Old Crow Medicine Show Announces Holiday Album & Shares ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ Single

Old Crow Medicine Show announced their first holiday album, OCMS XMAS, due out on November 21 through Hartland Records. The Americana act previewed the LP with a cover of Yoko Ono and John Lennon‘s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” which arrives on what would have been Lennon’s 85th birthday.

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is one of just three covers on OCMS XMAS. Old Crow Medicine Show also offers a take on “Holly Jolly Christmas” featuring Tennessee State University’s Brassville and a rendering of the Appalachian traditional “Breakin’ Up Xmas.”

The rest of the record contains originals OCMS penned for the season. Longtime member Morgan Jahnig makes his songwriting debut with “December 26” alongside the Zydeco-infused “All About A Baby” and an ode to New England winters titled “North By Northeast.”

Old Crow frontman Ketch Secor further detailed OCMS XMAS:

“Of all the Christmas songs the radio stations drench us with as soon as the Thanksgiving feast turns to leftovers, there is only one I never tire of hearing. John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s message of peace, unity, love and understanding makes ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ an anthem all the world over. Some fifty years after the kids from lent their voices to this amazing track, the Old Crows gathered the Purple Martin Choir around a microphone in the basement of Episcopal School of Nashville, the school I started, to join us on this revered song celebrating the holiday which honors the Prince of Peace’s birth. Altogether, with young and old singing as one, Old Crow Medicine Show stands up with the peacemakers around the globe, pushing those in power to put an end to war.”

Listen to OCMS and the Purple Martin Choir on “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”

Old Crow Medicine Show will embark on their Holiday Hootenanny Tour on December 3 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. OCMS also announced the support for their upcoming New Year’s Eve run at the Ryman in Nashville. The The 502s and AJ Lee & Blue Summit will perform on Tuesday, December 30. Shovels & Rope and The Creekers join the festivities on Wednesday, December 31. Scroll down for the band’s full tour routing and ticket info.

OCMS XMAS Tracklist:

1. Breakin’ Up Xmas
2. Holly Jolly Christmas Feat. Brassville
3. Jolly Man
4. North By Northeast
5. Corn Whiskey Christmas
6. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
7. All About A Baby
8. Jinglin’ Jack Guy
9. Store-Bought Christmas
10. December 26
11. Krampus Night
12. Grandpa’s Gone
13. Bethlehem, PA