Ken Kragen
Manager, promoter, author, TV producer, speaker and humanitarian Ken Kragen died in L.A. on Tuesday (Dec. 14) at age 85.
Kragen managed such top music stars as Trisha Yearwood, Lionel Richie, Harry Chapin, Dottie West, Travis Tritt, Olivia Newton-John, Burt Reynolds, The Bee Gees, The Smothers Brothers and, most famously, Kenny Rogers. Using his leverage with superstars Richie and Rogers, he organized the Grammy Award winning anthem “We Are the World” in 1985. Billed as by USA For Africa, this was an all-star charity recording that became one of the biggest selling singles of all time.
Early in his career, he managed folk-pop artist Harry Chapin (1942-1981). Noted for such hits as “Taxi” (1972) and “Cat’s in the Cradle” (1974), Chapin was notable for his charity work. Kragen applied this ethos for his own career following Chapin’s untimely death in a car accident.
He became the executive producer of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour TV series. (1967-69). This is when he met Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, who guested on an episode. He subsequently produced the syndicated series Rollin’ on the River (1971-73) starring the band. This marked the beginning of his long and profitable relationship with Rogers.
With Kragen’s guidance, the singer rose to pop-country superstardom via a series of 1970s and 1980s hits such as “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “She Believes In Me,” “You Decorated My Life,” “Coward of the County,” “Lady” (penned by Richie), “We’ve Got Tonight” (with Sheena Easton) and “Islands in the Stream” (with Dolly Parton). Kragen also negotiated a string of top-rated TV movies starring Rogers.
In 1985, he was approached by Harry Belafonte to raise funds for African famine relief. Kragen assembled a star-studded cast to record “We Are the World,” co-written by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones. In addition to Rogers, Richie, Belafonte and Jackson, the singers included Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Waylon Jennings, Paul Simon, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, Kim Carnes, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, Hall & Oates, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Jefffrey Osborne, Lindsey Buckingham, Sheila E, Dan Aykroyd and more. It raised more than $64 million.
The following year, Kragen organized Hands Across America. This involved creating a human chain of 6.5 million people holding hards, stretching across the continent. Celebrities involved included Liza Minnelli, Yoko Ono, Jerry Lewis, Ronald Reagan, Tony Danza, Fred Rogers, David Copperfield, Michael J. Fox, Walter Payton, Kathleen Turner, Bill Clinton, Lee Greenwood,George Burns, Tony Dorsett, Don Johnson, Bob Seger, Charlene Tilton, Dudley Moore, Richard Dreyfus, Kenny Loggins, Robin Williams, John Stamos, Chewbacca, Mickey Mouse and C-3PO, as well as Kenny Rogers, Belafonte, Jackson and Warwick. It benefitted U.S. hunger charities. The effort raised an estimated $15 million.
In 2010, he founded HomeAid.net, an annual campaign to combat homelessness. Kragen also worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the NAACP and other charities. He was presented with the United Nations Peace Medal.
In 1992, he and Quincy Jones co-produced part of the Inauguration festivities for President Bill Clinton. He portrayed himself in the 1996 TV movie The Late Shift. In 2004, Kragen produced the movie 12 Dogs of Christmas, which has since sold more than a million DVDs.
Ken Kragen was the author of the 1994 book Life Is a Contact Sport: Ten Great Career Strategies That Work. He documented his time with Chapin in the 1970 photo book On the Road With Harry Chapin.
In later years, he became a convention speaker, an event organizer and a consultant to a number of corporations and non profits. He taught at UCLA, notably a popular course titled “Stardom Strategies for Musicians.”
Kragen is survived by his wife Cathy Worthington; daughter cinematographer Emma Kragen; his sister Robin Merritt; brothers-in-law David and Mark Worthington, along with several nieces and nephews.
Donations in remembrance of Kragen can be made here.
Superstar Manager Ken Kragen Dies
/by Robert K OermannKen Kragen
Manager, promoter, author, TV producer, speaker and humanitarian Ken Kragen died in L.A. on Tuesday (Dec. 14) at age 85.
