The Philly Specials offer a rare breed of holiday music that feels genuinely lived-in rather than manufactured. It is characterized by the rich, surprisingly capable baritones of professional athletes who approach these standards with the sincerity of a late-night singalong. The sound is anchored by a 'Philly Soul' meets 'Indie Rock' aesthetic, courtesy of high-tier production that avoids the saccharine traps of modern Christmas pop.
What makes them distinctive is the palpable camaraderie in the room. You can hear the smiles, the occasional gruffness of the vocals, and the expert backing of world-class musicians who treat the project with serious craft. It is less about vocal perfection and more about the texture of community, blending the grit of the gridiron with the warmth of a hearth.
Start with 'Fairytale of Philadelphia' for a masterclass in how to localize a classic with heart. It serves as the perfect entry point for those who want their holiday music to feel like a conversation between friends rather than a performance for an audience.
The Philly Specials are an American musical group formed by three football players from the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League: offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, and Jordan Mailata. They are known for recording three albums of Christmas music with the proceeds being donated to charity. The group was named for the Philly Special trick play used by the Eagles to score a touchdown in Super Bowl LII in 2018. The Philly Specials' albums have been produced by Charlie Hall, drummer for the War on Drugs, with Philadelphia Eagles executive Connor Barwin as executive producer. Their albums have featured numerous guest performers. The Philadelphia Eagles have been represented on the albums by other players such as A. J. Brown, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Landon Dickerson, Brandon Graham, Jalen Hurts, and Haason Reddick; offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland; general manager Howie Roseman; and play-by-play announcer Merrill Reese. Among the musical artists who have appeared on the Philly Specials' albums are Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman (of the Hooters), Patti LaBelle, Amos Lee, Stevie Nicks, and Boyz II Men. Jason Kelce and his brother Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs performed a duet version of "Fairytale of New York", rewritten as "Fairytale of Philadelphia", on the group's second album. The song reached No. 1 on two of Billboard magazine's specialty charts, Rock Digital Song Sales and Holiday Digital Song Sales. The group's 2024 album, A Philly Special Christmas Party, has been announced as being their last. It reached No. 1 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, selling 32,000 copies in its first week of release, of which 22,000 copies were on vinyl. This marked the biggest sales week for any holiday album on vinyl since Nielsen SoundScan began keeping records in 1991.
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