The heartfelt festive single is available now
Two Grammy-winning country stars from the 90s have teamed up for a new festive single. Jamie O’Neal and Ty Herndon have released the poignant “Merry Christmas Baby.” The emotional track is featured on O’Neal’s deluxe edition album, Spirit & Joy, and promises to touch the hearts of listeners with its heartfelt message and soulful harmonies.
Released through BFD/Audium, “Merry Christmas Baby” reflects the universal sentiment often associated with the holiday season—a wistful feeling of missing someone you’ve lost or a past love. The song, co-written by O’Neal and Allen Mark Russell, beautifully captures the idea that Christmas just isn’t the same without that special person, making it a relatable and deeply moving addition to the holiday music catalog.
The collaboration between O’Neal and Herndon is a result of their enduring friendship and shared musical passions. Having spent years touring together, their voices effortlessly complement each other, creating a musical experience that is both captivating and emotionally resonant. Their desire to record something special together led to the creation of “Merry Christmas Baby,” a song that showcases their remarkable chemistry and the depth of their artistry.
The single is produced by O’Neal, alongside her husband and recording engineer Rodney Good.
O’Neal is thrilled to announce the return of her Spirit & Joy Christmas Show this year. The run of shows kicks off on December 8th at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, where she’ll be sharing the stage with Herndon. On December 13th, there will be an exclusive private show in Tucson, Arizona, followed by a performance at the historic McPherson Opera House in McPherson, Kansas, on December 15th. The tour concludes on December 16th at the Emporia Granada Theatre in Emporia, Kansas.
O’Neal, a platinum-selling country singer and prolific songwriter, achieved household recognition in 2001 when she delivered back-to-back No. 1 singles with “There Is No Arizona” and “When I Think About Angels.” Her musical journey continued with a string of hits, including chart-toppers like “Shiver,” “Trying To Find Atlantis,” and “Somebody’s Hero.” Her remarkable career has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations, and she stands as an ACM and Billboard Awards winner. O’Neal has also crafted hits for illustrious artists such as Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, CeCe Winans, Idina Menzel, and more.
Herndon burst onto the scene and made his chart debut in 1995 with “What Mattered Most,” which became his first No. 1 song and garnered a Song of the Year Award. It was also the title track to his first album, which debuted on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and had the biggest first-week shipment in the history of Epic Records Nashville. Between 1995 and 2002, Herndon charted 17 singles, including his three No. 1’s and numerous top 10 hits, such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” “A Man Holding On,” and “Hands of a Working Man.” He topped the charts in 1996 with the single “Living in a Moment” and again in 1998 with “It Must Be Love.” In 2014, Herndon became the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay in an exclusive with People Magazine. He received an outpouring of support that only strengthened his relationship with fans and the country music community, expanding his reach to new and diverse audiences. Shortly after, he made history when he hosted a first-of-its-kind country music event, The Concert for Love and Acceptance, now an annual event that provides a stage for LGBTQ and allied artists. In 2020, he created the Foundation For Love & Acceptance to further his work on behalf of LGBTQ youth. Herndon found himself back at No. 1 in 2020 – this time on iTunes with his remake of “Orphans of God,” a collaboration with Kristin Chenoweth and Paul Cardall featured on his holiday release, Regifted. In 2022, he joined Pivotal Moments Media as a Brand Ambassador and as the first artist signed to the organization’s record label, Pivotal Records.