Kragen managed such top music stars as Trisha Yearwood, Lionel Richie, Harry Chapin, Dottie West, Travis Tritt, Olivia Newton-John, Burt Reynolds, The Bee Gees, The Smothers Brothers and, most famously, Kenny Rogers. Using his leverage with superstars Richie and Rogers, he organized the Grammy Award winning anthem “We Are the World” in 1985. Billed as by USA For Africa, this was an all-star charity recording that became one of the biggest selling singles of all time.
Early in his career, he managed folk-pop artist Harry Chapin (1942-1981). Noted for such hits as “Taxi” (1972) and “Cat’s in the Cradle” (1974), Chapin was notable for his charity work. Kragen applied this ethos for his own career following Chapin’s untimely death in a car accident.
He became the executive producer of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour TV series. (1967-69). This is when he met Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, who guested on an episode. He subsequently produced the syndicated series Rollin’ on the River (1971-73) starring the band. This marked the beginning of his long and profitable relationship with Rogers.
With Kragen’s guidance, the singer rose to pop-country superstardom via a series of 1970s and 1980s hits such as “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “She Believes In Me,” “You Decorated My Life,” “Coward of the County,” “Lady” (penned by Richie), “We’ve Got Tonight” (with Sheena Easton) and “Islands in the Stream” (with Dolly Parton). Kragen also negotiated a string of top-rated TV movies starring Rogers.
In 1985, he was approached by Harry Belafonte to raise funds for African famine relief. Kragen assembled a star-studded cast to record “We Are the World,” co-written by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones. In addition to Rogers, Richie, Belafonte and Jackson, the singers included Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Waylon Jennings, Paul Simon, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, Kim Carnes, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, Hall & Oates, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Jefffrey Osborne, Lindsey Buckingham, Sheila E, Dan Aykroyd and more. It raised more than $64 million.
The following year, Kragen organized Hands Across America. This involved creating a human chain of 6.5 million people holding hards, stretching across the continent. Celebrities involved included Liza Minnelli, Yoko Ono, Jerry Lewis, Ronald Reagan, Tony Danza, Fred Rogers, David Copperfield, Michael J. Fox, Walter Payton, Kathleen Turner, Bill Clinton, Lee Greenwood,George Burns, Tony Dorsett, Don Johnson, Bob Seger, Charlene Tilton, Dudley Moore, Richard Dreyfus, Kenny Loggins, Robin Williams, John Stamos, Chewbacca, Mickey Mouse and C-3PO, as well as Kenny Rogers, Belafonte, Jackson and Warwick. It benefitted U.S. hunger charities. The effort raised an estimated $15 million.
In 2010, he founded HomeAid.net, an annual campaign to combat homelessness. Kragen also worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the NAACP and other charities. He was presented with the United Nations Peace Medal.
In 1992, he and Quincy Jones co-produced part of the Inauguration festivities for President Bill Clinton. He portrayed himself in the 1996 TV movie The Late Shift. In 2004, Kragen produced the movie 12 Dogs of Christmas, which has since sold more than a million DVDs.
Ken Kragen was the author of the 1994 book Life Is a Contact Sport: Ten Great Career Strategies That Work. He documented his time with Chapin in the 1970 photo book On the Road With Harry Chapin.
In later years, he became a convention speaker, an event organizer and a consultant to a number of corporations and non profits. He taught at UCLA, notably a popular course titled “Stardom Strategies for Musicians.”
Kragen is survived by his wife Cathy Worthington; daughter cinematographer Emma Kragen; his sister Robin Merritt; brothers-in-law David and Mark Worthington, along with several nieces and nephews.
Donations in remembrance of Kragen can be made here.
Brad Paisley To Step In As Guest Host For ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ On Dec. 29
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley
Brad Paisley is set to step in as guest host on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in an episode airing on Wednesday, Dec. 29.
The appearance marks Paisley’s first time hosting the daytime show, but his seventh visit overall. Cary Elwes (A Castle for Christmas) and Tori Kelly (Sing 2 and children’s book, The Curly Girl Blues) are the featured guests on the day’s show, along with 11-year-old singer and guitar player Champ Jaxon.
“I was so honored Ellen asked me to guest host during her final season,” shares Paisley. “It shows so much belief… letting someone host a show that’s going off the air anyways.”
