Just in time for the holidays, one of Southern Gospel music's most loved performers is returning with a new full length Christmas album featuring some of his favorite songs of the season. Produced by Garry Jones, this project showcases nostalgic renditions of 'Christmas Dreaming,' 'There s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,' 'What Child is This' and more. Highlighting the musical qualities Ivan is known for, with fresh arrangements and crooner style, this timeless collection of holiday classics is sure to inspire listeners with the message of hope and peace that rings true throughout the season and all year long.
In my experience, Bluegrass is one of the toughest genres in which to find Christmas music. Oh, its a lot better now than it used to be. Much better. For all intents and purposes, the very first Bluegrass Christmas tune didn't come along until 1951 when Bill Monroe recorded "Christmas Time's A-Comin'". Other than that, the early Bluegrass players relied mostly upon the old hymns that were already part of their repertoire (and I'm sure some Bluegrass players had a robust go at "Jingle Bells" on the banjo or mandolin). The Stanley Brothers contributed "Christmas Is Near" in 1958 and their 1964 recording of "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" made that hymn a Bluegrass standard. Jimmy Martin added "Old Fashioned Christmas" in 1960. In 1963, Reno & Smiley released a full album, "The True Meaning of Christmas". You'd think that would have opened the floodgates, but it didn't. The slow drip turned into a slightly quicker drip when Rebel Records released the compilation "Christmas Time Back Home" in 1980. But even well into the 90s, Bluegrass Christmas music stayed set at "trickle". Still today, it's a tiny stream at best.
If you want the best of Bluegrass today, you turn to Dailey & Vincent. Jamie Dailey spent a decade as the lead vocalist and guitar player for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (whose own Christmas album was released in 1991), while Darrin Vincent was a staple of Ricky Skaggs' band Kentucky Thunder. Jamie and Darrin teamed up in 2007 and are pretty much as good as it gets in Bluegrass music, today. Though they've contributed to the three "Christmas Grass" albums and backed Darrin's sister Rhonda on her Christmas albums, "The Sounds of Christmas" will be the first full-length holiday record from Dailey & Vincent. And, oddly enough, neither "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" nor "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" appear on the album (nor, for that matter, any of the other songs considered "Bluegrass standards").
This Country/Bluegrass duo delivers its first ever Christmas studio project that includes a duet with the legendary Dolly Parton and a score of Christmas Classics that include Frosty The Snowman, Jingle Bells and Mr. Grinch.
Dailey & Vincent have been doing Christmas shows for years and "The Sounds of Christmas" contains many of the most popular songs from those shows, including "Go Thee Down" (made popular by Ricky Skaggs) and the Ray Charles chestnut "The Spirit of Christmas". Two songs look to be originals. The duo duet with Dolly Parton on "Road to Bethlehem" and then there's "It's A Very Merry Christmas". Their Gospel side will likely be most in evidence on the album closer, "Go Tell It On The Mountain".
Dailey & Vincent will also have a special Christmas show taped for Soundstage which will air throughout December on PBS stations. "The Sounds of Christmas" bows on October 12.