Jason Kelce Justin Robertson / USA TODAY NETWORK

Eagles' Jason Kelce adds songwriting to his resume

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 9/6/23

Looking to do some early holiday shopping? Philadelphians haven't even bought their Halloween candy yet, but three of their favorite offensive linemen already have something special for Christmas.

After their first album, "A Philly Special Christmas ," raised over $1M for local charities, Eagles center Jason Kelce, right tackle Lane Johnson and left tackle Jordan Mailata went back to the studio to record another Christmas album.

"A Philly Special Christmas Special" will be released this fall, according to Kelce who broke the news on 94.1 WIP’s morning show. The album will feature 11 tracks including “The Dreidel Song,” “Dominick the Donkey” and an original song written by Kelce.

Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata are releasing a second holiday album, "Philly Special Christmas Special”.

Proceeds will again be donated to local charities. pic.twitter.com/JACT0xZox3
— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) September 5, 2023

“Santa’s Night” tells the story of a frustrated Saint Nick getting things together for Christmas Eve. Believe it or not, Kelce claims the inspiration came from his fussy newborn daughter.

“So I was sitting on the deck with my daughter, Bennett, and she’s screaming and hollering and we just had her and we just agreed that we were going to do an album for this year. And I’m just sitting there and she won’t stop crying and I’m kind of in this state of woe is me, right?

And I’d gotten this melody in my head and I got this idea, you know, that being a parent, you do so many things on Christmas Eve. You do so many things for your kid, and at that moment, you know, it was hard, right? And for some reason it started going through my head that this is what Santa Claus is probably going through on Christmas Eve.”

Kelce was quick to point out that the finished product came only after input from actual musicians and producer Charlie Hall. Philly-area musicians helping out on other tracks include two-time Grammy Award winner Patti Labelle, members of The Hooters, Dr. Dog, Huffamoose and others.

Pre-orders for vinyl copies begin November 3 with the album to be released on streaming during the holidays. Philly fans can’t wait to hear Kelce’s new song and “Dominick the Donkey.” Who doesn’t want to hear a 300-pound offensive lineman bray like a donkey?

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