New Christmas release from Amy Grant and Vince Gill

Fri, July 26, 2024, 1:45 p.m.

“When I Think Of Christmas” contains two previously unreleased tracks

Press release

The greatest Christmas gift is anticipation: imagine the surprises you will give and receive, and look forward to renewing traditions you have created over the years to make the holiday your own.

Into this festive setting comes “When I Think Of Christmas” – a collection of Christmas songs by Vince Gill and Amy Grant that captures the spirit of their popular “Christmas at the Ryman” concerts.

The album will be released on September 13th by MCA Nashville and includes remastered versions of nine of the duo's Christmas favorites as well as two new recordings.

Gill and Grant's “Christmas at the Ryman” is one of the most successful performances in the history of Nashville's Ryman Auditorium (the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry), having presented over 100 shows to nearly a quarter of a million people. This year's series runs from November 29 to December 21. Tickets are on sale now.

In addition to the digital and CD release of When I Think Of Christmas, the album will also be available on olive green vinyl. A limited edition apple red vinyl will be sold exclusively at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and the official artist store.

While it's difficult to narrow down the number of cherished Christmas songs for which Grant and Gill are legendary, they've selected nine previously released tracks, including Grant's “Tennessee Christmas” and “Breath of Heaven,” originally recorded on their “Home for Christmas” (which Billboard ranks among the top 25 Christmas albums of all time), as well as Gill's “O Holy Night” and “I'll Be Home for Christmas.” In addition, there are two new recordings, including Grant's version of the album's title song and “Til the Season Comes Round Again,” a duet by Grant and Gill.

“Christmas music is a portal to wonder and awe, to nostalgia and 'memories,' to hope and how we wish it were,” said Grant. “And because we return to the same playlists year after year, these songs have become the backdrop for our shared memories of gatherings, of family, of gifts, of celebration and loneliness. I've recorded a lot of Christmas music over the years and I'm excited to add two new songs to this collection, particularly the song that Vince and I end our Christmas concerts with, 'Til The Season Comes Round Again.' I hope these new songs find a place on playlists, whether during the holiday season or all year long.”

Gill added his wife's thoughts: “There is nothing in the world I love more than seeing my girl shine, and she perhaps shines brightest when she plays Christmas music. We have been on stage together for over 30 years and I have loved every note of it. I hope everyone enjoys this collection of songs and hears Amy shine.”

Both Grant and Gill have sold millions of copies of their respective Christmas albums and have performed some of the most beloved classics of the holiday season on the Ryman stage. When I Think Of Christmas includes 11 of those songs.

“When I think of Christmas” (Image courtesy of the media collective)

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More about Amy Grant

Amy Grant's career spans more than 40 years, from her gospel roots to legendary pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, she has sold over 30 million albums and streamed over 1 billion times worldwide throughout her career.

Grant's chart success has been consistent throughout her career, with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 adult contemporary Christian tracks, and several chart-toppers. In addition to her six Grammy Awards, Grant has won 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Grant is widely known for bringing contemporary Christian music to fame by being the first contemporary Christian artist to receive a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the pop charts, and the first to perform at the Grammy Awards, securing her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the last four decades.

In 2020, the TJ Martell Foundation – the music industry’s leading nonprofit organization funding innovative medical research focused on cancer treatments and cures – honored Grant with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award at its annual Honors Gala.

Most recently, Grant was named one of five distinguished recipients of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievement by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2024, Grant toured the country, playing 33 shows in the spring, including two headlining shows at the Ryman Auditorium on Mother's Day weekend. She released the long-awaited album “Songs From The Loft” (originally released in 1993) for the first time in digital formats. Later in the fall, Grant will embark on a 20+ show headlining tour and end the year with the annual “Christmas At The Ryman” residency with Gill. Grant is also writing songs for her next music project, set for release in 2025.

Learn more about Vince Gill

One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Gill is famous for his world-class songwriting, world-class guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor voice – all wrapped up in a fast and easy wit. Gill's big break came in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” which won both the Country Music Association (CMA) Single and Song of the Year awards and a Grammy for Best Country Male Vocal Performance. In total, Gill has won 18 CMA Awards, 22 Grammy Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards.

In 1991, Gill was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry, and in 2007 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gill is a gifted songwriter, his compositions earned him induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2014 he was awarded the prestigious BMI Icon Award.

Over the course of his career, he has released 21 albums, sold over 30 million albums, and charted 45 singles. In 2022, Gill was inducted into the Musician's Hall of Fame.

Gill has always considered himself a musician first and foremost and has been part of some legendary bands over the years including Pure Prairie League, The Notorious Cherry Bombs and The Time Jumpers. In 2017, Gill was asked to join the Eagles on tour and continues to be part of the historic band's touring lineup.