MY LOVE OF CHRISTMAS (PEACE STARTS IN ME)
“My Love of Christmas Time (Peace Starts in Me)” is Avery Stafford’s new single and his first Christmas composition as both a writer and producer. This heartfelt holiday song speaks to the child within each of us—the part that still longs for a world where dreams can be realized and love and kindness lead the way.
Co-produced with Ike Graul, the track features an exceptional lineup of Nashville session players, including Adam Nitti on bass, Marcus Finnie on drums, Matt Mendoza on guitar, and Mike Hicks on keyboards. It was mixed by Russ Long and mastered by Duncan Ferguson at The Voltage Exchange.
Centered on the message that peace begins within each of us, the song bridges generations and invites listeners into a compassionate, hopeful vision of the season.
LISTEN NOW
A crossover holiday single with chart-proven appeal—recent releases have hit #1 on WJRG Gospel Inspirations Top 30 and gained traction across multiple territories. Produced with Nashville A-list session players (Adam Nitti, Marcus Finnie, Matt Mendoza, Mike Hicks), mixed by Russ Long, and available in standard and Dolby ATMOS formats.
Thematically universal with a message of hope and inner transformation—ideal for holiday playlists, AC/Christian AC rotation, and sync opportunities in family-friendly, inspirational, and seasonal programming.
Avery stafford
Avery Stafford is a Portland, Oregon–based vocalist and songwriter whose music blends soulful expression, heartfelt storytelling, and a deep sense of spiritual purpose. Known for a warm, expressive vocal style and a gift for communicating hope through song, Stafford creates music that speaks to faith, memory, compassion, and the shared human longing for peace.
With a discography of six independent albums, Stafford has built a body of work marked by sincerity, musicianship, and emotional depth. His fifth album, Undignified, earned two nominations from the 16th Annual Los Angeles International Awards for Christian Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year. The album also featured “Eyes of a Child,” which won the March 2007 Winner Award for Best Song in the Song of the Year International Songwriting Competition. Stafford’s rendition of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” was also well received, further showcasing his ability to bring warmth, soul, and personal conviction to familiar material.
Stafford’s sixth album, End of Five (2012), received critical acclaim from Soul Tracks and other music critics, reinforcing his reputation as an independent artist with a distinctive voice and a consistent commitment to meaningful, soul-rooted music. Across his catalog, Stafford’s songs reflect themes of hope, renewal, love, and spiritual reflection, connecting with listeners across cultures and generations. His new single, “My Love of Christmas Time (Peace Starts in Me),” releases November 3 and continues that artistic vision.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Avery Stafford Announces “My Love of Christmas Time (Peace Starts in Me),” a Holiday Anthem of Inner Peace and Hope
Award-nominated vocalist delivers a message-driven Christmas single in standard and Dolby Atmos formats
PORTLAND, OR — September 25, 2026 — Award-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist Avery Stafford announces the November 3 release of “My Love of Christmas Time (Peace Starts in Me),” a heartfelt holiday single about the hope, love, and kindness the world needs—and the belief that meaningful peace begins within each of us.
Blending gospel warmth, soulful pop, contemporary Christian influence, and expressive storytelling, the song speaks to the child in all of us who still believes in a world where dreams can be realized and love leads the way. Stafford’s powerful vocal performance invites listeners to reflect on the change they hope to see in the world and consider how that change can first take root in their own hearts.
“My Love of Christmas Time (Peace Starts in Me)” follows Stafford’s continued momentum as a format-flexible artist whose music connects with audiences across gospel, Christian, soul, and pop. His single “Manna (Come On Down)” reached No. 1 on the WJRG Gospel Inspirations Top 30 in Hamden, Connecticut, while his recent releases continue to receive radio attention across multiple formats. The new Christmas song was also named a semifinalist in the Pop category for the 2026 third-quarter Song of the Year songwriting contest.
Co-produced by Ike Graul, the track was mixed by Nashville engineer Russ Long and mastered by Duncan Ferguson at The Voltage Exchange. The recording features Adam Nitti on bass, Marcus Finnie on drums, Matt Mendoza on guitar, and Mike Hicks on keyboards, Wurlitzer, and bells, with Stafford providing lead vocals.
“My Love of Christmas Time (Peace Starts in Me)” will be released on November 3, 2026, across all major streaming platforms in both standard and Dolby Atmos formats. Early access for DJs, curators, reviewers, and select media contacts begins in mid-to-late September.
Contact: admin@averystafford.com
Release date: November 3, 2026
Formats: Standard stereo and Dolby Atmos
Radio-ready. Format-flexible. Message-driven.
ONE SHEET
Here is a promotional summary of the song and production
of My Love of Christmas (Peace Starts in Me).
Avery Stafford’s upcoming single, “My Love of Christmas (Peace Starts in Me),” has been named a Semi-Finalist in the Pop category for the 2026 third-quarter Song of the Year songwriting contest. This international recognition adds even more excitement to the release of the song, which is scheduled to arrive on November 3, 2026.
Blending seasonal warmth with a message of peace, hope, and love, the song reflects Avery’s signature focus on heartfelt storytelling and human connection. The recognition highlights both the song’s emotional resonance and its place within Avery’s growing body of work as an artist committed to music that inspires reflection, compassion, and unity.