Brett Eldredge Announces New Holiday Album, Shares Festive Track, ‘Sweet December’ Featuring Kelly Clarkson

The countdown to Christmas is officially on and to help usher in the season, Brett Eldredge has announced his third holiday album, Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family). Dropping Sept. 27, this eight-track project marks the first release on his own label, Warm and Cozy Records. 

To get fans into the joyful spirit as they await the full collection, Eldredge has unveiled the first and his favorite song from the album, “Sweet December” feat. Kelly Clarkson. The effortless warmth explodes between the powerful vocalists as they capture the feeling of love and magic that comes with the month of December. 

After working together previously to deliver the dazzling tune, “Under The Mistletoe,” in 2020, Eldredge admits “there was no one else in the world” he wanted to sing with on his latest release.

“Kelly’s voice has this soulful retro feeling. I’ve never done a Christmas song in this style, and I really love it,” he shared via press release. 

Clarkson adds, “I’ve been fortunate enough to record songs with Brett, go see him live, and have him on my show! He has one of my favorite voices and I will sing with him anytime, anywhere! I hope people dig ‘Sweet December’ as much as we do!”

Eldredge, who has been dubbed “Mr. Christmas” for his beloved contributions to the annual holiday season, reveals he began writing for his eighth full-length LP immediately after wrapping up his annual Glow tour last year. The result of a project stacked with original Christmas songs, which Eldredge hopes will turn into classics in the hearts and minds of his listeners. 

“We recorded this album trying to encapsulate the classic Christmas sounds I’ve always loved and put my own soulful and jazzy spin on it,” he wrote via Facebook. “Whatever you want to call it, just know it’s a reflection of the most important themes of the holidays—love, togetherness, family, and community. If you need a place to rest your soul and a group of magical humans to share it with, then just put this album on play, lay back, and take a breath.”

Further diving into the inspiration behind these songs, the Illinois native encourages listeners to “lean into your traditions” and “reach to someone you haven’t talked to in a while.” 

“Loosen up a little and be who you are during the holidays,” he continues. “Embrace love, family, and togetherness. Don’t take it all too seriously. I just want to tell my stories and do what feels right in my heart.”

The title itself stems from a story Eldredge thought up, that finds him imagining what it would be like to bring stranger home for the holidays and getting to meet all of the “interesting, crazy, beautiful, and awesome characters” in his family and their traditions. As the tracks play out, we will hear this story unfold and all the “whacky” experiences that come along the way. 

“I had just experienced another Christmas with 50 people in my house. We opened presents, went to Christmas service, and everybody was sleeping in the attic. At the end of the song, I introduce everyone to my family, everyone from my brother and mother to Uncle Jim and Aunt Margo,” he explains. 

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Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family) Track Listing:

1          Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)
2          It Must Be Christmas
3          Sweet December (featuring Kelly Clarkson)
4          Warm and Cozy         
5          The Night St. Nick Got Sick
6          Season of Lights and Wonder
7          Who Will You Be Kissing on New Year’s Eve? (featuring Idarose)
8          Welcome to the Family (Reprise)

Fans who purchase a vinyl of Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family) won’t just be getting a new set of holiday classics, but also a chance to gather with family and friends around the kitchen table with Welcome to the Family: The Game. This exclusive board game will be printed onto the inner gatefold of the album’s vinyl edition and features pop-up game pieces for up to 8 players. 

Plus, players who roll Santa’s special virtual die have the chance to win surprise holiday prizes. The vinyl release will include a printed inner sleeve and will be offered in several versions: a website-exclusive signed Christmas splatter LP, a retail-exclusive Evergreen LP, an Amazon-exclusive red LP, and a standard black LP.

The signed Christmas splatter LP will only be available to members of Eldredge’s official fan club, The Locals, who regularly get offered early access to presale tickets, exclusive content, and special music releases. 

With the release of his 2016 Christmas album, Glow, Brett Eldredge was inspired to perform a single live Christmas show in Nashville. This event turned out to be such a hit that he decided to build it up to a full tour that now serves as an annual tradition by many families. Eldredge has yet to announce whether or not the Glow Tour will continue in 2024.