The hosting gig wraps a busy year for Paisley, who over the weekend presented the Harmony Award to the musicians of the Nashville Symphony during their annual Symphony Ball. This year, he also launched his own American Highway Bourbon brand this in collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company.
The George Jones Museum & Restaurant Closes Permanently
/by Lydia FarthingThe George Jones Restaurant, Museum and Rooftop. Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
The George Jones Restaurant, Museum and Rooftop has announced that it will be closing its doors permanently.
Located on downtown Nashville’s 2nd Avenue, the museum first opened in 2015 to honor the late country legend George Jones, as well as provide a place for his many fans to enjoy food and live music. However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum has struggled like many other businesses.
The George Jones Restaurant, Museum and Rooftop. Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
“It has been a difficult 2 years for so many-our company has been no different. From the pandemic all the way through to the 2nd Ave. bombing one year ago—we have fought for what is right for our loyal staff and local partners. As many business owners know, between the workforce shortages and difficulty with consistency of products, it is a challenge day to day (to say the least) to make a business viable,” the museum shared on social media.
“For these reasons, it is with a heavy heart that we announce we are closing The George Jones Entertainment Venue after a beautiful run. The museum and all of its contents are being handled with care. There will be more to come on where this exhibit will land next,” the post continued. “We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all of the fans, guests, staff (present and past) local partners and friends that have come through our doors over the last few years. We feel so fortunate to have shared terrific memories, food, drink and music.”
SOLID Announces New Board For 25th Anniversary Year
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Ritz McCain, Darcie Van Etten, Avery King, Rachel Guttmann, Sean Fallon, Erin Pettit; (L-R, middle row): Leah Hudson, Marquis Hardin, Tatiana Angula, Maddy Stessman, Maddy Sundquist, Jenna Smith; (L-R, bottom row): Ryan Cunningham, Parker Stacey, Chris Fairbank, Rio Van Rissengham, Zach Green, Chantrel Reynolds, Jenn DiChiara. Photo: Chrissy Yoder
Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) has announced its board for the organization’s 25th anniversary year. The Executive Board includes President Avery King (Elicity Public Relations), Vice President Rachel Guttmann (Taylor Guttmann, PLLC), Treasurer Sean Fallon (Indian Moon), and Secretary Darcie Van Etten (Roundhouse Entertainment).
The SOLID Alumni Board also announced Erin Pettit (Wiles + Taylor & Co) as the new Alumni President. Alumni Board members include Grayson Flatness (CORE Crew), Amy Kadish (Secret Road Music Services), Zach Hartley (United Talent Agency), Claire Rex (Triple 8 Management), and Geoff Turner (Red 11 Music).
“I’m incredibly excited to announce our 2022 SOLID Board. This group is already hard at work to make sure our 25th anniversary year is our most successful yet. This will be my fifth year on the board and in that time I’ve been able to see SOLID launch new fundraising initiatives, create a diversity and inclusion task force and even host global networking and educational events while overcoming the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says King, who’s serving her second term as president this year. “Each year I’ve watched this organization develop some of Nashville’s best industry leaders and cannot express my gratitude enough for being able to lead this group of individuals into such a celebratory year. I have no doubt that this board will make our SOLID alumni incredibly proud of what’s to come over the next 12 months.”
SOLID Community Chairs of 2022:
Communications Chair: Jenna Smith, SESAC
Communications Co-Chair: Jenn DiChiara, Reliant Talent Agency
Education Chair: Tatiana Angulo, ISA + JUDE
Education Co-Chair: Rio Van Risseghem, The Orchard
Community Outreach Chair: Maddy Sundquist, MadKat Management
Community Outreach Co-Chair: Chantrel Reynolds, MTheory
Social Chair: Maddy Stessman, Academy of Country Music
Social Co-Chair: Zach Green, BMG
Ambassadorship Chair: Chris Fairbank, Triple 8 Management
Ambassadorship Co-Chair: Marquis Hardin, Concord Music Nashville
Music Market Chair – Ryan Cunningham, ONErpm
Music Market Co-Chair: Parker Stacey, Collective Artist Management
Music Market Co-Chair: Leah Hudson, Banner Music
Diversity and Inclusion Chair: Ritz McCain, Spotify
Cassadee Pope Set To ‘Thrive’ In 2022 With New Spring Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughCassadee Pope. Photo: John Shearer
Cassadee Pope is hitting the road in 2022 on her upcoming “Thrive Tour.”
