Veteran singer/songwriter MARK SCHULTZ finally releases his first Christmas album

Mark Schultz

Over the years, Kansas-raised singer/songwriter Mark Schultz has come up with a string of story-telling songs which have been major hits in the US. In 2014, he released the single "Different Kind Of Christmas", and true to form, it shot to number one on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Songs chart. His Facebook video of the song also went viral, reaching over 69 million people.

Now, at long, long last, the songsmith has released his first-ever Christmas album and pride of place on the 'Christmas' set goes to "Different Kind Of Christmas". Mark spoke about "Different Kind Of Christmas". "This is a special song for me and my family. I wrote it with my wife after her dad passed away. It was our first Christmas without him, and Kate was decorating for the holidays. She came into the garage holding a box of ornaments and had tears streaming down her face. She said to me, 'It's just a different kind of Christmas this year.' At some point in our life, we will all lose someone that is close to us, and that first Christmas without them is a tough one to get through. I hope this song will bring comfort to those who are mourning the loss of someone this season."

Along with "Different Kind of Christmas" the new album features carols like "O Holy Night", "The First Noel", and "Silent Night" as well as mainstream standards like "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" and "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas". Producers on the album include Chris Bevins, Brown Bannister, Bryan Lenox and Bernie Herms.

Said Greg Lucid of Lucid Artist, "For Schultz, Christmas is first and foremost about the loving God he serves and with this album the purity of the Christmas message comes through with every note. If any project this season will put you in the Christmas spirit, it's this one. It's effortlessly listenable, it's timeless and it was well worth the wait."

Mark's first album in six years, 'Follow', was released in August this year. The singer and his wife Kate live just outside Nashville, Tennessee with their three children, Ryan, Gus and Maia Mae. Undoubtedly, they'll be having a wonderful Christmas.