"The Holiday Special" is a multi-media collaboration between more than 40 Iowa musicians and creatives that Iowa Public Radio Studio One has produced in collaboration with xBk, a 200-cap arts venue in the Drake Neighborhood in Des Moines.
The script features an evil villain who has stolen live holiday entertainment and a crew of Iowa based musicians who bring back the harmony.
Cast:
- Grandpa: Bob Dorr, Iowa Public Radio
- Madison: Madison Ray
- Charlie: Charlie Reese
- Cece: Cece Mitchell, Iowa Public Radio
- Mark: Mark Simmet, Iowa Public Radio
- Tony: Tony Dehner, Iowa Public Radio
- Jordan: Jordan Mayland, The Des Moines Music Coalition
- Hawk Fan: Megan Helmers
Production:
- Produced by: Lindsey Moon, Iowa Public Radio, Madison Ray, xBK and Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
- Script: Madison Ray, Charlie Reese and Megan Helmers
- Caricature Art: Scott McBride
- Graphic Design: On Pitch
- Video Editing: Chris Fenton, Iowa Public Radio
- Audio mixing and production: Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
- Audio recording: Gabe Scheid, xBk, Jeremy Franklin, xBk, and Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
- Digital/IT Manager: Matt Sieren, Iowa Public Radio
- Music Program Director: Al Schares
- Executive Producers: Tobi Parks, xBk, Thomas Kutz, xBk, Lindsey Moon, Iowa Public Radio
Music:
Sleigh Ride - The Surf Zombies
- Performed by: The Surf Zombies
- Guitar: Brook Hoover
- Guitar: Ian Williams
- Bass: Trevor Treiber
- Drums: Luke Ferguson
- Video by: The Surf Zombies
Santa Claws Is Coming To Town - Brook Hoover
- Performed by: Brook Hoover
- Produced by: Brook Hoover
- Audio mix by: Brook Hoover
Jingle Bells - Jordan Mayland, Courtney Krause and Tom Doggett
- Vocals, piano, bass, drums: Jordan Mayland
- Vocals: Courtney Krause
- Saxophone: Tommy Doggett
- Produced and mixed by Jordan Mayland at Birdroom Studio
- Mastered by Phil Young at The Sonic Factory
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Brother Trucker
- Vocals & guitar: Andrew Fleming
- Lead guitar: Mike Fitzpatrick
- Bass: Lyle Kevin Hogue
- Keyboards and backing vocals: Matt Jesson
- Saxophone: Kyle Gowin
- Drums and percussion: Jim Viner
- Sleigh Bells: Luke Sires
- Audio recording and mixing: Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
- Music and lyrics by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie (1934)
Better Than The Last - Adam Bruce
- Vocal and guitar: Adam Bruce
- Vocals: April Lynn
- Audio recording and mixing: Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
Merry Christmas Baby - NOLA Jazz Band
- Band Leader, Clarinet/Soprano Sax/Vocals: Jeff Kane
- Cornet/Vocals: Scott Davis
- Trombone/Vocals: Myron Peterson
- Vocals: Abbie Sawyer
- Bass: Chris Walsh
- Piano: Jamie Poulson
- Drums: John Spike
- Guitar: Josh Gorman
- Audio recorded and mixing: Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
- Music and lyrics by: Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore (1974)
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding - TWINS
- Performed by: TWINS
- Vocals and guitar: Joel Sires
- Guitar: Toby Sires
- Bass: Devin Ferguson
- Keyboards: Ben Rendall
- Drums: Luke Sires
- Audio recording and mixing: Phil Maass, Iowa Public Radio
- Music and lyrics by Nick Lowe (1974)
Red (Santa Edition) - Elizabeth Moen and Mimi Ke
- Music written and performed by: Elizabeth Moen
- Choreography and performance by: Mimi Ke
- Videography: Peter Mullaney
- Video editing: Peter Mullaney
- Produced by: Lindsey Moon
Run, Rudolph, Run - Ames artist collaboration