Kicking off on March 18 in Baltimore, the 11-date trek will visit Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and more through April 1. Tickets for the “Thrive Tour” go on sale this Friday (Dec. 17).
Pope will offer fans songs from her recent album, Thrive, which was released this fall. Produced by Nickolas Wheeler (The All-American Rejects) and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, the project blends both of Pope’s musical worlds–country and pop punk. Pope caught up with MusicRow ahead of the album’s release earlier this year.
“Seeing the reaction to Thrive has been so validating and beautiful. I can’t wait to see that in its physical form on the ‘Thrive Tour!'” shares Pope. “This music is me to the core and I’m looking forward to showing people what that looks like night after night. Rocking out with my fans again will feel so good.”
From fronting rock band Hey Monday, to winning Season 3 of The Voice and releasing her No. 1 debut album Frame By Frame, Pope has also toured with Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, and more, played London’s C2C: Country to Country Festival, and earned the distinction of the only country artist to perform at 2018’s “Warped Tour.”
Carly Pearce Adds Spring Dates To ‘The 29 Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughCarly Peace. Photo: Allister Ann
Carly Pearce is extending her headlining “The 29 Tour” into 2022 with eleven additional dates through March and April. Special guest Hannah Ellis has also been added to open the shows.
The new round of shows will kick off in Chattanooga on March 10 and culminate on April 9 in Toronto before Pearce joins Kenny Chesney’s 2022 “Here And Now Tour.” The additional headline dates will go on sale this Friday (Dec. 17) at carlypearce.com.
“The experiences that allowed me to write 29 and 29: Written In Stone were some of the most difficult moments of my life but seeing so may faces singing every word of these 15 songs night after night, reminded me of how powerful honesty can be in connecting us with others,” says Pearce. “The way you all showed up is so special, and I’m so grateful to announce another round of ‘The 29 Tour.'”
Pearce has also partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 of every ticket will go to support tornado recovery efforts in her home state of Kentucky. PLUS1 is a partner to over 200 leading artists, events, and brands in unlocking funding and building visibility for initiatives delivering access, equity, and dignity to all people.
“There are a lot of people from my Kentucky home who are going through a really devastating time right now with their lives completely changed overnight so having the opportunity to help with some of the rebuilding is so important to me,” adds Pearce.
Pearce will perform on New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash live on Dec. 31 on CBS and Paramount+.
Bridgestone Arena Ranks First In World Ticket Sales By ‘Pollstar’
/by Steven BoeroBridgestone Arena. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators
Bridgestone Arena ranked first in both the United States and the world for concert ticket sales, according to Pollstar‘s End of Year Sales Report. The Nashville arena’s ticket sales were 336,227 from solely show and concert tickets, according to Pollstar.
“The power of sports and entertainment lifting people up during trying times was fully on display this year. Thank you to everyone at Vanderbilt Heath, Nashville Metro Public Health Department and Bridgestone Arena for working to maintain a safe environment for everyone who enters the doors at 501 Broadway,” says Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Venues David Kells. “We would also like to thank all the touring professionals, artists, agents, managers and promoters for trusting us to host your events. We are truly thrilled to host the best performers and athletes in the world in Downtown Nashville night after night.”
This past year, Bridgestone Arena was ranked third in the world in ticket sales in Pollstar’s quarterly report. A nominee for the Pollstar Arena of the Decade, Bridgestone Arena has 13 consecutive Pollstar Arena of the Year nominations, winning the award in 2014 and 2017.
Pollstar‘s Top 10 World Venues (Show & Concert Ticket Sales):
1. Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)
2. Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
3. Forum (Inglewood, CA)
4. MGM Grand Arena (Los Vegas, NV)
5. State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
6. Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, CA)
7. Toyota Center (Houston, TX)
8. Spark Arena (Auckland, New Zealand)
9. Staples Center (Los Angeles, CA)
10. American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
Bridgestone Arena head Kells was recently profiled in MusicRow‘s Touring & Next Big Thing Issue. Click here to read more.
