Meals are a big deal in Julie Roberts' family, especially at Christmas.
Comedian Henry Cho is the only non-musical guest on the GAC Country Christmas Tour.
Dec. 18, 2006 — The beauty and history of Knoxville's Tennessee Theatre — which opened its doors in 1928 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places — provides the perfect backdrop for GAC's "Christmas at the Tennessee," which airs 10 pm ET, Sat., Dec. 23 and repeats at 5 pm Sun., Dec. 24.
The special features holiday performances by artists currently on the GAC Country Christmas Tour: Deana Carter, Julie Roberts, Blue County, Steve Azar and Bucky Covington as well as comic Henry Cho.
Tennessee-born Deana Carter remembers one of her lonelier Christmas holidays. "I had graduated from college and was working multiple jobs and couldn't afford to visit my parents in Louisiana," she says. "So one night I prayed, 'God, I don't have any money and I'm all alone ... if you could just let it snow.' The next morning I awoke to what was one of the whitest Christmases in Nashville. I cried and cried because I felt that God answered my prayer."
Carter performs "The Christmas Song" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and shares the fact that Nat King Cole's Christmas album remains her favorite seasonal disc.
While music is an important part of Julie Roberts' holiday celebration, so is all of the great food. "I'm a southern girl, so meals are a big deal in our family, especially at Christmas," she says. "There are no diets, it's all about Mamaw's cooking!"
Food — well, at least seafood — also is on the mind of Steve Azar at this time of year. The singer/songwriter performs the self-penned "Catfish Christmas," a song he wrote with a friend in mind. "My buddy Tweety is a catfishologist," he explains. "He studies the life of catfish and keeps up with the kinds of fish that are eaten in different parts of the country." Azar also dedicates "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" to his wife and children, adding, "I haven't seen you in awhile, but Christmas is near and I'll be home soon."
No stranger to televised performances, "American Idol" finalist Bucky Covington contributes "Please Come Home For Christmas" to the holiday special, and duo Blue County showcase strong harmonies on "Silent Night," and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Carter, Roberts, Covington, Blue County and Azar come together for a performance of "Jingle Bell Rock."
The one non-musical guest, comedian Henry Cho, provides plenty of laughs on fitting topics like the hunt for good parking spots at shopping malls and reminds us of the importance of maintaining a sense of humor through the holiday season.
GAC Country Christmas Tour schedule:
Dec. 20, Moran Theatre, Jacksonville, Fla.
Dec. 21, Halifax Community College, Welson, N.C.
(Ronna Rubin, a 21-year veteran of the music industry, can be contacted at ronna@gacmusicbeat.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)