Williamsburg Artists Release Holiday Album “Peace” for Charity

A group of five artists from Williamsburg has launched a new holiday album titled “Peace,” featuring a blend of original songs that celebrate themes of unity, hope, and the holiday spirit. The album includes a variety of musical styles, from folk to rap, reflecting a creative collaboration among long-time friends and musicians.

The tracklist encompasses ten original songs, with highlights such as “My Menorah Said to Me,” a tribute to Hanukkah, and “Peace on Earth,” which features lyrics in multiple languages. One standout track, “Rumba Ruined Christmas,” humorously depicts a robotic vacuum cleaner causing chaos during Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve. Ken Ashby, a songwriter and one of the album’s creators, described the scene: “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.”

A Collaborative Effort for a Cause

The album is a joint effort by Ashby, his wife Maris Segal, along with Dick Smith, Cabot Wade, and John Tracy, the latter three being members of the local Smith-Wade Band. Having collaborated creatively for decades, the artists decided to produce a holiday compilation in February 2023, aiming to spread joy during the festive season.

A portion of the album’s sales will support the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg and its programs for children and teenagers. Segal, who is a leadership consultant and runs Segal Leadership Global LLC with Ashby, expressed the importance of combining music with charitable efforts. “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 let’s just do something really joyful with it,” she said.

In a modern twist, the team leveraged generative AI to help create a radio-ready product before the holiday season. The artists utilized this technology to refine their original lyrics and music, tailoring each song’s sound, including aspects such as voice type, pacing, and instrumentation. Ashby noted, “It was an amazing way to hone and redevelop your work, just like if you were recording in a studio. We felt free to go from the heartfelt to the absurd.”

A Musical Journey Rooted in Friendship

The connection among the musicians runs deep. Ashby and Smith have known each other since high school in Tennessee, where they began writing songs together as teenagers. All five musicians share a background with Up with People, a global nonprofit focused on music and service.

Ashby and Segal initially moved to Williamsburg in 2019 after planning programs for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown in 2007. Ashby, an accomplished music producer, has penned over 200 songs throughout his career and earned a major British music award in 1984 for the theme song “That’s Livin’ Alright.” The Smith-Wade Band, established in 1971, has become a staple of the Hampton Roads music scene, known for its diverse mix of rock, folk, and R&B.

The album “Peace” aims to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Segal, who brings a unique perspective as a Jewish woman married to the son of a Baptist pastor, emphasizes the importance of connection. “We are all connected as humanity first, and every song on this album has heart in a different way,” she stated.

For those looking to gift something meaningful this holiday season, “Peace” offers an ideal option. Available for $9.99 as a digital download at payhip.com/b/r1k9E, each purchase contributes $2 to the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg. Additionally, the album will debut in its entirety on WMBG Radio, FM 93.5 The Burg and WMBG AM 740, on December 25, 2023.

As the holiday season approaches, the album “Peace” stands as a celebration of creativity, friendship, and community spirit, inviting listeners to share in the joy of music while supporting a worthy cause.