Christmas (Kenny Rogers album) explained

Christmas
Type:	studio
Artist:	Kenny Rogers
Cover:	Christmas Kenny.jpg
Released:	1981
Recorded:	1981
Genre:	Seasonal
Length:	33:37
Label:	Liberty
Producer:	Kenny Rogers
Prev Title:	Share Your Love
Prev Year:	1981
Next Title:	Love Will Turn You Around
Next Year:	1982

Christmas is the twelfth studio album and the first Christmas album by Kenny Rogers released in 1981.

Overview

The album features several songs that were already well known at the time including "White Christmas," "When A Child is Born," "Carol of the Bells" and "My Favorite Things." Several original Christmas songs are also included, which have also now become well-known via this album.

Christmas was also the origin of Kenny's first holiday single, "Kentucky Home Made Christmas."

The album peaked at #10 on the U.S. Country charts and #34 on the overall U.S. charts.^[1]

Personnel

• Kenny Rogers – lead vocals, backing vocals (3, 6), vocal arrangements
• Gene Page – arrangements
• Barnaby Finch – acoustic piano
• Lincoln Mayorga – acoustic piano
• John Hobbs – keyboards
• Clarence McDonald – Fender Rhodes
• Kin Vassy – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar
• Ira Newborn – guitar
• David T. Walker – guitar
• Nathan East – bass guitar
• David Hungate – bass guitar
• Jerry Scheff – bass guitar
• Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums
• Gary Coleman – percussion
• Paulinho Da Costa – percussion
• Cindy Fee – backing vocals
• Terry Williams – backing vocals
• Jon Joyce – backing vocals (3, 6)
• Maxi Anderson – backing vocals (5)
• Marlena Jeter – backing vocals (5)
• Gwenchie Machu – backing vocals (5)
• Juance Charmaine O’Neal – backing vocals (6)

Production

• Producer – Kenny Rogers
• Assistant Producer – Brenda Harvey-Richie
• Engineers – Reginald Dozier (Tracks 1, 3–6, 8 & 9); Al Schmitt (Tracks 2 & 7); John Arrias (Track 10).
• Second Engineer (Track 10) – Stephen Schmitt
• Mixed by Reggie Dozier
• Art Direction and Design – Bill Burks
• Photography – Tom Gibson and Reid Miles

Re-releases

Christmas Wishes

In some quarters (including the UK and United States) the title has changed to "Christmas Wishes" and the album reissued in 1985 with an alternate track list. In other countries though, "Christmas" is still the title.

Alternate track list

1. "White Christmas" [2:47]
2. "Carol of the Bells" [2:43]
3. "O Holy Night" [4:38]
4. "Christmas Everyday" [3:42]
5. "Kids" (CD Only) [2:42]
6. "Kentucky Homemade Christmas" [4:14]
7. "Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year" [2:43]
8. "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" [3:03]
9. "When a Child Is Born" [3:49]
10. "My Favorite Things" (CD Only) [2:59]

Chart performance

Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums	10
U.S. Billboard 200	34
U.S. Billboard Top Holiday Albums	27

References

• [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r300989|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic]

Notes and References

1. Web site: [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p93355|pure_url=yes}} Kenny Rogers charted albums]. Allmusic. 10 September 2010.