American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle will be hitting the road this winter with Michael W. Smith and The Katinas for the “It’s A Wonderful Christmas” tour. Doolittle is most recently known for her impressive performances on this year’s American Idol competition. Jordin Sparks, this year’s American Idol winner had previously toured with Smith on his Christmastime 2005 and 2006 shows.

The tour, which kicks off November 29th and wraps up December 22nd, will feature songs from Smith’s third Christmas release and twentieth album, It’s A Wonderful Christmas. The album debuts October 16th. Smith recorded the album in London’s famous Abbey Road Studios in May with a 67-piece symphony before the music was arranged by David Hamilton. He says the music is “epic, symphonic and cinematic”.

Smith originally intended to record a classic Christmas album, but when he got into the studio, he was allegedly struck with a ‘rush of inspiration’ and wrote several pieces of original music. The album will feature three choirs, one being The Choristers of Reigate St. Mary’s, a London based boy’s choir directed by John Tobin and featuring 16 members in ages ranging from eight to 12 years.

Find out more about It’s A Wonderful Christmas on Smith’s YMZ artist page.