En route to a Thanksgiving Eve Turkey Bowl battle, I constructed an idea I haven’t stopped thinking about since. So, hello, Penn State Blue Band. Take a seat and hear me out.

As I opened Spotify to select what music I wanted to listen to on the drive over, there was only one option that even crossed my mind: the Penn State Blue Band. For those who don’t know, the Blue Band has an album of its greatest hits on Spotify, and I’m probably one of its top listeners.

This Blue Band album was the obvious music choice to hype me up as I got ready to take the field. After three years as a student at Penn State, I’ve grown quite accustomed to hearing those glorious tunes before any football game. The swell of “Fight on State” had me ready to take on an army as I laced up my cleats.

Following my MVP performance in the game (two receiving touchdowns, threw for a third, and had two interceptions, not to brag), I went home to shower and got ready to head into Philadelphia. Every year, my family goes into downtown Philadelphia on the day before Thanksgiving, stays the night, and watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade the next morning.

We listened to Christmas music on the way into the city, getting ourselves into the spirit for the beginning of the holiday season. As I listened to the familiar tune of holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls,” I wondered to myself, “What if you combined the joy of Christmas music with the spirit of the Blue Band?”

It wasn’t long before I saw a glimpse of an answer. The following morning during the parade, I watched several high school marching bands perform renditions of various Christmas classics. At this point, I had made up my mind. The Blue Band needs to record a Christmas album.

So now, Blue Band, I speak directly to you. Please hear my plea.

I know you’ve probably got a little bit more free time on your hands now that the football season is over, so it’s the perfect time to get cracking on some musically-induced holiday cheer. It may be a bit too late for this holiday season, but I’m hoping that making this request now will give you plenty of time to prepare for a November 2024 release.

Just imagine… the trumpets blaring the triumphant melody of “Jingle Bells,” paving the way for the woodwinds to take over a softer section for the verses. As the final refrain concludes, the drums carry the beat onto the next tune: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” It would be magical.

I leave you with these borrowed words from a close, personal, elf friend of mine: “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing playing loud for all to hear.”

Happy holidays, Blue Band.