In her new Christmas special, American Idol alum Madison Vandenburg performs holiday songs, and talks a bit about life after Idol. Less than a year from when she came in third place behind winner Laine Hardy and runner-up Alejandro Aranda in 2019, the COVID pandemic interrupted her career. She talks about overcoming challenges as she tries to make her way in the music business.
On the show, Madison’s soulful voice impressed fans with covers like Alicia Keys “Fallin” and Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” The special played in her hometown market in upstate New York on Christmas morning. Additionally, the hour long program is available on Youtube to watch below.
The special features a chat and performance with The Voice 9 finalist Barrett Baber
Currently, Madison is working with a team of songwriters and producers in Nashville. Through them, she met The Voice season 9 third place finisher Barrett Baber and they became friends. He appears on the special to lend the young singer some advice. Barrett, a country singer from Team Blake Shelton, hit the ground running after his season, creating his own music business while touring all over the country. The two sing the arrangement of “Silent Night” he performed on The Voice in 2015.
The special features cameos from a few of Madison’s American Idol friends
“I’m so excited to share a special gift with my fans this holiday season: The Light Of Christmas, my one-hour TV special airing on Christmas Day!” Madison wrote on Youtube, “This show features my journey following the release of my new Christmas single from the debut at the Schenectady parade in my local area to my performances at the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Wrigley Field Tree Lighting.”
The singer continued, “I’ve included some renditions of some of my favorite Christmas songs and a debut of another original, “Winter Glow.” Plus, we filmed some sessions in Nashville with a few special guests, including an impromptu performance with The Voice finalist Barrett Baber, as well as cameos from fellow Idol alumni Walker Burroughs and others.”
Madison debuts her original Christmas song “The Light of Christmas”
“Topping off the show is my performance of “The Light Of Christmas” with the Empire State Youth Orchestra,” Madison shares, “A wonderful celebration of young talent harnessing the power of music to bring people together for the holidays.”
Watch the special below:
