“It’s Christmas Time, It’s Christmas Time” and what’s that sound? Kyle Dillingham playing his fiddle and playing it hot! Today we have Kyle chatting with us and our topic is, you guessed it, Christmas! Kyle tells all about his greatest Christmas gift,his Christmas album and more!

 

Christmas is a time for joy and happiness to spend with friends and family. How do you plan to spend your Christmas this year?

I just moved into a new home and got the tree up and lights on the house! I have two little kids (6 and 3), so we love to put on the Nutcracker, or some Bing Crosby, and have a dance party! Although I live in Oklahoma City, I’m really from rural Oklahoma, and I will take the kids to Enid – and usually a stop at the historic family farm – and breath in some fresh country air. On a personal note, I love to bake and look forward to doing some baking with the kids. My oldest is getting really good at cracking eggs…so probably need to get a few homemade pumpkin pies in the oven! 

What are your favorite festivities surrounding Christmas?

I love all the Christmas decorations – especially lights. We cannot forget that Jesus is born: the Light of the world! Advent is really the best…all the anticipation and the joy in preparation for the birth of the savior. I also love singing the carols and Christmas hymns. And of course, all of these things are magnified with the presence of two little children.

Let’s settle the debate: when should someone put up their Christmas tree?

I’m certainly not going to judge somebody for putting a tree up early, or leaving it up all year round, like my dear friend Virginia Campbell! We should carry with us and celebrate the meaning of Christmas everyday in our hearts. 

What is the best gift you’ve received for Christmas?

That’s a tough one. But I will tell you about one very special gift that I received from my grandparents when I was in 6th grade. They got me a blue towel with my name “Kyle” embroidered on it. That would be the last Christmas gift I would ever receive from my grandpa. I still have it and use it today. 

 

What song(s) get you in the Christmas spirit?

There is such a nostalgia around the season of Christmas. Of course we know and celebrate the meaning, but we must not forget about all the men and woman who are serving our country, and not home with their family and loved ones. Many sacrifice, and there are songs like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” that help us clue into that fact. I also really love Ave Maria, O’ Holy Night, Silent Night, White Christmas, Jingle Bells…so many!!! 

Would you consider creating a Christmas album? If so, what songs would you include, or would they be originals?

In 2011 I released A Very Kyle Christmas. I asked some family and friends for song suggestions. My brother-in-law suggested “The Little Drummer Boy.” At first I thought that didn’t seem to fit, seeing how I’m a fiddle player! But as I began to think about the lyrics, this song actually became the vision for my album. I wanted to create an album that when people listened they would think about their own unique gifts and talents and how they might be used to serve God this Christmas. I use my violin like a drum…and so much more! I also wrote some original songs for the album. One is a reworking of a 15th Century traditional French Carol. It was originally written every other line in Latin and French…I just omitted the Latin and created new music. French is my second language, so I really wanted there to be something on the album in French to make it a very Kyle Christmas! Then I wrote a song called, “Earthy Father,” that is written from the perspective of Joseph at the end of his life looking back on the memories of his first Christmas. Another is, “I Never Stopped to Pray.” It is based upon and incorporates the traditional carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 

Rank your top favorite Christmas themed movies

Yikes…I’ve never been a big movie person, so I don’t have them a top my mind. Of course A Christmas Story. I also really love A Christmas Carol. There is a new Christmas movie out this year directed by my dear friend, Mark Nicolosi, that I really cannot wait to see!!! It is called The Least of These- A Christmas Story. Please check it out!

Does your family have any Christmas traditions that are unique?

I never thought there was anything unique about my family Christmas until I realized that sauerkraut and kolaches were not a part of anybody else’s family Christmas tradition!

With Christmas comes cold weather and snow. Do you like enjoy the cold weather? Snow?

I have spent quite a bit of time in tropical climates, which at first is so amazing…then I start to miss the changing of the seasons. I have always loved Oklahoma because of the distinct 4 seasons, and a beautiful fall and spring. The cold and snow are the contrast needed to truly enjoy and appreciate the warm weather that comes in the spring and summer! 

Did you build a snowman when it were a kid?

When I was a kid, I must have had an extremely high tolerance for cold temperatures. There is a picture somewhere of me as a child making a snowman wearing shorts and a T-shirt…and that’s it! No socks or shoes, no gloves, no coat and no hat! I also have a fond memory from college of making a snowman with an international student from India who was actually seeing snow for the first time! We made an incredible snowman, had a snowball fight and made at least a dozen snow angels.

Kyle Dillingham is a world known fiddle player with skills that can put Charlie Daniels to a showdown. He has performed in over 36 countries and is always looking to show off his incredible skills on the Grand Ole Opry. Eight years after Kyle started playing is when he took to the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time. Thank you Kyle for taking the time to chat with us and be sure to find Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road HERE