Magical 'Music Musts' For The Holidays

Christmas comes but once a year, and THIS year we need it more than ever! As winter takes its hold on us, Christmas stands as a beacon of light guiding us through the dark and cold weeks of December, towards the warm hearth that is hope, and the promise of brighter days to come after a chilly, but necessary, restorative slumber.

Next to a nativity scene, ye ole’ tannenbaum, and the man-in-red, nothing is more synonymous with Christmas than music. We embrace and play it all; the ancient, the classic, and the brand new, on my nightly radio program!!! This season we’re fortunate to have a big variety of fresh Christmas releases from talented artists dedicated to delivering the gift of Christmas cheer - good things DO come in small packages!

Here’s 6 Magical Music Must recommendations to add to your holiday music libraries!

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for King & Country – A Drummer Boy Christmas

Be sure to tune in to DRUMMER BOY: A Night Of Celebration with for KING & COUNTRY, the LIVE Christmas Special, tonight(12/15) at 7pm CST. It should be an awesome event!

View the Livestream Event on YouTube or Facebook

for King & Country are a dynamic Grammy® Award-winning group led by a dynamic duo, the brother’s Joel and Luke Smallbone. I love their electrifying performances, their theatrical stage presence, and their unwavering message of love and HOPE. They are gifting us, this holiday season, their first Christmas album “A Drummer Boy Christmas,” 13 tracks of awe-inspiring performances, including, of course, “Little Drummer Boy” which bowled over the crowd at last year’s CMA Country Christmas and is one of my top favorite Christmas songs!

Said Joel in a recent interview, “I don’t want to get so far that I get too swallowed up in the despair of the influx of information that is getting passed around at an incredible rate. I don’t believe the world is getting worse. I believe that if you really focus on how far we’ve come, it’s really getting better.” Amen.

You may be lucky enough to live in an area that for King & Country will be stopping at during their Drummer Boy Drive-In concert tour. Check the schedule and get tickets HERE.

WATCH the new official video for Little Drummer Boy
ORDER the full Christmas album, A Drummer Boy Christmas

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Francesca Battistelli - This Christmas

This Christmas, a new 14-track collection, with a mix of originals and Christmas classics is the second Christmas album for Grammy® Award-winning artist, Francesca Battistelli. It features a spine-tingling a cappella rendition of “Silent Night,” as well as the chart-topping single, “Messiah,” along with fun favorites like a remastered version of “Marshmallow World.”

The album started with a bang, going straight to the top of the iTunes Holiday Chart while the single, “Behold Him,” a ballad for all those struggling, landed in the top 5 iTunes Holiday Songs. The cover art, a textile piece of folk art itself .was hand-sewn and knitted by designer, Jessica Dance, and is almost reason enough to pick up the LP.

Says Battistelli, “I know that for many people, the Christmas season can be very difficult. My prayer is that these songs offer hope, glorify Jesus, bring joy (and maybe even some laughter!), and truly bless you, now and in the years to come.”

WATCH the hope-filled video for Behold Him
ORDER the full holiday album, This Christmas 

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Matt Nathanson - farewell december

California cutie, and platinum selling singer-songwriter, Matt Nathanson, released his first full Christmas LP this year also, “farewell december.” It’s a 12-track set that includes fun classics like “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” standards like “Blue Christmas,” and “Baby Please Come Home,” as well as unique picks such as Joni Mitchell’s “River,” all done in Nathanson’s inimitable style.

Nathanson himself sums it up beautifully, “I was trying to get it to sound the way the holidays & the end of the year feel… exciting, warm but also kinda sad and bitter sweet. a celebration of the end of something.”

I know I’m ready to celebrate the end of 2020, and I’ll bet the rest of you are as well!

You can get tickets (and merch!) for Nathanson’s 2-Night Holiday Show Livestream Extravaganza,
DECEMBER 17 +18 featuring 2 completely unique setlists including selections from farewell december, HERE

WATCH (through the window) as Matt performs Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
ORDER the full fabulous album, farewell december

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Sia - Everyday Is Christmas

While the 9-time Grammy® nominated pop legend, Sia’s, “Everyday is Christmas,” album is not a new release, all 13 tracks are originals, and because Christmas music is only played for a few short weeks a year, they are still as fresh as the boughs of holly you’ll be decking your halls with this year!

Kick up your holiday playlist with “Santa's Coming For Us,” “Snowman,” “Candy Cane Lane,” “Underneath The Christmas Lights,” and every other one of the terrific twinkling tracks!

WATCH the delightful video for Santa’s Comin’ For Us
ORDER the full original album, Everyday Is Christmas

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Leslie Odom, Jr. - The Christmas Album

Tony and Grammy® Award-winner, singer, actor, and author, Leslie Odom, Jr,. has wrapped up another holiday collection for us this year, with his release of “The Christmas Album.”  When choosing the track list, he thought much about what people would be needing this year, after the struggles and strife 2020 brought to so many. The 12-track album features many holiday classics as well as two new tunes, “Snow” and “Winter Song (feat. Cynthia Erivo)” that were released in October with the announcement of The Christmas Album.

