Christmas with You, Trey Calloway's First Holiday Song

Welcome to 2025!!

In the busyness of the holiday season, when we were all buying gifts, wrapping, preparing for guests, decorating our homes, preparing our meals, and getting ready to celebrate Christmas with those we love, music fills the air, surrounding us with melody and calming our minds in a busy atmosphere, helping us prepare for celebrations and focus on what is important.

This year I was on a mission to listen intently to my favorite holiday songs and hear new songs that fill my heart with joy and gratitude. Song releases typically slow down during the holiday season, unless artists choose to release a Christmas album or song. Thankfully, my inbox was filled with new music to check out.

cover art - Christmas With You

Trey Calloway is an artist on the rise and on the heels of the Wanted Man album, came his first holiday single, Christmas With You, released in November. Trey explained that he was reluctant to release a traditional holiday song, so instead, he headed into a writing session with J.P. Williams to write something fresh. Christmas with You represents couples who are apart because of their careers, such as military personnel or medical workers, or even touring artists, and the longing for a reunion. Remembering the blessings of the holiday season and focusing on being together. Trey emphasizes the importance of lyrics in his songwriting, knowing that the words are crucial for connecting with listeners and amplifying the impact of melodies. This focus is essential for crafting powerful music that truly resonates.

I interviewed Trey Calloway in mid-December before the busyness of my holiday season began which was knee-deep in the middle of his. Trey had performed on stage the night before with recent audience memories fresh on his mind and told a few stories about audience-requested songs and the reactions to Christmas with You, confirming that it was a good idea to cut the song. Trey mentioned that this won’t be his last holiday song, he enjoyed this process.     

Trey Calloway, with his North Carolina, fast-paced southern accent, gave me a glimpse at his 2024 career highlight reel. Taking home the Josie Award for Vocal Event of the Year for Workin’ Thang with Justin Biltonen was at the top of the list. Being congratulated backstage by Neal McCoy, one of Trey’s favorite 90s country artists was one for the books as well. Trey Calloway is a fan of 90s country music, including artists such as George Strait, Joe Diffie, and Shenandoah. In a full-circle moment, Trey went as a fan to the Christmas tour bus meet and greet, meeting Marty Raybon of Shenandoah and this year Trey will be an artist with his bus at the event meeting fans himself.

" I already loved the music, meeting fans and media people, where we connect personally... hearing how my songs speak to people and connect to them is the best part, one of my favorite things about this," Trey explained that his favorite artists are the most humble and kind artists he's met and "that is what is so great about the country music community."

Wanted Man - Track Listing:

Wanted Man

You Don’t Need A Woman

Miss Gone By Morning

Neon Lies

That Was Us

Forgotten Man

Horses in Heaven

Backroad Believer

I Miss Country Music

Thank you so much for such a great conversation Trey, In A Country Minute or...hour. so much fun! I will celebrate for you when you are the next to debut on the Grand Ole Opry!

upcoming shows for Trey Calloway are listed on his Instagram

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Makenzie Phipps's version of O Holy Night

Makenzie Phipps recorded O Holy Night, adding a country twist to this timeless Christmas hymn. Growing up attending church, Mackenzie always loved singing O Holy Night. However, she felt out of her comfort zone, aware that the low notes could pose a challenge since she is a soprano singer. To address this, she chose a key that would highlight the power and emotion of the lyrics and the musical progression. Celebrating Christmas is a treasured family event for Makenzie and her loved ones. This year, they are especially excited because her grandmother is visiting, adding joy to their holiday traditions.

lyrics

O holy night the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks

A new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices

O night divine

O night when Christ was born

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains He shall break

For the slave is our brother

And in His Name

All oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy

In grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us praise His holy Name

Christ is the Lord

O praise His Name forever

His power and glory

Evermore proclaim

His power and glory

Evermore proclaim

(chorus repeated)

Makenzie Phipps moved to Nashville from a small town in Virginia about a year ago. She mentioned that her parents are her biggest supporters and that they relocated to Nashville with her. Her mom plays a vital role behind the scenes, helping to keep Makenzie grounded. Makenzie describes herself and her dad as having a similar calm demeanor. Her mom serves as the family's cheerleader, actively celebrating every success and inspiring everyone to share in that excitement. Makenzie is having great success with her prior releases boasting over 300,000 listens on Spotify for Pink Whitney and You Bring the Beer and nearly half a million streams for Pick Your Poison.

Makenzie maintains a positive outlook on life, and it’s important for her to surround herself with like-minded individuals. She has surprised some social media followers who posted negative comments by responding in a kind way that effectively shut down their unwarranted communication. You can follow her on the buttoned links featured below.

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Thanks so much, Makenzie Phipps for sharing your version of O Holy Night with the world and letting me chat with you about it In a Country Minute. It is Truly Beautiful

Eric Hagen released his final songs before the launch of his latest EP in January

"If you wanna accuse me

Of drinkin' too much

If you wanna abuse me

For never being enough

If you think I can take it

Take it on the chin

If you wanna accuse me

Where do I begin

You wanna spend your nights out not knowin' where you've been

Then you wanna bust down my door at 2am

You wanna stand there and say it's all for love

Baby, I'm walkin' out cuz I've had enough"

(Accuse Me lyrics)

Eric Hagen's most recent releases are Accuse Me, which came out on November 1st, and Deja Vu," released on December 13. Both songs will be featured on an upcoming EP, Americana Lonesome set to be released in January 2025.

Eric is an independent artist who draws inspiration from simple moments, words, or phrases that catch his attention. Unlike many other artists, he does not schedule writing sessions or dedicate specific time slots on his calendar for songwriting. Writing and performing is not his full-time job, so he waits for inspiration to strike before beginning a song or lyrics. Once he starts the writing process, he commits to working on it until it is complete.

Accuse Me marked a departure from Eric Hagen’s usual style of music and lyrics, incorporating horn instruments for a soulful country fusion. It was well received upon its release. Although Eric was hesitant to record it that way, the 90% increase in streaming since its release proved it was a great idea. Deja Vu portrays a determined and struggling woman striving to succeed, who caught the eye of a man who recognized her potential beyond her own self-perception.

"She worked herself to the bone

Her heart and her home out on loan

She never paid on time and she lived in squalor

But I never saw someone work so hard for a dollar

She always wanted something new

When every night felt like deja vu

She danced to the song of the pines

And captured hearts like mine"

Deja Vu lyrics

Eric Hagen not only writes his own music, he has a studio in Sturgeon Bay where he records his music. In areas where he feels he lacks expertise, he collaborates with other musicians who contribute their skills to his recordings. Phil Madeira plays the keyboard on Accuse Me, while Patrick Lyons showcases his talents on Deja Vu with pedal steel and mandolin, and Marcus Trana lent his talents on drums.

Eric Hagen said he is a fan of Charley Crockett and Sturgill Simpson, both of whom blend styles that are difficult to categorize into a single genre. Stepping beyond your usual boundaries can be an intimidating process, but by embracing the opportunity for adventure and committing to the experience, you have the potential to significantly expand your audience. This proactive approach encourages growth, fosters creativity, and allows you to connect with a diverse range of fans who will appreciate your willingness to explore new paths.

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Congratulations on Accuse Me and Deja Vu, I am excited to hear the rest of Americana Lonesome. It was a pleasure "meeting you", Eric Hagen, In A Country Minute.