Some of our cheeriest and jingliest ASCAP members grabbed their sleigh bells, antlers and cozy hats to perform some of ASCAP's most-played holiday songs for a collection of homespun videos to celebrate the festive season. Robbie Fulks & Nora O'Connor and Adam Levy & Jill Sobule sent in some holiday spirit from their home bases, Darren Criss, Savoir Adore and Jon Brodeur came caroling at ASCAP's offices, and a few folks got a visit from ASCAP out in the world, like the Brooklyn supergroup led by Tim Mislock and Nicole Atkins who recorded in Mislock's home studio, and Dawn Landes' double-sized band who took a moment backstage at Joe's Pub in Manhattan. They chose their own backgrounds (everything from a digital crackling fire in a flat screen hearth to borrowed poinsettias), locations and songs, so each video is a unique take on the holiday season with a classic song at its heart.
Dawn Landes band: Ray Rizzo (drums/chair), Josh Kaufman (guitar), Annie Nero (harmony vocal) and Lauren Balthrop (harmony vocal).
Dawn Landes & the Hounds w/ the Bandana Splits
Dawn combined her two bands, the Hounds and the Bandana Splits, to make a backing band with talent to spare. Backstage at New York's Joe's Pub they added their own twist to the Ronettes version of "Sleigh Ride," originally written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish.
Find out more about Dawn & co.: www.dawnlandes.com
Darren Criss
Darren Criss spent a few of his Glee free moments visiting the ASCAP Los Angeles offices, spreading a little Christmas cheer. We knew from his roles on the stage and on TV that Darren was an incredible singer, but we found out during his rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin) that he's also a beautiful piano player.
See more from Darren Criss: www.darrencriss.com
Maiysha & Scott Jacoby with students from East Fordham Academy for the Arts
Maiysha & Scott Jacoby with students from East Fordham Academy for the Arts
As part of the ASCAP Songwriter Residency program, songwriters Maiysha and Scott Jacoby worked with a group of students from East Fordham Academy for the Arts to write and record a catchy Christmas tune called "The Next Generation." The ASCAP Songwriter Residency was brought to the school through the PENCIL Partnership Program.
More from Maiysha: www.maiysha.com
More from Scott Jacoby: www.scojac.com
Robbie Fulks & Nora O'Connor
More than one ASCAP employee was drawn to the sound of Robbie Fulks' signature banjo when we downloaded the video he sent from home in Chicago. He was joined by sultry songstress Nora O'Conner (and her antlers) in a sweet version of "Silver Bells" (Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans).
More on Robbie: www.robbiefulks.com/
Tim Mislock, Nicole Atkins, Michael Lerner and Justin Craig
It seemed like every band in Brooklyn stepped up to lend a member to ASCAP's Holiday Songs. Songwriter, guitarist and singer Tim Mislock updated the classic "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Written by Walter Kent, Kim Gannon and Buck Ram) with a little help from Nicole Atkins, Michael Lerner (the Antlers) and Justin Craig (These United States). And a little aloe and tinfoil.
Tim Mislock: www.hollymiranda.com/ and www.myspace.com/abandonedlighthouse www.nicoleatkins.com/ www.antlersmusic.com/ www.myspace.com/theseunited
Adam Levy & Jill Sobule
We knew that we had to have Adam Levy's strumming and singing in our Holiday Videos lineup, but what we didn't know when we invited him to take part was that his grandfather was a co-writer of one of our top songs! He enlisted the help of friend Jill Sobule to sing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Written by Edward Pola and Levy's grandfather George Wyle).
Check out more Adam Levy: www.adamlevy.com/ www.jillsobule.com/
Rudy Currence
Candles shed a warm light on Rudy Currence as the South Carolina native melts hearts with "The Christmas Song" (written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).
Hear more Rudy Currence: www.myspace.com/rudycurrencemusic
Read about Rudy Currence
Juston Stens & the Get Real Gang
Juston Stens crammed his Get Real Gang into some pretty tight, and funny, shots for their redux of "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" (written by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie). The Philly native and former Dr. Dog drummer fronts his own rock outfit these days, and the many-membered crew took the song that Bruce Springsteen originally made rockin' to a whole new rock place. As if having six band members wasn't enough, Stens is making them play more than one instrument at once?!
To hear more Juston Stens & the Get Real Gang: http://www.myspace.com/totalposermusic
Joe McGinty & Ward White
New York keyboard player, arranger, producer, composer and all-around musician about town Joe McGinty seemed like the perfect guy to call for a holiday song. He has accompanied Ronnettes frontwoman Ronnie Spector for her holiday song stylings, as well as been the music behind hundreds of local talents at his Loser's Lounge and Piano Parlour Events. He is joined by musical partner Ward White for "Frosty the Snowman" (Written by Steve Nelson and Walter E. Rollins) and "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)" (Written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells)on location in McGinty's Carousel Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
For more on Joe and Ward: www.joemcginty.com
Savoir Adore
Deidre Muro and Paul Hammer found out, as did many of our other Holiday Song performers, that classic holiday songs are familiar, but complex. They have a LOT of chords. But the "Savoir Adore" (written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish) duo nailed the song. Even at a brisk pace, they got all the chords, and all the spirit of the song exactly right.
To hear more Savoir Adore:
Jon Brodeur
Stopping by the ASCAP offices in New York during a December cold snap that left everyone's teeth chattering, songwriter Jon Brodeur warmed ASCAP up with a cozy version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (Written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).
See more Jon Brodeur: www.johnbrodeur.com/
Joe McGinty & Ward White
New York keyboard player, arranger, producer, composer and all-around musician about town Joe McGinty seemed like the perfect guy to call for a holiday song. He has accompanied Ronnettes frontwoman Ronnie Spector for her holiday song stylings, as well as been the music behind hundreds of local talents at his Loser's Lounge and Piano Parlour Events. He is joined by musical partner Ward White for "Frosty the Snowman" (Written by Steve Nelson and Walter E. Rollins) and "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)" (Written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells) on location in McGinty's Carousel Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
For more on Joe and Ward: www.joemcginty.com
Dear Lions
Adam Rubenstein and Ricky Lewis lit a roaring fire to set the mood for their rendition of the Elvis Presley classic "Blue Christmas" (Written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson).
See more Dear Lions: www.myspace.com/dearlions
Dana Parish & Andrew Hollander
Dana Parish set the mood for a romantic Christmas in her studio to record a sultry rendition of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Written by Walter Kent, Kim Gannon and Buck Ram) accompanied by Andrew Hollander.
Hear more from Dana Parish: www.myspace.com/danaparish
