On October 22, Tony and EMMY Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth will release her first collection of holiday music in more than a decade. Happiness is…Christmas! puts Chenoweth’s unmistakable stamp on a dozen songs celebrating everyone’s favorite time of year.
“The inspiration for this album was light. Light at the end of the tunnel,” says Chenoweth. “It’s been a difficult time for all. With the cover and some of the songs, light is a big theme. I wanted to make a Christmas album for everybody.”
She continues, “I wanted songs on the album that people can enjoy, that make them smile. It’s a fun record, yet intimate — just like Christmas with my family.”
The album kicks off with a buoyant medley of “Happiness (is Christmas)” / “Christmas Time Is Here” (with new lyrics by Landers and Charlie Midnight), an affectionate nod to Chenoweth’s star-making, Tony-winning turn as Sally Brown in the 1999 Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Chenoweth teamed up with award-winning producers Jay Landers (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler) and Fred Mollin (Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis) for the album, which brilliantly showcases her remarkable versatility, virtuosity, and charisma. The duo enlisted a group of Nashville’s most in-demand musicians for the recording sessions, including guitarists Bryan Sutton and Kerry Marx, bassist Larry Paxton, drummer Tommy Harden, pianist and keyboard player Pat Coil, and harpist Kirsten Agresta Copely.
Pre-order Happiness is…Christmas!
Happiness is…Christmas! Tracklist:
Happiness (Is Christmas) / Christmas Time Is Here
Why Couldn’t It Be Christmas Every Day?
Merry Christmas, Darling
(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag / Jingle Bell Rock
The Stories That You Told
The Little Road to Bethlehem
Merry Christmas Baby (Feat. Keb’ Mo’)
Christmas Lullaby
We Are Lights
Santa, I’ve Got a Bone to Pick With You!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)