King Size Manger will be available Oct 8th
Multi-platinum-selling recording artist Josh Turner is releasing his first-ever Christmas album, King Size Manger, on October 8th on MCA Nashville. The holiday project features fresh interpretations of the classics and introduces four originals, three of which were written or co-written by Turner. Plus, Turner is joined by very special guests including Turner’s wife and four boys singing a holiday classic, a family tradition Turner wanted to feature on this special album. In support of the album, Turner will embark on a 16 city Holiday & The Hits Tour, culminating at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, where the album will come to life alongside Turner’s most notable hits.
“Making a Christmas record can be a mighty daunting task for an artist,” says Turner. “There are so many songs to choose from and there’ve been so many versions of those songs throughout history. It can be intimidating to know whether you’ll be able to measure up to what’s already been done and when I get to that point, I step back and remind myself that I have to do what I hear in my heart. You may be surprised to hear my arrangement on some of these songs that you know so well. We had a lot of fun throwing out all the preconceived notions of what a Christmas record should sound like. In my opinion, it’s about the words and the heart and soul of how a song sounds. You don’t need jingle bells on a song to make it a Christmas song.”
Turner arranged five of the 11 tracks on the project and its four original songs include the solo penned “Mele Kalikimaka My ‘Ohana” featuring world renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and Grammy-nominated Hawaiian trio Ho’okena. Turner also wrote “What He’s Given Me” with Pat McLaughlin, as well as the title track “King Size Manger” with Mark Narmore. The album also includes the poignant Travis Hill/Tom Douglas track “Soldier’s Gift.” Christmas music fans will also find the beloved classics “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which features Turner’s wife Jennifer and his four children, as well as “Joy To The World” featuring Rhonda Vincent the queen of bluegrass.
CD
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- What He’s Given Me (Featuring Pat McLaughlin)
- King Size Manger
- Joy To The World (Featuring Rhonda Vincent)
- Soldier’s Gift
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Featuring The Turner Family)
- Go Tell It On The Mountain
- Mele Kalikimaka My ‘Ohana (Featuring Jake Shimabukuro and Ho’okena)
- The First Nowell
- Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
- Silent Night, Holy Night
Holiday & The Hits Tour Schedule:
Nov 18 – Holland, MI @ Holland Civic Center
Nov 19 – Springfield, IL @ University of Illinois PAC
Nov 20 – Joliet, IL @ Rialto Square Theatre
Nov 21 – Rockford, IL @ Coronado PAC
Nov 26 – Panama City Beach, FL @ Aaron Bessant Park
Nov 27 – Memphis, TN @ Soundstage at Graceland
Nov 28 – Meridian, MS @ MSU Riley Center
Dec 2 – Prescott, AZ @ Yavapai College PAC
Dec 3 – Maricopa, AZ @ Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Dec 4 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre
Dec 10 – Riverside, IA @ Riverside Casino
Dec 11 – Prior Lake, MN @ Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Dec 16 – Midland, MI @ Midland Center For The Arts
Dec 17 – Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Dec 19 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Dec 20 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
