The couple is partnering with CMT One Country for both projects. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of “It’s Christmas Time” will be donated to the local affiliate of Feeding America, The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a portion of the proceeds from Merry Kidsmas will benefit the USO through the end of 2009.

While the single and album are two distinctive works, the message is the same. “We’re incredibly grateful for an amazing year and hope to share some of that good fortune this holiday season. CMT helped launch our career, so we’re really excited to team-up with CMT One Country in the spirit of giving,” says Joey.

The Joey+Rory single “It’s Christmas Time” is a tune written during a stay at Joey’s family farmhouse in Indiana. It will be released digitally on November 24 and has been serviced to country radio for adds on November 16.
 

“Just sitting in the house where Joey grew up made me think about all the Christmases she spent there,” Rory explains. “All the trees they picked out and decorated, all the gifts wrapped while the kids tried to sneak downstairs, all the Christmas dinners cooked and the last-minute guests who showed up at their door. I woke up early in the morning before anyone else, pulled out my guitar and wrote the song with all that in mind.” The single was produced by bluegrass legend Carl Jackson, who also produced the duo’s debut album.

Hear "It's Christmas Time," "Box of Rocks" and "Bring Him Home Santa" on Joey and Rory's website and Myspace page.

The second holiday project, Merry Kidsmas (Giantslayer Records/S1 Songs/Welk Music Group), is a 12-song collection sung by everyday kids of all ages and created by The Song Trust. Founded in Nashville TN, The Song Trust is a collaborative group committed to creating and delivering music from the perspective where the song, not the singer, is the star.

True to concept, Merry Kidsmas lists only writer credits and no singer credits.