Christmas EditionChristmas Edition

My favorite Christmas Recipe:Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

- 4 ounces butter, softened- 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes- 2 cups granulated sugar- 1 small can (5 ounces, about 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) evaporated milk- 1 teaspoon vanilla- 3 eggs, beaten- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon- 2 prepared pie shells, unbaked

Mix butter, potatoes, sugar and evaporated milk until well blended. Add vanilla, eggs, and cinnamon; mix well. Pour into the prepared pie shells. Bake in a 350° oven for about 1 hour, until set.Makes 2 pies.

It is so delicious and super easy!!

A Christmas Tradition

I started this when my kids were little. I put on "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney and we all do a silly Christmas dance on Christmas Eve, right before I put them to bed. So funny to watch it change every year they get older. We also like to throw on some old home video's.

Favorite Christmas Carol

So I have two: First one is more traditional...it has always been my favorite one to sing every since I was a little girl. "What Child Is This"

Second, since I've been married we love putting on Ringo Starr's Christmas album, but my favorite from that album is "I Wanna Be Santa Claus".

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Paul BrandtPaul Brandt

another featured singer. Her name was Elizabeth Peterson. I quickly put two and two together, and realized that it was her, the girl of my dreams! I scanned the audience, and once I spotted her, I introduced myself and asked if we could sit together at the front of the church before we each went on to sing. She was slated to sing first.

So she got up to sing, and then I followed with “Silent Night”. My night was anything but “calm” at that moment. I saw her standing at the very back of the church while I sang, and I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous in my whole life. Then, just as I finished the last chord of the song, she turned, opened the door, and left the sanctuary.

I still didn’t have her phone number!

I unplugged my guitar, creating a huge “popping” noise on the sound system, and walked briskly down the centre isle as people were applauding my performance- and looking at me with confused stares as I walked out the back door.

I wasn’t about to let the opportunity to spend more time with her slip through my fingers again.

I was able to stop her just before she walked out the back door of the church. I don’t exactly remember what I said, although I fear it was something cheesy about wondering “if she’d sing background music with my band someday.” I did however leave that night with her phone number.

There’ve only been one or two Christmas Eve services we’ve missed over the years due to illness or being out on the road performing, but I’m thrilled to say that the phone number exchange turned into a first-date, and into an engagement, and into 18 years of marriage and counting, two wonderful children, and a tradition and memory built around a performance of “Silent Night”. Merry Christmas!

My favorite Christmas tradition, memory and Christmas Carol are all rolled into one story. Forgive me if you’ve heard it, it’s one of my favorite to tell.

19 years ago, just as I was getting to launch my first single to Country Radio called “My Heart Has A History”, I took a quick break that fall from my whirlwind radio tour to visit my family back in Calgary.

It happened to be over a weekend, so my folks invited me along to Centre Street Church.

There was a young lady singing at the church that day, and I was smitten. I knew the moment I saw her that I wanted to marry her. She was the one. I tried to find her to introduce myself immediately following the service, but she was already gone. I searched everywhere in that church building. I even drove all the way home, and then drove back one more time, just in case I had missed her somehow.

The next day, I headed back to Nashville, then back on the road, all the while thinking about this woman I was going to marry, but had never met. I was completely obsessed.

Leading up to Christmas, I had been asked by the pastor of that church to sing at the Christmas Eve Service. I agreed, and was excited to sing that night. I walked into the church, set up my guitar, and then took a look at the program. There was

Favorite Christmas Carol:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Favorite Christmas tradition (Braiden):

Every year my parents and I would play Christmas carols, light a fire in the fireplace, and decorate the tree. For as long as I can remember, we have been doing this. Now that I am a mom, I do the same thing with my son. It really puts you into the Christmas spirit:)

A special Christmas memory:

My first Christmas with my son was the best Christmas in the world. Just a month after he was born, I really got to sit and relax and feel what Christmas is really about : love, and family.

Favourite holiday tune:"The Gift" by Garth Brooks.

Favourite holiday memory:Making toffee on the snow with all my

family. Go outside, fill a bowl with fresh snow, and then pour hot toffee on it while it cools everyone gets a spoon. Dig in!

Clayton BellamyClayton Bellamy

Nancy loves to make her Holy Moly Christmas Cookies not only for Santa as featured in her video for her song “Holy Moly Christmas” but for friends and family as well!

She also like to drive around the city particularly in her own neighborhood and take in all the fabulous Christmas lights and decorations that people display at this beautiful time of year.

She particularly likes to cook, and cook and cook and asks her friend to where clothes that are a couple of sizes too large as they will likely fit them after they have eaten some of her home cooking.

