Hallmark's Wes Brown Gifts Us with New Christmas Music

This week actor, songwriter, and proud dad to Maribeth, Wes Brown is giving us not one but two holiday gifts. This Saturday, Brown's latest Hallmark movie, A Nashville Christmas Carol will premiere and in the same week, he has released a special four-song EP of Christmas music. Fans of the Louisiana native will not be surprised that he sings as well as acts, as his musical talents have appeared in a few of his acting gigs as well. We all remember him playing Elvis' piano in Christmas at Graceland and also performing in the sequel, Wedding at Graceland with his costar, Kellie Pickler.

Now available wherever you stream your music, Brown has released covers of "Holly, Jolly Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "The Christmas Song." Brown shared with Southern Living that he chose these more upbeat tunes because they are three of his favorites. "'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' is one of my favorites but there are so many versions of it. This is somewhat meet in the middle. It's not fast. It's not slow. It is jazz, me being from outside of the New Orleans area, that's always been a big influence on me although I love all genres of music."

He continued, "'The Christmas Song' was a fun one because my band leader is very, very, very, heavily influenced in Latin jazz….So we took the New Orleans jazz roots and married them with the Latin jazz roots and we put it to 'The Christmas Song.'"

In addition to the three classics, there is one original tune Brown penned himself called, "Snowed in With You." The romantic song is based on Brown's real-life experience. "We used to live in the northeast outside of New York. One night we were going somewhere, and we literally did, we got snowed in. And I just thought, oh you know what? This might be a good idea for a song one day."

The project is completely self-funded but he's hopeful for more to come and maybe a full album. "If all works out and the audience likes it, I had a blast recording them. So, if it all works out, I'd like to continue."

So, as you begin your ritual of dusting off the decorations and adorning your tree with vintage ornaments, may we suggest adding Wes Brown to the soundtrack line up alongside Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, and of course Dolly Parton's new Christmas album?