- Bass Guitar: Greg Bruna
- Drums: Rachel Dudley
- Keys: Dean Erickson
- Vocals: Bryon Dudley, Rachel Dudley, V Ellsbury, Fred Love, Matt Woods
- Guitars: V Ellsbury, Fred Love, Rudy Miller, Matt Woods
- Produced and mixed by Bryon Dudley at the Spacement Recording Studio in Ames
- Music and lyrics by Chuck Berry (1954)
In The Bleak Midwinter - The A-Sisters
- Videography: Eli Fox of ELIVE Productions
- Performed by: The A-Sisters
- Vocals: Alison Buechler, Ashley Rogers, Allison Bollinger and Charissa Hamel
- Video editing: Chris Fenton of Iowa Public Radio
- Audio mix: Gabe Scheid and Jeremy Franklin, xBK
- Produced by: Madison Ray
The First Noel - The Savage Hearts
- Performed by: The Savage Hearts
- Harp: Annie Savage
- Guitar: Miggs Ramirez
- Mandolin: James Horak
- Bass: Blake Shaw
- Banjo: Alex Flesher
Success Is My Protest - The Kids of Oakridge
- Produced by: DeAn Kelly, Emmett Phillips for Writing History, a program sponsored by Station 1 Records
- Vocals: The Kids of Oakridge
Joy to the World - The Finesse
- Performed by: Krista Guillaume, AJ Young and Gabe Scheid
- Vocals: Krista Guillaume
- Piano: AJ Young
- Saxophone: Gabe Scheid
Stand-Up Comedy - Dante Powell
- Written and performed by: Dante Powell
- Produced by: Madison Ray and Lindsey Moon
- Audio mix: Gabe Scheid, xBk
- Video editing: Chris Fenton, Iowa Public Radio
Little Drummer Boy - Shevalia
- Performed by: Shevalia
- Saxophone: Gabe Scheid
- Guitar: Sean Veeder
- Drums: Nic Addelia
- Videography: Eli Fox of ELIVE Productions
- Video editing: Chris Fenton of Iowa Public Radio
- Audio mix: Gabe Scheid and Jeremy Franklin, xBK
- Produced by: Madison Ray
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Max Wellman
- Vocals: Max Wellman
- Piano: Nate Sparks
- Bass: Steve Charlson
- Drums: Benjamin Poppen
- Trumpet: Dave Rezek
- Alto saxophone: Bryan Schumacker
- Baritone saxophone: Jim Romain
- Arrangement: Dave Rezek
- Words & Music: Irving Berlin
XMash Mash - Blake Shaw
- Written and performed by: Blake Shaw
- Video editing and production: Dan Bolsem, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
On The Darkest Night (You Can See The Stars) - Ducharme-Jones
- Co-written by: Anne and David
- Ducharme-Jones
- Guitar and vocals: David and Anne Ducharme-Jones
- Bass guitar: Scot Sutherland
- Drums and percussion: Jim Stevens
- Pedal steel: Al Kabela
Count Your Blessings - Dan Padley
- Performed by: Dan Padley
- Audio mix: Dan Padley
Better Times Ahead (Nada Nother Christmas Song) - The Nadas
- Written and performed by: Jason Walsmith, Mike Butterworth, Brandon Stone, Brian Duffey and Jerry Floyd
- Vocals: Jason Walsmith, Mike Butterworth, Brandon Stone, Brian Duffey, Mitchell Walsmith and Jerry Floyd
- Guitars: Jason Walsmith and Mike Butterworth
- Bass: Brian Duffey
- Drums: Brandon Stone
- Produced and Engineered by Mike Butterworth at Franklin Jr. High
- Mixed by Jon Locker at Sonic Factory Studios
Stick To The List - Lily DeTaeye
- Written and Performed by: Lily DeTaeye
- Vocals: Lily DeTaeye
- Piano: Lily DeTaeye
- Lead Guitar: Thomas Kutz
- Rhythm Guitar: Tony Dehner, recorded by Phil Maass
- Bass: Tobi Parks
- Percussion: Gabe Scheid and Lily DeTaeye
- Produced by Lily DeTaeye with Thomas Kutz, Tobi Parks, and Gabe Scheid
- Mixed by Phil Maass and Gabe Scheid
- Mastered by Gabe Scheid
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Charlie Reese and Madison Ray
- Performed by: Charlie Reese and Madison Ray, vocals
- Piano: AJ Young
- Audio mix: Gabe Scheid and Jeremy Franklin, xBk
- Produced by: Madison Ray
