Jordan Smith’s TV special airs twice this weekend

This time last year, Jordan Smith had just won NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice.”

One year later, he has his own nationally televised Christmas special airing this weekend on PBS.

Smith, of course, is the Lee University alum whose unique voice made him the front-runner throughout Season 9. Smith left his mark on “The Voice” as the show’s biggest- selling singer, moving 1.5 million singles, launching eight songs into the Top 10 on iTunes’ singles chart with three of those reaching No. 1

But could the Lee University alumnus continue that success once the show ended?

In 12 months since, Smith has headlined his own tour, opened for Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith’s Christmas tour, sung the national anthem at innumerable sports events, performed on the People’s Choice Awards, “CMA Country Christmas” and “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” televisions specials. And between all those appearances he managed to find a weekend to marry his longtime sweetheart, Kris- ten Denny.

He also launched three albums this year. The first was a compilation of his hits from “The Voice.” The second, “Something Beautiful,” was a mix of original songs and covers that reached No. 1 on iTunes charts. The third, his Christmas album, “‘Tis The Season,” came out in October. It’s the inspiration for his PBS- filmed Christmas special of the same name.

WTCI-TV will ai r “Jordan Smith: ‘ Tis the Season” at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, and 1 p.m. on Christmas Day, according to Jennifer Crutchfield, WTCI’s director of public relations and community engagement.

Smith will sing music from his holiday CD in a one-hour concert that features guest David Foster, the legendary composer and producer who teamed with Smith for his albums. The singer will perform with his core band, led by musical director Cheche Alara (Latin Grammys and “American Idol”), along with a string and horns/ woodwind section.

In describing his television special, Smith told Yahoo Music that “‘ Tis the Season” invites viewers into the studio “to experience the classic sound of the album in a live, intimate setting. It’s simply about the songs that so beautifully capture the feelings of the holidays and the stories that inspired them.”

‘THE VOICE’ WINNER’S FIRST CHRISTMAS SHOW IS ON PBS

PHOTO BY FRONT AND CENTER Jordan Smith sings music from his Christmas album, “‘Tis The Season,’” in his television special of the same name.