ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE DAVIS PHINNEY FOUNDATION
Hope For Christmas
“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.” — Agnes M. Pharo
Our goal is to provide a soundtrack for the holiday season, one of classic images and spirituality to another of family, romance, and hope.
Who We AreHope for Christmas is a music project lead by Michael Raskovsky, a long time recording engineer, broadcaster, advertiser, and producer.
This, our second in the Hope for Christmas series, features an amazing series of performances and unique arrangements of both secular and non secular holiday songs. |
Why We're HereHope for Christmas was created to raise awareness and funds to combat Parkinson's disease.
We are partnering with the Davis Phinney Foundation who's mission statement is to promote and fund innovative research that seeks to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s. |
Lauren Kehn - Davis Phinney Foundation
Michael Raskovsky
Davis Phinney
Davis Phinney is an Olympic Bronze medalist and Tour de France stage winner who has celebrated the most victories of any cyclist in American history. Four years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Davis started the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2004 to promote and fund innovative research that seeks to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s.
The Musicians
Geoffrey hill is a musician and songwriter born in 1978 in Houston TX.
Most notably he has been the lead guitar player, harmony singer, and one of the songwriters for the Randy Rogers Band since 2001.
He lives in New Braunfels TX with his wife and three kids where he continues to write, play shows as a singer/songwriter, and play with the Randy Rogers Band.
Geoffrey performed “Hallelujah” as a duet with his dad, George Hill, on the “Hope For Christmas” debut album.
https://www.randyrogersband.com
Emerson Chambers
Emerson Chambers started he musical journey in Birmingham, Alabama before moving to Houston, Muscle Shoals, and eventually Music City…Nashville.
Emerson has been featured on the previous Hope for Christmas albums, performing John Gorka’s arrangement of “Christmas Bells” and the haunting “Lullay Lully”.
Emerson has been featured on the previous Hope for Christmas albums, performing John Gorka’s arrangement of “Christmas Bells” and the haunting “Lullay Lully”.
Tim Gorman
Tim Gorman is an award-winning music producer, arranger, composer, keyboardist, and vocalist.
In thirty years in the Music and Film Industry, Tim has worked with major artists including The Who, The Rolling Stones, Duane Eddy, and John Hiatt, and in addition, is a successful solo artist. Film scoring credits include James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and Columbia Pictures “No Small Affair.” Gaming Industry contributing works include Electronic Arts, The Sims, and Spore. https://www.timgorman.com
In thirty years in the Music and Film Industry, Tim has worked with major artists including The Who, The Rolling Stones, Duane Eddy, and John Hiatt, and in addition, is a successful solo artist. Film scoring credits include James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and Columbia Pictures “No Small Affair.” Gaming Industry contributing works include Electronic Arts, The Sims, and Spore. https://www.timgorman.com
Faith Lee
From an age she likely doesn’t recall, Faith has had the energy of music flowing thru her life. Collecting awards and recognition has become gratifying and motivating, resulting in her continuing growth, not only as a talented singer, but a budding songwriter. Her latest achievement has been the Josie Music Award for The Young Adult Vocalist of the Year and the Songwriting Achievement Award (Personal Composition) in 2021 .
Her interests include swimming, basketball, and traveling, but above all, her passion remains music, where she hopes to carve out a successful career.
Faith’s rendition of “What Child is This” takes on a soft, jazzy ballad approach where she is accompanied by pianist Craig Zinger, Chris Saunders on cornet and Brad Houser on fretless bass.
@faithleemusic for Facebook and Instagram
Her interests include swimming, basketball, and traveling, but above all, her passion remains music, where she hopes to carve out a successful career.
Faith’s rendition of “What Child is This” takes on a soft, jazzy ballad approach where she is accompanied by pianist Craig Zinger, Chris Saunders on cornet and Brad Houser on fretless bass.
@faithleemusic for Facebook and Instagram
Jeff Jimerson
Jeff Jimerson has a voice so powerful and pure that it stands out regardless the song. Pair him with a great piece of music and the result is magical.
His rendition of the classic “Let it Snow” takes on a whole new meaning with the slow tempo and beautiful orchestration from Jamie Peck. Jeff’s voice is the one hockey fans hear at every Pittsburgh Penguin’s home game, where he sings the National Anthem and “O Canada” for the visiting Canadian teams.
For years, Jeff was a vocalist and bassist for the B.E. Taylor Christmas shows throughout the Greater Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
His rendition of the classic “Let it Snow” takes on a whole new meaning with the slow tempo and beautiful orchestration from Jamie Peck. Jeff’s voice is the one hockey fans hear at every Pittsburgh Penguin’s home game, where he sings the National Anthem and “O Canada” for the visiting Canadian teams.
For years, Jeff was a vocalist and bassist for the B.E. Taylor Christmas shows throughout the Greater Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
Pete Hewlett
Pete Hewlett is a renowned singer with a world wide resume and Pittsburgh roots. Pete has toured and recorded with Billy Joel, Elton John, Carly Simon, Joe Jackson, Julian Lennon, Amy Grant and Eric Carmen.
