Martina McBride

( December 19, 2012 )

Country singer Martina McBride's "The Joy of Christmas" tour takes us to small-town Tennessee, where they know how to have themselves a merry little Christmas, and to Kansas, where they like to let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. McBride's songbook of honky-tonk early in her career and crossover/contemporary country gold also includes the popular "White Christmas" holiday album of covers.

Why go: No one can sing a ballad or hit those goose-pimple high notes like McBride.

Reconsider: The only country you need for Christmas is the Oak Ridge Boys (The band's Friday show in Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College is almost sold out; go to noctrl.edu for tickets).

8 p.m. Friday at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; $39.50-$79.50; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com