American Idol season eight winner Kris Allen is wishing his fans a merry “Kris-Mas” as he releases his new Christmas EP, Waiting for Christmas, on iTunes Monday.
The five-song collection includes holiday classics and at least two songs Allen has performed many times, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “O Holy Night."
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The track listing also includes “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” and “White Christmas,” holiday standards Allen will most likely perform during his Stageit.com concert on Dec. 20.
In the spirit of the season, the Idol alum is encouraging all to give the gifts of goats. Allen recently returned from a trip to Kenya where he learned via World Vision USA catalog that a goat is a precious commodity in many impoverished nations, where the animal is not only a source of food for financial stability for a family in need.
Watch video of the campaign below:
With so much holiday cheer in the air, below is a roundup of a few more yuletide offerings from Idol alums:
Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips helped America light up the holiday season with the classic Stevie Wonder song, “This Christmas,” at the National Christmas Tree lighting in Washington, D.C.
Season 11 sweethearts Jessica Sanchez and DeAndre Brackensick celebrated a California Christmas, complete with ukulele, this November:
Season seven runner-up David Archuleta gave fans in Santiago, Chile a treat performing a rare set of spiritual carols, including this beautiful version of “O Holy, Night.”
Elvis Presley gets the full head banger treatment from American Idol Season 10 metal guy James Durbin:
Season 11 piano man Colton Dixon tickles the ivories for a spirited take on “Jingle Bells.”
Season seven alum Brooke White celebrated the release of her Christmas CD, White Christmas, in the perfect setting -- New York's Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony with her single, "Wonderful Christmas Time."
Season 10 champion Scotty McCreery added some country swagger into "Jingle Bells" under the Rockefeller Center tree:
Season 12 judge Mariah Carey performs her most popular song, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” at the Rockefeller Tree:
The spiritual side of Christmas is captured perfectly by season five alum Mandisa with this gorgeous original song, “Somebody’s Angel.”
Season 11’s Erika Van Pelt teamed up with season three crooner Jon Stevens and the Beantown Swing Orchestra for a classy duet of “Home for the Holidays.”
Season five alum Elliott Yamin also made his way into Boston for the lighting of the city's tree, and entertained with his version of "Jingle Bell Rock."
Season six winner Jordin Sparks participated in the 25th Anniversary of A Very Special Christmas, and paid homage to the late Whitney Houston with this arrangement of "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Season 11 country girl Skylar Laine gave a rocking version of the spiritual hymn, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" at her Country Christmas concert this month. This is totally in her "lane."
Happy Holidays Worshippers! Let us know what your favorite holiday performances are in the comments!
Twitter: @MicheleAmabile
