At only 37, LeAnn Rimes is what you would call a showbiz veteran. A childhood superstar at 13 when her cover of Bill Mack’s “Blue” rose to the top of the country and pop charts, Rimes has grown up before our eyes (and ears). Known for hits such as “How Do I Live,” “Can’t Fight The Moonlight,” and her duet with Elton John on “Written in the Stars,” Rimes is also a longtime friend and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, she performed at the Chicago Pride Fest in June 2019.

In addition to her country and pop work, Rimes has a few Christmas albums in her catalog. Therefore, it’s not all that surprising that she has her own holiday music concert tour, “You and Me and Christmas.” I spoke with Rimes shortly before she embarked on her Christmas music tour.

Gregg Shapiro: LeAnn, you are coming to South Florida to perform your Christmas show “You and Me and Christmas” at The Pavilion in Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. What is your earliest Christmas memory?

LeAnn Rimes: My godparents always made Christmas into an all-out celebration. Some of my first memories were at their house where I would sleep over on Christmas Eve. We would leave out cookies and milk for Santa, but when I caught on that my godfather was sneaking out to eat the cookies before Santa, I began leaving out sugar-free cookies for him because he was a diabetic. My godfather didn’t like that so much [laughs].

GS: If you had to pick one or two Christmas songs, which ones would you choose as your favorites?

LR: Gosh, there are so many! But one of my top favorite songs to perform is “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” It’s just so fun and people don’t expect it, yet when they hear it, they love it!

GS: What was involved in selecting the songs that you will be performing for the “You And Me And Christmas” show?

LR: Well, there is a lot to choose from! It really comes down to where I’m at in my life, what I want to share, the vibe I’m wanting to have during the show. It’s actually an excruciating process. When I am first going through and marking off songs, it is much easier, but then it gets much harder to cut down the show. Essentially, the first thing that comes to mind is how do I feel and how do I want the audience to feel.

GS: Do you have any special Christmas traditions that you started as an adult?

LR: I love to get up early and wake up my stepsons at the crack of dawn, and we all open our presents together and stay in our pajamas as long as possible.

GS: Finally, some of the venues on your concert tour are based at casinos. Are you someone who’s able to resist the allure of the slot machines or do you enjoy trying your luck?

LR: [Laughs] I am not a gambler myself, but I know some of the band likes to give it a go.