Chris Chitsey and Bee Smith have released a new Christian-country Christmas single, “Be Mary,” via Clinetel Nashville Records, distributed by SONY/The Orchard. The track was produced by D. Scott Miller and written by Thornton Cline and Sami Jo Furniss, drawing on the biblical story of Mary to address themes of faith and uncertainty during the holiday season.
The release follows the duo’s win for Vocal Event of the Year at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards, held at the Grand Ole Opry, for their song “Summer Before The Fall,” which was also nominated for Song of the Year. According to the announcement, that track reached No. 1 on the World Indie Music Top 100 Chart and earned the 2026 World Songwriting Award for Best Music Collaboration.
Chitsey, a Texas-based artist with a recording career spanning more than three decades, says he has notched 11 worldwide No. 1 singles, most recently with “Where Ya Been Girl” earlier this year. Smith, a U.K. artist and songwriter, was named the 2025 ISSA International Female Songwriter of the Year and holds a publishing agreement with Thornton Cline Music.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Christy Walker-Watkins, 3on.e2ma.net.