US artists ready Christmas projects; previous years best sellers

A WIDE variety of Christmas-orientated albums are set for release by American artists. They include 'Acoustic Hearts Of Winter' by Aly & AJ, 'Christmas Songs' by Jars Of Clay, 'Songs Of The Season' by Randy Travis, 'Spending The Holidays With Vickie Winans' by Vickie Winans, 'We Have Seen His Star' by Mississippi Mass Choir, 'It's A Wonderful Christmas' by Michael W Smith, 'A Luther Barnes Christmas' by Luther Barnes, 'One Winter Night' by David Phelps, 'Christmas From The Realms Of Glory' by Bebo Norman and 'A Nightingale Christmas' by The Sensational Nightingales.

In an article in US trade magazine Christian Retailing the best selling Christmas albums for the past 10 years were listed. In 2006 it was 'Christmas Eve And Other Stories' by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Lava); 2005, 'Christmas Eve And Other Stories' by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra; 2004, 'Merry Christmas With Love' by Clay Aiken (RCA); 2003, 'Christmas Extraordinaire' by Mannheim Steamroller (American Gramophone); 2002, 'Christmas Extraordinaire' by Mannheim Steamroller; 2001, 'Christmas Extraordinaire' by Mannheim Steamroller; 2000, 'Christmas Eve And Other Stories' by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra; 1999, 'A Christmas To Remember' by Amy Grant (Word); 1998, 'Breath Of Heaven' by Vince Gill (MCA Special Products); and 1997, 'Christmastime' by Michael W Smith (Reunion). CR

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