She also like to set up the Christmas Tree and decorate it early and it is never too early for Christmas in her house!

Nancy wishes everyone a Holy Moly Christmas!

HowHow

Nancy LabergeNancy Labergelikes to celebrate thelikes to celebrate the

Christmas SeasonChristmas Season“Kerr Cookies”By Graham Kerr and Steve ThomsonMakes 24 cookies

Ingredients:- ¼ cup of dark brown Sugar- ¼ cup plain egg beaters- 1 cup of Splenda- 1 tablespoon melted butter- 1 tablespoon of lightly flavored olive oil*- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract- 1/2 teaspoon salt- 1 cup of sliced almonds or substitute almonds with ½ cup of Cranberries (Crazins) and ½ cup Chopped green maraschino cherries - 2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats

Method:1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.2. Coat 2 Baking sheets with cooking spray oil.3. Beat together the brown sugar, egg (egg beaters) substitute and Splenda until thick.4. Add butter, olive oil and salt.5. Stir in the sliced almonds and oats.6. Drop by the heaping teaspoon full on the prepared pan 1” to 2” apart.7. Flatten with wet finger.8. Bake 10 minutes until edges go brown.

A Christmas Tradition:Every year we trek through the snow covered fields to find the perfect Christmas tree for our home. There’s nothing like the smell of a fresh cut tree! It’s a tradition that started when I was a child and I’ll continue to pass it on to the generations that follow.

A special Christmas Memory:Growing up we had a neighbour who would show up by horse and sleigh, dressed in full Santa attire, on Christmas Eve. He had a special gift for each one of my siblings and I. It was a pretty magical experience as a child!

Favourite Christmas Carol:My favourite carol was always Silent Night. It was my job to sing it every Christmas Eve before anyone would open gifts. There's something so magical about that song at Christmas time!

Riki KnoxRiki KnoxFavorite Christmas Recipe:LEB KUCHEN (An Old German Tradition)

- 2 eggs- 1 1/2 c. sugar- 1/2 c. honey- 2 c. ground nuts- 1 tbsp. lemon rind- 2/3 c. candied lemon and orange peel- 3 1/2 c. flour- 1/4 tsp. salt- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Beat eggs, add sugar gradually and honey. Beat well. Add rest of ingredients gradually, mixing well. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into bars. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Brush with confectionery sugar frosting while still warm.

Storage: Allow a few days to mellow in tight storage. Yield: 96 bar cookies

Drew Gregory (@drewgregory_):@SonyaBhappy @countrifiedca We always have a big hockey game between the 2 Beer League teams in Standard. #thenlotsofbeerafter

RyLee MadisonRyLee Madison Favorite Christmas tradition:1. Ugly sweater and Christmas cookie swap with friends a couple weeks before Christmas. This year will take place at my TN home Dec 14th.2. Baking and boxing up a dozen homemade cookies for each of the neighbors.

Special Christmas Memory:When I was 8 years old I went shopping with my Dad on Christmas Eve. This was his favorite time to shop as there were many deals and he loved the hustle and bustle of people running every where. While I was with him in the K-Mart, I spotted a polka-dot stuffed doll. She was lap size with a plastic face and a plastic bib attached. I don't know how he managed it BUT when I awoke Christmas morning, that doll was waiting to be unwrapped under the tree.

Favorite Christmas Carol:Let It Snow Let It Snow by Dean MartinA Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives

Favorite Christmas Recipe:Potato Stuffing

15-20 potatoes2 pieces of white bread1 diced onion2 tbsp of butter1/2 cup summer savorydash of saltdash of pepper1/2 cup juice from turkey

Boil and mash potatoes, add crumbled bread, onion, butter, summer savory, salt & pepper. Spread into a 12" casserole dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 for 35 - 40 mins until heated through. Serve with the Christmas turkey. Delicious!

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ton ““Traditions are passed down from generation to generation and in my family one of most fun and Traditions are passed down from generation to generation and in my family one of most fun and

