NEW YORK, NY (Rykodisc) -- Acclaimed country music artists
Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison are spreading a little yuletide cheer this December as the husband and wife team set out on their "Happy Holidays 2006 Christmas Tour" beginning December 2, 2006 at the Granada Theater in Dallas,
Texas in support of their Rykodisc release "Happy Holidays."
After the show, saddle up the reindeer and fly to your local music store for a collection of 11 country holiday tunes that even has Santa hanging up his stocking cap for a ten-gallon hat. A terrific gift for lovers of holiday and country music alike, "Happy Holidays" features such standards as "Santa Baby," "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," all stamped with a dash of authentic country twang. A standout track on the album is the tender and emotionally affecting country/folk ballad "A Winter's Tale," written by the esteemed singer/poet R.B. Morris.
Of course a true country holiday album wouldn't be right without a touch of humor as evident on "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" and Bruce Robison's own "Oklahoma Christmas," about accidentally slipping out the occasional "Oh Lord" and "Jesus Christ" while gathered around the family Christmas dinner table.
Kelly Willis has been described as a modern-day, traditional country singer/songwriter who is not afraid to play by her own rules, earning her much critical acclaim throughout her expansive career. She has a sincerity to her singing that has been awarded significant praise from the press. Initially signed to MCA in the 1990s, Kelly inked a deal with Rykodisc in 1999 and subsequently released "What I Deserve," her long overdue breakthrough hit that Time Magazine hailed as "the smartest, most worthwhile country CD," released that year. In 2002 Kelly returned with "Easy," where she collaborated with music heavyweights Vince Gill, Union Station's Dan Tyminski, and Nickel Creek's Chris Thile. Kelly is currently in the studio recording her newest album to be released in 2007.
Bruce Robison has been described by Billboard Magazine as "one of the best of a new breed of singer/songwriters in Texas and beyond." A highly regarded songwriter, Bruce's songs have been recorded by some of country's biggest stars. His song "Travelin' Soldier" became a No. 1 hit for the Dixie Chicks and his song "Angry All The Time" topped the charts as a duet by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Other artists that have recorded his songs include George Strait (which spawned the Top 10 hit "Desperately"), Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan, and Allison Moorer.
Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison "Happy Holidays 2006 Tour" dates are as follows:
December 2 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
December 6 Denton, TX Dan's Silver Leaf
December 9 Austin, TX The Paramount Theatre
December 13 Annapolis, MD The Ram's Head
December 14 Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
December 15 Carrboro, NC The Arts Center
December 16 Atlanta, GA Smith's Olde Bar
December 17 Nashville, TN 3rd and Lindsley
December 20 Houston, TX The Mucky Duck
December 21 Houston, TX The Mucky Duck
December 22 New Braunfels, TX Gruene Hall
