'Tis the season to start thinking of your favorite DMV music lovers, and we have one special gift that not only brings together some of our favorite local artists but also helps raise money to help provide help to others in our community.

Fourteen different Virginia artists have joined forces with cancer nonprofit The Nancy Langhorne Foundation to release XMAS in VA, a limited edition compilation record on the nonprofit’s label 12/23 Records. All proceeds will be donated to help provide free cancer screenings for the
underserved in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas via EVMS Hopes Clinic and the Bon Secours Richmond Every Woman’s Life Program.

The record contains a mix of classic and original holiday tunes by some of Virginia’s best musical talent, including Andrew Randazzo (Butcher Brown), DJ Williams (DJ Williams Projekt, formerly guitarist of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe), Todd Herrington & Dusty Ray Simmons (Cris Jacobs Band), up and coming jam band favorite Kendall Street Company, Richmond singer/songwriter Deau Eyes, TheLifehacks, Prabir Menta, tan.gent, Kenneka Cook, Peter Pope, Ben White, Shera Shi, and Lena Klett.

From Simmons' funky original Wishlist, to Williams' acoustic take on Joy to the World. The record spans various genres, including rock, pop, country, jazz, funk, and more. Highlights include a live recording of The R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND’s cover of Vince Guaraldi’s Skating from their 2017 show at the Vagabond in Richmond, eclectic covers like Shera Shi’s take on Cindy Lou Who’s Where Are You Christmas? from the Grinch, and Kendall Street Company’s Truckin’ Trees for Christmas by country musician Red Simpson, plus a very rockin’ and catchy tribute to the Elf on a Shelf by Norfolk’s TheLifeHacks.

 The release is limited to 500 copies and hand-numbered with album art by designer and illustrator Nate Cepis. A standard black vinyl option, a white vinyl variant, and a clear white splatter variant will be available.

The Nancy Langhorne Foundation and 12/23 Records might sound very familiar to those in the jam band community - in particular, Phish, Trey Anastasio, and Bill Kreutzmann.  In 2022, the foundation partnered with the late James Casey, the brilliant saxophonist most widely known for his association with Trey Anastasio Band and Billy & The Kids, to create a charity record. Casey passed away last year of colon cancer. 

This record is dedicated in James Casey's memory. We wish everyone in our cherished DMV community a very happy and especially healthy holiday season and new year.  We hope you find it in your musical heart to bring the joy of music to a loved one this season and help our community stay healthy.