exciting traditions we have is opening one present on Christmas Eve before everyone goes to bed. exciting traditions we have is opening one present on Christmas Eve before everyone goes to bed. Growing up I remember being ecstatic to open the gift under the tree marked with the giant "x" even Growing up I remember being ecstatic to open the gift under the tree marked with the giant "x" even though every year since I can remember, I've opened a pair of pajamas (YAY!) ...which in a sense though every year since I can remember, I've opened a pair of pajamas (YAY!) ...which in a sense should take the mystery and magic out of the anticipation but I can't help myself. For years I've love should take the mystery and magic out of the anticipation but I can't help myself. For years I've love seeing my mom talk about the "x'd" gifts like this year they might be something different other than seeing my mom talk about the "x'd" gifts like this year they might be something different other than a fresh pair of pajamas only to find my two adult brothers hours later opening an identical pair of a fresh pair of pajamas only to find my two adult brothers hours later opening an identical pair of pajamas like they're still 6 years old (haha!) . Somehow my mom never got the memo that we've all pajamas like they're still 6 years old (haha!) . Somehow my mom never got the memo that we've all grown up..which I'm entirely fine with by the way.. grown up..which I'm entirely fine with by the way.. After much discussion this year my family and I are BREAKING tradition and hopefully starting a After much discussion this year my family and I are BREAKING tradition and hopefully starting a new one. We have decided to skip the gifts (EVEN the new pair of pajamas!) Have a nice dinner new one. We have decided to skip the gifts (EVEN the new pair of pajamas!) Have a nice dinner with our family and spend our afternoon volunteering at a soup with our family and spend our afternoon volunteering at a soup kitchen close by us. I think it will really put into perspective how kitchen close by us. I think it will really put into perspective how fortunate our family was and is to have each other and all of the fortunate our family was and is to have each other and all of the nice things and opportunities we've been afforded over the years. nice things and opportunities we've been afforded over the years. I love my old family tradition but I'm looking forward to turning a I love my old family tradition but I'm looking forward to turning a new page and starting a brand new one that will hopefully carry on new page and starting a brand new one that will hopefully carry on for years to come. for years to come.

A Christmas Tradition:I come from a musical family. My great grandmother was a professional operatic singer. Every Christmas, my whole family gather around the farmhouse piano, next to the Christmas tree, and in true musical holiday fashion, join in on a family rendition of "White Christmas". In more recent years, the family band has extended, with my brother Brett accompanying on drums, sister Kelsi on piano, cousin Justin on guitar, uncle Gavin on bass and myself on lead vocals and guitar.

MelodyMelodyLovejoyLovejoy

A Christmas Tradition:My mom's side of the family is from Germany where they traditionally open all of the presents and do all of the celebrating on December 24th. So, in our family we always had Christmas dinner and opened our stocking's on Christmas Eve with my German Grandma, and then on the morning of Christmas Day we had German Stollen bread for breakfast and opened the rest of our presents. It was a nice way to stretch out the anticipation and celebration! Favourite Christmas Carol:"Oh, Holy Night!"

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A Christmas Tradition:We started a Christmas tradition in my family a few years ago. The rule for buying gifts at the Ryan house: You must either make your gift or buy second hand spending a maximum of $15. It’s really quite awesome to see what everyone comes up with. Sometimes the gifts are funny - and sometimes you’re surprised at the great things you can get for under $10!

TanyaTanyaRyanRyan

A favorite Christmas Recipe:KISSEL FAMILY STEAK DINNERStory: Since we raise cattle on our family ranch in Northern, Alberta, we don’t have a traditional turkey dinner with the Kissel side of the family. We enjoy a big steak barbecue, where we actually give thanks to the great year we had in the cattle business. Steak: 10-12 ounce – Ribeye Steak (preferred) Preparation: Rub virgin olive oil over the steak, and massage it into the meat. Take traditional Montreal steak spice and shake a generous portion on each side of the steak. Rub the spice gently into the meat to make it stick. Oil or grease up your grill, and place steaks on the grill at highest possible heat. Serve rare or medium-rare. Sauce: I have a homemade recipe for barbecue sauce, but it’s a family secret. But in a pinch, Bullseye Barbecue Sauce from Calgary, AB is one of my favorites!

A Christmas Tradition:“PLYWOODING” – It’s a redneck game we’ve invented on our farm. You rope up a sheet of plywood and pull it behind a snowmobile. If you fall off, you lose. If you stay on, you win. And I’m the champion, for many years in a row now. A special Christmas Memory:“WORST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER…” – Surprisingly, the worst gift I ever received was my guitar. When I was six years old, all I wanted that year was a Lego Castle. I wanted that Lego Castle SO BAD, that when I saw a guitar under the tree, I was really disappointed. Looking back now, it clearly was the best thing I’ve ever received – because I couldn’t make a living playing Lego… Favorite Christmas Song & Carol:“ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE” – by Brenda Lee is by far my favorite Christmas song. It’s just got such a great groove, and great lyrics. It’s been my favorite since the day I first heard it! “ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH” – is my favorite Christmas carol. When the chorus hits and a choir sings, “Gloria” in succession, it’s the most beautiful melody!

