Country newcomer and 19 Recordings/BMG artist Colin Stough puts a raspy-Soul spin on a classic today (11/17), letting his sandpaper vocal loose for an icy, twangy rendition of “Blue Christmas.” Available across all streaming platforms and digital retailers, listen here.
Originally written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson, the colorful Christmastime anthem became a timeless favorite in the hands of The King, Elvis Presley, capturing the all-too-common twinge of holiday heartache. A fellow Mississippi native, Stough now puts his own mark on the track – while also paying homage to his roots.
Produced by Alex Maxwell, the singer-songwriter dials his blowtorch vocal down to a warm fireside glow, letting each heavyhearted word roll out slow and lonesome – just like the Big River itself. Meanwhile, his reverb-heavy guitar captures an edgy vibe somewhere between honky-tonk and Hot R&B, with a thick bass line and a festive touch of sleigh bells joining in. It adds up to a gritty-but-still-tender take on a tune Stough’s known his whole life.
“Elvis Presley is not only a legend overall, but he's also a Mississippi boy like me. I grew up about 30 minutes from where he was born,” Stough shares. “I love ‘Blue Christmas’ and wanted to do a version of my own. It’s got this smooth, bluesy vibe which I really dig.”
Releasing just as the holiday season begins, Stough’s “Blue Christmas” follows the October delivery of his debut EP, Promiseland – a heady collision of grungy Southern Rock and pure-Country style that introduces a rising talent.
Just 19 years old and coming off a standout third-place finish on Season 21 of American Idol in 2022, Stough has stunned fans with a freight train of full-bodied vocal rasp and his down-home blend of Hard Rock and twang, both in the studio and on the stage.
Stough has spent this past year headlining shows across the nation, while also supporting artists like Kidd G and Drake White. Next on deck with Chase Matthew in 2024, find upcoming show dates here.
About Colin Stough:
A 19-year-old Country Rock phenom and native of Gattman, Mississippi, Colin Stough has come a long way in a few short years – and with his debut EP Promiseland, the 19 Recordings/BMG artist is still just getting started. After learning to play guitar at 8 years old, Stough first pursued artistic dreams at 10, boldly trading childhood possessions for his first guitar at a local pawn shop – an instrument he still plays to this day. After graduating high school, the naturally gifted singer and self-taught songwriter began working full-time as an HVAC technician, before his mother convinced him to audition for American Idol. Impressing judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, Stough stunned viewers and soon built a thriving fan base, finishing third on Season 21 of the show in 2022. He spent the ensuing months writing and recording original music, while also touring nationwide to put his blowtorch vocal and guitar-slinging edge on full display. After signing with 19 Recordings/BMG, his distinctive mix of Southern Rock distortion and pure-Country style have helped tracks like “I Still Talk To Jesus” and “Bad Day” rack up more than 9.4 MILLION global on-demand streams, and in September 2023, Stough released the single “Promiseland,” along with an official music video. The hard-hitting anthem is the title track to Stough’s debut EP, which is out now and puts the emerging artist on track to reach even more dreams in the future. Stough has headlined across the country and opened for established artists like Kidd G and Drake White. Stay tuned for much more to come.
Photo Credit: Spencer R.