December 2025 - Nashville Music Line

2025’s Must-Hear Country Christmas Releases and much more

Christmas music is just the beginning. Country music news you can use

By Preshias Harris

The bells are jingling and the reindeer are getting hitched up to the sleigh, so it must be December! We have a Santa’s sackload of music news: albums, singles, Holiday music, tour updates and much more from Trace Adkins, Drew Baldridge & Mickey Guyton, Brooks & Dunn, Trey Calloway, Craig Campbell, Bandana Cheyenna, Randy Cobb, Russell Dickerson, ERNEST, Lady A, Lewis Brice, T. Graham Brown, Hayden Haddock, Huneyfire, Greylan James, Brian Kelley, Brandon Lake, Tracy Lawrence, Tori Martin, Megan Moroney, RaeLynn, Tori Rose, JD Shelburne & Crystal Gayle, T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, Kurt Alan Shobe, Nate Smith & Tyler Hubbard, Billy Strings, Meghan Trainor, Zach Top, Wynn Williams, Lainey Wilson and more. Scroll down and catch up!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “If a song can’t be written in 20 minutes, it ain’t worth writing.” – Hank Williams

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. – Luke 2:11

ALBUM & EP NEWS

ERNEST

ERNEST: In late November ERNEST released his seven song project Live From The South – a cohesive piece built on Southern imagery and lyrical craftsmanship (listen / play here). This follows his recognition at the BMI Awards as a creative force behind BMI Song of the Year, Post Malone’s all genre No. 1 smash “I Had Some Help” feat. Morgan Wallen. He also packed Ryman Auditorium earlier in November for two consecutive headliners with star-studded guests.

“I’m excited to get these seven songs out,” shares the hitmaker. “They are just the first seven songs on a bigger body of work. These songs felt like something that needed to get out into the world before the year is over with. Something to get us through the winter. A lot of summertime music around the corner. We’re live from the South.”

Guitar-picking, fiddle and pedal steel sonically define Live From The South, produced by ERNEST and Jacob Durrett. The new collection reflects ERNEST’s growth as an artist and comfortability in his own shoes – reveling in gratitude: family ties, simple faith, making a life for yourself. Collaborating with his inner circle, Live From The South features co-writes with Rhett Akins, Mark Holman, ERN’s Cadillac Music signees Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Rhys Rutherford and more.

More information, music and tour tickets at ernestofficial.com; follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

WYNN WILLIAMS

WYNN WILLIAMS: Independent recording artist Wynn Williams is set to release his new album, Country Therapy Deluxe. Building on the success of the original Country Therapy album (listen/play here) released in August 2025, the Deluxe Edition project (due Friday, December 5, 2025) beams with neo-traditional tunes showcasing Williams’ kinship with classic country and iconic sounds, reimagined recordings of fan favorites and his top streaming songs, “Denver To Dallas” and “She Ain’t You,” and a vocal collaboration with fellow Texan Randall King on the track “Here For the Beer.”

Produced by Brandon Hood, the collection of 15 recordings showcases the songwriting prowess of a stellar lineup of country music luminaries and Hall of Famers–including Carson Chamberlain (George Strait/Alan Jackson/Zach Top), Dean Dillon (George Strait/Kenny Chesney/Keith Whitley), Rhett Akins (Brooks & Dunn/Luke Bryan/Parker McCollum), Lydia Vaughn (Jason Aldean), Josh Dorr (Blake Shelton/Jordan Davis), Chris Stapleton (George Strait/Kenny Chesney/Josh Turner) and Jon Pardi. Compositions spotlight the delicate musical interpretation of three-time Academy of Country Music Keyboard/Piano Player of the Year, Gordon Mote.

Classic to Williams’ authentic signature, the Deluxe collection boasts old-school country instrumentation and Texas twang, chock-full of heartfelt ballads, shuffles, two-steppers, line-dance, heartbreak, and good-timin’ drinkin’ tunes. Find Wynn Williams tour info here; follow on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

BLUEGRASS NEWS

*PHOTO: Billy Strings. Photo credit: Dana Trippe*

BLUEGRASS NEWS: 2025 has been a landmark year for Billy Strings, whose most recent full-length album, Highway Prayers, is nominated for Best Bluegrass Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Produced by Strings and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Mac Miller, Aimee Mann) and released via Reprise Records, the album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales Chart—the first bluegrass album in 22 years to do so—and continues to receive widespread acclaim. Listen to Highway Prayers here.

Country music albums for you – and those on your ‘nice’ list!

By Preshias Harris

Are you still looking for a last-minute gift for the country music fan on your list? Or – be honest – are you thinking it’s time to treat yourself to some twangin’ ear candy? Fear not. I have a few suggestions that could be the ideal solutions. Here’s a brief roundup in no particular order

Trace Nixon – Hand Me Down Name

Trace Nixon is a country traditionalist who grew up listening to the music of Alan Jackson, George Strait, Ronnie Milsap and Keith Whitley, but he would also dive deeper – into the output of the songwriters who created the songs that he loved; songwriters such as Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon and Paul Overstreet.

Playing professionally since 2017, the Virginia native says he must have “played nearly every bar and music venue in the state.” Now the time is ready for the release of his debut five-song EP, appropriate titled Hand Me Down Name, considering his commitment to “carrying the torch” and keeping traditional country music alive. The project’s title (also the title of track two) pays tribute to Nixon’s own musical heritage: he is the child of professional musicians, and the fourth track, “Ready For the Takin’ (When You Are),” was co-written with his father Nick Nixon. Listen / stream Hand Me Down Name here.

