A Christmas gift from us to you! Enjoy a handful of classic country tunes by the likes of Loretta Lynn and George Jones, plus newer tracks from The Felice Brothers, Laura Gibson and even a Norwegian Christmas tune by The Kings of Convenience thrown in for good measure. Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Years!
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Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter – Silent Night

Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter performing the Christmas classic “Silent Night” live. Merry Christmas Eve!

Just in the time for the holidays, here’s a freebie for you. The Juliana Theory frontman Brett Detar has just released his first solo album and it’s currently available for free download. Before you wrinkle your nose at thoughts of emo-kids and asymmetrical haircuts, I should let you know that this is nothing like his previous work (OK to be honest, I’ve never heard TST but I have an inkling my prior statement is true).

Recorded in Nashville in just three days, Bird in the Tangle plays like an authentic Nashville roots record in all it’s moody glory that channels Detar’s influences over the past 10 years, from Gram to Willie and Waylon to Townes. Ultimately Detar twists and melds those influences into a sound all his own, and a good one at that.

Don’t believe me? It’s free, what do you have to lose?

DOWNLOAD BIRD IN THE TANGLE HERE

Sam Amidon – Saro

As we all travel somewhere or have someone travel towards us this festive season, Sam Amidon’s video for his song “Saro” off of 2008′s All Is Well comes to mind. It combines classic moving pictures of folks traversing the mighty countryside as Americans young and old have done for centuries. And now, be it by delayed plane or covered wagon (which may indeed be faster), we’re still truckin’ on. So good luck from When You Awake with all your holiday travels (and here’s to hoping Editor-in-Chief Jody makes it back to the States from England today as her flight has been delayed for 4 days and counting…).

Here is the December 23, 1970 Christmas episode of The Johnny Cash Show for your viewing pleasure. The episode features Johnny, June and the children, Mother Maybelle Carter, Johnny’s parents Ray and Carrie Cash, The Everly Brothers, their father Ike Everly, Roy Orbison and Vince Matthews. The video player is set up like a playlist, so when the first clip stops, the next clip will automatically start. Enjoy!

John Prine and Jim James- All The Best

John Prine and Jim James of My Morning Jacket singing Prine’s “All The Best” live on the Late Show with David Letterman on May 26, 2010. The song mentions decorating trees, snowmen and Christmas cards so we are counting it as a Christmas song (albeit a sad Christmas song, but all Christmas songs can’t be joyful).

With Christmas just around the corner (4 days and counting!!), we’d like to take a moment to highlight some of When You Awake’s favorite non-profits organizations. We know all of these charities personally and have seen first hand the passion and energy their staffs puts into furthering their very worthy causes.  Take a moment to check out the sites and if you are so moved, please make a donation. These organization are inspiring to us. We hope that they inspire you too.

The Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund provides financial assistance to career musicians who are facing illness, disability, or age-related problems. Click here to donate.

War Child helps to protect children living in the world’s most dangerous war zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Click here to donate.

Children’s Music Fund provides musical instruments and music therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic and life altering illnesses and supports research on the effects of music therapy. Click here to donate.

Harmony Project provides free music instruction to 750 youths, ages 6-17, in inner-city Los Angeles. Click here to donate.

Heartworn Highways- Silent Night

On Christmas Eve in 1975, Guy Clark, Steve Young, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle and their friends got together to pick out some tunes, smoke, drink and remember the reason for the season. Check out a clip of that moment above (“Silent Night” starts at the 1:30 mark), taken from one of our favorite movies/documentaries, Heartworn Highways.

Head on down to The Troubadour tonight for a night of music to benefit the non-profit, Invisible Children. The benefit boasts a number of When You Awake favorites including Mountain Man, Cass McCombs, an acoustic set by Deer Tick + the LA debut of Middle Brother, the new band featuring the lead singers of Deer Tick, Delta Spirit and Dawes. You get all of this amazing music for just $15. Any of those bands alone would be worth the $15—all of them together for that is a steal AND it’s going to charity. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Go and buy your tix now!

Mountain Man- Animal Tracks