Josh Turner is set to release his first Christmas album, King Size Manger, on October 8th.
Josh says, âMaking a Christmas record can be a mighty daunting task for an artist, there are so many songs to choose from and thereâve been so many versions of those songs throughout history. It can be intimidating to know whether youâll be able to measure up to whatâs 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.â
King Size Manger Track Listing:
1. âAngels We Have Heard On Highâ
2. âWhat Heâs Given Meâ (Featuring Pat McLaughlin)*
3. âKing Size Mangerâ*
4. âJoy To The Worldâ (Featuring Rhonda Vincent)
5. âSoldierâs Giftâ*
6. âHave Yourself A Merry Little Christmasâ (Featuring The Turner Family)
7. âGo Tell It On The Mountainâ
8. âMele Kalikimaka My âOhanaâ (Featuring Jake Shimabukuro and Hoâokena)*
9. âThe First Nowellâ
10. âSanta Claus Is Cominâ To Townâ
11. âSilent Night, Holy Nightâ
Produced by Kenny Greenberg
*denotes original
When it comes to what fans can expect from King Size Manger, Josh Turner shares, âYou 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, itâs about the words and the heart and soul of how a song sounds. You donât need jingle bells on a song to make it a Christmas song.â
The holiday project features fresh interpretations of the classics and introduces four originals, three of which were written or co-written by Josh.
The whole Turner family gets into the holiday spirit as Joshâs wife, Jennifer, and their four boys join him on singing a holiday classic, âHave Yourself A Merry Little Christmasâ.
Other guests on the album include Rhonda Vincent, Pat McLaughlin, world renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and Grammy-nominated Hawaiian trio Hoâokena.
Fans will be able to get the album, King Size Manger, October 8th, and then the following month they can see Josh perform the tracks live as he kicks off his Holiday & The Hits tour. The 16-stop tour includes shows in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee and more.
Holiday & The Hits tour schedule
11/18 Holland, MI â Holland Civic Center
11/19 Springfield, IL â University of Illinois PAC
11/20 Joliet, IL â Rialto Square Theatre
11/21 Rockford, IL â Coronado PAC
11/26 Panama City Beach, FL â Aaron Bessant Park
11/27 Memphis, TN â Soundstage at Graceland
11/28 Meridian, MS â MSU Riley Center
12/2 Prescott, AZ â Yavapai College PAC
12/3 Maricopa, AZ â Harrahâs Ak-Chin Casino
12/4 Las Vegas, NV â The Venetian Theatre
12/10 Riverside, IA â Riverside Casino
12/11 Prior Lake, MN â Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
12/16 Midland, MI â Midland Center For The Arts
12/17 Wisconsin Dells, WI â Crystal Grand Music Theatre
12/19 Royal Oak, MI â Royal Oak Music Theatre
12/20 Nashville, TN â Ryman Auditorium
To pre-order King Size Manger click HERE
To pre-order an autographed CD and limited-edition King Size Manger merchandise click HERE
To purchase tickets to Holiday & The Hits Tour click HERE
One of the hits that fans will see on the Holiday & The Hits tour is Josh Turnerâs âYour Manâ â which is the title track to Joshâs album that just celebrated itâs 15th anniversary this year.
To mark the occasion Josh appears in a behind the scenes mini documentary about the project.
âYour Manâ cowriter Chris Stapleton, along with Scotty McCreery and Joshâs wife Jennifer all appear in the featurette.
Photos Courtesy of UMG Nashville