AXS TV delivers Winter Wonderland of Christmas concerts

Get into the spirit of the season with AXS TV, as the network presents a day of beloved holiday standards performed by some of music’s biggest names, in this special Christmas Day programming lineup. The day begins at 8 am ET, as pop superstar Jessica Simpson belts out “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and more, with Willie Nelson, Carly Simon, and Ashlee Simpson in Jessica Simpson: Happy Christmas.

Next, rockabilly hero Chris Isaak blazes through “The Christmas Song,” “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and more, joined by Michael Bublé, Stevie Nicks, and Brian McKnight in Chris Isaak Christmas. And Michael McDonald puts his soulful spin on “Christmas In The Bayou,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” in Michael McDonald – This Christmas at 10:05 am ET (with an encore at 4 pm ET).

Stay tuned at 11:05 am ET, as country favorite Faith Hill performs “Holly, Jolly Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and more, backed by an orchestra, a big band, and a choir in Faith Hill: Joy To The World (with an encore at 3 pm ET). Then, rock n’ roll icons Heart bring the house down with the help of Sammy Hagar, Shawn Colvin, Pat Monahan, and Richard Marx in Heart & Friends: Home For The Holidays at 12:05 pm ET (with an encore at 6:50 pm ET). And The Flaming Lips, Run DMC, and John Waters take viewers into the quirky world of alternative Christmas music in Jingle Bell Rocks! at 1:15 pm ET (with an encore at 5 pm ET).

Start 2017 off on a high note on Saturday, December 31st, in a star-studded New Year’s Eve lineup. The day kicks off at 11:30 am ET with a Best Of Festivals Marathon packed with premieres of three specials highlighting the best moments from some of the country’s biggest music festivals, opening with the eclectic beach bash Best Of Hangout Music Festival, followed by the swingin’ Louisiana staple Best Of Jazz Fest at 12:30 pm ET and The Zac Brown Band’s very own Best Of Southern Ground at 2 pm ET.

The festivities continue at 4 pm ET with a special Gregg Allman Marathon, as the gifted musician opens up about his legendary life and legacy in a candid sit-down with Dan Rather on The Big Interview. Then, fellow music legends come together to honor Allman in an unforgettable evening featuring performances by Eric Church, Robert Randolph, Brantley Gilbert, Dr. John, Vince Gill, Martina McBride and more, in the 2014 tribute special All My Friends: Celebrating The Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman at 5 pm ET. The Allman Brothers Band: After The Crash follows at 8 pm ET, giving viewers a glimpse at the powerful story of how the Southern Rock pioneers persevered to become one of the most enduring acts in rock, after the tragic death of guitarist Duane Allman in 1971. The day of music comes to a close with the premiere of the all-star country extravaganza CMA Music Festival 2016: Country’s Night To Rock airing at 10 pm ET.

Check local listings.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com