Making spirits bright, MULTI-PLATINUM star Gabby Barrett illuminates the holiday season with the release of Carols and Candlelight (Deluxe) – the extended version of her first-ever Christmas album. Out today (11/7) via Warner Music Nashville, listen to the Digital Edition here. Next delivering the CD and Vinyl Editions on November 21, fans can pre-order here.
Featuring two all-new covers from blockbuster motion picture soundtracks, Carols and Candlelight (Deluxe) offers her exquisitely moving rendition of “Where Are You Christmas” – just in time for the song’s 25th anniversary – from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (and recorded by Faith Hill), in addition to today’s (11/7) gorgeously touching update on the Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri-penned heartrending ballad “When Christmas Comes to Town,” from The Polar Express. First performed by Matthew Hall and Meagan Moore, the original version finds the two trading off lines and sharing profoundly different outlooks on Christmas, with Moore conveying a joyous love for the holiday and Hall singing from the standpoint of someone who’s never experienced that feeling. In her own deeply felt take on the duet, Gabby Barrett gracefully drifts from wistful longing to fullhearted wonder as she inhabits both perspectives with unbridled emotion. Produced by her frequent collaborator Ross Copperman, Gabby Barrett’s ineffably poignant rendition reimagines the song with an elegant arrangement of soulful piano work, soaring strings, ethereal synth, and choir-like vocal effects. A powerful departure from the childlike sweetness of the original track, the result is an unforgettably enchanting number that instantly reaffirms the depth and impact of Barrett’s one-of-a-kind voice. Listen to “When Christmas Comes to Town” and watch the lyric video.
Initially released in November 2024, Carols and Candlelight highlights standouts like “Go Tell It On The Mountain” (for KING & COUNTRY feat. Gabby Barrett) – a spirit-lifting Gospel number nominated for Christmas Recorded Song of the Year at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards. With its era-spanning tracklist ranging from cherished Christmas carols and time-honored Advent hymns to jubilant songs of festive celebration, the album also features collaborations with Barrett’s husband Cade Foehner (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) and The Piano Guys (“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”), as well as her stunning versions of treasured classics like “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “The First Noel,” and “O Holy Night.”
Moving full speed ahead as the year winds down, Gabby Barrett recently ushered in a bold era of her artistry with the back-to-back release of “The Easy Part” (a raw but resilient breakup anthem that trades tears for triumph) and “Ain’t Supposed To Be” (a cinematic tale of an unlikely romance between two restless souls). With more new music on the way, Barrett’s latest output returns to the fierce emotionality of her 8X PLATINUM breakout “I Hope” – a #1 meteoric smash that reigned at #4 on Billboard’s Top Hot Country Songs of the 21st Century chart.
