WO Offers Series of Artist-Hosted Christmas Specials

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Westwood One will make a series of new one-hour artist-hosted Christmas specials available to Mainstream AC and select Country stations this holiday season. Each Christmas special in the six-part series airs on a Saturday leading up to Christmas, with a one-hour Friday special hosted by Martina McBride, which airs on "NASH Nights Live" on Friday, December 18.

The specials showcase the music from each featured artist's respective Christmas albums and have six minutes of network inventory and six minutes of local inventory each hour. India Arie's "Christmas with Friends" Christmas special kicked off the series this weekend, featuring music from her first-ever holiday album, which was produced in collaboration with Arie's friends.

Beginning Saturday, November 28, the following Christmas specials are available to stations:

Saturday, November 28 -- Kenny Rogers' "Once Again It's Christmas"
This one-hour Christmas special is hosted by Country legend Kenny Rogers, who shares his favorite memories through the years. This new album also celebrates Kenny's 34th Christmas tour! Christmas music from Kenny Rogers includes: "Winter Wonderland," and Jennifer Nettles joins Kenny for a medley of "Here It Is Christmas/Baby It's Cold Outside."

Saturday, December 5-LeAnn Rimes' "Today is Christmas"
This one-hour Christmas Special hosted by LeAnn Rimes features her songs and favorite Christmas classics along with her Christmas memories. LeAnn also shares her experiences around the holidays and growing up as a child star, as well as what Christmas is like at the Rimes/Cibrian house. Music from LeAnn Rimes includes: "Holly Jolly Christmas/Frosty the Snowman," "Little Drummer Boy," and "We Need A Little Christmas."

Saturday, December 12-Pentatonix 's "That's Christmas to Me"
This one-hour Christmas special hosted by Pentatonix is named for an original holiday song penned by the group. The members of Pentatonix share their holiday traditions and memories. Music from Pentatonix includes: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and "White Winter Hymnal."

Friday, December 18-Martina McBride hosts: "A NASH Icon Christmas"
This one-hour Christmas special hosted by Country superstar Martina McBride will be showcased on "NASH Nights Live," airing Friday, December 18. Martina shares family traditions in the McBride household and how Christmas changed for her as her career took off. Music includes: "O Holy Night" by Martina, The Band Perry with "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," and Tim McGraw with "Mary and Joseph."

Saturday, December 19 -- Train hosts "Christmas in Tahoe"
Pat Monahan of the Grammy award-winning band Train hosts the one-hour special, "Christmas in Tahoe." Besides sharing stories behind many of the songs on their Christmas album, Pat will talk about his favorite holiday memories and his plans for Christmas. Music includes: "O Holy Night," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Tinsel and Lights."