7 Years Ago, Mandisa Released Her First Full-Length Christmas Album

In the fall of 2008, 7 years ago, American Idol's Mandisa returned with her first full-length Christmas album It's Christmas. Produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp), It's Christmas strikes a balance between traditional Christmas carols and newer songs, and features special appearances by Michael W. Smith and Matthew West. 

The album features the song "Christmas Makes Me Cry", a duet with frequent collaborator Matthew West. The song went on to be a huge hit peaking at Billboard's Christian Songs Chart at #3.  Earlier that year, Mandisa also recorded "Christmas Day," a duet with Michael W. Smith. The EP peaked at No. 2 on Billboard '​s Hot Christian AC chart, stopped from reaching No. 1 by her duet with Smith, "Christmas Day". It was the first time in the history of the Christian singles chart that a solo female artist was featured on the top two singles at the same time.

On October 14, 2008, Mandisa released a full-length Christmas album, It's Christmas. All songs from the Christmas Joy EP were featured on It's Christmas, as well as several new tracks. As of November 2012, the album has sold 53,000 copies 

TRACK LISTING

01. What Christmas Means to Me

02. Feliz Navidad (with Joy To The World)

03. Christmas Makes Me Cry (Featuring Matthew West)

04. Christmas Bell Medley (with Silver Bells, Carol Of The Bells, and Caroling, Caroling)

05. Silent Night06. Angels We Have Heard On High

07. Little Drummer Boy

08. Christmas Day (Featuring Michael W. Smith)

09. O Holy Night

10. Mary's Little Boy Child

11. Children Go Where I Send Thee 

Mandisa is a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life's challenges all around the world. In less than a year, Mandisa performed her three hit singles "Overcomer," "Good Morning," and "Stronger" on the highest rated morning show, ABC's Good Morning America (GMA.) Her performance of "Stronger" welcomed the emotional return of beloved morning host Robin Roberts. The NFL recently welcomed Mandisa to perform the national anthem during a Sunday night NFL Network game to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month, where she was joined by cancer survivors within the San Francisco '49ers family.

Her album, Overcomer, released in 2013 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, with the album's title track holding on to the No. 1 spot for 12 weeks on the National Christian Audience chart as well as the No. 1 position on the Christian/Gospel Core Digital sales chart for several weeks.

In 2014 alone, Mandisa has picked up her first GRAMMY Award, Dove Award and K-LOVE Fan Award. Mandisa was awarded a GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and a Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Overcomer. Additionally, Mandisa was awarded Song of the Year ("Overcomer") and Female Artist of the Year at the 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards.  

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