''Country Christmas'' is the eighth solo studio album and first Christmas album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on October 17, 1966 by

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

. Lynn would not release another Christmas album until 2016's ''

White Christmas Blue ''White Christmas Blue'' is the forty-fourth solo studio album and second Christmas album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on October 7, 2016, by Sony Legacy. The album is produced by Lynn's daughter, Patsy ...

'', fifty years later. The album includes four original compositions by Lynn, along with popular holiday songs, including " Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", "

White Christmas White Christmas most commonly refers to: * White Christmas (weather), snowfall or snow-covered ground on Christmas Day * "White Christmas" (song), a 1942 song written by Irving Berlin White Christmas may also refer to: Film, television, and the ...

", and " Frosty the Snowman". In 2005,

MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group. Pre-history MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 wit ...

reissued the album on CD as a part of their 20th Century Masters series, under the title ''The Christmas Collection: The Best of Loretta Lynn'', with modified cover art.

Critical reception

In the issue dated October 29, 1966, ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' published a review of the album, which said, "The album's beautiful songs include "Country Christmas", "Away in a Manger" — all great programming material for country music stations, and this will create high sales. The "Manger" tune deserves a single. Possibly her best effort to date."

Commercial performance

The album did not appear on any music charts. The only single, "To Heck with Ole Santa Claus", was released in November 1966 and did not chart.

Recording

Recording sessions for the album took place on July 7, 13, and 15, 1966, at Bradley's Barn in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the Decca recording session records. *Harold Bradley – electric bass guitar *Owen Bradley – producer *

Fred Carter Jr. Fred F. Carter Jr. (December 31, 1933 – July 17, 2010) was an American guitarist, singer, producer and composer. Early career Carter was raised in the delta country in Winnsboro, the seat of Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana, Un ...

– guitar, electric guitar *Jon Corneal – drums *Floyd Cramer – piano *Buddy Harman – drums *Junior Huskey – bass *The Jordanaires – background vocals *Loretta Lynn – lead vocals * Grady Martin – guitar, lead electric guitar *Hal Rugg – steel guitar

References

{{Authority control 1966 Christmas albums Loretta Lynn albums Christmas albums by American artists Albums produced by Owen Bradley Decca Records albums Covers albums Country Christmas albums