Rock By The Sea Produces Eighth Annual Charity Christmas Album

Stream it HERE

Atlanta, GA. (Oct. 30, 2017 Press Release) – In the spirit of the season, Rock By The Sea (www.RockByTheSea.org) combines goodwill and holiday cheer by producing their eighth annual charity Christmas record. A Florida-based non-profit, Rock By The Sea produces music events and products in hopes of inspiring fans to raise money for philanthropic causes, specifically in support of pediatric cancer research and treatment. Since inception, Rock By The Sea has donated more than $500,000 to the cause. With the release of their new holiday CD, the organization hopes to contribute even more.
 
“A Rock By The Sea Christmas :: Volume Eight is full of generosity from some of our favorite artists,” says Beth Gosnell, the charity’s President. “We are so grateful for the contributions of these artists and thrilled to be able to present them to you for this Christmas.”
 
A Rock By The Sea Christmas :: Volume Eight includes a mixture of traditional Christmas favorites, as well as original holiday songs unique to the record. Among the beneficiaries is Camp Sunshine, an Atlanta, Ga-based foundation that provides support for children with cancer and their families through recreational and educational programs.

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Track Listing:
1. Keaton Simons “Eyes Light Up At Christmas”
2. FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS “Ding Dong Merrily On High”
3. Carly Burruss “Red And Green”
4. Pat McGee “No Warmer Place”
5, Jeff Crosby “Christmas In The Palms”
6. Joel Madison Blount “O Come O Come Emmanuel”
7. The Mrs. “What Christmas Means To Me”
8. Brent Shuttleworth “The God In You”
9. The Wealthy West “Carol Of The Bells”
10. Lang Freeman “Auld Lang Syne”
 
A Rock By The Sea Christmas :: Volume Eight is available now through the charity’s website at www.RockByTheSea.org as well as digital music stores including iTunes, Amazon.com and Google Play, and streaming outlets including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.
 
About Rock By The Sea
Rock By The Sea raises money for worthwhile charities through music by producing events and selling music-related merchandise. It has also spawned a community that shares a passion for music, collectively driven to affect change and play its part in eradicating cancer. We hope you will join our effort and be a part of our community as we continue to press forward, year after year, to make a difference through music and through love. www.RockByTheSea.org

A Rock By The Sea Christmas :: Volume Eight
Track-by-Track
 
Keaton Simons “Eyes Light Up At Christmas” (original)
“Eyes Light Up At Christmas” is one of the lovely pieces that came of the collaboration between Keaton Simons and the late, great Elaine Macaluso. Every year artists and songwriters start circulating their winter holiday songs during the super warm months of summer, and it was Elaine’s dearest wish that “Eyes Light Up” would light up eyes all over the world… at Christmas and always.
 
FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS “Ding Dong Merrily On High” (traditional)
FRIENDSWITHBENEFITS is the synth-y / pop side project from The Rocketboys’ Justin Wiseman, who says, “I chose ‘Ding Dong Merrily On High’ because it's got such a cool, upbeat melody and it's a little more obscure than other Christmas carols. I heard the song originally from a rendition by Canadian Brass. And synthesizers make similar sounds bright sounds to brass instruments, so I thought it would be awesome to combine that vibe with a nice, fun groove!”
 
Carly Burruss “Red And Green” (original)
“People seem to be discouraged about the state of our country these days,” says Burruss. “As I sat down to write ‘Red And Green’ it came out as funny and no-doubt country, but most importantly, it's an upbeat bit of encouragement to anyone feeling down around the most wonderful time of the year!'
 
Pat McGee “No Warmer Place” (original)
A blend of americana, jazz, and golden light, Pat McGee's “No Warmer Place” is a jovial and comforting melody that will take you back to childhood days and those wonderful Christmas mornings/moments spent with loved ones.
 
Jeff Crosby “Christmas In The Palms” (original)
“I wrote this song after spending my first winter in LA after moving from Idaho,” states Crosby. “The strange feeling of there being no snow and palm trees adorned with Christmas lights down Santa Monica Blvd… it just didn’t feel right and had me missing home. Thinking about how much I actually enjoyed the cold and snow, especially during the holidays, the second verse describes my starting to long for home.”
 
Joel Madison Blount “O Come O Come Emmanuel” (traditional)
Joel Madison Blount's take on the classic Advent hymn. This hymn perfectly captures the longing, aching, hope and joy of the Advent season.
 
The Mrs. “What Christmas Means To Me” (recorded by Stevie Wonder and others)
Stevie Wonder’s style and talent is legendary - we always wanted to cover of one his songs. Taking on the challenge to make it our own was an adventure and a whole lot of fun!! With this one in particular, we loved the meaning behind this song, thinking about what Christmas means to us and how we cherish celebrating the holiday with our families and our friends. - The Mrs.
 
Brent Shuttleworth “The God In You” (original)
“The God In You” is based on the idea of Namaste. It's about acknowledging and respecting the light and life inside of yourself, as the light and life inside of everyone and everything else. The war within is the war without. True empathy is self-love directed outwards. It is the true appreciation of difference.
 
The Wealthy West “Carol Of The Bells” (traditional)
“I chose ‘Carol Of The Bells’ because I thought it would be a fun challenge,” reports Brandon Kinder of The Wealthy West. “I LOVE Christmas music, and I felt like I hadn't really heard many non-choral versions of the song. I think it turned out pretty special, and hope you do, too.”
 
Lang Freeman “Auld Lang Syne” (traditional)
“I began arranging my version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ a few years ago as the holidays had come and gone,” says Freeman. “The new year was swiftly approaching and I, like so many folks around late December, was struggling with a previous years’ worth of laments.  I took some creative liberties with the tune (given that it’s 300 or so years old) and penned a few of my own verses, allowing me to personalize the song a bit.  I think what came out is a beautiful song about joy, sorrow, happiness and regret all occupying the same space at the same time.”