Photos: Crown Media/Sony Music

Mariah Carey and Christmas music go together like peppermint and hot cocoa, let’s be real. The instant-classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, an extremely festive pop song co-written and produced by Carey from her 1994 “Merry Christmas” album, is a staple during the holiday season; it reclaims at top spot on the music charts, it’s played in nearly every department store, it’s on heavy radio rotation, it’s a top karaoke number at any holiday party, and it just happens to be one of the best selling Christmas songs of all time.

This year marks 25 years since the release of “Merry Christmas”, a milestone anniversary that’s also the same date of Christmas Day — which has lead to much speculation that the singer will release a new album or, at least, new holiday music to celebrate this year.

Additionally, Carey has been posting photos recently on Instagram from her time at the recording studio. I haven’t actually seen a confirmation anywhere online (or in an interview), but I have seen comments from members of “The Lambily” (that’s what M.C. nicknamed her fanbase) stating that she’s recording a new festive record.

Could it just be wishful thinking? Maybe. Although, I really do hope it’s true.

In the meantime, if you have plans to head to Las Vegas, Nevada this fall, make sure you scoop up a pair of tickets to see Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” Concert, which are currently on sale at MariahCarey.com/tour. She’ll perform five shows between November 22nd – November 30th at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Stay merry!

L-R: Chenoweth, Seeley and Rose. | Photos: Crown Media

What’s the holiday season without some carols?!

Many stars will bring their musical talents to the Hallmark networks for their respective festive movies, which are set to premiere during the 10th anniversary of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas as well as Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas programming.

“The right Christmas music is key to setting the mood for the holiday season so we couldn’t be more thrilled to feature original songs in our movie premieres this year,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks at the networks bi-annual Television Critics Summer Press Tour yesterday. “We’re fortunate to have so many new songs performed by such talented stars, so turn up the volume because this holiday season will be triumphant and bright on Hallmark.”

“A Christmas Love Story” (Hallmark Channel)
Tony®and Emmy®Award winner Kristin Chenoweth (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, “Pushing Daisies”) will lead the Hallmark Hall of Fame film “A Christmas Love Story”, in which she will star as a youth choir director who needs to write a big song for the Christmas Eve show but becomes distracted from that endeavor when Danny (Kevin Quinn, “Bunk’d”), a boy with a golden voice joins her choir, much to the surprise of his widowed father played by Scott Wolf (“The Night Shift,” “Party of Five”). Little does she know a life-changing, emotional surprise is in store for her moments before the show as she gets ready to take the stage and sing “When Angels Land” with Danny.

Photo: Cabin 24

I don’t tend to post about Scifi things on here, but with the success of the Netflix series “Stranger Things”, I figured there might be a few visitors out there who would be interested to know that Ingrid Michaelson has released an album inspired by the show — and it includes a Christmas song!

Michaelson, who debuted her first Christmas album last year, wrote a song on her new record, Stranger Songs, called “Christmas Lights” inspired by the first season of the series in which a character communicates using the holiday lights.

That being said, the lyrics and melody aren’t restricted for fans of the show; I think it’s a sweet holiday song, and now there’s a music video to go with it. Check it out below!

Photos: Mary McCartney, PR / Paramount

Musical legend Paul McCartney (of The Beatles) is currently working on a musical stage adaptation of one of the most iconic holiday films of all time, Frank Capra’s 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life”, based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s “The Greatest Gift”.

The musical is the brainchild of McCartney and West End theatre and film producer Ben Kenwright, and has been in development for three years, since acquiring the rights, and is slated to open in late 2020. McCartney will write the music and lyrics alongside Tony Award winning playwright Lee Hall, while Kenwright is set to produce.

“Like many of these things this all started with an email. Bill had asked if it was something I might be up for. Writing a musical is not something that had ever really appealed to me but Bill and I met up with Lee Hall and had a chat and I found myself thinking this could be interesting and fun. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a universal story we can all relate to,” McCartney said.

Read more about the upcoming project at BroadwayWorld.com!

Stay merry!

Photo: Lea Michele’s Official Instagram

If there’s any news I love as much as holiday movie announcements – it’s new Christmas music!

Lea Michele, best known for her roles in Broadway’s “Spring Awakening” and on FOX’s “Glee”, posted a photo on Instagram of her sitting on a snowy stoop dressed in a red ball gown while announcing her upcoming holiday album.

“So happy to finally tell you guys what I’ve been working on so hard behind the scenes. The album I’ve always dreamed of making. Coming this Christmas❤️🎄,” Michele captioned.

Photo: Crown Media

Tonight is the night! Hallmark Channel will present the all-new holiday special, “Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas” where the Grammy Award-winning performer, with more than a 30 year musical career, will ring in the season with musical friends for an event perfect for the whole family!

Amy Grant will be joined during the 1-hour special by her husband, Vince Gill, as well as Kellie Pickler and Michael W. Smith for unforgettable musical performances as they share heartfelt stories and their favorite family holiday memories.

Tune in tonight Monday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM/5:00c only on the Hallmark Channel!

The special will re-air on Monday, December 17th at 12:00 PM/11:00c.

Stay merry!

Photo: NBC

The three-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling a capella supergroup PENTATONIX — wow, that’s a mouthful — will be returning to NBC this season for their third holiday musical special, “Pentatonix: A Not So Silent Night”!

We’ll join PTX (as they’re often referred) members Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee in Las Vegas as they spread cheer along the legendary Strip, including the iconic Caesars Palace and the stunning Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas. Along the way, they’ll be joined by additional guests to help them celebrate, including Kelly Clarkson and Maren Morris. Both singers appear on the latest Pentatonix holiday album, Christmas is Here!.

Photo: Interscope Records

Gwen Stefani premiered a new music video for the title track from her Christmas album, You Make it Feel Like Christmas. The romantic tune also serves as a duet with Stefani’s real-life love, Country music superstar and fellow “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton.

The “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” music video, which was was directed by Sophie Muller, finds the pair goofing around doing traditional holiday activities–like a friendly snowman competition, bringing home the Christmas tree, sitting down to a festive feast, and putting on a classic big band performance. Check it out below!

FYI: Exclusive holiday bundles and merchandise including Stefani’s CD, T-Shirts, Christmas cards, and ornaments are available at http://www.gwenstefani.com.

Stay merry!

To celebrate the 25 Days of Christmas holiday programming that is spanning across the ABC, Freeform and Disney Channel networks, Reba McEntire is returning as host again this year for the annual “CMA Country Christmas” special!

The iconic entertainer will also perform on the beloved 2-hour holiday event, which will also feature performances from top country acts and legendary favorites, including:

Photo: Archie Music

If you’re like me and can’t wait for David Archuleta to release his brand new Christmas album, Winter in the Air, you’ll be happy to know he dropped the official music video for the first single, “Christmas Every Day”! Check out the video, which was directed by Dusty Barker, below.

Winter in the Air will be available on November 2nd!

Stay merry!