Retired NFL star Jason Kelce recently revealed that he’d recorded a duet with Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks for an upcoming holiday album by his group The Philly Specials, which also features two of Kelce’s fellow former Philadelphia Eagles teammates. Now, that song, “Maybe This Christmas,” has premiered as an advance single from the album, A Philly Special Christmas Party.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Maybe This Christmas” is an introspective tune by Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith, whose original version appeared on a 2002 holiday compilation of the same name. The new version features Kelce and Nicks alternately singing lines of the verses, then sweetly harmonizing on the choruses. The tune boasts a pop-country feel, and features a pretty pedal-steel solo by Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner.
Lyrically, “Maybe This Christmas” expresses hope for finding forgiveness and reconnecting with lost loved ones during the holiday season.
The track is available now as a digital download and via streaming services.
A couple of video clips capturing Nicks and Kelce working on the track have been posted on the A Philly Special Christmas’ social media pages.
“Maybe This Christmas” is one of 12 tracks featured on A Philly Special Christmas Party, due out November 22.
More About the A Philly Special Christmas Party Album
A Philly Special Christmas Party is the third installment in a series of holiday records by The Philly Specials. The previous albums, A Philly Special Christmas and A Philly Special Christmas Special, were released in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The Philly Specials are made up of Kelce, who was a star center for the Eagles, and Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, who both are offensive tackles for the team. Jason, of course, also is the brother of Taylor Swift’s boyfriend—star Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
The A Philly Special albums were produced by Charlie Hall, drummer for the Philadelphia-based rock band The War on Drugs.
The albums feature covers of select holiday tunes and contributions from various guest singers and musicians. Proceeds from sales of the albums benefit Philadelphia-area children’s charities.
Besides Nicks, other artists and guest performers featured on A Philly Special Christmas Party include Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian of The Hooters, Boyz II Men, Travis Kelce, and The War on Drugs members Hall, Robbie Bennett, and Eliza Hardy Jones.
Comments About Jason Kelce’s Duet with Stevie Nicks
Hall, who produced and played drummer on “Maybe This Christmas,” reflected on the song and getting to collaborate with Nicks.
“I love ‘Maybe This Christmas’ for so many reasons … but I love it most of all for its message of hope and forgiveness,” he said. “I was really hoping this song would resonate with Jason when we were kicking around ideas for this record, and it’s clear from the way he inhabits that beautiful melody that it did. And to have Stevie Nicks, one of the all-time masters of emotional transference (and an all-time hero of mine) come in and amplify all this is such a dream. I love this duet so much.”
Added executive producer Conner Barwin, “There are no words to describe how incredible it is to have Stevie Nicks on this record. There is so much emotion in this song, and it was thrilling to be with them in the studio and watch her and Jason connect, be creative together, and witness this beautiful song become a reality.”
Jason on Collaborating with Nicks
As previously reported, Jason chatted about his experience working with Nicks during a recent episode of his and his brother’s New Heights podcast.
“[It’s] pretty crazy to actually be on a track with Stevie Nicks,” Jason said. “[She’s] probably the most legendary female singer, especially of her generation … [and so] the fact that I’m singing with her, this legend, is pretty unreal.”
Jason also called Stevie “one of the nicest people I’ve ever talked to.” He then noted, “You could tell she loves people, she loves music, she loves the art of making music. [She] brought a breath of fresh air into the recording studio.”
About getting the chance to work directly with Nicks in the studio, Jason added, “I’ll be able to cherish that memory for the rest of my lifetime.”
You can pre-order A Philly Special Christmas Party now.
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