In December 2020, my wife had the brilliant idea to gather up a few of our close friends and go caroling — something I hadn’t done for about as long as I could remember. By the end of that year, it was painfully obvious that many were growing quite weary of constant social distancing, so we agreed caroling would be a great way to spread some much needed cheer. I wish I could say that this video was shot in 2020, but lo and behold, we somehow lost the footage. Oh well. There’s always next year. And so there was a “next year.” We went out again in 2021, making many backups of the footage this time to make sure we could make this video. It ended up being one of those blessings in disguise, because “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” (which I recorded this year) might be the most perfectest song to commemorate our second extra-chilly, festive evening, strolling about Franklin, Tennessee, with our instruments and singing our hearts out to literally everyone we met. And some were even ready for us this time, and prepared delicious snacks for us. Bonus!

Truly, one of the most beloved sentimental Christmas songs, made popular by Andy Williams on his iconic first Christmas album released in 1963, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” all but defines the Christmas Spirit. I’ve always loved this song — of course — but it was on tour with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant on their 2019 Christmas Tour that I decided that I would soon record it myself. Both Amy and Michael have recorded incredible versions of Williams’ classic, and here I am, throwing my hat in the ring of varieties of takes on this little ditty. Enjoy!

My new Christmas album, “The Christmas Collection, Vol. II” is now available at MarcMartelMusic.com

1. Zat You Santa Claus? (feat. Jared James Nichols)
2. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
3. What Christmas Means To Me
4. The Christmas Waltz with Amy Grant
5. Light Of The World
6. Labor Of Love
7. Welcome To Our World with Leigh Nash
8. White Christmas
9. Last Christmas with Arnel Pineda
10. Blue Christmas (feat. Joe Bonamassa)
11. Silver Bells (Acoustic Version) with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith
12. The Grinch
13. Run Run Rudolph (feat. Reese Wynans)
14. Thank God It’s Christmas
15. What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
16. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
17. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
18. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day