah Good – Noel Regne, Gloria Shayne
8. You Were Christmas to Me – Jamie O’Neal, Corey Lee Barker
9. River – Joni Mitchell
10. Silver Bells Feat. Collin Raye – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
Another Laurie Berkner Christmas
Another Laurie Berkner Christmas- Laurie Berkner
Kick off the holiday season with beloved children’s musician Laurie Berkner! Laurie’s second Christmas album, Another Laurie Berkner Christmas. A treasure trove of Yuletide cheer, Another Laurie Berkner Christmas is packed to the brim with thirteen traditional holiday and seasonal songs, three original numbers that Laurie wrote especially for this album (“I Live Inside A Snowglobe (Shake It Up),” “Little Tree,” and “Icicles”), and two special bonus tracks.
Laurie Berkner Performance Highlights – September – December 2022
September 18 – Norwalk, CT – Wall Street Theatre
October 8 – Princeton, NJ – McCarter Theatre Center
October 15 – Hartford, CT – Bushnell Theatre
October 29 – New York, NY – Adler Hall, New York Society for Ethical Culture
December 3 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
December 4 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
New Baby For Christmas
New Baby For Christmas- Hailey Whitters
Iowa-born, Nashville-based rising country star Hailey Whitters released a cover of George Jones’ Christmas classic “New Baby For Christmas”. 
“‘New Baby For Christmas’ was initially recorded in 1957 and I thought it was fun, as it’s kind of a honky tonk heartbreak/cheating song disguised as a Christmas song,” explains Whitters.
Last Christmas
Last Christmas- Alexa Cappelli
Pop singer and songwriter Alexa Cappelli shares her holiday single, “Last Christmas,” out now on Arista Records. Led by her sweet vocals and glistening pop-driven production, Alexa puts her own twist on Wham!’s hit holiday song and makes it wholly her own.
“This song carries both nostalgia for past loves and the anticipation of new,” Alexa writes. “When listening to ‘Last Christmas’ I can’t help but think about where I was and who I was with on past holidays, while also thinking of how much could change by the time it’s here again. Every year it always hits different, even if I’m my own new ‘someone special.’”
Turducken & Stalker Santa
Turducken & Stalker Santa- Bianca De Leon 
Acclaimed Austin, Texas-based songwriter Bianca De Leon released a Thanksgiving-themed song, “Turducken,” today, and on November 18, she will follow up with a holiday-themed song, “Stalker Santa.” These humorous songs will be released in digital-only formats and will be available on all streaming sites.
Holiday Joint
It’s official — the holiday season has begun! Minneapolis-based alternative R&B artist Mayyadda (may-YAH-duh) is ready to set the tone for the season with the release of her new EP, Holiday Joint, out Friday, November 11, 2022. The five-track project was crafted to encourage listeners to focus more on the spirit of the season rather than the sometimes-stressful commercial aspects that are typically associated with this time of year.
Mayyadda – Holiday Joint
Tracklist
- Holiday Joint
- Jingle Bells
- Winter Wonderland
- Sleigh Ride
- Silent Night
On This Christmas Night
On This Christmas Night- Laura Cheadle
Worldwide Recording Artist Laura Cheadle (So Bold Entertainment/ Sony Orchard) is unwrapping a surprise for fans as she debuts her new holiday single and video “On This Christmas Night.”
“I wanted to write a Christmas song that really showed the power of love. Christmas time is so magical and love conquers all,” said Cheadle. “This song shows a deep feeling of true love where you don’t even need a tree. Love isn’t created by decorations or presents. Christmas truly comes alive when the ones you love are around you!”
Only Call On Christmas
Only Call On Christmas- Kailey Nicole
Rising country songstress Kailey Nicole has a love-hate relationship with the idea that her ex-flame will “Only Call On Christmas” – and chronicles the two extremes in new original holiday tune, out now.
“I didn’t quite know what to expect when I sat down to write a Christmas song since the holidays have always come with a tinge of sadness to me,” shares Nicole. “The pressure to be perfectly happy during the most wonderful time of year always felt like something I couldn’t live up to.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Presley & Taylor
“’Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ is a classic song we’ve been singing since we were little girls,” said Presley & Taylor. “Being able to record it meant we could add our own little something to it. We are so proud of how it turned out with the help of some of Nashville’s most talented musicians and producer Jimmy Richey. We hope our version helps spread the holiday cheer this season. Merry Christmas!”
Silent Night
Rising star, Country music songwriter, and performing artist, Taylon Hope has released a cover of the seasonal Christmas song, “Silent Night,” The song was penned by Joseph Mohr and was first recorded in 1905.
“I chose to release this acoustic version of ‘Silent Night’ this Christmas season because it has always been one of my favorite classics to listen to and sing along with. I grew up singing this song in Church at Christmas time since I was little so it has always been very special to me,” shared Taylon Hope. “This song has always shown the true meaning of Christmas and I am very excited to get to release my version of it this year.”
Christmas For Two and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Christmas For Two and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Tara Macri
“Christmas For Two,” Tara’s bouncy, original song features Tara and her band performing the pop-flavored confection live. While the more formal setting of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” imbues the famous song with warm, creamy flavors, highlighted by Tara’s gorgeously evocative voice.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Guitar Girl Magazine!
