$250K Raised By Eagles Christmas Album

PHILADELPHIA — As it turns out, Philadelphia Eagles fans really want to hear their favorite players sing Christmas tunes.

The Christmas charity album, "A Philly Special Christmas," has raised a quarter million dollars for a local non-profit that aims to provide behavioral health to Philadelphia's children and their families.

Eagles players Jason Kelce, Jordan Milata, and Lane Johnson, along with former player and album executive producer Connor Barwin and War on Drugs drummer Charlie Hall, presented a $250,000 check to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center Tuesday.

The album sold out twice, prompting a third and final presale push late last week.

It's unclear how many albums were actually sold, but it's safe to say a good amount are heading to fans across the region based on the sizable donation.

The seven-track album is set to be officially released Friday on vinyl and digitally on Apple Music.

Tracks on the album are:

1. White Christmas
2. Blue Christmas
3. Merry Christmas Baby
4. The Night Before Christmas
5. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
6. Silent Night
7. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Recorded at Rittenhouse Soundworks, Silent Partners, and Elm St studio, the album also features numerous guest musicians.

Additional album contributors are Lady Alma, Marshall Allen (Sun Ra Arkestra), Rob Hyman (The Hooters), Eric Bazilian (The Hooters), Zach Miller (Dr. Dog), Robbie Bennett (The War on Drugs), Eliza Hardy Jones (The War on Drugs), Brandon Beaver (MeWithoutYou), Thomas Hughes (The Spinto Band), Randy Huth (Pissed Jeans), Nick Krill (The Spinto Band, Teen Men), Nasir Dickerson, Kaila Vandever, Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner, and The Silver Ages.

Eagles announcer Merrill Reese and players Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, and Jordan Davis all make appearances.

While singing in the locker room together, Kelce, Johnson and Mailata started talking about the possibilities for making a holiday album filled with classic songs they loved from childhood.

They floated the idea by former Eagle Barwin and current Director of Player Development.

Barwin reached out to Hall, who also loved the idea.

The players, Hall, and Barwin got together for a summer bonfire with guitars and favorite songs.
The group shared their collective love for the city and music.

Afterward, they knew that making a holiday record had to happen.

Hall agreed to produce and began to assemble Philadelphia musicians to join them in the studio to make this dream a reality.