A Drummer Boy Christmas

Last updated

A Drummer Boy Christmas
A Drummer Boy Christmas by For King & Country (Official Album Cover).png
Studio album by
For King & Country
Released30 October 2020 (2020-10-30)
Recorded2020
Genre
Length44:47
Label Word Entertainment
Producer
For King & Country chronology
Burn the Ships
(2018)		A Drummer Boy Christmas
(2020)		 What Are We Waiting For?
(2022)
Singles from A Drummer Boy Christmas
  1. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
    Released: 2 October 2020
  2. "Little Drummer Boy"
    Released: 2 October 2020
  3. "Heavenly Hosts"
    Released: 3 November 2021

A Drummer Boy Christmas is the fourth studio album by For King & Country, an Australian Christian pop duo comprising brothers Luke Smallbone and Joel Smallbone, released via Word Entertainment on 30 October 2020. [1] It features appearances by Needtobreathe and Gabby Barrett. The album was produced by Tedd Tjornhom and For King & Country, co-produced by Benjamin Backus, and Matt Hales handling executive production.

Contents

A Drummer Boy Christmas became a commercially successful album upon its release, debuting at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart in the United States. A Drummer Boy Christmas received nominations for the GMA Dove Award Christmas / Special Event Album of the Year and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards.

Background

In September 2020, For King & Country announced A Drummer Boy Christmas as their first full-length Christmas album, [2] due to be out on 30 October 2020 and availing the album for pre-order. The album was inspired by a concept that originated near the band's beginning, when they Joel and Luke Smallbone were rehearsing for a Christmas tour. [3] The album comprises two original Christmas songs: "Heavenly Hosts" and "The Carol of Joseph (I Believe In You)"; and contains guest appearances from Needtobreathe featuring on the track "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" while the song "Go Tell It On The Mountain" featuring guest vocals from Gabby Barrett. [4]

Release and promotion

Singles

On October 2, 2020, For King & Country announced that "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" featuring Needtobreathe and "Little Drummer Boy" would be serviced to Christian radio in the United States as the official singles from the album, [5] revealing the album's track-listing. [6]

"Heavenly Hosts" was serviced to Christian radio stations in the United States on 3 November 2021, becoming the album's third single. [7]

Promotional singles

On October 2, 2020, For King & Country released "Joy to the World" as the first promotional single from the album, accompanied with a lyric video. [8] On October 16, 2020, For King & Country released "Heavenly Hosts" as the second and final promotional single from the album, [9] accompanied with a lyric video. [10]

Touring

Through November and December in the years of 2020–2024, the band toured around the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom in promotion of the album.

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Jesus Freak HideoutRed star b.svgRed star b.svgRed star b.svgRed star b.svgGrey star unboxed.svg [11]

Jesus Freak Hideout's John Underdown noted the oddity in following up a successful album ( Burn the Ships ) with a holiday themed album, but acknowledged the band's success, saying: "Ultimately, what sets this album above its peers is the direction and purpose behind the songs picked and the way they're ordered. This thoughtfulness is felt and allows for deeper layers of reflection where other Christmas records only provide background fluff." [11] In a positive review for NewReleaseToday, JJ Francesco opined that A Drummer Boy Christmas is "a reverent and intimate Christmas pageant of an album." [12]

Accolades

Awards
YearOrganizationAwardResultRef
2021 GMA Dove Awards Christmas / Special Event Album of the YearWon [13]
Recorded Music Packaging of the YearNominated

Commercial performance

In the United States, A Drummer Boy Christmas earned 13,000 equivalent album units in its first week of sales, and as a result debuted at No. 2 on the Top Christian Albums Chart dated November 14, 2020, the band's sixth top ten release on the tally. [14] The album concurrently registered on the mainstream Billboard 200 chart at No. 50. [15]

