White Christmas is the fifth album and first Christmas album by country singer Martina McBride issued by RCA Nashville in 1998. The album was reissued in 1999 with new artwork and two new tracks. It was re-released for the second time in October 2007 with newer artwork and four new tracks added. In 2013, it was reissued for a third time as The Classic Christmas Album. The re-release added her Elvis Presley duet, "Blue Christmas", which was originally released on his posthumous album Christmas Duets, while removing the track "Jingle Bells" and revising the track listing.
In the U.S. the album White Christmas was certified Gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 9, 1999; then Platinum by the RIAA on November 10, 2003; and then double-Platinum by the RIAA on December 12, 2018. The album has sold 1,827,700 copies in the U.S. as of November 2017.
Track listings
Original 1998 release
1999 re-release
2007 re-release
The Classic Christmas Album (2013 re-release)
Personnel Martina McBride – lead vocals Jim Medlin – acoustic piano Steve Nathan – synthesizers Mark Jordan – synthesizers Matt Rollings – acoustic piano Brent Mason – electric guitars Biff Watson – acoustic guitars Joe Chemay – bass Shannon Forrest – drums Lonnie Wilson – drums Sam Bacco – percussion Eric Darken – percussion Karen Winkleman – recorder Skip Cleavnger – penny whistle Lee Levine – clarinet Ann Richards – flute Bobby Taylor – oboe Jim Ferguson – backing vocals Mark Ivey – backing vocals Marabeth Jordan – backing vocals Louis Nunley – backing vocals Lisa Silver – backing vocals Dennis Wilson – backing vocals
The Nashville String Machine Dennis Burnside – string arrangements and conductor Carl Gorodetzky – contractor Chris Dunn – music preparation John Catchings, Anthony LaMarchina, Bob Mason and Julie Tanner – cello Craig Nelson – string bass Mary Alice Hoepfinger – harp Monisa Angell, Jim Grosjean, Gary Vanosdale and Kristin Wilkinson – viola David Angell, Janet Askey, Carolyn Bailey, Joann Cruthirds, David Davidson, Conni Ellisor, Carl Gorodetzky, Gerald Greer, Lee Larrison, Cate Myer, Pamela Sixfin, Elisabeth Small, Alan Umstead, Cathy Umstead, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale and Karen Winkleman – violin
Production Martina McBride – producer Paul Worley – producer Rob Christie – producer Patrick Williams – producer Clarke Schleicher – recording, additional engineer, mixing Jim Burnett – additional engineer Tony Green – additional engineer, mix assistant Mike Poole – additional engineer Ed Simonton – additional engineer Sandy Jenkins – additional assistant engineer, mix assistant Eric Bickel – recording assistant Greg Fogie – recording assistant Erik Hellerman – recording assistant Greg Parker – recording assistant Scott Phillips – recording assistant Glenn Spinner – recording assistant Carlos Grier – digital editing Eric Conn – digital editing Denny Purcell – mastering Jonathan Russell – mastering assistant Deb Boyle – production coordinator Paige Connors – production coordinator Susan Eaddy – art direction Mary Hamilton – art direction Julie Wanca – design Andrew Eccles – photography Kristin Barlowe – 2007 photography Claudia Fowler – wardrobe stylist Earl Cox – hair stylist Mary Beth Felts – make-up Bruce Allen – management
Studios Recorded at Ocean Way, Emerald Studios and The Tracking Room (Nashville, Tennessee). Additional engineering at The Money Pit, Emerald Studios, Masterfonics, Seventeen Grand Recording, Sound Stage Studios and The Love Shack (Nashville, Tennessee). Mixed at Sound Stage Studios and The Money Pit. Mastered and Digitally Edited at Georgetown Masters (Nashville, Tennessee).
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
White Christmas Chart (1998) Peak position
The Classic Christmas Album Chart (2013) Peak position
Year-end charts + White Christmas Chart (1999) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 48
Charted songs Year Song Peak positions US Country 1998 "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" 64 2000 "The Christmas Song" 67 "White Christmas" 62 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" 53 2001 "O Holy Night" 41 2006 "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (with Dean Martin) 35
Certifications and sales
Release history Region Date Label Format United States September 29, 1998 RCA Nashville CD, Cassette (10 tracks) September 14, 1999 CD (12 tracks) October 2, 2007 CD, digital download (16 tracks) October 6, 2009 Legacy Recordings CD+DVD October 8, 2013 CD, digital download (16 tracks)
References