The Tennessean (Dec. 9th 2012)

Shelton’s album a family affair

Blake Shelton gathered family and famous friends together to record his first holiday album, "Cheers, It's Christmas," including his wife, Miranda Lambert, and mother, Dorothy Shackleford, along with Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Buble. After a landmark year that saw him winning the CMA entertainer of the year award and continuing his gig as a coach on the smash singing competition "The Voice," the country star told us he's looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home.

How did you decide which Christmas songs you wanted to give your own spin on -- and was it easy to find inspiration to write a few of your own?

It was impossible to pick 10 of my favorite Christmas songs. I have way too many, so we ended up trying to find a balance of up-tempo, mid-tempo and ballads to make it well-rounded. All I had to do to find inspiration to write Christmas songs was to just be at home, because home is what Christmas is about to me.

You've made "Cheers" a family affair, singing duets with both Miranda and your mom. What was it like working with each on this project?

Miranda and I have performed so much together over the years that it just came naturally. We spent absolutely no time rehearsing. She sings every note with me naturally. In some ways, my mom taught me how to sing. I can remember her singing to me when I was just a baby. Obviously, I knew our voices would blend well together.

How did you get into the holiday spirit while you recorded this album/wrote the songs?

I cranked up Anne Murray's "Best of the Season" and made myself a cocktail.

Is there a family Christmas tradition you look forward to each year?

We are way too old for this, but Santa still fills our stocking every (Christmas) morning.

What's on your Christmas list this year?

To have time at home with absolutely nothing to do.