When I was in college, I would break out my cassette (YES. CASSETTE. AMEN.) of Amy Grant’s A Christmas Album just as soon as Halloween was over. It was my Official Soundtrack during November and December road trips, and “Heirlooms” was always a sure-fire recipe for Tender Introspection since I was a terribly sophisticated nineteen year-old and all.
A nineteen year-old driving a Buick Regal that would sputter to a dead stop if the accelerator wasn’t pressed at all times, and yes, that includes at red lights and stop signs.
Anyway, my point is that Amy Grant’s first Christmas CD is the gold standard of Christmas albums for me. Other Christmas albums have joined her in my Christmas music hall-o-fame over the years – like Harry Connick Jr.’s and James Taylor’s, for instance – but I’m a pretty discriminating Christmas music listener. I want worship and reverence and fun wrapped up in one musical package, and I don’t want want a hint of corny in the mix. But other than that I’m not picky at ALL.
Ahem.
Last year, not too long after Melanie and I dragged Travis Cottrell into the vortex of our lives by obsessing over his wife’s jeans, he mentioned that he was about to start working on a Christmas album. He also mentioned that his producer was going to be Brown Bannister, a name I immediately knew because I’d seen it printed on the top, right-hand corner of every piece of Amy Grant sheet music I tried to play on the piano when I was a teenager. Since I knew that Brown Bannister produced Amy Grant’s Christmas albums, I figured that Travis’ Christmas CD was bound to turn out pretty well.
However, I had no idea that when I heard Travis’ Christmas CD for the first time, I would get all teary-eyed and fan my face and feel so unbelievably proud of our friend. The CD is absolutely, positively, completely, stunningly beautiful. Christmas music perfection. We’ve been listening to it in our house since Labor Day (YES. LABOR DAY.), and on at least four different occasions David and I have had in-depth conversations about how great it is. Every single day the five year-old gets in the car when I pick him up from kindergarten and asks if he can hear “Frosty.” Every single morning I have some church with my iPod when I listen to “In The First Light.” It is, plain and simple, a wonderful CD.
Ring the Bells will be released next Tuesday, October 7, and there’s no question that you’re going to want to add it to your Christmas music collection. But if you’d like to try to win one of ten autographed copies of the CD before it’s released, then here’s what you need to do:
1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas song.
2. Pause and think for a moment about how this is pretty much the EASIEST GIVEAWAY EVER.
I’ll close this giveaway next Monday and announce the winners next Tuesday.
And just FYI: Travis is so stinkin’ humble and self-deprecating about this whole Christmas CD thing that it’s sort of unbelievable. In fact, we have debated for weeks about how many comments this giveaway will generate, and I have contended that we’re gonna hit the hundreds. Travis’ official prediction is 46.
I have a feeling y’all are going to prove him oh-so-wrong.
Make it a merry one, internets.
This giveaway is now closed.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Defnitely “O Holy Night” is my favorite Christmas song. Thanks! :)
September 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Carol of the Bells….or What Child is This
Can’t wait to hear the CD!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Let’s hope that random number thing picks the first comment! Unless this posts later. ANYWAY…
Fave Christmas song is really ambitious – I love them all so much. I do have a special affinity for “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” And if you had all day, I’d list my other 200 favorite Christmas songs.
Thanks Sophie!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:26 am
so so many Christmas songs! I love James Taylor’s recent version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” — and of course that Amy Grant TAPE was my favorite of all time as well……
September 29th, 2008 at 10:26 am
It’s hard to narrow it down to one, but I’ll say “What Child Is This” for now.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Silent night is my favorite Christmas song. My husband’s is Gloria by Michael W Smith which he realized he could download from itunes this summer and now it’s my 5 yr old’s all time favorite song…he even directs who will sing all the different parts. ;-) Love Christmas music…can’t wait to hear this CD.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
My favorite Christmas song is “O Holy Night,” with “Jingle Bell Rock” as a close second. I have diverse tastes. :-)
September 29th, 2008 at 10:28 am
O Holy Night, but it has to be sung by someone who can really sing it or I get really sad. Thanks!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:28 am
My fave Christmas song is O Holy Night. Love it. Says it all.
And you play your Christmas music after Halloween? Ha. I play it the first time there’s a hint of fall in the air. And occasionally I play it during other months, like April. I LOVE Christmas music and can’t wait till Oct 7 when this CD is released.
If I don’t win this contest, no worries, because I’ll be in the store on 10/7 buying one. Actually, if I DO win this contest, I’ll probably still be in the store on 10/7 buying one.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
My favorite Christmas song is “O Holy Night”.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I love Christmas music and listen to it year-round when I’m feeling down! My all-time favorite is probably an arrangement of “That Night” that our church choral group did one year. I also love “Just a Kid.”
September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
My favorite Christmas song is White Christmas…it was playing just before my husband proposed 3 1/2 year, 2 houses, 1 dog, and one baby ago. :)
September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
“Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” is my favorite Christmas song.
“Sleigh Bells” is my favorite winter song. (It helps to have a favorite winter song when you live in Minnesota.)
And heck, I’d say you could reach close to 1000 with this one.
The only giveaway that could maybe pull more entries is a free pair of Angela’s jeans.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
My favorite Christmas song is “Joy to the World”. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Why, The Little Drummer Boy of course. It also doubles well as first dance songs at weddings :0).
But, if I had to pick one that is meant for Christmas and not weddings as well it would be O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
My all time favorite is O Come O Come Emmanuel.
