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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 6, 2026) – Respected multi-hyphenate, Mac McAnally is getting into the holiday spirit with a new recording of “What I Didn’t Get For Christmas,” a Christmas tune he originally penned and Jimmy Buffett recorded. Now, McAnally is putting his own spin on the song, with the new version out today!
Listen HERE.
The witty, feel-good track tells the story of someone who didn’t receive the one thing they wanted most for Christmas: a little more time with the person they love. Filled with clever wordplay, double entendres, and humorous holiday references, the song pairs a lighthearted approach with a heartfelt message about love and connection. At its core, it reminds listeners that the best gifts aren’t always wrapped beneath the tree, but are found in the special moments shared with the people who matter most.
It’s so close that you can put your finger on it
So far my wishing just didn’t do
I didn’t get for Christmas what I wanted
A little more time with you
With “What I Didn’t Get For Christmas,” McAnally brings new life to a song from his own songwriting catalog, pairing its clever, playful lyrics with a timeless message about the importance of spending time with the ones you love. The release offers a little holiday nostalgia with McAnally’s signature musical touch, making it a perfect addition to the season’s soundtrack.
The latest release arrives during an exciting year for McAnally, who will receive the Nashville Symphony’s 2026 Harmony Award on December 12. He was also recently honored with the Crossroads of American Music Award at the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. Throughout 2026, McAnally has kept busy on the road, touring on his headlining All The Way Around tour and joining Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band for the Keep The Party Going tour.
Mac McAnally Tour Dates
Nov. 21 – South Padre Island, TX – Cameron County Amphitheater and Event Center
Dec. 4 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
Dec. 5 – Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
Dec. 18 – Key West, FL – Key West Theater
Dec. 19 – Key West, FL – Key West Theater
About Mac McAnally
GRAMMY-nominated, Mac McAnally’s journey is one of divine providence and musical mastery. With an astonishing 10x Country Music Association Musician of the Year awards and a place in the Nashville Songwriters Hall, the Mississippi Musicians Hall and the Alabama Music Hall of Fames, McAnally’s contributions to the world of music are nearly unparalleled.
Born into a family of gospel musicians in a dry county, McAnally’s early years were steeped in the rich traditions of Southern music, sacred and secular. Those humble beginnings paved the way for a career marked by extraordinary talent, deep humility, and unwavering dedication. As a songwriter, McAnally has penned chart-topping hits for Alabama, Kenny Chesney, and Jimmy Buffett, while his musical abilities have enriched albums by Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Toby Keith, Dolly Parton, Keith Whitley, and George Strait. He’s also released 17 studio albums, including his most recent, Once In A Lifetime. Despite the numerous accolades and collaborations with music royalty, McAnally remains grounded in his love for the art itself. For the soft-spoken creative force, music is not a career, but a calling—a testament to the joy of melody and the power of storytelling. With each note he plays and every lyric he writes, McAnally continues to inspire and uplift people around the world, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of American music.
He was recently awarded the 2025 Academy of Country Music Poet’s Award and is currently featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising” exhibit. McAnally continues to perform with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, which he joined in 1993, and is currently touring the nation on his own headlining All The Way Around tour as well as with Scotty Emerick and Eric Darken for select Margaritas & Memories performances. For more information, visit MacMcAnally.com.
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