This year, Martina McBride has been touring small venues in what she’s been calling an “intimate theater tour”–a chance for her to connect more closely with fans during performances.

She will continue her One Night tour through the fall,and then as winter approaches, she’ll continue performing but with holiday-themed show she’s calling The Joy of Christmas.

“The Christmas season is by far the McBride family’s favorite time of the year,” Martina writes in a post on her website. “Holiday music is some of my most favorite to sing and it reminds me of the memories I have growing up that I’ve shared with my daughters. I have compiled all of my favorite Chistmas songs and will package them together in a fun concert for all.”

Fun to see folks so excited about the Joy Of Christmas tour dates! Me too! Had our first production meeting today. It’s gonna be beautiful

— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) September 15, 2012

The ‘intimate’ tour dates have been hitting home for fans, and for Martina herself, who sees that connection as vital.

“One of the things that’s great about country music,” Martina said in a CBS Local interview earlier this year, “is that there is a real connection with the fans that is a true relationship, and I love that a lot.”

See all Martina McBride’s tour dates on her website.

- Kurt Wolff, CBS Local