Williamsburg Artists Launch Holiday Album to Spread Joy

A new holiday album titled “Peace” features original songs by five artists from Williamsburg, capturing the essence of the festive season. This collaborative effort includes themes of unity, hope, kindness, and love, alongside unique tracks such as “Rumba Ruined Christmas.” This particular song humorously imagines a robotic vacuum cleaner inadvertently disrupting Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.

Songwriter Ken Ashby, who co-wrote “Rumba Ruined Christmas” with his wife, Maris Segal, explained the playful concept behind the track: “It’s midnight, and nobody ever told the Rumba not to clean the living room. It all just goes crazy, and poor Santa has quite a time.”

The album, a joint project by Ashby, Segal, and fellow musicians Dick Smith, Cabot Wade, and John Tracy—members of the Smith-Wade Band—features ten original songs. Notable tracks include “My Menorah Said to Me,” celebrating Hanukkah, and “Peace on Earth,” which incorporates lyrics in multiple languages. A portion of the album’s sales will support the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg and its initiatives for children and teenagers.

Segal expressed the motivation behind the album, stating, “Music is a great unifier, and Kiwanis is a huge passion for me and Ken. We thought, let’s combine these two great things and do something really joyful with it.”

The creative journey for “Peace” began in February, and the artists utilized generative AI to expedite the production process. By inputting their original lyrics and music into the software, they tailored each song’s sound, adjusting elements such as voice type and tempo. Ashby remarked on the innovative approach, stating, “It was an amazing way to hone and redevelop your work, just like if you were recording in a studio.”

The finished album spans various genres, including folk, pop, and even street rap, as showcased in the lively track “Bethlehem — Jump Rope Rhyme.” The collaborative spirit of the group is rooted in their long-standing friendships, with Ashby and Smith having met in high school in Tennessee. All five artists share a history with Up with People, a global music and service nonprofit that promotes cultural exchange.

Both Ashby and Segal moved to Williamsburg in 2019 after initially visiting to promote the 400th anniversary of Jamestown in 2007. Ashby has an extensive background in music production, having penned over 200 songs and won a British music award in 1984 for the theme song of an English television show. The Smith-Wade Band has been a staple in the Hampton Roads music scene since 1971, known for their diverse performances that blend rock, folk, and R&B.

The artists aim for “Peace” to resonate with audiences of all ages and faiths. Segal, who is Jewish, emphasizes the universal themes present in the album, stating, “We are all connected as humanity first, and every song on this album has heart in a different way.”

For those looking for meaningful gifts this holiday season, Segal encourages listeners to consider the album. “What could beat sharing some new music and helping out some great kids? Nothing could be a better gift,” she said.

“Peace” is available for $9.99 as a digital download at payhip.com/b/r1k9E, with $2 from each purchase going to the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg. The album is set to debut in its entirety on WMBG Radio, FM 93.5 The Burg and WMBG AM 740, on December 25, 2023.