Join us for the “Icons of Outlaw Country Christmas” special, where holiday cheer meets the spirit of rebellion. We’re bringing you a night filled with festive tunes given the outlaw treatment by some of country music’s most legendary voices. Robert Earl Keen kicks things off with “Merry Christmas from the Family”, capturing the chaotic joy of the season, while Billy Joe Shaver spices it up with his 2005 “Feliz Navidad”. The Tractors bring their unique sound with “Santa Claus is Comin’” , and J. Gravelle offers a modern twist in 2023 with “Forget the Milk, Santa Needs A Beer!”. Merle Haggard’s poignant “If We Make it Through December” from 1973 reflects on holiday struggles, and John Prine shares the bittersweet “Christmas in Prison” from the same year.
The celebration continues with Johnny Cash reminiscing about “Christmas As I Knew It” in 1972, his deep voice echoing through time. Johnny Paycheck ensures the party never stops with “Honky Tonk Christmas”, and Jerry Jeff Walker rounds out the night with his Texas-flavored take on “12 Days of Christmas.” This isn’t your grandmother’s Christmas special; it’s where tradition and defiance dance under the holiday lights. So, grab your hat, pour some eggnog, and let’s celebrate Christmas, outlaw-style!
Original Air Date: 12/21/24
Playlist
HOUR ONE
Robert Earl Keen – Merry Christmas from the Family – 2017
Billy Joe Shaver – Feliz Navidad –2005
Sammy Kershaw – Christmas Time’s a Coming –1994
Dale Watson – Honkey Tonk Christmas – 2001
Gary P. Nunn – Christmas Time in Texas –2010
Merle Haggard – Grandma’s Homemade Christmas Card –1973
Bobby Bare – Christmas Time at Grandmas –1994
Waylon Jennings – Away in a Manger – 1993
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Christmas Time Again – 2000
Eagles – Please Come Home for Christmas – 1978
Hank Williams Jr. – Little Drummer Boy –1981
Michael Murphey – Ridin’ Home on Christmas Eve –1991
Willie Nelson – Jingle Bells –1979
Lisa Layne – Santa Drives an Eighteen Wheeler – 2001
Red Simpson – Santa’s Comin’ In A Big Ol’ Truck – 1973
Bill Weaver – How the Truckers Saved Christmas – 2018
HOUR TWO
Merle Haggard – If We Make it Through December – 1973
John Prine – Christmas in Prison – 1973
Christmas As I Knew It – Johnny Cash – 1972
Johnny Paycheck – Honky Tonk Christmas – 1998
Jerry Jeff Walker – 12 Days of Christmas – 1994
Jerry Jeff Walker – I Be Home for Christmas – 1994
Billy Joe Shaver – Merry Christmas to You – 1994
The Bellamy Brothers – Old Hippy Christmas – 2002
Buddy Brown – Redneck Jingle Bells – 2019
Charlie Daniels – Cowboy’s Christmas Gift – 1980
Charlie Daniels – Christmas Time Down South – 1990
Santa Claus is Comin’ – The Tractors – 1994
Forget the Milk, Santa Needs A Beer! – J. Gravelle – 2023
Robert Earl Keen – Happy Holidays to Y’all – 1998