Brandon Lay and his wife Nicole covered the holiday song, “Tennessee Christmas,” and released it on Youtube last year. The couple included their then-infant son Ryder who made his video debut in the clip. The song has special meaning to Brandon who grew up in West Tennessee.

“‘Tennessee Christmas’ is one of my favorite Christmas songs just because I was born and raised in Tennessee, and it’s one we always sang around the piano this time of year,” says Brandon.

Brandon says growing up he didn’t really gravitate towards Christmas music, except “Tennessee Christmas” and Alabama’s classic holiday tune, “Christmas in Dixie,” which were made more special because his mom loves those songs so much. “You know to be honest, I never really loved Christmas music when I was younger, but I always loved a handful,” Brandon recalls. “‘Christmas in Dixie’ and ‘Tennessee Christmas’ were definitely those two that I looked forward to hearing, and my mom liked ‘em, and I think that’s what makes them special to me. These are the ones that stand out just ‘cause of where I’m from, and there’s something about Christmas time and home that go good together.”

Brandon and Nicole will help five-month-old daughter (and Ryder’s baby sister) Lara June celebrate her first Christmas this year.