PUBLICATION: Country Hound Magazine CD REVIEWS

Julianne Hough, Collin Raye, George Strait

Offer Their Take on Christmas Classics

As the magic of the holiday season abounds, Country stars continue to churn out new music -- Christmas music that is. CountryHound's Bev Moser reviews three recent holiday releases from Julianne Hough, Collin Raye and George Strait.

Julianne Hough, Sounds of the Season, The Julianne Hough Collection
NBC Universal Music

Seven songs filled with energy and excitement. If you were not pumped up for the holidays before listening to this CD, then you will be as soon as it hits the first few opening notes. Hough has a voice filled with holiday joy, powerful emotion and a sound that makes you want to sing along with each tune. She also shares some special holiday memories with a personal message about her favorite times during the season.

My absolute favorite on this CD is “It Wasn’t His Child / Mary Did You Know.” Phil Vassar lends his voice and talent on this song to bring it to life like no other version out there!Each song in this collection brings out the talent Hough has as a vocalist. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” Jingle Bell Rock” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” all well known holiday songs, have a new life when performed by the beautiful Julianne Hough. This is a definite must have for your holiday music collection.

1. Sound Of Christmas (Instrumental)
2. Jingle Bell Rock
3. Feliz Navidad
4. It Wasn’t His Child / Mary Did You Know (featuring Phil Vassar)
5. Santa Baby
6. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
7. Christmas Memories (Special Memories from Julianne)
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

For more great music and news on Julianne Hough, you can check out www.juliannehough.com or www.myspace.com/juliannehough.

Collin Raye A Family Christmas
StarPointe Records

Collin Raye continues to give his fans new music year after year. This project is another example of his vocal talents, a showcase of his strong spiritual values and love and admiration of his family and friends. Raye recorded this CD in front of a live audience, and you can hear his heartfelt and emotional connection to both the music and those in attendance as he introduces each song.
A Family Christmas showcases the talents of his beautiful daughter, Brittany, who joins her father in several holiday songs. The album offers listeners ten holiday songs from the old time traditional songs we have all grown up with, like “Silent Night” and “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” to a pumped-up version of “Santa Clause is Coming’ To Town.” Raye also sings the emotional and hope-filled “It Could Happen Again,” an original about the 1914 battle during WW I and the soldiers moments of peace on Christmas Eve.

Collin Raye never disappoints his listeners. These songs represent timeless and unforgettable moments in our lives and showcase the harmony of Collin and Brittany’s beautiful voices as they bring these classics to life. This CD is only available on Raye's Web site.

1. The Christmas Song
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
3. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
4. It Could Happen Again
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Away In A Manger
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas
9. Silent Night
10. O’ Holy Night

More information on Collin Raye and his music can be found at www.collinraye.com or www.myspace.com/collinraye.

George Strait, Classic Christmas
MCA Nashville

As the title implies, this CD project is filled with ten of Strait’s favorite traditional and classic holiday songs. He chose those songs that he loved as a child; songs that brought back memories of his grandparent's home filled with relatives and he added a personal and Country touch to them. Put this CD in while you and your family are decorating your home for the holidays or as you gather with friends for special times during the holidays, and let it remind you of special memories as you create new ones.

If you enjoy the sounds of Christmas such as “Joy To The World,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Christmas Tree” and “Deck The Halls,” then you will love this CD. Strait adds his own personality to this collection and a special sound to “Up On The Housetop” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”

1. Joy To The World

2. We Three Kings
3. Silent Night
4. Jingle Bells
5. O Come, All Ye Faithful
6. Up On The Housetop
7. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
8. O Christmas Tree
9. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
10. Deck The Halls

For more great music and news on George Strait, you can check out www.georgestrait.com or www.myspace.com/georgestrait.