Last year, American country singer Jennifer Nettles impressed the world with a holiday performance at Sirius XM Radio. Twelve months later, the video is once again making its rounds.
Nettles has been singing and performing for the majority of her life. She started flexing her vocal skills during school assemblies and moved on to performing in her Southern Baptist Church and local community theatre. Eventually, Nettles came across Kristian Bush and the two formed the group Sugarland in 2002, impressing crowds with their vocal chops. Throughout the years, the pair won six Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Awards, four CMT music awards, and many more.
Eleven years later, Sugarland shocked the world when they revealed they would be disbanding. The two artists had matured in their styles and sound and wanted to start developing solo careers. “I don’t want to stagnate and turn into a caricature of an artist,” Nettles told Kiss Country 93.7. “I wanted to put something out that was fresh, and me, and exciting […] It has been a joy to get to explore these parts of myself.”
As mentioned, last year Nettles made an appearance on SiriusXM as part of the station’s 12 Days of Country Christmas program. “I don’t remember my favorite Christmas songs growing up, I like them all,” Nettles revealed during her SiriusXM interview (via Country Living). “I think for me, my favorite Christmas song, in terms of traditional [and] more spiritual, is O Holy Night.”
In the performance, viewed over 2.5 MILLION times, Nettles croons a powerfully unique version of the classic carol, later transitioning into Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.
Her voice, described by One Country as “soulful, Southern-infused twang”, is soft yet powerful. It’s interesting to watch her expressions as she performs; she puts her heart and soul into every note, but the subtle hint of a smile still manages to shine through.
At roughly 3:45, Nettles seamlessly transitions into Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as the studio audience applauds her for the incredible display.
Nettles’ performance is unlike any Christmas performance I have seen before. Her strong, Southern style in combination with the song’s powerful lyrics makes for a hit that can be played over, and over again; in fact, I’ve already added it to my Holiday playlist— and it looks like others may have done the same.
Watch the incredible performance for yourself below!
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