Barbara Nelson has rounded up a few of the region’s most respected back-up musicians and is presenting a holiday concert called Christmas by the Campfire.

When the Pendleton woman performs, it becomes quite clear that she loves to sing — and that joy is infectious. The award-winning musician will take the stage with guitar player Peter Willis, National Oldtime Fiddle champion Dan Emert and bass player Lori Brogoitti. The show is Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each.

Playing here and there throughout the year, Nelson typically sings as a solo act. However, for the holiday show, she invited a few friends to join her.

“This group is fantastic,” she said.

In addition, Nelson can often be found singing at Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co. She attends the informal event on a regular basis.

“I play weekly at the GP when I can get down there,” Nelson said.

As far as holiday music, Nelson said people really seem to enjoy hearing the familiar tunes. While the songs are great to listen to, she said they aren’t always the easiest to play.

“The chords go everywhere,” Nelson said. “They’re not that easy.”

However, the seasoned musician is ready to strum her guitar and warm up her vocal chords for a chance to tip her hat to the holiday season. In addition to Christmas standards, she will play some of her favorite cowboy tunes.

Nelson plays guitar and sings a variety or western music, including traditional, blues, folk, old standards and swing. She grew up loving cowboy movies and the songs of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. She even got her own horse as a fourth grader.

In 2013, Nelson was recognized as the best female sinter of 2012 — receiving the Will Rogers award by the Academy of Western Artists. In addition, she’s a two-time nominee for the best CD of the year by the Western Music Association. Her 2012 release, “Crazy Western Swing,” was in the top 10 albums in Western Way magazine.

Nelson has performed at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Ellensburg, Washington, the Western Music Association showcase in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has opened the awards ceremonies for the Academy of Western Artists in Dallas, Texas.

Tickets are available at www.pendletonarts.org or by calling 541-278-9201. For more about Nelson, visit www.barbaranelsonmusic.com.

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Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539