LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Records) - This past summer The Chesterfield
Kings were asked to write a Christmas song for the new Sony / Columbia Tri-Star film 'Christmas With The Kranks,' which stars Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Akroyd, and Cheech Marin. The film is based on a novel by John Grisham and was directed by Joe Roth (America's Sweethearts) and produced by Chris Columbus. The movie opens in theaters November 25.
The Chesterfield
Kings new original used in the film is "Hey
Santa Claus" which was co-produced by
Little Steven Van Zandt and the band. The song also appears on the Hollywood Records 'Christmas With The Kranks' Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
To celebrate the 'Christmas With The Kranks' film a special happening is planned at the Water Street
Music Hall on December 11, 2004 when
Little Steven's Underground Garage presents "Christmas A Go - Go!" featuring The Chesterfield
Kings with special guests from Pittsburgh - The CYNICS, from
Boston - The Charms (also on the Christmas with the Kranks' soundtrack), from Cleveland - The Rainy Day Saints and opening the show St. Phillips Escalator. The show will be hosted and MC'd by
Little Steven and sponsored by 96 WCMF and Freetime. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster - $15 advance $17 day of the show.
Van Zandt, the executive producer for the 'Christmas with the Kranks' soundtrack, has overseen what's certainly the rock n' roll holiday album of this season, which includes brand new
Little Steven-arranged-and-produced recordings of original songs and classics by rockers Davie Allan & The Arrows, The Charms, Jean Beauvoir, newcomer
Tina Sugandh and a cast version of his own holiday song "Navidad." These exciting tracks are amongst original and classic songs from The Raveonettes, The Ramones, Brenda Lee, The Butties, Elvis Presley, and a mind-blowing version of "The Nutcracker Suite" by The
Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Hollywood Records will release the Original Motion Picture
Soundtrack 'Christmas with the Kranks' on November 23.
Track Listing:
Ramones "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)"
The Charms "Frosty The Snowman"
The
Raveonettes "
The Christmas Song"
Tina Sugandh "
White Christmas"
Jean Beauvoir "Merry Christmas to All the World"
Rene Lavan and Austin Pendleton from the Cast "Navidad
Davie Allan & the Arrows "
Feliz Navidad"
The Chesterfield
Kings "Hey
Santa Claus"
Brenda Lee "
Jingle Bell Rock"
The Butties "Joy to the World"
The
Brian Setzer Orchestra "The Nutcracker Suite"
Elvis Presley "
Blue Christmas"
He hosts the acclaimed
Little Steven's Underground Garage, a syndicated, weekly radio show that airs in over 190 markets in North
America (locally on WCMF), as well as 45 countries, and is Executive Producer of the Underground Garage channel on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. This past summer, he started
Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival, a history-making event that took place August 14, 2004 in New York City and featured over forty bands in a single day. Over 15,000 fans attended despite repeated hurricane warnings.
Being the coolest D.J. in the country is just the latest chapter in a long and distinguished musical career. Van Zandt is an acclaimed record producer for artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Artists United Against Apartheid, Darlene Love, Lone Justice, Gary U.S. Bonds, Michael Monroe, Lords of the New Church, and the Arc Angels. A gifted songwriter, he has written songs for artists including Jimmy Cliff, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Brian Setzer, and Darlene Love.
In addition, Steven is a well-known musician in his own right, performing as a founding member of
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as well as with his own band
Little Steven and the
Disciples of Soul. In 1999 Steven added yet another facet to his mercurial career: acting. He plays Silvio
Dante in HBO's critically acclaimed dramatic series, The Sopranos, which completed its fifth season this year.