Brett KisselBrett Kissel

I wrote Jolly Ol' Redneck in July with my producer Dan Swinimer. We were having a really tough time writing it because it was hard to avoid filling the song with holiday cliches and also because it was 32 degrees outside. We started working on this idea that Santa has one night off a year (Christmas night) and what he might do with it before he gets working on next years Christmas gifts. We both looked at each other and said "Well.. he probably would want to have a drink!" After that the song easily wrote itself and Dan and I laughed the whole time.

Holiday traditions in the Merlo house are extremely important. My older sister and I always have a sleepover on Christmas Eve and watch Charlie Brown. We always make our way to church and we always get cheeseburgers and drive around looking at Christmas lights.

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Favourite holiday recipe:My favourite holiday recipe is my

mothers sugar cookies. I look forward to them every year and can smell them

from a mile away. We decorate them with sprinkles and always make a batch of 50!

Special holiday memory: A special holiday memory of mine would be the year that I got my first guitar. I was so happy, I think I carried it around all day.

My favourite holiday tune would either be "Someday at Christmas" by Stevie Wonder or Dolly Parton's version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain”

Madeline Merlo tells Madeline Merlo tells Countrified Canada Countrified Canada

the story behind Jolly the story behind Jolly Ol' Redneck and shares Ol' Redneck and shares some of her favourite some of her favourite holiday traditions. holiday traditions.

Madeline MerloMadeline Merlo

Favourite holiday recipe:

Add 5 bud Light Beers to a ....to a....hmmm can't remember, I think you just drink 5 beers if I recall ;).

Favourite holiday tradition:

Getting to play Santa to give out the gifts...yup, I'm the still the guy!

Special holiday memory:

Receiving my first electric guitar. I had been hoping for one, but only saw a small gift there and resolved to be thankful for whatever I received. Little did I know the gift I received was a cord to plug into an electric guitar, which came with a note that said go look under your bed. Best day ever!

Favourite holiday tune:

I personally like my song "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe". We shot a video for this song in my home town and everyone was there. It was a blast!

BrodyBrodySpecial holiday memory:

One of my favourite holiday memories would have to be playing hockey late into the night on a pond beside our house - the clacking echo of our sticks, the massive snowflakes falling through the air and mom's homemade dinners fogging up the kitchen window.

There is a down side to pond hockey though and that was how easy it was to lose pucks in the snow banks beyond each goal. I remember one night in particular, we ran out of pucks within an hour and stood there looking at each other totally deflated. What a bummer. Then suddenly - great joy. We realized we were surrounded by horse pastures and thousands of frozen horse turds. Hockey would live again that night. Good times. Great joy. One of my best Christmas memories.

Favourite holiday song:

O Holy Night.

JasonJason McCoyMcCoy

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A Christmas Tradition:

My favourite Christmas tradition is to watch the movies "Elf" and "A Christmas Carol" with my family at least once... a day! A special Christmas Memory:

One of my fondest Christmas memories was from when I was 7. It was when all I could focus on in life was playing hockey. Waking up Christmas morning, running downstairs to a pile of presents under the tree and seeing, off in the corner, a brand new KOHO hockey stick. It was, for the first time in memory, something that I wanted so bad all year and I couldn't believe I had gotten one. Favorite Christmas Carol:

A Christmas carol that I always love to hear over and over again during the holidays is "O Holy Night". It's that song that really is an impacting, moving and emotional song, especially when sung incredibly well by someone like Martina McBride for example.

AaronAaronPritchettPritchett

A favorite Christmas Recipe:

One of my all-time favourite recipes is making shortbread. Besides a Christmas tree all lit up, snow on the ground and Christmas music, I love to take it all in with eating cookies!

Raspberry Almond Shortbread- 1 cup of butter- 2/3 cup of sugar- 1 teaspoon of milk- 2 cups of flower- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract- 1/2 cup of raspberry jam (seedless)

A favorite Christmas Recipe”

I also have a favorite recipe that is my great grandmothers, for chocolate fudge. My mom and I make together every Christmas and everybody in the family loves it and looks forward to having some! And I look forward to licking the pot and spoon (before my dad gets at it)! But we only make it this one time every year, so it is always a special treat! Here is the recipe taken from a very old book!

- 2 lbs brown sugar- 1 tablespoons butter- 1/2 cup cocoa- 1 lb of flour- 2 tablespoons of corn syrup

Add canned milk and mix until dark and creamy. Start heating slowly and then bring to a boil until it forms a hard ball when dropped from a metal spoon into cold water. Add a cap full of vanilla and hand beat until creamy. Pour into pan and put into the fridge. (It's awesome!!)

