Kelce pens – and sings – ‘Santa’s Night’ for new Philadelphia Eagles Christmas album

Philadelphia Eagles players, from left, Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, will release their second holiday album, “A Philly Special Christmas Special,” for pre-order on Nov. 3, 2023. Last year’s album generated $1.25 million for charity. (Photo by 9.14 Pictures and provided by Mixtape Media)

In the off season, three Philadelphia Eagles players had more than weightlifting and calisthenics on their minds.

Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata were in a recording studio limbering up for a second go round not playing football but singing.

The players, along with producer Charlie Hall, are releasing a second Christmas album that includes Philadelphia icon Patti LaBelle, a Mariah Carey cover and an original by Kelce.

“A Philly Special Christmas Special” will be available to pre-order on vinyl starting Nov. 3

Last year Kelce, Johnson and Mailata released “A Philly Special Christmas” and raised $1.25 million for local charities. It was called “A Philly Special Christmas.” It sold out almost immediately.

The new record with Hall and executive producer Connor Barwin is being released on Vera Y Records.

The record will be released on red vinyl. A double disc with both albums will be released on gold vinyl. The album also will be released digitally and on streaming services. The record is $75. The double is $125. They are expected to ship after Thanksgiving.

The music also features local musicians Amos Lee, The Hooters’ Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, DMHotep, Kevin Hanson, Luke Carlos O’Reilly, Waxahatchee, members of The War on Drugs, Dr. Dog, Mewithoutyou and The Silver Ages Choir, according to a press release from Mixtape Media.

“It never occurred to me that this gang would make another record and yet it never occurred to me that we WOULDN’T make another record,” Hall said.

“By any measure, the experience of what materialized last year was such a profound success… it seemed like a no brainer that we would at least get together and make some more music for fun, if not to actually produce a whole new record. What ensued surpassed all expectations – musically and spiritually. We dug in and have put together a wide-ranging romp through some classics, some deep cuts, and even an original tune written by Kelce.”

“People often ask me, ‘What’s going on in the Philly music scene today?’” Hall said.

“Well, there’s something very cool happening on the scene in Philly these days. Just as in the early aughts when I arrived here, there is a sense of community and collaboration and exploration going on. People are all playing in each other’s bands and putting on shows together and propping each other up. It’s very inclusive, creative, supportive, and genre-defying.

“It’s cool. And I think in some small way, the cast of characters that we have assembled for this project reflects that openness and that spirit of cooperation. What makes this unique to Philadelphia?

“Surely this is happening in places all over the world, but I truly believe that only in Philadelphia do so many masters of their respective crafts – from professional football, to jazz, to R&B, to rock, to the avant garde – come together and make something so special.”

On the new album, fans will hear “All I Want For Christmas is You,” “The Dreidel Song,” “Dominick the Donkey” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as well as an original called “Santa’s Night,” written and sung by Kelce.

Kelce sings about Santa’s big night that happens once a year.

“I never get used to flying through the air, the winter wind burns … The sky turns black as the North Pole fades and Rudolph’s red nose is all that remains.

… “I am often caught thinking, why’s it got to be one night, but as the wrappings rip open, I am healed with delight.”

Philadelphia Eagles players, Jason Kelce, left, and Jordan Mailata, right, with Patti LaBelle, who is included in their second holiday album with Lane Johnson, “A Philly Special Christmas Special,” that will be available to pre-order on Nov. 3, 2023. Last year’s album generated $1.25 million for charity. (Photo by 9.14 Pictures and provided by Mixtape Media)

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