Industry Ink: Kelsea Ballerini, Cody Johnson, ASCAP, Vince Herman
/by Lydia FarthingKelsea Ballerini Receives Two Year’s Worth Of RIAA Bling
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Katie Kauss
Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini and her team gathered for a long-overdue celebration yesterday (Dec. 14) to honor a wave of RIAA certifications that the 2x Grammy award-nominated entertainer has earned over the last two years.
The multi-Platinum songwriter, producer, and author celebrated her debut album being certified both Gold and Platinum, as well as her sophomore album being certified Gold. Other certifications that were honored include: “Yeah Boy,” “Miss Me More,” “Homecoming Queen,” and “Hole in the Bottle” earning Platinum status; and “Better Luck Next Time,” “The Other Girl,” and “Half of My Hometown” achieving Gold status.
Overall, she has a career total of 21 Gold and Platinum single certifications, nine of those reaching the certification status in the last two years, and total streams exceeding 3 billion to date.
Cody Johnson Wraps Up A Monster Year, Adds One Billion Streams In 2021
Pictured (L-R): Trent Willmon (Producer, Ain’t Nothin’ to It), Missy Iredell (Sr. Dir. Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Ben Kline (EVP/GM, Warner Music Nashville), Cody Johnson, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), and Howie Edelman (Durango Artist Management). Photo: Courtesy of WMN
Platinum-selling recording artist Cody Johnson has experienced quite the year in 2021. In the last 12 months, Johnson has released a feature-length documentary, two celebrated albums, had his most successful single debut at country radio with “’Til You Can’t,” played sold out shows, and more. Johnson also increased his worldwide streams by nearly one billion in 2021.
The debut single from his recently released Human: The Double Album, “’Til You Can’t,” is currently climbing the country airplay charts. Written by Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers, the song continues to be a standout in consumption and streams, with more than 85 million global streams to date.
Johnson’s first holiday album, A Cody Johnson Christmas, was released last month. The ten-song collection includes two new original songs penned by producer Trent Willmon, as well as Johnson and Willmon’s newly imagined arrangements for the beloved Christmas carols “Away In A Manger” and “Silent Night.”
ASCAP Holds Annual ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop For 15 Rising Songwriters
Pictured (first row, L-R): LeAnn Phelan, Forest Whitehead, Kate Smith, Mark Woodring; (second row, L-R) Shai Littlejohn, Steve Schultz, Brian Bayley, Noah Lubert; (third row, L-R) Linda Mckenzie, Brodie Dawson, Elysse Yulo, Tawna Goforth; (fourth row, L-R) Selda Sahin, Allison Cipris, Brooke Malouf, Tanya Maksood.
The ASCAP Nashville membership team hosted its annual ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop in honor of Garth Brooks on Dec. 4. The workshop was held as part of an ongoing series designed to enhance the development and education of promising new songwriters.
The one-day, virtual event was hosted by music industry veteran LeAnn Phelan of LP Creative Management/LP Creative Therapy. Grammy-nominated ASCAP producer and hit songwriter Forest Whitehead joined the session as a special guest.
Fifteen country music songwriters were selected to participate in the exercise, which focused on helping the songwriters understand what publishers and labels are looking for, how to build a supportive team and the necessity of creating the right co-writing community.
Erv Woolsey Co. Inks Deals With Vince Herman
Pictured (L-R): EWC’s Allen Mitchell, Vince Herman, Erv Woolsey, Wimberley Music’s Eddie Tidwell, EWC’s Clint Woolsey and Chris Davisson. Photo: Brandon Hatton
The Erv Woolsey Co. has signed Vince Herman, lead vocalist and co-founder of the American Jam Band and Leftover Salmon, to a management deal for his forthcoming solo projects in partnership with Chris Davisson, one half of EWC client the Davisson Brothers Band. Herman has also inked a publishing deal under EWC’s Wimberley Music.
“We first had the opportunity to work together with Vince when he wrote the title track on Leftover Salmon’s latest studio album, Brand New Good Old Days, which we had the honor of publishing through Wimberley Music,” notes CEO & Founder Erv Woolsey. “We were so impressed by his talent and storytelling; we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with him now in this even bigger capacity.”
