Tangled Up In Christmas Lights – Dylan’s Holiday Album

Although Dylan converted to Christianity from Judaism back in the late ‘70s (but has since been spotted at Jewish services), most fans wouldn’t expect the singer/songwriter to do something as conventional as releasing a Christmas album. Guess ol’ Bob still has a couple of surprises under that pencil-thin mustache.

Christmas In The Heart, Dylan’s 47th album and the follow-up to this year’s Together Through Life, is set for release Oct. 13.

The album will feature classic Christmas songs such as “Here Comes Santa Clause,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Must Be Santa.”

Dylan is guaranteed to be on Santa’s good list this year because he’s donating all of his U.S. royalties from the album to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity. The proceeds are expected to provide more than four million meals to more than 1.4 million people in need during the holidays, according to a statement on Dylan’s Web site.

“When we reached out to Bob Dylan about becoming involved with our organization, we could never have anticipated that he would so generously donate all royalties from his forthcoming album to our cause,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “This major initiative from such a world renowned artist and cultural icon will directly benefit so many people and have a major impact on spreading awareness of the epidemic of hunger in this country and around the world.”

Dylan is teaming up with two international charities to provide meals during the holidays to those in need in the United Kingdom and the developing world. Details regarding the international partnerships will be announced next week.

The singer/songwriter has promised to also donate all future U.S. royalties from Christmas In The Heart to Feeding America and all future international royalties from the album to the two international charities.

“It’s a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone – 12 million of those children – often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from,” Dylan said. “I join the good people of Feeding America in the hope that our efforts can bring some food security to people in need during this holiday season.”

Christmas In The Heart is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

After wrapping up his stadium tour with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, Dylan will spend Oct. 5-18 playing gigs throughout the West Coast.

Click here for Dylan’s Web site.

Click here for Feeding America’s Web site.