Leslie has a busy schedule this season, so be sure to catch up with him at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, AND on my podcast, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah on December 22!

Such a kind and talented and man!

LISTEN to Leslie’s incredible cover of Last Christmas
ORDER the full celebratory collection, The Christmas Album

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Pentatonix - We Need A Little Christmas

Friends and family were holding their breath and crossing their fingers in hopes that Pentatonix would release a new Christmas album this year, and our wishes have come true! “We Need A Little Christmas” will be available on November 13th, and you can pre-order it today!

The unique a cappella harmonies created by the three-time Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling group seems especially suited to the Christmas season, and never more embraced than this year, when so much has gone so wrong, to have this gift that is so so right!

Their rendition of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) will leave goose bumps, as I’m sure all 13 tracks on the album will!

WATCH the video for Amazing Grace
PRE-ORDER the full new album, We Need A Little Christmas

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The magic of the holidays are upon us my friends! Let it be a time of healing, of praise, of hope… and a time of Music! Much love,

A Season of Generosity | Giving Back

I was taught from the time I was a small child that the holiday season is the time for giving, which is why I’m calling it the Season of Generosity.

My parents loved this time of year; my dad spent hours in his wood shop and my mom’s sewing machine seemed to never stop humming. There was always something baking or simmering on the stovetop.

They not only created most of the gifts my siblings and I found under our tree, but there were also piles of baskets and boxes stuffed with gifts and treats that went out to countless friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

level of softness

Simple and heartfelt gestures:

• Volunteer to watch someone’s children for a few hours so they can do some shopping, prepare some meals, work on holiday projects.

• Treat your co-workers with some home-baked goodies or a big bowl of fruit to help keep immune systems healthy through the winter months.

• Make some home-made doggie treats and give them out to dog-walkers passing by.

• Do you sew, knit, or crochet? Those are some mad skills! Put them to use making hats, scarves, blankets, and booties - give to loved ones or donate to organizations that will distribute to those in need.

• Create spa-like baskets for the overworked ladies in your life! Add a candle, some bubble bath or bath bombs, scented soaps or lotions, mani-pedi tools, a fluffy loofa - all items can easily be found at your local dollar store but come together to create a luxurious gift item.

• Volunteer! How ‘bout some of these Nationally recognized places??? Anything spark a passion with you?

  • ASPCA

  • St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals

  • Meals on Wheels

• And if you find that you have just a little something in your bank account that you’d like to bless someone with, consider making a donation to a charitable organization of your choice. (Might I suggest Point Hope - a voice for forgotten children?!)
  
  Donations to one of these groups will help put gifts under to tree for children that wouldn’t otherwise have one to unwrap. i

  • Toys for Tots

  • Angel Tree

I hope you find the joy in giving back this season! There is so much to be thankful for, and I am beyond thankful for all of you, my listeners, my readers, my supporters!

If you have more ideas for ways to give back please share them in the comments section or visit me on my Facebook or Instagram (@radiodelilah) pages and comment there.

Happy Holidays my friends!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic-Honey Glaze

My oldest son hosted our Thanksgiving dinner this year. Well, what I really mean to say is that my daughter-in-law hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year.

While Isaiah works hard to provide for his family, so does Riely, and let’s face it, she’s the one that does the majority of the holiday prep.

Nearly 40 guests were invited into their gorgeous new home, where we feasted on not one, but two, delicious smoked turkeys. I brought the mashed potatoes and pumpkin dump cake; all other the sides, salads, and desserts were provided by the rest of the grateful guests.

The roasted Brussel sprouts with a balsamic-honey glaze were a stand out!

Ingredients:

• 2lbs Brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved.

• 1/4 cup Olive oil

• 1 teaspoon each:

  • garlic powder

  • thyme

  • oregano

  • paprika

  • black pepper, and

  • sea salt

• Glaze

  • 1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar

  • 1/4 cup Honey

Directions:

1. Place prepared Brussel sprouts in a large bowl, toss with olive oil and seasonings until evenly coated (add or subtract seasonings as you desire, you know me, I use recipes as guides!)

2. Spread seasoned sprouts on a shallow baking pan and place in preheated 425 degree oven.

3. Meanwhile - combine vinegar and honey in saucepan and heat until mixture begins to reduce and thicken.

4. Roast sprouts until tender and some have begun to blacken - about 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally.

5. Remove from oven, drizzle glaze over the top, stir to coat and return to oven for approximately 5 more minutes.

6. Serve hot.

7. Add cooked bacon or sausage crumbles to the roasting mixture if desired.

Even the kids gobbled these tasty little morsels up! They are super easy to prepare and a nutritious side to any family meal, but fancy enough to serve at your holiday dinner party!

(If you’re as lucky as me, after dinner you’ll get a live musical performance! Because, while my son may not be a domestic wonder, he - and our good friend Sharif - can sure play guitar and sing!)

Enjoy!