Track listing

A Drummer Boy Christmas track listing [16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."In the Bleak Midwinter" (Prologue) Christina Rossetti 1:12
2."Joy to the World" Isaac Watts 3:55
3."O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (featuring Needtobreathe)Traditional4:19
4."Won't You Come"
1:32
5."Heavenly Hosts"
3:29
6."Silent Night"
4:49
7."A Christmas Monologue"
  • Backus
  • J. Smallbone
  • L. Smallbone
  • Tjornhom
1:37
8."Little Drummer Boy"
4:48
9."The Carol of Joseph (I Believe in You)"
  • J. Smallbone
  • L. Smallbone
  • Hales
4:02
10."O Come All Ye Faithful"Traditional5:17
11."Go Tell It On The Mountain" (with Gabby Barrett) John Wesley Work Jr.  
12."Angels We Have Heard on High"Traditional4:40
13."In the Bleak Midwinter" (Epilogue)Rossetti1:29
Total length:44:47

Charts

Release history

Release history and formats for A Drummer Boy Christmas
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
Various30 October 2020 Word Entertainment [25] [26]

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca St. James</span> Australian singer

    Rebecca Jean Fink, known professionally as Rebecca Jean or Rebecca St. James, is an Australian American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and actress. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. She was signed to ForeFront Records in 1993, releasing her major label debut the following year.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Casting Crowns</span> American Christian rock band

    Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian and Christian rock band which began in Daytona Beach, Florida. The band was formed in 1999 by lead vocalist Mark Hall. They moved to Stockbridge, Georgia, and more members joined. Some members of the band are currently ministers for Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. The band has won a Grammy and a Dove Award.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Peterson (musician)</span> American Christian musician and author (born 1974)

    Andrew Peterson is an American Christian musician and author, who plays folk rock, roots rock, and country gospel music.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Needtobreathe</span> American rock band

    Needtobreathe is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The group first gained fame for their Christian themes, eventually reaching crossover success. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart, Seth Bolt, Josh Lovelace, Randall Harris and Tyler Burkum (guitar). To date, the band has released ten studio albums: The Feature (2001), Daylight (2006), The Heat (2007), The Outsiders (2009), The Reckoning (2011), Rivers in the Wasteland (2014), HARD LOVE (2016), Out of Body (2020), Into the Mystery (2021), and Caves (2023); six of those albums have reached No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart. The band has also charted with a number of singles, including "Washed by the Water" (2007), which reached No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart; the Grammy-nominated "Multiplied" (2014); "Brother" (2015), which charted on the Top 100 and reached No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart; and "Who Am I" (2020), which reached No. 14 on the Hot Alternative Songs chart.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Jars of Clay discography</span> Band discography

    The discography of Jars of Clay, a multi-stylistic American rock and Christian band from Nashville, Tennessee consists of 12 studio albums, 44 singles, 16 extended plays, two major compilation albums, a part-studio, part-live double-album, a live DVD, and several releases of other types. While Jars of Clay has never released a major, full-length live album strictly speaking, the second disc of the part-studio, part-live double-album, Furthermore (2003), fulfills the same expectation. In addition, the band has released Live Monsters (2007), a live EP of performances from the tour following the release of Good Monsters (2006), and five more EPs of live performances in smaller, more intimate settings.

    <i>The Reckoning</i> (Needtobreathe album) 2011 studio album by Needtobreathe

    The Reckoning is the fourth studio album from American Christian rock band Needtobreathe, released on September 20, 2011, through Atlantic Records. It is the last album featuring drummer Joe Stillwell. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Album chart, No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart, No. 4 on the Billboard Digital Albums chart and No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 49,000 copies in its first week. The song "Oohs and Ahhs" was used in a promotional advertisement for J. J. Abrams's drama television series Alcatraz.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">For King & Country (band)</span> Australian-American pop duo

    For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY and formerly known as Joel & Luke as well as Austoville, is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The brothers were born in Australia and emigrated to the United States as children, settling in the Nashville area.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Daigle</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1991)

    Lauren Ashley Daigle is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. After being signed to the label Centricity Music, she released her debut album, How Can It Be, in 2015. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and produced three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

    <i>Burn the Ships</i> 2018 studio album by For King & Country

    Burn the Ships is the third studio album by For King & Country, an Australian Christian pop duo comprising brothers Luke Smallbone and Joel Smallbone, released via Word Entertainment on 5 October 2018. It features appearances from Moriah Peters and Courtney, the respective wives of Joel and Luke Smallbone. For King & Country collaborated with Matt Hales, Blake Kanicka, Seth Mosley and Tedd Tjornhom in the production of the album.

