NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Award-winning Christian artists Lynda Randle and Michael Tait join an all-star lineup of performers for the 98th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, available to watch on-demand at thenationaltree.org starting December 3 at 5:00 pm EST and throughout the holiday season. Presented annually by The National Park Foundation and The National Park Service, this year’s event is highlighted by President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lighting the National Christmas Tree at President’s Park in Washington, D.C.
 
The celebrated siblings—Randle, a Gaither Homecoming favorite, and Tait, lead vocalist for the iconic Newsboys—join country singer/songwriter and actress Kellie Pickler; American Idol winner Laine Hardy; Platinum-selling country chart-topper Jerrod Niemann; GRAMMY®-nominated Christian artist Matthew West; and Atlantic recording artist and American Idol finalist Colton Dixon for the virtual celebration. In addition, the event will feature The Sea Chanters, the U.S. Navy’s official chorus; and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, among other performers.
 
Randle and Tait contribute their unique arrangement of “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” to this year's program, accompanied by Christopher M. Smith (arranger/piano), Tina K’Tina Bilberry (violin), Josh Hankey (alto sax), Johnny Hamil (bass), and Andy Cook (drums).
 
Lighting the National Christmas Tree is one of America’s oldest holiday traditions, with the first lighting taking place in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge. Since 1973, the National Christmas Tree has been a living tree which can be viewed year-round in Washington’s President’s Park.
 
ABOUT LYNDA RANDLE
Singer/songwriter, author, speaker and television personality Lynda Randle is one of Christian music’s most distinct voices. A familiar face at Gaither Homecoming events and on Homecoming videos through the years, her signature song, “God on the Mountain,” is the most popular video on the GaitherTV YouTube Channel with over 43 million views. Randle has shared the stage with such musical legends as Andraé Crouch and Gladys Knight, among others, and she is the creator and host of the popular “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” conference. Her latest recording, White Christmas, released this fall on the Gaither Music label.
 
ABOUT MICHAEL TAIT
Michael Tait was a founding member of Christian music’s iconic trio, dc Talk, in 1987. Over the course of 13 years, the group recorded five albums; earned four GRAMMY® Awards; and garnered 16 Dove Awards. In 2009, Michael joined another iconic band, the Newsboys, and he has continued to serve as their lead vocalist and frontman for more than a decade. One of the most influential groups in Christian music history, GRAMMY®-nominated, Platinum-selling Newsboys have sold more than 10 million units, amassed eight Gold certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. Their signature songs include “We Believe,” “He Reigns,” “Born Again” and the Platinum-certified megahit, “God’s Not Dead.”
 
For further information, visit thenationaltree.org.

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For more info on Michael Tait, visit the JFH Artists Database.

 

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