“Merry Christmas Strait to You!” was the first Christmas album that the King of Country Music ever released. Put out in September of 1986, the Texas troubadour’s tinsel touch took the album to number 17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and it became certified double platinum thereafter.
Strait compiled a mix of 10 tracks for his fans’ holiday listening pleasure on this first festive record, and they included classic Christmas standards such as “White Christmas” as well as new, up-tempo country holiday songs like the album’s title track. Many of his fans continue to count this project as a key component in their Christmas music playlists and still purchase it in its various formats.
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Consistent with his traditional country music style, with “Merry Christmas Strait to You!” he has also managed to wrap up Christmas in a big Texas bow. Although he is easily able to add a touch of western swing to any holiday standard, he’s also able to perform an original Christmas classic with nothing added but his voice when it’s called for. And, this is no truer than with the song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” This often-covered holiday song, when sung by Strait, manages to sound refreshingly new. An airwave standard during the holidays, he adds a rare country expertise to it that few can. If you’re thinking of your favorite country Christmas albums of all time, no doubt, this one is near the top of that list! Have a listen to the very first of his holiday albums this Christmas season and you’ll soon be tapping your toes, singing along with all the carols, wishing everyone in Texas a merry Christmas!