“Since moving to Nashville in April I’ve been lucky enough to write with some amazing new friends and begin working with the great folks at The Erv Woolsey Co. & Wimberley Music,” shares Herman. “It’s been a great experience stepping into this new musical world after years of a completely different way of doing things. I’m really looking forward to the good things to come.”
Herman is currently in the studio recording his first solo album, planned for release in 2022, with producer/engineer Dave “Ferg” Ferguson (Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Sturgill Simpson).
Doug Waterman Exits ‘American Songwriter’
/by Sarah SkatesDoug Waterman
Doug Waterman has exited his role as Associate Publisher of American Songwriter to pursue new opportunities.
Waterman joined the now 37-year-old media brand in 2002. He became a co-owner from 2004 to 2011, serving as Editor-in-Chief among other capacities, and remained a minority owner from 2011 to 2019 after the company’s sale to Albie Del Favero‘s ForASong Media. In September 2019, Savage Media Holdings acquired the publication and brand.
“My time serving at American Songwriter over the years has been infinitely inspiring and fulfilling,” says Waterman. “After almost 20 years of involvement, it’s time for me to begin a new chapter. I wish the company and team members continued success in the years to come.”
As a songwriter, Waterman’s songs have been recorded by Colt Ford, Aaron Espe, Walker Hayes, Lorrie Morgan, Thompson Square, Erik Dylan and others. His song “Making All Things New” (performed by/co-written with Espe) has been featured in television advertising campaigns for Toys “R” Us, Dubai Properties, Cox Communications, HomeGoods, and Airwick. His publishing company, Battles Wharf Music, is administered by Hipgnosis Songs Group.
Waterman can be reached at doug@battleswharfmusic.com.
Ronnie Milsap Celebrates The Holidays With A Special Reissue Of His Sole Christmas Album [Interview]
/by LB CantrellRonnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap is looking back on holidays past this year.
The Country Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member recently released Christmas with Ronnie Milsap, a reissue of the only holiday album he’s ever recorded. The long out-or-print album was reissued by Craft Recordings.
When Christmas with Ronnie Milsap was originally issued in 1986, Milsap was at the height of his fame with huge crossover hits such as “Show Her,” “Stranger in My House” and the Grammy and ACM Award-winning “Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night).”
Christmas with Ronnie Milsap finds the country icon’s signature soulful voice singing along to classics “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Silver Bells” and “O Holy Night,” plus a selection of originals.
“I loved it,” Milsap told MusicRow when asked about revisiting the 35-year-old songs. “I had a great arranger named David Clydesdale. He put it all together [back then], and was great.”
A standout track on the project is an original called “Only One Night of the Year,” which highlights the six-time Grammy winner’s token country and R&B sound while he sings,“Cause for only one night of the year, you can see flying reindeer / And if you believe in Christmas Eve, there’s no telling who will appear.”
“Mike Reid played that live for me, it wasn’t on tape. He sat at the piano and played it live,” Milsap recalled of hearing “Only One Night of the Year” for the first time.
Overall, Milsap’s favorite on the collection is the classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
“I remember I [originally] recorded that out at the Castle [recording studio]. Bill Schnee mixed that song, and boy he made me sound great,” he said.
Milsap delivers a personal message on a spoken word track called “Christmas Thoughts,” before closing the project with “We’re Here to Love,” which originally appeared on his bestselling 1983 LP, Keyed Up.
While “We’re Here To Love” isn’t a Christmas song, it proves to be especially poignant in the divisive times of 2021. In the song, Milsap sings, “All the seasons that turn in between, it’s the love that you give and the hours you give / That’s the measure of the life that you lead.”
“That song is for everybody,” Milsap said. “[When we recorded that], we opened it up and had the studio full of a lot of folks that worked in the building. They all sang ‘We’re Here To Love.’ It was great.”
Today, Milsap goes into the holidays with some sorrow, as he lost his beloved wife Joycee this year and his son Todd in 2019. “All my favorite Christmas traditions involve my wife,” Milsap said.
Christmas with Ronnie Milsap follows his 29th studio album, A Better Word for Love, which he released earlier this year. The 78-year old country icon continues to release music that touches hearts and brings people together with his signature country soul.
Christmas with Ronnie Milsap is available for purchase now.