Marc Martel Enlists Amy Grant, Plumb, Michael W. Smith & Others for New Christmas Album

By Hallels News Nov 25, 2019 05:20 PM EST

Power vocalist Marc Martel releases his new album of Christmas favorites titled The Christmas Collection, in conjunction with Music City Management, featuring an All-Star cast of collaborators from Amy Grant to Michael W. Smith, Jason Gray, Buddy Greene, Plumb, Scott Mulvahill, and Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station). His new single from the album, "Silver Bells," is a fresh new take on the classic song with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Check out the music video for "Silver Bells" HERE.

Martel will also embark on tour with Grant and Smith for seven Christmas shows, followed by nine shows with Smith. The highly anticipated tour dates will feature selections of Christmas repertoires and combine the vast collection of critically-acclaimed holiday albums between the artists, presented by Balsam Hill®. The tour dates kick off on November 30, in Cincinnati, Ohio, through December 21 - see tour schedule below.*

Martel, who was called upon to be one of the voices of Freddie Mercury in the 20th Century Fox film, "Bohemian Rhapsody," and whose role in the film opened up touring opportunities that have brought him in front of sold out crowds, and coverage by the New York Times, Good Morning America, and hundreds of other media outlets, has forged for himself a unique and diverse career. " Amongst other accolades, Martel was handpicked by original Queen band members Roger Taylor and Brian May to front their official Queen tribute show in 2012.

After a handful of successful tours with them, Marc ventured out and created his own show, The Ultimate Queen Celebration, which performs all over the world, and will embark on an upcoming Germany/Austria/Switzerland run in 2020.

Each Christmas, Martel releases EPs of traditional holiday songs recorded with a fresh perspective and sound. The last four radio singles from these albums have garnered him Top 10 chart positioning on Billboard's Monitored AC Christian chart. Now, nearly two million subscribers/followers on YouTube/Facebook/Instagram later, and a nearly cult online following, Marc Martel's popularity is catching on.

"Getting in the studio with Michael and Amy on 'Silver Bells' was such a blast, and just about as easy-going as you could imagine. I had worked with Michael W. Smith before on a tour my old band Downhere did with him years ago. But this was my first time really working with Amy Grant. As the behind-the-scenes video shows, there were lots of laughs, and great conversation. It was the perfect precursor to our upcoming tour together, where I get to be their special guest!"

Marc's videos have been seen by more than 156 million people on YouTube and Facebook. He has performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show; as well at sporting events for the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, San Francisco Giants, and opening night at the Kentucky Derby. Marc covered Wham!'s "Last Christmas" for the Ubisoft video game, Just Dance 2017, and Kenny Loggin's "Footloose" for Just Dance 2018. Additionally, in 2016, Marc performed for Celine Dion on Radio-Canada TV's "En direct de l'Universe" upon her request. In Spring of 2017, he recorded vocals for TBS/Pepsi/Conan television spot that aired nationally. In 2019, Marc performed with the famed Boston Pops at Tanglewood Music Center.

The Christmas Collection Includes:

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas (feat. Plumb)

Silver Bells (feat. Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith)

The Christmas Song (feat. Scott Mulvahill)

All I Want For Christmas Is You

Christmastime is Here

Come All Ye Faithful (feat. Jason Gray)

What Child Is This (feat. Ron Block)

Mary, Did You Know (feat. Buddy Greene)

Ave Maria

The First Noel

How Many Kings (feat. Downhere)