There are so many different versions of Christmas tunes that it was hard to pick my favorites, but I've come down to 20 that I think are the best country Christmas songs around. There are traditional artists like George Strait, country popsters like SHeDAISY, and a Western-styled song from Riders in the Sky.
Merry Christmas!
Alan Jackson & Alison Krauss - "The Angels Cried"
Sony BMG
The story of the Nativity sung by two of the best voices in country music. My very favorite Alan Jackson holiday tune. This is from Alan Jackson's first Christmas album Honky Tonk Christmas.
Brad Paisley - "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy"
Arista Nashville
Brad Paisley covers the Buck Owens original with all the twang and steel guitars. I think Buck would be proud. From Brad's Brad Paisley Christmas album.
Brooks & Dunn - "Winter Wonderland"
Sony BMG
This is from Brooks & Dunn's It Won't Be Christmas Without You, which is one of my favorite holiday albums. I love the honky tonk arrangement, and where Ronnie substitutes "all the little kiddies knock him down" with "all the buckaroos knock him down."
Elmo & Patsy - "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"
Epic/Legacy
It wouldn't be Christmas without this popular tune. Who could forget the line "she had hoofprints on her forehead, and incriminating Claus marks on her back"? From Elmo & Patsy's Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.
Elvis Presley - "Blue Christmas"
RCA
Many people have performed this song, but nobody does it quite like Elvis Presley. From his Elvis Christmas album.
Faith Hill - "Silent Night"
Warner
From Faith Hill's Joy to the World album. Just about everyone knows this classic hymn. Faith Hill sings it perfectly. She doesn't try to go over the top, but gives a beautiful, understated performance.
Joe Nichols - "I'll Be Home for Christmas"
Universal South
From the album Traditional Christmas, Joe Nichols gives a true country music arrangement to this holiday classic.
Johnny Cash - "The Christmas Guest"
Columbia Nashville
From Johnny Cash's Classic Christmas album. This popular song is done in recitation style, and it tells the story of Conrad and his dream that the Lord would come to his home and be his Christmas guest. Throughout the night, different people show up at his door, including a beggar, old lady, and frightened child. Each time, Conrad offered his hospitality, but he was disappointed, and he prayed, asking the Lord why He didn't show up. The Lord answered him saying that he did come, three times, and was welcomed in and was happy to be Conrad's Christmas guest.
Kellie Pickler - "Santa Baby"
Sony BMG
From the compilation album Hear Something Country: Christmas 2007, Kellie Pickler gives her best sultry vocal performance on this contemporary Christmas song.
Kenny Chesney - "All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan"
BNA Nashville
From Kenny Chesney's All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan album. This song is done with an island feel to it, which perfectly complements Kenny's style of music.