With three critically acclaimed solo albums under her belt, and soon-to-be released duet album with Theo Lawrence 'Havin' A Talk,' what to our wandering eyes should appear this holiday season from the timeless sound of Melissa Carper, but 'A Very Carper Christmas,' a fresh collection of future classic holiday songs. Owing the idea of a Christmas album to her friend Ben Kitterman, she was encouraged by his family's tradition of putting on her Daddy's Country Gold album each Christmas season. What first felt daunting, to write a full album of original holiday songs, soon became a fun challenge. Carper reached out to her long time friend and old band-mate, Gina Gallina, to see if she would be interested in co-writing the album and approximately one hour after asking, she received an email from Gina with five witty ideas sketched out. Carper, inspired by Gina's quick action, began adding melodies and chords to Gina's lyrics. It was on. The two convened at an Airbnb in Arkansas in the Spring of 2024 to finish these song starts and craft more songs. With 15 tracks consisting of the Carper-Gallina collaborations, two Carper solo originals, co-writes with Katie Shore and Brennen Leigh, plus two classic covers, Carper headed to Nashville’s analog wonderland, The Bomb Shelter, to record. Producers Andrija Tokic and Dennis Couch, Carper, Gallina, and a top-notch troupe of musicians assembled in January 2025 to bring the songs to life. Carper’s Austin-based crew (Emily Gimble, Katie Shore, Greg Harkins) joined her Nashville regulars (Dennis Crouch, Chris Scruggs, Jeff Taylor, Chris Gelb, Doug Corcoran, along with Tim Crouch for twin fiddle duties with Shore), gathering around a Christmas tree borrowed from friend Susan Hamilton to resurrect the holiday spirit. Fans can expect Carper's signature stylings, from Country and Western Swing, R&B to Folk, Cajun, and even some Latin vibes on A Very Carper Christmas, due right around Thanksgiving - just in time for Christmas shoppin'! Carper will also support the great JD McPherson on his annual holiday tour in December 2025. It's going to be a holly jolly Christmas this year!