WigleyWigley

A Christmas Tradition:So one of my favorite Christmas traditions, is to build a Christmas Village. We started building them when I was just one, and it started off very small, under our Christmas tree. Then as the we accumulated more houses, we had to move it to a bigger spot, which was around our fireplace. Each year we added another house and more figurines and trees. Then two years ago, we decided to add some of my Lego buildings, so we moved it to two long tables in our living room. To make it even more special, we added our own mountains which my dad and I made using gasoline, Styrofoam and paint. This year we added another smaller table which gave us a hill as well, and so now we have 14' of village covered in snow, lights, buildings and people, with a full mountain range as a backdrop. When it's all lit up, it's so magical! I'm soon going to be home recording a new Christmas song/video I just wrote about it!

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My all time favorite recipe is my mothers turkey stuffing, coming home and seeing every dish used and the aroma of turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes with apple pie.

My family would always listen to Boney M Christmas carols during the holidays. But Celine Dions Oh Holy Night was the one song that caught my ear and inspired me to record it.

My family tradition is all of us heading out on the town or city and look at all the beautiful Christmas lights .

My favorite memory childhood would be when I was a child every Christmas Eve was so exciting, I would put out cookies & milk for Santa, but when I went to bed there was never presents under the tree, when I would wake up, there were many presents under the tree and my Christmas stocking was full of candy & surprises and Santa ate the cookies & drank his milk. Every Christmas Eve it was hard for me to go to bed. At one time I was positive I heard Santa & his rain deer on the roof. And all my presents were always signed "From Santa". Today I try to make the same Christmas magic for my son and stepkids.

McIntoshMcIntoshA Christmas RecipeMy favourite Christmas recipe is this dessert my mom makes. It's called "Death by Chocolate" and it's amazing. It's a giant bowl with different layers consisting of chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, and whip cream. Then you sprinkle skor bits on top. It's amazing! A Christmas TraditionEvery year my entire family meets at my grandparent’s house for a big Christmas lunch. We open presents, sing carols, and always end up playing fun group games. Then most of the family falls asleep so it's almost like we have a giant group nap. A special Christmas MemoryThis is a tough one because I make so many memories over the holidays. One year my parents made a huge scavenger hunt for my sister and I. We had to run all over the house finding clues that led us to the final present which was our first ever Disney cruise. We were pretty excited! Favorite Christmas CaroleDefinitely "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!" Hands down my all-time favourite.

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Canada's Country Music Canada's Country Music Stars come together for the Stars come together for the

CCMA Holiday SpecialCCMA Holiday SpecialTerri Clark hosts evening of collaborations and celebrationsTerri Clark hosts evening of collaborations and celebrations

The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is pleased to present the CCMA Holiday Special, airing on CBC-TV on Monday, December 15 at 9 p.m./9:30 p.m. NT and on CMT Canada on Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. Hosted by multi CCMA Award winner, Terri Clark, the CCMA Holiday Special features a collection of memorable and unique performances by some of Canada’s most recognizable and beloved country artists.

Joining Terri on stage for one-of-a-kind collaborations and performances: Gord Bamford, Jason Blaine, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, Lindsay Ell, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Kira Isabella, Brett Kissel, Beverley Mahood, One More Girl, Lindi Ortega, Deric Ruttan, Tebey and The Stellas with their daughters, Lennon & Maisy.

“It thrills me to be able to host the CCMA Holiday Special this year, and celebrate the season with so many talented artists and friends,” said Terri Clark. “Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year. I completely throw myself into cookie-making and decorating, and I just love the feeling the season brings. I hope this Special brings some holiday spirit to our country music fans.”

“I am proud to add the CCMA Holiday Special to our repertoire of national programming with our broadcast partners,” said Don Green, President of the CCMA. “The CCMA, and the Canadian country music industry, really does feel like a big, extended family, making the CCMA Holiday Special all the more special to us. I know Canadian audiences will enjoy it.”

Produced by Corkscrew Media, the CCMA Holiday Special was filmed at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta this past September. A portion of all tickets from the CCMA Holiday Special filming has gone towards MusiCounts.

In addition to its airdates on December 15 and 18, the audio of the CCMA Holiday Special will broadcast on CBC Radio One, Canada Live on Friday, December 19 at 2 p.m./2:30 p.m. NT and CBC Radio 2, Canada Live on Monday, December 22 at 7 p.m./7:30 p.m. NT; it will also re-air on CMT on December 25 at 1 a.m. ET.