Ruben Studdard has revealed the cover art and tracklist for his first-ever holiday project, My Favorite Holiday. The five-track EP is set to release Nov. 1 via Origins Records in partnership with Hitmaker Music Group.
The announcement is no surprise since Studdard always had a release during the Christmas season on his dream list.
In a press statement, Studdard admits, “I have always wanted to do a Christmas project, and for some reason, it was always put on the back burner. Then, about two years ago, my friend, producer, and M/D John Jackson and I decided to start on the music and allow for it to land wherever when we finished. So, two years of off and on, and we now have this EP.”
Studdard added, “Recording the project was fun but also very nostalgic. I grew up singing a lot of these tunes and it always makes me feel happy to remember holiday memories of old.”
My Favorite Holiday will primarily rely on beloved carols, including “Away in a Manger” and “At Christmas Time,” which Luther Vandross, one of Studdard’s musical heroes, covered.
Among his versions of new and classic festive tunes, Studdard previews his upcoming project with the cheerful title track. In this emotionally charged song, he reflects on a time when he can escape the world’s troubles and fully embrace the season’s joys.
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Studdard co-wrote “My Favorite Holiday” with Romel Gibson and John Jackson, who also took charge as the producer for the track.
Regarding his new single, Studdard says, “The song is pretty self-explanatory; Christmas has forever and will always be my favorite holiday. We sat out to describe the feeling and the love that the Holiday season invokes.”
My Favorite Holiday is the follow-up to Studdard’s 2023 album, The Way I Remember It, released through SoNo Recording Group (SRG/ILS).
The album was recorded in collaboration with award-winning songwriter Belewa Muhammad and features the title track (also the lead single), “W.I.F.E,” as well as “Masterpiece.”
Discussing The Way I Remember It, Studdard exclusively told Rated R&B at the time, “First of all, I want my fans to know that I hear them and that I’m definitely not going to take as long in between releasing albums again.”
“I just wanted people to have a record that felt good. A great mix of old and new school R&B. I hope that they enjoy the music and know that there’s more to come,” Studdard added.
Studdard has several concerts planned for the rest of the year, including two holiday shows with pianist Jim Brickman in November. Tickets for these shows, featuring special guest Anne Cochran, are available on Brickman’s official website.
Listen to Ruben Studdard’s new song, “My Favorite Holiday,” below.
