Artist: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow" In Their Words: "This song has been a part of my life and Christmas celebrations for as long as I can remember. I learned it from an Odetta album of Christmas spirituals, which was the only Christmas record in…

Artist: Amanda Shires Hometown: Lubbock, Texas Song: "Blame It on the Mistletoe" Album: For Christmas In Their Words: "I've always wanted to make a record that’s true to what Christmas is like for me, and all the mixed emotions that come with it. There’s the happiness of being with family, and then the reality that…

Artist: Tony Trischka Hometown: Syracuse, New York, and Fair Lawn, New Jersey Songs: "Christmas Night" & "The Christmas Medley" In Their Words: "I wrote 'Christmas Night' around 10 years ago. The process of creating the lyric was inspired by a John Hartford song, wherein he stream-of-consciousnessed a descriptive story. By taking this approach with 'Christmas…

Artist: Emily James Hometown: Pleasantville, New York (now Los Angeles) Song: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Album: Christmas Mistletunes Label: Nettwerk Records In Their Words: "'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' has always been one of my favorite holiday songs. I really connected with the lyrics of this particular version, because it speaks so…

Artists: Joe Newberry & April Verch Song: "Christmas Eve" Album: On This Christmas Day In Their Words: It was pretty much a given that as a duo that loves fiddle and banjo duets that we would include the old tune 'Christmas Eve' when recording our first Christmas album, On This Christmas Day. While there are…