LOVE that one!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
My all time favorite is Sleigh Ride.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I love Christmas songs so its hard to pick but I will choose “O Holy Night”!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:33 am
“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”, or whatever the “official” name of hat song is…
September 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Some Children See Him, James Taylor. You know it’s the best one.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Silent Night.
I remember as a kid, our church used to dim the lights lower and lower with each verse at the Christmas Eve service until it was all the way dark except for the lone light shining on the Cross. It always felt so magical.
So it remains a favorite.
Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
There’s a Song in The Air – http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/s/tsongair.htm
September 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Oh Holy Night! for sure. I sang it to my son as I rocked him to sleep one night last week and it is still September…
September 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
My all time favorite Christmas song is “O Holy Night”. Gives me goosebumps every time!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Goodness, FAVORITE Christmas song… Well, Little Drummer Boy is right up there, but there are so many more!!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Ooh! My favorite is “O Come All Ye Faithful” but on Amy Grant’s Christmas album (which I wore out, too) I LOVE a “Tender Tennessee Christmas!”
September 29th, 2008 at 10:37 am
little drummer boy/peace on earth by david bowie and bing crosby.
and as soon as i hit send i’ll remember that’s not my favorite song, i really love a different one…
September 29th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Oh Holy Night. Love it!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I much prefer Travis’ prediction because then I have a much better chance of winning!!
My favorite Christmas song is ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ and it’s hardly EVER played. Drives me nuts! Maybe I love it so much because I so rarely get to hear it. :o(
September 29th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Probably Joy to the World. Yay for Jesus and Christmas and all the fun times with family and friends while we celebrate!!! BUT Christmas decorations and music are should NOT appear before Thanksgiving.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:41 am
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting…), Ave Maria (from my parents old Firestone Christmas LP – yes, vinyl), and anything Bing.
Love me a giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Wow, I thought I knew my favorite Christmas song, but after reading all the comments, it’s so hard to pick. But I would have to say “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” I’m all about the minor keys. Thanks for the giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Although I never win anything I’d thought I’d enter to prove Travis wrong.
And to say that Amy Grant “Breath of Heaven” is my favorite song. And that when I was a little kid I would belt out Tennessee Christmas like I was from the South.
I have “BooMama Odds” on my side for being named Amy, hope I win!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I’ve never left a comment on here before but I am a Christmas music lover if ever there was one. I have too many favorites, but one that made it onto my list last year for the first time is “Labor of Love” from Andrew Peterson’s new Christmas album, “Behold the Lamb of God.” You’ll love it – Jill Phillips sings it.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. Thanks to you and Travis for the giveaway.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Having to pick just one, I’d say “O Holy Night”.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
i love christmas music. all of it. the only one that comes to mind right now though is silver bells.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
My mom loves Christmas music. She sings it year round! I guess I would say that my fav is Silent Night.
Our family saw Travis a few months ago at Merrimon Ave Baptist Church in Asheville. He was so cool!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I LOVE Christmas music. I LOVE it. L.O.V.E. So many favorites, for so many Christmas moods. What Child is This, Sara Groves’ Child of Wonder, and I love that Amy Grant Christmas cd — I sang nearly every song at church at some point or another. Emmanuel might be my fav on there. But can you discount Breath of Heaven? Oh my goodness… where are my Christmas cds?? I need me some Christmas music. I would possibly pee my pants if I won this one, but if I don’t I think I’ll have to buy it.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I’m listening to Mr. Travis right now (but not a Christmas CD b/c mine isn’t here yet – LPL vol. 3 wonderful!). If by some “random” chance I win, please give it to someone else. I’m just commenting to help boost Travis’ spirts! So many peeps listen to our Miesta! We love you Travis!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Just one? I can’t do that, but my shortlist would include:
O Holy Night
Silent Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Calypso Carol
What Child is this?
Infant Holy
… and probably more which I can’t think of right now.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
O Holy Night
Welcome To Our World—Amy Grant
Mary, Did You Know?—Mark Lowry
My fave’s….
I’m also a Harry Connick Jr. fan…
love that man.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am
O Holy Night. Definitely.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am
O Holy Night…
September 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I love White Christmas and Mary did you know. I also love love love Amy Grant!!!
I hope I win
September 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree…
I love listening to this as we’re decorating the tree.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Oh, just one favorite Christmas song? I love o Come, o Come Emmanuel.
thanks!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I love The Little Drummer Boy. I would wait anxiously as a little girl for the claymation version to come on tv and I had a 45 of the song. Now I have my own little drummer boy. Only mine is loud.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’ve already won this CD on All-Access (Thanks, BooMama & BigMama), so don’t count me in for the giveaway, but I figured the extra comment would be good for Travis’ ego prove you right! :)
I feel the same way about Amy Grant’s 1st Christmas album. My college roommate and I used to lay in our beds in the dark, singing along with the cassette. We knew it so well, that we could perfectly time our entrances and cutoffs with each other & with the cassette, even in the dark! Every year, it’s the first CD I break out. Though I’m sure Travis’ new one will be a contender now!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Nearly all Christmas songs make me happy, but a recent favorite is “The Virgin’s Lullaby” which has Selah, Natalie Grant, Point of Grace, and many other Christian artists. It’s on the songs inspired by A Nativity Story CD, which rocks.
Although “The Night Before Christmas” on Amy Grant’s Home for Christmas is another one in my top…some. :) I LOVE that CD. Which did originate as a tape in my parents’ house.