New Christmas Music Releases 2011

Ho, ho, hold on a minute! You may have thrown out the moldy pumpkin, eaten all of the leftover candy and pinned down your to-buy list, but it's not really the holidays without new Christmas music releases for 2011! Thankfully, nobody loves the winter season more than country music stars, and there are fresh albums to spin on your CD player this year, just like Christmases past.

New for 2011, husband and wife duo Joey and Rory got an early start getting in the spirit. The pair released 'A Farmhouse Christmas' -- their first Christmas album ever -- back at the beginning of October. The 12-track holiday compilation gives a less traditional approach to the holly jolly season, especially with covers like Merle Haggard's 'If We Make It Through December,' which features background vocals from the legend himself.

Also on the jukebox this season, Phil Vassar tries his hand at half holiday classics and half original tunes with his first Christmas album, 'Noel.' The 10-track package includes his take on 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' and 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful,' but also starts new traditions way down south with Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson in the form of 'Big Ol Texas Christmas.' Last but not least, Julie Roberts melts a little snow on her holiday EP 'Who Needs Mistletoe.' We won't give away the milk for free, but let's just say it's got a tune that's sexier than your average Mr. and Mrs. Claus jingle.

The releases are on the short end this year, but the country music holiday spirit is anything but. Fans can tune into the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ holiday special on ABC on Dec. 1 to catch all of Nashville's hottest artists, like Scotty McCreery, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Vince Gill and more, belting out their favorite Christmas songs.

If you've been nice and not naughty, perhaps Santa will drop a couple of these must-have Christmas albums in your stocking. If you discover coal on Christmas morning, well, better luck next year.

New Christmas Music Releases 2011:

Joey and Rory, 'A Farmhouse Christmas'
Julie Roberts, 'Who Needs Mistletoe'
Phil Vassar, 'Noel'