Jason Kelce debuts new Christmas song with Philadelphia rock band before Eagles-Commanders game
Christmas is about 40 days away and former Eagles center Jason Kelce has put together a very Philadelphia tune for everyone to enjoy.
The 36-year-old will release a third consecutive Christmas album this holiday season, titled ‘A Philly Special Christmas Party’, following two previously successful projects.
This time Kelce collaborated with the indie rock band Mt. Philadelphia native and retired football player Joy put a festive spin on the band’s debut single “Astrovan.”
Ahead of Thursday night’s Washington Commanders-Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field in Pennsylvania, Kelce and the band debuted the song “Santa Drives an Astro Van” in front of a crowd of fans.
The concert took place outside the stadium, because the former player and the band decided to start the holidays a little earlier.
After Mt. Joy singer Matt Quinn sang the first verse of the song – while dressed in red and white – Kelce took the microphone and sang an earnest second verse.
Jason Kelce performed a new song from his upcoming Christmas album before an Eagles game
He was joined by the Philadelphia band Mt. Joy who sang a festive version of their song ‘Astrovan’
Kelce has released Christmas albums for the past two seasons with his group “The Philly Specials,” consisting of fellow Eagles offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata.
Their first album, ‘A Philly Special Christmas’, consisted of seven holiday classics and sold thousands of copies after its release on December 23, 2022.
The following year, the trio teamed up again for their second album, ‘A Philly Special Christmas Special’, which was eleven songs long and featured several special guests.
Artists on that project included singer-songwriter Amos Lee, R&B star Patti LaBelle and indie artist Waxahatchee.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman also joined Kelce on the album for a Chanukah song “The Dreidel Song.”
Even his brother Travis Kelce joined in with a cover of The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’, but with a Pennsylvania twist and titled ‘Fairytale of Philadelphia’.
For the upcoming album, ‘A Philly Special Christmas Party’ is billed as ‘the third and final album in the Philly Special Christmas trilogy’ and will be released on November 22nd.
This will be the largest album of the three, with twelve songs released on transparent vinyl.
Next to Mt. Joy, a number of music acts from Philadelphia will leave their mark on the record.
These include R&B supergroup Boyz II Men, soul singer Devon Gilfillian, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, rap group The Roots and rock bands Dr. Dog, mewithoutYou and The War on Drugs.
But perhaps the biggest addition to the track list is former Fleetwood Mac frontwoman Stevie Nicks.
The ‘Rhiannon’ legend joined Jason in the recording booth to lay down a rendition of ‘Maybe This Christmas’ – the behind-the-scenes of which was released in a post to the social media accounts for Kelce’s ‘New Heights’ podcast .
All profits made from the album’s release will be donated to charities in the Philadelphia area, according to the group’s website.