The Christmas season typically brings with it some of the most creatively crafted music of the year, as artists and musicians find the freedom to render their own versions of some of the best-loved songs of all time. Clay Crosse has captured that freedom and creativity with the release of his very first seasonal project, Christmas With Clay Crosse.

From the opening strains of the first song, it is clear that Clay has accomplished the daunting task of transcending styles both vocally and musically, as he ventures into new musical territory with smooth, jazzy renditions of some of the season's favorites. Reminiscent of the sounds of Harry Connick, Jr., Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, Clay's rich vocals are a perfect match for the contemporary jazz arrangements of songs like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Jingle Bells," "We Three Kings," "Joy to the World" and "Good Christian Men Rejoice."

Christmas With Clay Crosse features big band sounds like those in the album's opener, "Angels From the Realms of Glory," along with more intimate moments found in "Away in a Manger" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

"This is a dramatic shift in my style," Clay says, "and I just loved it. I loved the process. Vocally, it felt better than anything I'd done in a long time. It felt completely right, and I am so thankful - because I know God did this."

Christmas With Clay Crosse will be distributed exclusively by LifeWay Christian Stores, and Clay will take part in several special Christmas performances at LifeWay events across the country, as well as a series of Christmas concerts in select markets during the month of December.

"LifeWay is very excited to be partnering with Clay on this new Christmas project," says LifeWay Music Buyer Darrell Hodges. "Clay is an incredible artist with a great voice. Christmas With Clay Crosse will be one of our best selling Christmas albums for the year. The project turned out incredible and should be a classic for years to come."

"I think this album will be a surprise to people when they hear it," Clay says. "It has such a different feel to it. I have thought about doing a Christmas album for years, and this type of project just lends itself to this particular style. There are some moments here that just make me smile. I would play this album for my vocal heroes."

Christmas With Clay Crosse follows the 2000 release of A Different Man, a testimonial project that followed a time of growth and rededication in Clay's life. He has found a renewed strength in his marriage to his wife Renna, their two daughters Shelby and Savannah, and his involvement in their home church in Memphis, Tennessee.

"God has continued to give me a desire to serve in areas where I'm not always getting applause," Clay shares. "I just really want to make myself available to whatever He calls me to do - whether it's working with the kids in Vacation Bible School, leading a young married couple's class, or organizing different church events. I feel driven to serve there. If I'm going to go on stage as a spiritual leader, I have to know there is something real going on in my life. I have to feel the reality of Christ in my life and the Holy Spirit working. My eyes are wide open and I am completely open to His calling. It's not on my terms, it's got to be on His."

In his eight-year career, Clay Crosse has recorded no less than eight #1 singles including powerful songs like "I Surrender All," "My Place Is With You," "He Walked a Mile" and "I Will Follow Christ." With six albums to his credit, Clay has been twice nominated as the Gospel Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year and took home the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 1995.