Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and guitarist Mac McAnally will release a new holiday single, “What I Didn’t Get for Christmas,” on Nov. 6.
The original song takes a humorous approach to holiday romance, using wordplay, double entendres and seasonal references to tell the story of someone longing to spend more time with a special person. Inspired in part by McAnally’s longtime friend and collaborator Jimmy Buffett, the song combines playful lyrics with a message about the importance of relationships over material gifts.
McAnally, a respected songwriter, recording artist, producer and session musician, has spent nearly five decades working across country, rock and pop music. Born in Red Bay, Alabama, and raised in nearby Belmont, Mississippi, he began performing professionally at a young age and released his self-titled debut album in 1977.
Throughout his career, McAnally has written songs recorded by numerous major artists. His songwriting credits include Alabama’s chart-topping hit “Old Flame” and Kenny Chesney’s “Back Where I Come From,” which became one of Chesney’s signature concert songs. McAnally also collaborated with Chesney on the hit duet “Down the Road,” originally recorded by McAnally in 1990.
McAnally was a longtime member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, contributing guitar, vocals, songwriting and production to Buffett’s recordings and live performances. Their musical partnership spanned decades, with McAnally becoming one of the most recognizable musicians associated with Buffett’s touring ensemble.
His accomplishments also include a record-setting 10 wins as the Country Music Association’s Musician of the Year, recognizing his work as an instrumentalist and his contributions to Nashville’s recording industry. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.
McAnally is also set to receive the Nashville Symphony’s 2026 Harmony Award and the Crossroads of American Music Award, adding to a lengthy list of career honors.
“What I Didn’t Get for Christmas” continues McAnally’s tradition of combining humor, storytelling and melodic songwriting, this time with a seasonal theme centered on romance and companionship.
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