Appalachian Christmas, the latest release and first holiday recording by celebrated bluegrass Gospel group Chosen Road, debuts this week at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart. Released on the newly-relaunched historic label Thoroughbred Records, Appalachian Christmas leads recordings by such iconic artists as Dolly Parton and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, along with bluegrass sensations Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, in the chart’s Top 10.

In addition, Chosen Road’s 2021 release, Appalachian Hymns, re-enters Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart at #4. Since its release last fall, Appalachian Hymns has appeared 10 weeks in the chart’s Top 10.

“As a band, we are extremely thankful for the outpouring of love and support for Appalachian Christmas,” said Jonathan Buckner, founding member, Chosen Road. “Having this album debut at #1 is an honor. This is our first album to reach the top of any chart, and when we started this journey 13 years ago, it’s something we could have never imagined. We wouldn’t be here today without our fans—thank you for allowing us to continue to make the music we love, and point people to true Hope this Christmas season.”

“I knew the first time I heard Chosen Road’s Appalachian Christmas it was a very special project,” said Jerry Salley, A&R/Creative Director, Thoroughbred Records. “The album marks the relaunch of our historic Thoroughbred Records imprint, and now it also holds the distinction of being the label’s first #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart. We couldn’t be more honored to represent Chosen Road’s exceptional brand of bluegrass Gospel music.”

Appalachian Christmas, produced by Chosen Road’s Jonathan Buckner, Zachary Alvis and Tyler Robertson, features guest appearances by such Christian, Gospel and country music luminaries as Point of Grace, Guy Penrod, Jimmy Fortune and Allan Hall of Selah. The 13-song set includes classic carols and Christmas standards, hallmarked by Chosen Road’s signature harmonies and unparalleled musicianship.

Acclaimed Song Garden recording artist Chosen Road marks another first in a noteworthy career with the Top 5 debut of their latest recording, Appalachian Hymns, on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart. The collection lands at #4 on the publication’s March 22 chart and is the highest debut of the week.

Appalachian Hymns joins recordings by such iconic artists as Dolly Parton and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss on the chart’s Top 5 this week. Chosen Road’s 2020 release, Appalachian Worship, spent 30 weeks on the same chart.

“As a band, we are truly honored to see Appalachian Hymns on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart,” said Jonathan Buckner, Chosen Road founding member. “The album is a collection of some of our favorite hymns of faith. The response it has received is proof that these songs are timeless, and the Truth contained therein is forever relevant.”

“We at Song Garden are grateful for and proud of Chosen Road’s success,” said Marilyn Keffer, Director, Song Garden Music Group. “I credit their success to being a group that truly sings from their heart. They live and believe every lyric they record.”

Produced by Chosen Road’s Zachary Alvis and Tyler Robertson, Appalachian Hymns released last fall and pairs the band’s unparalleled acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmonies with classic songs of faith. The 12-song collection features “Be Thou My Vision,” one of the oldest hymns of the Church, along with the rousing “Brethren We Have Met To Worship”; the striking simplicity of “My Savior’s Love”; the gentle, guitar-driven “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”; the a cappella “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be”; and the crowd-pleasing instrumental “Send The Light.”

Acclaimed bluegrass ensemble and Song Garden recording artist Chosen Road will release Appalachian Hymns November 12. Produced by the group’s Zachary Alvis and Tyler Robertson, the 12-song collection pairs the band’s unparalleled acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmonies with classic songs of faith and the Church.

The project’s cornerstone lead single and video, “Be Thou My Vision,” is one of the oldest hymns of the Church, bearing a message as timely today as when the words were first written centuries ago in Ireland. Chosen Road honors their Scotch-Irish heritage with the arrangement, featuring beautiful Celtic instrumentation and intricate harmonies. The track will be available October 29, in advance of the album release.

Other highlights of Appalachian Hymns include the rousing “Brethren We Have Met To Worship” (available November 5); the striking simplicity of “I Stand Amazed”; the gentle, guitar-driven “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”; the a cappella “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be”; and the crowd-pleasing instrumental “Send The Light.”

“For our first hymns record, we wanted to take traditional songs of the Church and pair them with our Appalachian acoustic instruments, while approaching the arrangements and musical settings in our own unique way,” said Chosen Road’s Jonathan Buckner. “When we were deciding what hymns to record, we were overwhelmed with the richness of Truth we found in these lyrics. We began to gravitate towards some of the older hymns and songs we have loved to hear audiences sing for years now. Many of these songs have likely been played on the same kinds of instruments we use, since our ancestors first settled in the Appalachian Mountains. That made both the song selection process, and actual recording, very meaningful and almost sacred for us.”

“Every song on the album points the listener to the Light of Christ and the Hope that is found in Him,” Buckner continues. “It is amazing what singing some of these old hymns can do for the soul when we are facing the unknown. As people listen and sing along to the music, we hope they are encouraged and reminded that God is in complete control. I know we were as we created this project, even though it was during one of the most uncertain times in our lives.”