You’ve seen the videos. Big men, the kind of guys who spend their Sundays moving 300-pound human beings against their will, standing in a recording studio wearing headphones and looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. It’s a Philadelphia staple now. If you live within fifty miles of Broad Street, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
A Philly Special Christmas Party isn’t just a random holiday album. It’s the third—and supposedly final—act of a trilogy that turned the Philadelphia Eagles into unlikely R&B stars.
Most people think this was some corporate marketing play. Honestly? It was the opposite. It started as a "what if" between Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata. They wanted to make a love letter to the city. They ended up raising over $10 million for local charities like the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and CHOP. That’s a lot of vinyl records.
Why the Philly Special Christmas Party Hits Different
There is a specific kind of magic when you hear a Pro Bowl left tackle sing like he’s trying to win a Grammy. Jordan Mailata has a voice that shouldn't belong to a man that size. It’s smooth. It’s soulful. When he covers Mariah Carey, it’s not a joke—it’s actually good.
This third album, the "Party" installment, shifted the vibe. The first two records were classic, a bit more traditional. This one? It’s exactly what the title says. It’s a party. They brought in Devon Gilfillian. They got Boyz II Men to show up. They even managed to get Stevie Nicks on a track called "Maybe This Christmas."
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Think about that for a second. The greatest female rock voice of all time singing with a bunch of offensive linemen. It’s absurd. It’s Philadelphia.
The Operation Snowball Factor
The music is great, but the 2024-2025 season brought something even bigger: Operation Snowball.
People often miss where the money actually goes. It’s not just "to charity" in a vague sense. In 2024, the Philly Specials decided to take the proceeds and buy a holiday gift for every single student in the Philadelphia public and charter school system. That is more than 200,000 kids.
I remember seeing the footage of Kelce and Mailata walking into Benjamin Franklin High School. They weren't there for a photo op. They were there with a warehouse full of toys. Lane Johnson mentioned in an interview that he saw Connor Barwin—the former Eagle who basically executive produced this whole saga—taking action early in his career and wanted to carry that torch.
What’s on the Playlist?
The tracklist for A Philly Special Christmas Party is a weird, wonderful mix. You’ve got:
- "Last Christmas" (A six-minute epic)
- "Loud Little Town" (Featuring Kylie Kelce—yes, she can sing too)
- "It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights)" (The Kelce brothers' nod to their roots)
- "Santa Drives An Astrovan" (Featuring Mt. Joy)
It’s local. It’s messy. It’s authentic.
The Secret Sauce: Charlie Hall and the Indie Connection
You can't talk about this album without mentioning Charlie Hall. He’s the drummer for The War on Drugs. He’s the one who had to take three guys who are used to hitting people and teach them about vocal phrasing.
Hall didn't want this to be a "goof." He treated it like a real record. They recorded at Elm Street Studios in Conshohocken. They used real analog tape. They brought in members of Dr. Dog and The Hooters.
When you listen to "The Parting Glass," which closes out the record, you can hear the sincerity. It feels like a goodbye. Jason Kelce has retired from football, and while the "Philly Specials" might pop up again for a one-off, this trilogy feels complete.
Why It Matters for Philly
Philadelphia gets a bad rap. We throw snowballs at Santa (once, fifty years ago, let it go). We’re aggressive. But this project shows the other side. It’s the "brotherly love" part of the name.
It’s the fact that these guys, who could be doing literally anything else with their offseason, chose to spend it in a studio in Montco to make sure a kid in North Philly gets a Lego set or a new coat.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to get your hands on a piece of this history, here is what you actually need to do:
- Check Local Independent Shops: While the initial pre-orders for the white vinyl usually sell out in minutes, places like Main Street Music or repo records sometimes get small batches of the "Midnight Black" versions.
- Don't Feed the Scalpers: These records show up on eBay for $300. Don't do it. The official site often does "leftover" sales in the spring.
- Stream with Purpose: If you can’t find the vinyl, stream it on Spotify or Apple Music. The royalties still flow back into the charitable pool.
- Support the Beneficiaries: You don't need a record to help. You can donate directly to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) or the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. They are the real MVPs of this whole operation.
The era of the Philly Special Christmas albums might be winding down, but the $10 million impact isn't going anywhere. It’s the most Philadelphia thing ever: take a bunch of guys who aren't "supposed" to be singers, give them a microphone, and watch them change the city.