Christmas Time Again – Lynyrd Skynyrd (2000)
Released in 2000, Christmas Time Again is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first and only full-length Christmas album. Blending holiday classics with original material, the record presents a Southern rock twist on festive favorites, combining electric guitars, blues grooves, and seasonal spirit.
Album Details
Release Date: September 12, 2000
Label: CMC International
Producer: Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson
Genre: Southern Rock / Christmas Rock
Length: 42:00
Line-up:
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Johnny Van Zant – Lead Vocals
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Gary Rossington – Guitar
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Rickey Medlocke – Guitar
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Hughie Thomasson – Guitar
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Leon Wilkeson – Bass
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Billy Powell – Keyboards
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Owen Hale – Drums
This was one of the final studio albums to feature bassist Leon Wilkeson before his passing in 2001.
Tracklist
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Santa’s Messin’ with the Kid
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
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Christmas Time Again
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Run Rudolph Run
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Mama’s Song
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Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’
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Classical Christmas
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Jingle Bells
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Little Drummer Boy
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Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Musical Style & Sound
Christmas Time Again delivers holiday cheer with unmistakable Skynyrd flavor:
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Blues-infused Christmas rock arrangements
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Triple-guitar harmonies on festive classics
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Boogie-style rhythms
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Southern swagger mixed with seasonal warmth
Tracks like “Run Rudolph Run” and “Santa’s Messin’ with the Kid” lean into energetic rock territory, while “Little Drummer Boy” offers a more melodic and reflective moment.
Themes & Identity
The album blends:
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Traditional Christmas spirit
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Southern rock reinterpretations
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Blues and boogie influences
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Family and holiday nostalgia
The title track, “Christmas Time Again,” stands as the album’s original centerpiece, capturing the band’s take on festive celebration.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Unlike many holiday albums, this release maintains Skynyrd’s signature guitar-driven sound rather than going fully orchestral.
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Several tracks are rock reinterpretations of traditional Christmas standards.
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The album represents a lighter, celebratory moment in the band’s discography.
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It marked the close of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s studio output before transitioning further into the 2000s touring era.
Cultural Impact & Legacy
While not a mainstream Christmas staple, Christmas Time Again has become a cult favorite among fans. It showcases the band’s versatility and willingness to step outside their typical album themes while staying true to their Southern rock roots.
For collectors and longtime listeners, it remains a unique and festive chapter in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s long career.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Full Discography
Download Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums from Amazon
More Albums:
Lynyrd Skynyrd - 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd (1973)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Second Helping (1974)
Lynrd Skynyrd - Nuthin' Fancy (1975)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme Back My Bullets (1977)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Twenty (1997)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - God & Guns (2009)