CMT Blog: Archive

Twenty minutes before her second show of the evening, while eating a quick bite of dinner, Pam Tillis shared with me her excitement and passion for Christmas Dinner Party, which has made its home in Nashville’s stunning Gaylord Opryland Resort for three years. Running through Christmas day, she performs classic Christmas tunes, originals from her holiday album, Just in Time for Christmas and ever-popular favorites like “Maybe It Was Memphis” and “Shake the Sugar Tree.”

“It’s a family show,” she said. “I love it that there are people of all ages that can come and enjoy it. For some people, it’s a family tradition. They dress up, they come every year. I love being a part of that.”

The evening begins in an exquisitely decorated ballroom with servings of scrumptious stuffed chicken, mashed and sweet potatoes, corn casserole and more. Mouth-watering desserts of chocolate bread pudding and cheesecake soon follow along with the beautifully orchestrated performance.

“I know so many different unique Christmas arrangements and Christmas songs, but in the end, you’ve got to anchor the whole thing with classics,” said Tillis. Along with singing an array of popular Christmas tunes (like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”), several exciting surprises are scattered throughout the show. There is an elf SWAT team, comprised of three talented young dancers, “Cookie” the elf seeking the holiday spirit and even a “Jingle Bell Rock” duet via “elf satellite” with Tillis’ father, Mel. Pam even leaves the stage periodically to dance with crowd members. Her genuine and fun-loving nature only adds to this delightful musical experience.

“If I learned anything from my dad at all,” she said, “It is that. … There are better singers out there. There are people with bigger careers. But if I can go out and people feel like they got to know me a little bit and I could touch them in some way, and just be a real person, I love that.”