Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

After 30 Years, Ronnie Milsap Steps Up the Seasonal Stage for ‘Merry, Merry Christmas Baby’

by
  • Ryden is a Junior Country Music Journalist at Country Thang Daily, specializing in data analysis and trends within the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Ryden wrote for top music publications and interviewed icons like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
  • Ryden has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University, with a minor in Data Analytics.

Christmas is just a few weeks ahead of us, but its essence remains the same; a classic celebration to remember the birth of Christ expressed through presents and holiday fun. And once again, Ronnie Milsap has prepared a special gift for us as he did three decades ago. That is to serenade us with ‘Merry, Merry Christmas Baby’ which was originally sung by Dodie Stevens in the year 1960s.

Christmas Never Gets Old

Remember when Ronnie Milsap last sang Christmas songs in his album ‘Christmas With’ in 1986? He featured classics like ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Silver Bells’, and ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas.’ Fortunately for the younger viewers here today, his hiatus from making these seasonal songs ended because he missed the fun he had in recording something “Christmasy.”

His career has been going on strong for more than 50 years presenting multitudes of #1 hits like ‘It Was Almost Like a Song,’ ‘Smoky Mountain Rain’ and ‘(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me.’ But as Milsap observes his progress, he came to a thought about how Christmas songs never get old.

A Legend’s Spin to a Classic Song

Steven’s ‘Merry, Merry Christmas Baby’ suddenly became reminiscent to Milsap along with the Tune Weavers’ rendition. His thoughts? Despite the doo-wop appeal of the song, and as he reads along the lines, its message is a tragic love story about losing someone, and how it can drastically change how we perceive holidays. In his cover, Milsap puts in a personal spin through his signature piano playing with the traditional saxophone vibes. He managed to retain the song’s original identity and message while of course not being redundant.

The times may have changed but the sentimental value of the holiday is still like yesterday. The song ‘Merry, Merry Christmas Baby’ ended in the sending of cards to a former lover. It contained well wishes for him to find love that was just as true as the sender. Today, these cards may be obsolete but the human heart can still be just as fragile.

We still do not know what else Ronnie Milsap has in store for all of us in the future, but as the past converges with the present, the 77-year-old Country Hall of Famer greets us ‘Merry Christmas’ the way he was greeted in his prime.

Latest Stories

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt "Always On My Mind" Cover

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt “Always On My Mind” Cover

In 2013, Lukas Nelson proved that talent truly runs in the family when he delivered a moving rendition of his father Willie Nelson’s classic hit, “Always On My Mind.” Performed ...

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Alan Jackson and George Strait’s “Murder on Music Row” Honors True Country

When George Strait and Alan Jackson came together to perform “Murder on Music Row,” it wasn’t just another duet—it was a moment that sent ripples through country music history. These ...

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

In October 2010, the Country Music Hall of Fame became the setting for a moment of country music magic. Three legendary artists—Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban—joined forces for ...

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...