In a recent installment of her audio column for Erin McKeown’s Fax of Life, singer and songwriter Erin McKeown discusses the unexpected origin of her live duet of the holiday classic “Blue Christmas” with guest Elizabeth Bougerol, tracing their collaboration back to a chance meeting in Chicago.
McKeown and Bougerol Perform Blue Christmas Together
- Erin McKeown and Elizabeth Bougerol performed a live version of “Blue Christmas” together after running into each other in Chicago on December 11, 2022.
- Bougerol recently released her self-titled debut solo album following her work with band The Hot Sardines.
- McKeown has lined up multiple tour dates spanning from Kingston, New York, to the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida through January 2027.
A Chance Meeting at the Old Town School of Folk Music
The audio feature centers on a live recording of “Blue Christmas,” written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson in 1948 and popularized by Elvis Presley in 1957. McKeown performs the track alongside guest Elizabeth Bougerol, trombonist J. Walter Hawkes, and McKeown on guitar and harmony vocals. The performance stems from a shared evening in Chicago on December 11, 2022. While McKeown was in the city working on what became her album OUT HERE, Bougerol was performing with her band, The Hot Sardines, at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Despite McKeown’s usual holiday touring preferences, Bougerol secured her appearance onstage.
From The Hot Sardines to a Self-Titled Solo Debut
The conversation between the two artists shifts toward Bougerol’s recent release of her self-titled debut solo album. McKeown examines the transition from leading a collaborative ensemble like The Hot Sardines to managing a solo project, discussing the nature of being a multi-hyphenate artist and the creative space provided by slow tempos like the one used in their rendition of "Blue Christmas." Their connection spans nearly two decades, having first met through individuals that included the late radio personality Rita Houston.
| Tour Date | Location | Event Name |
|---|---|---|
| November 20, 2026 | Kingston, NY | Unicorn Bar |
| November 28, 2026 | Turners Falls, MA | Pioneer Valley Anti-Holiday Spectacular |
| December 5, 2026 | Providence, RI | Providence Anti-Holiday Spectacular |
| January 15-17, 2027 | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | 30A Songwriters Festival |
| January 29-30, 2027 | Chicago, IL | Folk Alliance |
Upcoming Performances Through Early 2027
Alongside the audio release and discussion of Bougerol’s new project, McKeown shares a schedule of upcoming live appearances. The run begins on November 20, 2026, at the Unicorn Bar in Kingston, New York, followed by the Pioneer Valley Anti-Holiday Spectacular in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, on November 28, 2026. Additional winter stops include the Providence Anti-Holiday Spectacular in Rhode Island on December 5, 2026, the 30A Songwriters Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, from January 15 to 17, 2027, and the Folk Alliance gathering in Chicago on January 29 and 30, 2027. Further winter and spring show announcements remain forthcoming.