    <i>Christmas: Live from Phoenix</i> 2017 live album by For King & Country

    Christmas: Live From Phoenix is the first live album and third album overall by For King & Country, an Australian-American Christian pop duo consisting of brothers Luke and Joel Smallbone, released via Word Entertainment on 27 October 2017. The album features the band playing cover versions of popular Christmas tunes and original material. It features an appearance from Rebecca St. James, who joined the band for live rendition of "The Proof of Your Love". For King & Country collaborated with Blake Kanicka, Seth Mosley and Tedd Tjornhom in the arrangement of the album.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">God Only Knows (For King & Country song)</span> 2019 single by For King & Country

    "God Only Knows" is the second single by Christian alternative rock duo For King & Country for their third studio album, Burn the Ships (2018). It was originally released as the third promotional single on 27 July 2018. It impacted Christian radio on 11 January 2019. The song peaked at No. 2 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming their tenth top-ten single. It also peaked at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the duo's first song to reach the chart. The song is played in a B minor key, and 144 beats per minute.

    "Unsung Hero" is a song by an Australian Christian pop duo For King & Country. The song was released as the first promotional single from their fifth studio album, What Are We Waiting For? (2022), on 7 January 2022. The song was written by Federico Vindver, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, and Seth Mosley.

    We the Kingdom is an American contemporary Christian music band signed to the Capitol Christian Music Group. The band consists of multiple generations of relatives: Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Martin Cash, and Scott Cash. The band's name comes after the idea that "the kingdom of God is here among us".

    Michael Brandon Lake is an American Christian worship singer, songwriter, guitarist, and worship pastor. Lake serves as a worship pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and he is a former member of Bethel Music and Maverick City Music. Lake began his recording career with a successful crowdfunding campaign to produce an album in 2015, which resulted in the independent release of his debut studio album, Closer, in 2016.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">For God Is with Us</span> 2021 song by For King & Country

    "For God Is with Us" is a song performed by an Australian Christian pop duo For King & Country. The song was released as the second single from their fifth studio album, What Are We Waiting For? (2022), on 24 September 2021. The song was written by Joel Smallbone, Jordan Reynolds, Josh Kerr, and Luke Smallbone.

    <i>What Are We Waiting For?</i> 2022 studio album by For King & Country

    What Are We Waiting For? is the fifth studio album by For King & Country, an Australian Christian pop duo comprising brothers Luke Smallbone and Joel Smallbone, released via Word Entertainment on 11 March 2022. The album contains guest appearances by Dante Bowe, Sleeping at Last, Tori Kelly, and Kirk Franklin. The duo collaborated with Tedd T., Josh Kerr, Jeff Sojka, Federico Vindver, Benjamin Backus, and Seth Mosley in the production of the album.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavenly Hosts</span> 2020 song by For King & Country

    "Heavenly Hosts" is a song performed by an Australian Christian pop duo For King & Country. The song impacted Christian radio in the United States on 3 November 2021, becoming the third single from A Drummer Boy Christmas (2020). The song was written by Benjamin Backus, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Matt Hales, Tedd Tjornhom, and Tony Wood.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom Come (Rebecca St. James song)</span> 2021 song by Rebecca St. James featuring For King & Country

    "Kingdom Come" is a song performed by Australian Christian pop singer Rebecca St. James featuring Australian Christian pop duo For King & Country. The song was released on 22 October 2021, as the lead single to her tenth studio album, also titled Kingdom Come (2022). St. James co-wrote the song with Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, and Seth Mosley. Tedd Tjornhom and Seth Mosley handled the production of the single.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me Like I Am</span> 2022 song by For King & Country

