Chris Janson packed the guitar and harmonica he used to perform during the CMA Country Christmas television special and rushed across town to get to his other gig, headlining the Ryman Auditorium.

The rush of two important shows on the same night didn't seem to stress him out too much, however. Talking to Taste of Country and select media prior to the show, Janson said he was able to appreciate how special it was to simply have those opportunities. With his third studio album, Real Friends, set for release weeks after the late-September taping in Nashville, the 33-year-old "Good Vibes" singer was leading with gratitude. That's something his dad taught him during the holidays growing up in Missouri.

“He’d always pick a family that needed something … and he always kind of prodded me that way," Janson recalls. “There were a lot of presents and things, but we all know as adults that — and I knew as a kid, too — presents don’t mean a whole lot. It’s really the gift of giving.”

Janson and wife Kelly do their best to make the holidays about giving as well. The couple spoke of learning about blessing boxes in 2018 and indicated it's that kind of charitable cause they really try to get their kids to embrace. It's the season of giving, and even with so much happening for him professionally, he's never too busy to realize that.

During Tuesday (Dec. 3) night's telecast, Janson will sing "Run, Run Rudolph," in the style of Chuck Berry.

“Really no different," he starts, "except I’m a better harmonica player than guitar player, so I’m gonna play the rhythm guitar and I’m gonna play lead harmonica.”

Also slated to appear during the 10th anniversary of CMA Country Christmas (9PM ET on ABC) are Kristin Chenoweth, For King & Country, Tori Kelly, Lady AntebellumRascal FlattsRunaway June, CeCe Winans, Brett Young and Chris Young. Trisha Yearwood will host.

Trisha, Garth, Luke + More Will Warm Your Heart:

Get a Sneak Peek of CMA Country Christmas 2019:

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