Pete joined Billy Joel for 1984’s “Innocent Man” tour as well as “The Bridge” world tour and in 2008, reconnected with Billy Joel for “The Last Play at Shea Concerts”, featuring Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Roger Daltrey, Don Henley and Sir Paul McCartney.
Pete lives in Pittsburgh with his family and continues to write, record and perform.
Find Pete at: https://hewlettanderson.com
Pete joined Billy Joel for 1984’s “Innocent Man” tour as well as “The Bridge” world tour and in 2008, reconnected with Billy Joel for “The Last Play at Shea Concerts”, featuring Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Roger Daltrey, Don Henley and Sir Paul McCartney.
Pete lives in Pittsburgh with his family and continues to write, record and perform.
Find Pete at: https://hewlettanderson.com
Sage Johnston
Sage Johnston is an independent musician and producer from Houston, Texas.
Her music combines upbeat pop vocals and ethereal sound while exploring topics like heartbreak and intimacy. The sad girl with a bubbly smile vibe of her music contradicts itself in a relatable way.
Sage’s cover of “Last Christmas” somehow makes the WHAM! classic even poppier all while bringing out the true emotional depths of past loss and promise of the future.
Find Sage at www.sage.wtf
Instagram: @sagemusicofficial
TikTok: @sage.wtf
Bandcamp: sage-wtf.bandcamp.com
Her music combines upbeat pop vocals and ethereal sound while exploring topics like heartbreak and intimacy. The sad girl with a bubbly smile vibe of her music contradicts itself in a relatable way.
Sage’s cover of “Last Christmas” somehow makes the WHAM! classic even poppier all while bringing out the true emotional depths of past loss and promise of the future.
Find Sage at www.sage.wtf
Instagram: @sagemusicofficial
TikTok: @sage.wtf
Bandcamp: sage-wtf.bandcamp.com
Nick James
Hailing from the cornfields and factory towns of Illinois, Nick James graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after, he would meet his musical and life partner, Paige DeChausse lead vocalist of their band, The Reverent Few.
Nick James has toured the U.K. and shared the stage and
opened for Brian Wilson, Rick Derringer, Taj Mahal,
Robert Randolph, Mavis Staples, Edgar Winter and more. Never having lost sight of expanding musicianship, Nick James continues to perform as an Artist, Producer, Writer, Vocalist, and Session Musician across the country. His enthusiasm and passionate performance is at once infectious and mesmerizing.
Nick James: https://thereverentfew.com/
Nick James has toured the U.K. and shared the stage and
opened for Brian Wilson, Rick Derringer, Taj Mahal,
Robert Randolph, Mavis Staples, Edgar Winter and more. Never having lost sight of expanding musicianship, Nick James continues to perform as an Artist, Producer, Writer, Vocalist, and Session Musician across the country. His enthusiasm and passionate performance is at once infectious and mesmerizing.
Nick James: https://thereverentfew.com/
Norman Towler
The Tres Leches recorded Hope For Christmas in a whirlwind session at the Towler Immobile studios in Texas. Having been Dos Leches for so long, the addition of the third element changed the face, arms and legs of music for 5 minutes.
These three amigos are steeped in the Scottish and Norwegian folk tradition often performing such memorable numbers as “Och Aye Where’s Ma Ma?”, “There’s Nae Mair Porridge Eddie” and “Aurora Borealis Suite - Ja, Det Er Mine Tanker” in clubs in South Texas where the deer and the antelope play. Watch out for their fourth album, Tres Leches At the Carnegie Deli, coming next year.
They have a special message in a bottle for everyone who has supported the making of this album and Hope for Cures this Christmas.
Find Norman at www.rhymingmusic.com
These three amigos are steeped in the Scottish and Norwegian folk tradition often performing such memorable numbers as “Och Aye Where’s Ma Ma?”, “There’s Nae Mair Porridge Eddie” and “Aurora Borealis Suite - Ja, Det Er Mine Tanker” in clubs in South Texas where the deer and the antelope play. Watch out for their fourth album, Tres Leches At the Carnegie Deli, coming next year.
They have a special message in a bottle for everyone who has supported the making of this album and Hope for Cures this Christmas.
Find Norman at www.rhymingmusic.com
Paul Whitney
Paul Whitney is a producer and songwriter based in Austin, Texas.
He has produced three full length solo records under the name “Windupsmiles” with a fourth set to be released in 2022.
He loves to write about Austin and its residents as the city slowly sorts out its ongoing identity crisis.
Paul's rendition of the holiday classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" takes a very gentle approach, even though the track's basic structure is a synthesized bass line.
Paul's vocals can certainly be described as compelling, sweet, and endearing.
Contact Paul @windupsmiles
He has produced three full length solo records under the name “Windupsmiles” with a fourth set to be released in 2022.
He loves to write about Austin and its residents as the city slowly sorts out its ongoing identity crisis.
Paul's rendition of the holiday classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" takes a very gentle approach, even though the track's basic structure is a synthesized bass line.
Paul's vocals can certainly be described as compelling, sweet, and endearing.
Contact Paul @windupsmiles