R&B singer and part-time actor Brian McKnight will release a new Christmas album, entitled "Bethlehem" this week, in which the Motown star got a chance to cover a Yuletide standard, "Let It Snow," with label-mates Boyz II Men.

While McKnight was in the studio working on the Christmas record, he himself was called on to provide guest vocals by none other than Mariah Carey, who invited him to duet with her on "Whenever You Call" for Carey's upcoming "Ones" collection.

"It was amazing to go into the studio with someone who's so successful," McKnight told the MTV Radio Network, "and has that kind of track record. Mariah is someone who could ask anyone in the world to sing with her, and they called me. The album contains a duet with Whitney Houston and a duet with me, so it's just been great company to be in."

"Ones," which is due out on November 17, also contains a collaboration between Carey and Jermaine Dupri on "Sweetheart," a song already available on JD's new album,

"Life in 1472."

As we previously reported (see [article id="1431500"]"Brian McKnight Impresses On TV Show, Asked To Reprise Part"[/article]), McKnight has just appeared on an episode of the WB sitcom "Sister Sister," and producers have already asked McKnight to return for several more guest appearances.