So if you or your designated giftee love that neo-traditional country sound, give Hand Me Down Name a listen. Find it here, and more about Trace Nixon at his website and on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Annie Bosko – California Cowgirl

If you have the DVD of Disney’s 2000 The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, that’s the voice of a 14-year-old Annie Bosko on several of the tracks. A quarter century later, Bosko is now based in Nashville with a wealth of experience under her belt that included recording jingles, singing on demos and writing for other artists as well as touring as an opening act for several big-name artists.

After a well-received EP in 2024, Bosko released her debut full-length album titled California Cowgirl on October 3, 2025. I was at the album release party and I can confirm there’s not a dud among the generous eighteen tracks on the project.

Produced by Trent Willmon and Dave ‘Messy’ Mescon, California Cowgirl includes Bosko’s collaborations with Dwight Yoakam, Joe Nichols and Darius Rucker, and a moving cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Listen / play / stream California Cowgirl here. Find more about Annie Bosko at her website and follow her on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Alex Miller – Country

ICYMI – Yes, this project isn’t exactly a new release, but if you’ve read this far, I’m guessing traditional country, or neo-traditional is your thing. If that’s the case, this aptly-titled five-song EP, Country, from Alex Miller, is probably your cup of tea. Iced, sweet tea on the front porch, that is.

The lanky (6’ 6”) young singer wowed national TV audiences with his appearance on American Idol, leading to a record deal and a debut album, Miller Time, that generated three high-impact singles and a touring schedule that included opening for headliners Justin Moore, Ian Munsick, Neal McCoy, Alabama, and more. Miller’s second project, the EP Country, opens with his single “Girl I Know a Guy,” an upbeat love song that blends hopeful sentiment with traditional instrumentation. Also on the project: “When God Made the South,” (watch the video here) a raucous guitar-driven anthem that’s made to be heard while hoisting a red solo cup of beer in a sweaty barroom. Listen / play / stream Country here.

More about Miller, including upcoming tour dates, at his website and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube – where you can watch his official video for his holiday offering, “All Wrapped Up In You This Christmas.”

Among the other new albums that deserve a listen:

Live From the South, a seven-song project from acclaimed singer-songwriter ERNEST (read a recap in the December 2025 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, posted on this website, nashvillemusicline.com).
Love & Fear, the new album from Zac Brown Band, set for release December 5.
Greatest Hits… So Far from Brantley Gilbert, dropping December 12.

And, as always, find Album News in my monthly column, Inside Track on Music Row, America’s longest-running country music column, posted here at Nashville Music Line.

Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

Tracy Lawrence’s Mission:Possible Turkey Fry provides 50,000 meals

Benefit concert raises $355,000

by Preshias Harris

Tracy Lawrence is no newcomer when it comes to organizing and supervising a mammoth turkey fry. After all, this was going to be the twentieth time that the country music icon and philanthropist had done it to provide much-needed meals to hungry Middle Tennesseans. With any major undertaking such as this, there will always be a few last minute glitches. But this time, the ‘glitch’ looked like it was turning into a potential disaster.

*Tracy Lawrence fries another turkey during his 20th annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry. Photo credit: Logan Vollmers*

When things looked their darkest, Lawrence’s cool head and quick thinking saved the day. His friends in the music industry and the Nashville community rallied together November 25 in a time of need for Lawrence’s 20th Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry at the Nashville Fairgrounds. What started as a morning of prep led to panic after discovering a refrigerated truck had broken, spoiling 650 stored turkeys out of the 3,600 total allotment.

Read my full story about the 20th annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and concert here at Center Stage Magazine.

Lawrence called out to social media, news outlets, artists and celebrities asking for donations to replenish the stock in order to reach their goal of feeding 36,000 people throughout Middle Tennessee. The result was truly a miracle, ending in over 2,400 turkeys donated today, making the total of 5,350 cooked and frozen distributed turkeys. The added donations have now brought the total to 50,000+ meals provided for those in need. Watch a video recap of the Turkey Fry here.

*Tucker Wetmore (left) arrives at the Nashville Fairgrounds with a truckload of turkeys for Tracy Lawrence and his team of turkey fryers. Photo credit: Dylan McGraw*

Artists and celebrities came out to support the turkey fry, with appearances from notable names like Jamey Johnson, Tucker Wetmore, Charles Esten, Dustin Lynch, Meghan Patrick, John Crist, Rodney Atkins, Clint Black, Rhett Akins, Frank Ray and more. Wetmore surprised Lawrence with a drop off of over 100 turkeys, while Patrick also donated and took to social media to encourage her community to support and donate.

*(L to R): Haley Irvine and Meghan Patrick arrive with more turkeys!*

Later, fans gathered at Luke Combs’ Category 10 for the benefit concert, with performances by Lawrence, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Cagle, Eric Paslay and Halfway to Hazard. The event saw a record-breaking amount of money raised for Mission:Possible, totaling $355,000.

(L to R): Chris Cagle, Gretchen Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, Glenn Cranfield (Nashville Rescue Mission), Eric Paslay and Halfway to Hazard onstage for the benefit concert at Luke Combs’ Category 10. Photo credit: Logan Vollmers

Find more about the mission of Mission:Possible here at their website. Monetary donations can still be made on behalf of Nashville Rescue Mission here. More about Tracy Lawrence, including tour and ticket info for upcoming shows at Tracy Lawrence.com; follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.