Christmas playlists bring a mix of artists who you never hear together at any other time of the year. Where else can you find Andy Williams and Dean Martin followed by Wham, Mariah Carey or Kelly Clarkson in a half-hour span?
In that mix of artists, you’ll might find a few with Augusta ties.
Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a holiday classic, heard on radios, streaming platforms, in movies and while shopping at your favorite store.
Although she was born in Atlanta, Lee lived on Lionel Street in Augusta during her childhood. In March 1956, The Augusta Chronicle reported that the 11-year-old Augusta resident would appear on a nationally televised show on ABC.
Two years later, a 13-year-old Lee would record her most famous song. On Dec. 5, 2023 Billboard Magazine reported that Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” made it to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in its then 65-year history.
Another artist whose vast catalog of Christmas songs (she’s recorded five Christmas albums) is often played is Amy Grant.
Grant was born in Augusta in 1960. At her May 25, 2022 concert at the Miller Theater, she said that while she didn’t have memories of living here because her family left the area when she was only six months old, it was still a special place to her and one she was proud to call her hometown.
If you’re a fan of the Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer, she’ll be back at the Miller on March 1, 2026.
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, who died on Christmas Day 2006, recorded three Christmas albums, “James Brown Sings Christmas Songs” in 1966; “A Soulful Christmas” in 1968 and “Hey America It’s Christmas” in 1970. Also, two compilation albums were recorded.
You might not hear him as much, but his Christmas tunes are available on streaming platforms.
Another singer with a funky sound was Sharon Jones who recorded her fun “It’s a Holiday Soul Party” in 2015.
It features songs such as “Big Bulbs” and “8 Days of Hanukkah.”
Legendary opera singer Jessye Norman, who was born in Augusta, also recorded sounds of the season including “The Jessye Norman Collection: A Christmas Collection” in 2005 and “Christmastide” in 1987.
Lady A, whose members include Lakeside High School graduates Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, released the holiday albums, “On This Winter’s Night” in 2012 and “On This Winter’s Night Vol. 2” on Sept. 26.
The group celebrated the new album with its first-ever Christmas tour that kicked off in Atlanta on Dec. 5, and winds down at the Ryman Theatre in Nashville with three concerts scheduled for Dec. 21-23.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
