CHRISTMAS MUSIC, SONGS & CAROLS: FREE MP3 DOWNLOADS

Welcome...or welcome back again this year...whatever the case may be! We're proud to once again be presenting the very best free Christmas music downloads, mostly from independent artists. Of course, each artist has their own story...and that's why we provide you with their web site info (as available), and we really do encourage you to visit them, listen to what else they offer, buy an album, or at the very least... leave a comment!

Some of the special artists who have checked in so far this year include:

• Jars Of Clay - The band that produced big radio and MTV hits like Flood and Crazy Times
• Sixpence None The Richer - Fronted by gifted lead singer Leigh Nash, Sixpence had major pop hits with Kiss Me and There She Goes
• Straight No Chaser - A smooth-as-silk acapella group who graduated from college and went their separate ways, until their smash 8 MILLION YouTube views brought them to the attention of the CEO of Atlantic Records
• Sherrie Keys - Who sings with Revelation Choir at the 26,000 member West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, and whose first album (to be released next year) includes songs written by Michael McDonald, Marvin Winans and Al Green
• Tonic Sol-fa is a group of four seriously-hip vocalizers. You will not want to miss their acapella rendition of Joy to the World
• Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Joel Rakes has created a holiday tradition for himself by recording a 5-song EP of Christmas music each year for the past 3 years. He's brought us two songs to share here, and you'll want to visit his site for more
• Bethan Marshall is a British singer-songwriter who appears on A Zang Christmas...a completely free album download from Zang Productions. We were really impressed by her soulful, intimate acapella delivery of O Come, Come Emanuel
• Jenny Jordan Frogley & David Osmond (yes, from THE Osmond Family...part of their Next Generation) have recorded a beautiful anthemic Christmas song called Joy To Everyone...in two versions, nonetheless (one orchestral, the other more of a pop treatment). Also, you can visit the site dedicated to the song and watch the video.
• David Tolley popped onto the public stage completely by accident. No, seriously...when the scheduled guest pianist didn't show for The Tonight Show in 1985, Johnny Carson asked for a volunteer from the audience. David's hand went up, both hands hit the ivories...and the rest (as they say) is history. This guy can play! You may also have seen his guest appearance on PBS's The Piano Guy.
• Drongomala is a Scotsman who was living in Kerala, India for 2 years recording with Carnatic musicians. His fascinating version of Silent Night was recorded by an interfaith group of singers and musicians there.
• Laffy is a collaboration between a critically-acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter and a TV/film score producer. Your kids will want to hear this rendition of Jingle Bells
• Doug Hammer - A gifted solo pianist who brings us 3 cuts, one of which is an original composition with a gorgeous lead vocal from a vocalist with the equally gorgeous name of Améthyste
• Richard Souther - A Grammy-nominated composer, producer, arranger, sound designer and multi-keyboardist who has built a strong reputation as a top contemporary solo instrumentalist for over twenty years, creating numerous best-selling albums in the New Age, Smooth Jazz, Electronica and the Classical/Crossover markets...as well as acclaimed recordings for the CCM music scene
• The Taj Motel Trio is an 8-piece ska-punk band from Georgia. Their punchy, energetic delivery definitely brings a different (and fun!) feel to a couple of traditional Christmas carols
• And finally, we heard from Aaron Kane, who downloaded piano instrumentals of traditional hymns from Stephen Bashaw and Solomon Keal from our site and had fun in the studio doing remix/mashups with his own vocals. We thought they were quite beautiful and wanted to share them with you as well...

Here are the latest songs added to the site:

• Aaron Kane with Solomon Keal: Away in a Manger (traditional vocal)
• Aaron Kane with Stephen Bashaw: We Three Kings (traditional vocal)
• Bethan Marshall: O Come, Come Emanuel (traditional vocal)
• David Tolley: Carol of the Bells (traditional instrumental)
• Deborah Malena: Little Tommy Tingle (contemporary vocal)
• Doug Hammer: Carol of the Bells (traditional instrumental)
• Doug Hammer: Hark the Herald Angels Sing (traditional instrumental)
• Doug Hammer: It's Christmas Time (contemporary vocal)
• Douglas Campbell: I'll Sing A Song For You (This Christmas) (contemporary vocal)
• Drongomala: Silent Night (traditional vocal)
• Jars of Clay: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (traditional vocal)
• Jenny Jordan Frogley & David Osmond: Joy To Everyone (contemporary vocal)
• Joel Rakes: Joy To The World (traditional vocal)
• Joel Rakes: Once In Royal David's City (traditional vocal)
• Laffy: Jingle Bells (traditional vocal)
• The One Eyed Jacks: Merry Little Christmas To You Too (contemporary vocal)
• The One Eyed Jacks: Santa Claus Is Ready To Go (contemporary vocal)
• Mike Hyden: Christmas Eve With You (contemporary vocal)
• Richard Souther: I Wonder As I Wander (traditional instrumental)
• Richard Souther: The Holly & The Ivy (traditional instrumental)
• Romeo Spike: Christmas Diablo (contemporary vocal)
• Sherrie Keys: What Child Is This? (traditional vocal)
• Sixpence None The Richer: Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional vocal)
• Straight No Chaser: Hark The Herald Angels/Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional vocal)
• Taj Motel Trio: Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional vocal)
• Taj Motel Trio: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (traditional vocal)
• Tonic Sol-fa: Joy to the World (traditional vocal)

Check 'em out...with all the other great holiday music and music inspired by the season!

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