Your Country's Right Here: Scotty McCreery, Ricky Skaggs, Lauren Alaina and Others Add Country to Your Holidays

posted in: Country • Features • Music News

Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Ricky Skaggs and Phil Vassar are just some of the country stars that are ready to brighten your holidays with their down-home music. Sure, you’re overwhelmed with all kinds of lists”shopping and otherwise”during this season but take a look at the stellar line up of artists offering you holiday-themed country music and enjoy.

Think of American Idol alums Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina as melodic bookends of the holidays. McCreery, who performed in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, is also featured in the Disney Christmas Day parade that will be televised on ABC. Find out when it will be aired in your area by going to the Disney Web site. Lauren Alaina will join other artists on American Country New Year’s Eve at 11 p.m. on December 31 on FOX. Find out more about the show on this Web site.

Country crooner Phil Vassar just released a ten-track holiday CD titled Noel. It includes five original songs (We especially love “Santa’s Gone Hollywood” that Vassar has played in some recent shows) and five classics including ‘What Child Is This,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Angels We Have Heard On High,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Darling,” and “Away In A Manger.” Find out more on Vassar’s Web site.

Plenty of country fans kick off the holiday season by attending the joyous annual concert marking A Skaggs Family Christmas. There’s only one date left this year (December 22 in Nashville) but you can still get a dose of their family friendly favorites. The group has released A Skaggs Family Christmas Vol. 2 that includes renditions of such classics as “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” There’s also a bonus DVD of the family in concert. Find out more on multi-Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs’ Web site.

You’re not too late to catch the 30th annual Christmas and Hits Tour by legendary country singer Kenny Rogers. The Georgia native is on tour right through December 23rd. You’ll hear holiday classics such as “White Christmas” and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” plus many of Rogers hits including “The Gambler” and “She Believes in Me.” You can find more information at Rogers’ Web site.

We told you Toronto-based country star Lindi Ortega’s full-bodied vocals would do Loretta Lynn proud. Well, now she has released her first holiday EP, Tennessee Christmas, in which she’s accompanied by members of Ricky Skagg’s GRAMMY-winning band Kentucky Thunder. The four songs, including “All I want for Christmas is a Cowboy”, are a lot of fun. Find out for yourself with a preview of the songs on Orega’s MySpace page.