Christmas is the twelfth studio album and the first Christmas album by Kenny Rogers released in 1981.
Overview The album features several songs that were already well known at the time including "White Christmas," "When A Child is Born," "Carol of the Bells" and "My Favorite Things." Several original Christmas songs are also included, which have also now become well-known via this album.
Christmas was also the origin of Kenny's first holiday single, "Kentucky Home Made Christmas."
The album peaked at #10 on the U.S. Country charts and #34 on the overall U.S. charts.
Track listing
Personnel Kenny Rogers – lead vocals, backing vocals (3, 6), vocal arrangements Gene Page – arrangements Barnaby Finch – acoustic piano Lincoln Mayorga – acoustic piano John Hobbs – keyboards Clarence McDonald – Fender Rhodes Kin Vassy – acoustic guitar, backing vocals Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar Ira Newborn – guitar David T. Walker – guitar Nathan East – bass guitar David Hungate – bass guitar Jerry Scheff – bass guitar Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums Gary Coleman – percussion Paulinho Da Costa – percussion Cindy Fee – backing vocals Terry Williams – backing vocals Jon Joyce – backing vocals (3, 6) Maxi Anderson – backing vocals (5) Marlena Jeter – backing vocals (5) Gwenchie Machu – backing vocals (5) Juance Charmaine O’Neal – backing vocals (6)
Production Producer – Kenny Rogers Assistant Producer – Brenda Harvey-Richie Engineers – Reginald Dozier (Tracks 1, 3–6, 8 & 9); Al Schmitt (Tracks 2 & 7); John Arrias (Track 10). Second Engineer (Track 10) – Stephen Schmitt Mixed by Reggie Dozier Art Direction and Design – Bill Burks Photography – Tom Gibson and Reid Miles
Re-releases
Christmas Wishes from Kenny Rogers
The album was reissued in 1995 with an alternate track list along with a title change to Christmas Wishes from Kenny Rogers in some regions (including the United Kingdom and United States). However, in other countries, the title remained Christmas.
Alternate track list "White Christmas" [2:47] "Carol of the Bells" [2:43] "O Holy Night" [4:38] "Christmas Everyday" [3:42] "Kids" (CD Only) [2:42] "Kentucky Homemade Christmas" [4:14] "Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year" [2:43] "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" [3:03] "When a Child Is Born" [3:49] "My Favorite Things" (CD Only) [2:59]
Charts Chart (1981) Peakposition
Certifications
References
[ Allmusic]