Starting a petition.
Each year, we get Christmas records or at least a few holiday-inspired songs from country music artists. Koe Wetzel is a great artist of someone who has leaned into the Christmas scene with their sound through his Wetzel’s Wonderland projects. Zach Top covered Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas” last year, and Jon Pardi also shared a holiday project from the previous season, and many more have embraced the holiday spirit over the years.
However, there is one artist from whom we have yet to see a Christmas record or song. I think it’s about time we politely ask Mr. Marucs King to make our holiday wishes come true and record a holiday record. (Side note: I’d take a song, but a record would be the ultimate dream.)
Recently, Marcus King performed during the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry Country Christmas special. The Opry goes full Christmas mode for ten nights and features different performers, showcasing classic Christmas songs each night. On the opening night of Opry Country Christmas, Jon Pardi, Marcus King, Charlie McCoy, and more performed throughout the evening.
After seeing the soul Marcus King brought to the Grand Ole Opry stage during his songs, I am convinced we need a holiday record from the South Carolina native. While performing at the Orpy, any night is special; Marcus King brought his father along to accompany him with his band that night. King’s father is also a stellar guitar player, and he often joins his son during performances.
Both of the King men have the blues in their souls, as Marcus gave jaw-dropping performances of “Merry Christmas Baby” and “This Christmas.” Both of the songs King chose to perform during his set lean more towards the soulful side of classic Christmas music, which was the perfect choice for King, who still sprinkled some of his signature South Carolina red clay flair on it.
“Merry Christmas Baby” was a standout performance of the two for me as it was the perfect example of covering a song while making it your own. Everyone knew that it was the classic tune. Initially recorded in 1947, “Merry Christmas Baby” has been performed by various artists like Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley, Ottis Redding, and Tina Turner. Given that a wide array of genres has put their spin on the single, this song allows for some creative freedom when composing your cover.
King takes that room and flawlessly puts his spin on it.
“Merry Christmas, girl
Merry, merry, merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas, baby
I said you sure did treat me nice
You bought me all those lovely things, yeah
I feel like I’m in paradise…”
Marcus King opens the floor during the song for his father to show off some of his shredding skills, making for the most wholesome father-son moment.
Marcus King is truly a talent who can do it all. We’ve seen him lean into soulful blues playing, rock out, or highlight his thick twangs when covering Tyler Childers. He’s an out-of-this-world talent, and that talent needs to help spread some holiday cheer.
Fire up these two performances, and I think you, too, will agree we need a Christmas record (or song) from Marcus King.
“Merry Christmas Baby”
“This Christmas”