Billy Ray Cyrus will be joining a host of other country music greats for the holiday-themed special set to air Dec. 8 on CMT.
Billy Ray Cyrus has been dreaming of a “Blue Christmas.” Really.
And that’s why Cyrus will be contributing his own version of the Yuletide standard to CMT’s A Tennessee Kind of Christmas, the holiday special set to air at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT Dec. 8 on CMT. He’ll be just one of the country greats featured in an all-star lineup that also includes, among others, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, Wynonna, Tracy Lawrence, Clay Walker, Pam Tillis, Steve Wariner and more. They will be celebrating the season by sharing holiday traditions, personal memories, and unforgettable performances of all-time favorite Christmas songs from numerous iconic venues and outdoor locations in and around Nashville.
Cyrus will offer an aptly blues-flavored of “Blue Christmas” taped at the famed Studio B in Music City. And although the song itself — previously covered by artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash — isn’t very merry, he also will share cheerful reminiscences and offer good tidings to CMT viewers.
“I'm from Flatwoods, Kentucky,” Cyrus says, “and the holidays were always special. For me it was more exciting [to know] what I was giving than what I was getting… One of my earliest memories is throwing water on the driveway so we could make a homemade skating rink. And to be honest with you, I still do that to this very day.
“I always say, Jesus is the reason for the season. I love Frosty. I love Santa Claus, love Rudolph. That's all fun stuff, but it really is about Jesus… Christmas is love.”
“I hope that all the fans out there have the greatest Christmas ever, where everyone celebrates, being happy and being loved. Count your blessings and just be happy.”
And maybe not so blue after all.