    "Love Me Like I Am" is a song by an Australian Christian pop duo For King & Country and Jordin Sparks. The original version of the song was initially released as the second promotional single from For King & Country's fifth studio album, What Are We Waiting For? (2022), on 18 February 2022. A new version of the song featuring Sparks impacted Christian radio on 31 August 2022, before finally releasing on 7 October 2022. The song was written by Joel Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Luke Smallbone, and Michael Pollack.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour</span> 2020–23 concert tour by For King & Country

    A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour is the eighth headlining tour by Australian Christian rock band For King & Country. The tour is in support of their 2020 album A Drummer Boy Christmas, and only toured the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

    References

    1. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (30 October 2020). "For KING & COUNTRY Premieres 'A Drummer Boy Christmas' Album". The Christian Beat. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    2. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (10 September 2020). "for KING & COUNTRY Announces Its First Ever Full-length Christmas Album, "A Drummer Boy Christmas" | Freeccm.com". Freeccm.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    3. ↑ Cluver, Ross (9 September 2020). "for KING & COUNTRY Announces Christmas Album – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine . Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    4. ↑ "for KING & COUNTRY Reveal First-Ever Christmas Album Track List Including Collabs With Gabby Barrett and NEEDTOBREATHE – Music Mayhem Magazine". Music Mayhem Magazine. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    5. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (2 October 2020). "For KING & COUNTRY Announces Tracklist For First Christmas Album". The Christian Beat. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2020. With their forthcoming album and radio singles "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (feat. NEEDTOBREATHE) and "Little Drummer Boy," fans will soon be able to start celebrating "the most wonderful time of the year" by listening to for KING & COUNTRY's intimate and powerful interpretations of many Christmas classics.
    6. ↑ "for KING & COUNTRY Announces the Track Listing for "A Drummer Boy Christmas" : News : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. 3 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    7. ↑ "Curb-Word Promo Team on Instagram: "On the 6th day of Christmas🎄, Curb|Word Entertainment gave to me... 🌟 for KING & COUNTRY "Heavenly Hosts" 🌟 Sara Reeves "Go Tell It On The…"" . Instagram . 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
    8. ↑ "for KING & COUNTRY Drop 'Joy To The World'/Share Album Info – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine . 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    9. ↑ Longs, Herb (16 October 2020). "For KING & COUNTRY Premiere Original Christmas Song "Heavenly Hosts"". The Christian Beat. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    10. ↑ Cluver, Ross (19 October 2020). "for KING & COUNTRY Release 'Heavenly Hosts' – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine . Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    11. 1 2 Underdown, John (21 October 2020). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: for KING & COUNTRY, "A Drummer Boy Christmas" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
    12. ↑ Francesco, JJ (29 October 2020). "A Drummer Boy Christmas by for KING & COUNTRY Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member JJFrancesco_NRT". NewReleaseToday. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    13. ↑ Grein, Paul (11 August 2021). "2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List | Billboard". Billboard . Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
    14. ↑ Asker, Jim (11 November 2020). "For King & Country Snare No. 2 Debut on Top Christian Albums Chart With 'A Drummer Boy Christmas' | Billboard". Billboard . Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
    15. ↑ "Billboard 200 Chart | Billboard". Billboard . 10 November 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
    16. ↑ Monger, Timothy. "A Drummer Boy Christmas - for KING & COUNTRY | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic . All Media Network. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    17. ↑ "For King & Country Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
    18. ↑ "For King & Country Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
    19. ↑ "For King & Country Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
    20. ↑ "For King & Country Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
    21. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard . Year-End Chart. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
    22. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard . Year-End Chart. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
    23. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard . Year-End Chart. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
    24. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard . Year-End Chart. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
    25. ↑ "A Drummer Boy Christmas by for KING & COUNTRY on Amazon Music - Amazon.com". Amazon.com . 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    26. ↑ "A Drummer Boy Christmas by for KING & COUNTRY on Apple Music". Apple Music . Australia. Apple Inc. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.