Josh Turner Enlists the Help of Pat McLaughlin, Rhonda Vincent and His Family for Upcoming Christmas Album

By Blessing Harper Sep 04, 2021 02:47 AM EDT

Country music veteran Josh Turner will be releasing his first-ever Christmas album, King Size Manger on Oct. 8. A month later, on Nov. 18, he'll embark on a supporting tour, the Holiday & The Hits Tour. Five of the 11 songs on King Size Manger were arranged by Turner himself. The project includes four original songs, in addition to well-known holiday classics.

King Size Manger finds Turner enlisting the help of Pat McLaughlin and Rhonda Vincent as guest vocalists. His wife and four sons are also featured on the album, joining him on the classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

"Making a Christmas record can be a mighty daunting task for an artist," Turner says in a press release. "There are so many songs to choose from and there've been so many versions of those songs throughout history. It can be intimidating to know whether you'll be able to measure up to what's already been done."

Turner was able to focus and get the job done by staying true to his brand and putting his own spin on things. "I step back and remind myself that I have to do what I hear in my heart," he says. You may be surprised to hear my arrangement on some of these songs that you know so well. We had a lot of fun throwing out all the preconceived notions of what a Christmas record should sound like."

The album also does not shy away from Turner's Christian roots. Many of the songs do testify about how and why Jesus is the reason behind the festive celebrations. "I was raised in a strong Christian family in a tight-knit community in rural South Carolina," Turner reveals.

"I was taught essential life lessons, like the value of a dollar, what hard work feels like, and how important an education is. I was taught why being thoughtful, respectful, and considerate of others makes life more fulfilling, and why trusting God with your life's decisions is wise. If all that sounds a little old-fashioned, well, that's because it is. And I'm okay with that."

Josh Turner's King Size Manger Tracklist:

1. "Angels We Have Heard on High"
2. "What He's Given Me" (feat. Pat McLaughlin)*
3. "King Size Manger"*
4. "Joy to the World" (feat. Rhonda Vincent)
5. "Soldier's Gift"*
6. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (feat. the Turner Family)
7. "Go Tell It on the Mountain"
8. "Mele Kalikimaka My 'Ohana" (feat. Jake Shimabukuro and Ho'okena)*
9. "The First Nowell"
10. "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
11. "Silent Night, Holy Night"

produced by Kenny Greenberg
* denotes original

Josh Turner's Holiday & the Hits Tour Dates:

Nov. 18 -- Holland, Mich. @ Holland Civic Center
Nov. 19 -- Springfield, Ill @ University of Illinois PAC
Nov. 20 -- Joliet, Ill. @ Rialto Square Theatre
Nov. 21 -- Rockford, Ill. @ Coronado PAC
Nov. 26 -- Panama City Beach, Fla. @ Aaron Bessant Park
Nov. 27 -- Memphis, Tenn. - Soundstage at Graceland
Nov. 28 -- Meridian, Miss. @ MSU Riley Center
Dec. 2 -- Prescott, Ariz. @ Yavapai College PAC
Dec. 3 -- Maricopa, Ariz. @ Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino
Dec. 4 -- Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Venetian Theatre
Dec. 10 -- Riverside, Iowa @ Riverside Casino
Dec. 11 -- Prior Lake, Minn. @ Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Dec. 16 -- Midland, Mich. @ Midland Center For The Arts
Dec. 17 -- Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Dec. 19 -- Royal Oak, Mich. @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Dec. 20 -- Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium