By now, news of the release of A Philly Special Christmas — a holiday recording from Phila. Eagles with vocal chops that range from legit (Jordan Mailata) to that more enthusiasm-based (Jason Kelce) — have almost eclipsed the team’s present 11–1 record.

What’s lesser known may be the charity project’s Montgomery County connection, as reported by sources that include the project’s retail website.

Jeff Yerger, in Stereogum, provided some of the backstories on the project.

The idea to produce an album of players performing Christmas standards to benefit a local cause blossomed between former outside linebacker Connor Barwin and current center Kelce.

Barwin — now a team front-office executive — has always been heavily involved in the Phila. music scene.

Through his Make The World Better foundation, he has hosted numerous benefit concerts. He agreed to be among the project’s executive producers.

Together, Kelce and Barwin chose the Children’s Crisis Center to receive the proceeds of their work.

They then gathered talent.

Mailata, and Lane Johnson were recruited for vocals. Merrill Reese was tapped to bring his distinct delivery to reading The Night before Christmas. And the musical accompaniment would come from local groups The War on Drugs, the Hooters, and Dr. Dog.

The Conshohocken recording studio that would capture all this talent supplied not only the site and the technical crew, but also a brave vocal coach who drilled the pigskin performers on the subtleties of solfège.

The crossover project turned out to be not much of a stretch thematically.

“I’ve been uniquely able to see how connected the music and sports scenes are [in Philadelphia],” Barwin said. “Both sides are really fans of each other.” 

The Philly special Christmas album has a Dec. 23 release date.

Obtaining this Montco-produced spirited recording (and therefore supporting its related cause) can be done at the production’s homepage at A Philly Special Christmas.

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With Kelce at the helm, is it any wonder that this recording session — despite the serious tone of the organization it supports — looked like a great time?