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How Rascal Flatts Get in the Christmas Spirit

The Group Will Release Their First Christmas Album in October

The temperature may still be in the 90s in Nashville, but that doesn't mean we can't get in the Christmas spirit a little early this year, thanks to Rascal Flatts.

The group just announced their first-ever Christmas album, The Greatest Gift of All, to be released Oct. 21.

CMT got a sneak peek of the album last Saturday (Sept. 17) on the most festive tour bus ever, including a Christmas tree, stockings and fake snow.

We enjoyed the 10-track album en route to Indianapolis for the band's Rhythm and Roots tour, where we chatted with the trio about the making of the holiday record.

While listening to the group describe recording and producing the album during these past few summer months, we couldn't help but wonder how they managed to get in the Christmas spirit during the sweltering southern heat.

Their initial response? "Lots of eggnog."

Of course, the studio ambiance was also important.

"We actually strung some up lights in the studio," Jay DeMarcus said. "And Miles McPherson, who played drums on the album, wore a Santa hat the whole time."

"It was literally arctic-cold in the studio," Gary LeVox added. "Also, Dave Cohen, the keyboard player on the album, had a couple of those 'elves on the shelves' sitting on his rack."

“It probably seems crazy that we waited this long to release a Christmas record,” DeMarcus said. "We just wanted to do it right. We had a blast making this album, and being in the producer’s chair ourselves, makes it extra fun and challenging for us."

Here's a track listing for The Greatest Gift of All:

1. "Joy to the World"

2. "O Holy Night"

3. "Deck the Halls"

4. "A Strange Way to Save The World"

5. "Go Tell It on the Mountain"

6. "Let It Snow"

7. "Silent Night"

8. "Someday at Christmas"

9. "The First Noel"

10. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

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