This Christmas, we’ve teamed up with the ridiculously talented folks over at Blackwatch Studios to offer a special holiday gift to indie music lovers — a FREE album filled with original holiday music from local musicians and a FREE holiday concert to follow.

Released today, A Blackwatch Christmas features some of Oklahoma’s best local acts including Colourmusic, Ben Kilgore, Sherree Chamberlain, Ryan Lindsey and more.

The  album includes nine original songs and one cover.

“There are moments in the album that feel instantly nostalgic, moments that make you want to party, and moments that hint at this being a comedy record,” said Blackwatch co-owner and operator Jarod Evans. “When people get to walk away from the record store or the Christmas concert with a professionally pressed LP, it speaks highly of the music community here.”

The album is available for free download online at fowlervwchristmas.com. In addition, 1,000 free vinyl copies will be available starting today at Fowler Volkswagen and several local businesses throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. We’ll announce additional locations through Twitter and Facebook, so stay tuned!

Our free annual holiday concert, featuring bands that contributed songs to A Blackwatch Christmas, will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, directly following Dustbowl Arts Market in downtown Norman at FIVE, 412 E. Main Street.

Fowler VW created the annual holiday album and concert concept and covered the costs, while Blackwatch Studios organized the album’s production. This is Fowler VW’s second free holiday album and concert, following 2010’s Checking It Twice.

“Part of our shop’s mission is to contribute to a community where local artists and musicians thrive,” said Fowler VW General Manager Jonathan Fowler. “Through the annual album and concert, we’re hoping to spread some holiday cheer and also spread the word that Oklahoma has some exceptionally talented bands.”

Fowler, who is past chairman of the Norman Music Festival and on the board of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, said the future of Oklahoma’s music industry is bright.

“We’ve got incredible musicians and an incredible support system of businesses and nonprofits that are all working together to build a nationally recognized music industry in Oklahoma. A Blackwatch Christmas is a great example of the arts and business coming together to take another step toward accomplishing that goal.”

Album Tracks:
Samantha Crain — “Breaking the Ice”
Dad — “Santa Clause”
Ryan Lindsey — “I’ll Come Down Your Chimney”
Ben Kilgore — “Christmas Eve Needs”
The Workweek — “Perfect Time of Year”
Chrome Pony — “Christmas Babes”
Ol’ Savior — “Winter’s Wild”
Colourmusic — “In a Sentimental Mood”
Sherree Chamberlain — “Christmas Time”
Hector Comancho — “Chris Cringle in the Fast Lane”

Watch ”The Making of A Blackwatch Christmas” here! Our friends Nathan Poppe and Matt Carney got some great footage of all the bands holed up at Blackwatch Studios during a week of recording.