JD Shelburne releases Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
From the opening strains of a tremolo guitar teasing out the chords, you’re in for a country Christmas treat with JD Shelburne’s interpretation of the timeless ballad, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Smooth, easy vocals and a creative arrangement, sparkling with steel guitar, will put you in your easy chair as you dream of the festive season upon us. A classic recording setup with drums, bass, electric guitar, piano and steel, the musicians lope through the arrangement with thoughtful care leaving all the space for Shelburne’s warm, convincing voice. The original recording of this ageless Xmas favorite was by Judy Garland for the 1944 film, Meet Me In St. Louis, but it was Sinatra’s 1957 release, after he worked with the lyricist to make the words more hopeful, that became the standard hit.
“I have always loved Christmas music, which my mom played during my childhood holidays in Kentucky, creating many cherished memories. In September, I went to the studio to work on these tunes and knew I had to record a classic holiday song. With 11 recordings already in my holiday collection, choosing which to include was quite challenging,” shared JD Shelburne. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has always been a favorite of mine, written in 1943 and a holiday standard since my childhood. Hearing Frank Sinatra sing it always gave me chills, so it’s always stuck out this time of year when I have to name a favorite holiday song. I’m excited to share my unique version of this song with my fans this holiday season!”
Raised in small-town Kentucky, Shelburne picked up a guitar in 2002 and played his first show at his hometown Baptist church in 2003. That spark led him to Nashville, six original albums and now Raised on the Good Stuff – a collection that distills his electric live pulse and honest storytelling into the next defining chapter of a career built on grit, gratitude and the fans who keep showing up. His long-awaited debut on the Grand Ole opry took place on July 5, 2025 making for an “unforgettable night, something I’ve been looking forward to my entire career.” Recent professional highlights include a Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Songwriter Session at the Ford Theater as well as a sold-out Bluebird Cafe spotlight show. Collaborations with The Oak Ridge Boys on stage and on his prior album, Neon Hallelujah, led to the number one CMT 12 Pack Countdown video, Cars & Trucks. The current launch of his Signature Series 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey statewide has JD spreading his wings in new directions.
A road warrior with 3,000 plus shows to his name, Shelburne has shared bills with ZZ Top, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert, Marty Stuart and has drawn praise from Randy Travis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Steve Wariner and many others, Television has amplified his reach with appearances on NBC, CBS, RFD-TV, TNN, Newsmax, Circle All Access, Meet the Press, American Country Network and Great American Country. Averaging 7 million monthly impressions on Facebook, Shelburne’s high-energy shows and fan-first approach have solidified him as a regional powerhouse and earned recognition at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum.