Blane Howard – Christmas in the Car

By starrymag | February 1, 2023

By: Robert Warren

 

 

Q) What is the backstory behind your album Christmas in the Car?

A) The backstory of the album itself is simple. The last four to five years I’ve performed a few private Christmas shows back in my home state of Arkansas. It really just started as a change of pace musically, and also as something to fill the calendar in December when touring is slow. From there, the crowds grew and the requests for an album grew with it.

The song “Christmas in the Car” was inspired by my childhood Christmas tradition. Every year we would wake up in Arkansas and open presents, then drive seven hours to Kansas to visit my grandparents, cousins, and other family. Spending Christmas in the car was just normal for us.

 

Q) In the album there is a really good track order, going from telling us “I`ll be Home for a White Christmas,” to “Christmas in the Car,” “Christmas Time/Away in a Manger,” then down to a “Silent Night” at the end of the album, what was your favorite song in this amazing track list/why?

A) That one is tough. “Christmas in the Car” is so personal to me because I wrote it. I included “Merry Christmas Darling” for my mom because she ALWAYS had the Carpenter’s Christmas Album playing. If I had to pick one, I’d say my favorite is “Ave Maria/Mary Did You Know?” I’m a country singer but I have five years of classical training under my belt and “Ave” really lets me show that off, and “Mary Did You Know?” is just an incredible song to sing during my holiday shows. When we decided to put the two songs about Mary together as one, it just seemed like the perfect fit.

 

Q) What was the most emotional moment for you when working on this album?

A) I think it was “Merry Christmas Darling” just because I include it for my mom. I know it like the back of my hand, and not many male singers have done it, so to make it a song to my mother made it very special.

 

Q) In “I`ll Be Home For a White Christmas,” you sing “Christmas Eve will find me…” Well, let us know! How did the spirit of Christmas find you throughout this album?

A) Well, I started this process in February and we were literally recording the vocals in July, so we found ways to get into the spirit. We decorated the studio with a Christmas tree, presents and lights, and my co-producer John Shaw and myself pretty much always have the Christmas Vacation quotes ready to go!

 

Q) It`s very intriguing the mixture of the song “Ave Maria/Mary Did You Know?” How did you come up with the idea of combining the two songs together?

A) I know I said a few things earlier, but the songs are just so moving, both on a spiritual and emotional level. They both require a lot of technique to sing, and I thoroughly enjoy singing both of them. When you think about it, they are very similar. Both songs are about the mother of Jesus and they both praise her in one way or another. The story of the virgin Mary is so important to the story of Christmas, we just had to put them together.

 

Q) What has been the overall reaction to Christmas in the Car from fans and listeners?

A) I think it has been great! We certainly had a great response from the fans during our Christmas Tour… but honestly it wouldn’t matter if the response was mediocre. This album has so much of my heart and soul, and my Christmas traditions poured into it, so if you don’t get it then you don’t really get me. [laughs]

 

Q) What do you hope people take away from your album?

A) I hope people take away the fact that Christmas can mean different things to all of us, or even many things to all of us. Christmas to me is fun and warm. It brings people together, whether it be as friends, family or as a congregation. Christmas is about being with those that you love the most, even if it’s just for a little while.

 

Q) What are your personal favorite holiday songs and traditions?

A) Well, most of my personal favorites are included on this album! I love them all for different reasons, not to mention they let me show off different sides of my musical abilities. [laughs]

Tradition wise, it is seeing family and eating more food than one man should ever eat!

 

Q) Who would you most love to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) For Christmas it would have to someone like Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga or Adele. For my normal music, which is country, I’d like to collab with Alan Jackson, Vince Gill or The Eagles.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the songs you create?

A) Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I’ve spent the last ten years of my life performing and writing songs as a career because of fans like you who have continued to support me in every way possible. None of it would be possible without you.