Christmas time – the season of giving, kindness, and loads of Christmas songs (guilty pleasure right there). But this new cover release that I got an exclusive listen to is nothing like the other usual Christmas songs. Kersten Graham, a Maltese guitarist and singer-songwriter, has just released a live cover of Merry Christmas Baby with a whole new twist! Groovy, bluesy and oozing talent, this song is a top contender for your Christmas playlist!

Speaking to Kersten, I dug into his musical roots and where the idea sprung from. Kersten explains that while no one in his family has dipped their toe in the music business, his parents have always supported his dream. “When I was just a little kid, my parents came up with the idea of buying me my first instrument – a guitar. It was actually my father’s dream to be a guitarist, but he couldn’t pursue it for different reasons.”

Kersten reveals that back in 2015, he released a power ballad called Close to Home, a social media release that spread like wildfire. He claims he had never sung before entering the recording studio, and in 2016 he started playing as a solo, acoustic act while still writing his songs. “At the end of 2017, I released the single Got It All Wrong, which garnered 15,000+ views on Youtube. I was also invited to gig at the Delicata Wine Fest, Beer Fest, Swieqi Fest and this year’s New Year’s Eve concert at the Valletta waterfront.” Kersten also reveals that 2019 will be a big year, as he is releasing his first ever EP, titled Sandy.

So what about this bluesy Christmas hit? “It’s a cover of the Christmas tune Merry Christmas Baby, which has also been interpreted by the likes of Rod Stewart, Elvis Presley, Christina Aguilera and BB King.” Kersten has teamed up with Then Tunes, Sub Studios and Daniel Vella to work on a live cover of this classic, and just when we thought this Christmas classic release couldn’t get any better, Kersten reveals he has dedicated this song to his new-found love! All together now… awwwhhh!

This New Year’s Eve, you can catch Kersten performing at a concert with other session musicians at the Valletta Waterfront. “We’ll be hitting the stage at 11pm, rocking Valletta Waterfront like never before!” he smiles.

And without further ado, here it is. Kersten's live cover of Merry Christmas Baby:

What do you think? Is it giving you all the feels?