More than a dozen former Mouseketeers reunited virtually to create a 17-track holiday album, Why? Because It's Christmas, that not only delivers sonic cheer, but financial support to those directly impacted by COVID-19. - Ana Monroy Yglesias | GRAMMY.com | DEC 17, 2020
Hosted by Nashville's TONY LUCCA, Mouseketeers reunited in Nashville December 9-10, 2023 for the first time since the album’s 2020 release to perform it live supporting MusiCares® and their work to help music people in need.
Watch Weekend Recap:
Concert Now Streaming On Demand at MMCHolidays.org
Featuring: Tony Lucca (The Voice), Rhona Bennett (En Vogue), Chasen Hampton (The Party), Deedee Magno Hall (The Party, Steven Universe), Jennifer McGill, Jason Carson, David Kater, Raquel Herring, Jason Minor, Mylin Brooks Stoddard, Dale Godboldo, and Albert JeunePierre Fields (The Party).
Presented by our MMC'89 Social Impact Initiative, the weekend of events featured:
Day of Service at Second Harvest Food Bank;
Club Member/Mo'Fam-only Kickback;
Live-streamed Concert;
After-Party;
and a late night hang at Justin Timberlake's Twelve Thirty Club.
Thanks to the generous support of our fans, friends, donors, and sponsors, we raised more than $140,000 in ticket sales, donations, and grants/commitments to help the Mouseketeers Create Impact.
Come on inside!
Concert Highlights
Concert Now Streaming On Demand at MMCHolidays.org
"I Wish You Peace" by The Party feat. MMC'89
MMC'89 - Reunited Cast of The 'All New' Mickey Mouse Club
Recap reel by: Yvette Cherkala (Always In The Club)
Recap reel by: Deedee Magno Hall (Mouseketeer)
GETTING THE WORD OUT
In the days leading up to the show, Mouseketeers appeared on numerous media outlets and podcasts to promote their reunion and their mission to support MusiCares.
The organization helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. They provide a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas:
Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services: Support, referrals, and emergency financial assistance.
Health Services: Financial assistance during medical crises and preventive services.
Human Services: Support for basic living expenses like rent, utilities, car payments and insurance premiums in times of hardship.
In the video clip below, Tony Lucca shares with Lightning100 why the reunited Mouseketeers support MusiCares.
You can make a donation to MusiCares through our campaign link on their website, and it lets them know that Tony and the Mouseketeers sent you ;)
And you can catch Tony's entire interview including his beautiful performance of "Home for the Holidays" by clicking here.
Tony also teamed up with Jennifer McGill on the Disney Universe Podcast talking all things Mickey Mouse Club and Why? Because It's Christmas... and it's fantastic.
The 'Nashville Crew' hit Today in Nashville to tease the show with an incredible performance of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" featuring Jennifer, Tony, Jason Carson, and Jason Minor.
DAY OF SERVICE
The day before the concert, Tony and his daughter teamed up with fans to volunteer for Second Harvest Food Bank as part of our MMC'89 Initiative.
Our team helped sort more than 4,000 pounds of food that will serve more than 3,000 meals to those who need it most this holiday season. Sending our love and gratitude to all of Tony's Mo'Fam and our Always In The Club Members who gave their time.
CLUB MEMBER KICKBACK
We then held our Mo'Fam/Club Member-only Kickback hosted by Drury Plaza Downtown Nashville, where our 'fanmily' was able to grab selfies and autographs, and kick it with the 'Teers. Thank you for hosting us, Drury!
Giving a special shout out to the Curb Free Foundation who sponsored a fan's trip to Nashville to see the concert and meet Jennifer McGill, her favorite Mouseketeer. We absolutely love this moment captured on video below. Thanks, Curb Free!
Reel by: Jennifer McGill (Mouseketeer)
REHEARSALS
After the kick-back was a late-night rehearsal. The album was produced virtually around the country and at the height of the pandemic, so this event was the first time the Mouseketeers were able to collaborate in person on Why? Because It's Christmas. Tony Lucca provided musical direction throughout the evening.
BACKSTAGE PRE-SHOW
The next morning, before the show, Mouseketeers invited their fan-mily backstage for an official photo op - the perfect memento of the weekend.
It was also amazing to have special guests join us like the wonderful Susan Eagan and her daughter! She is best known for originating the role of Belle in the Broadway musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, as well as for providing the voices of Megara in Hercules, Madame Gina in Porco Rosso, Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond in Steven Universe, and Lin in Spirited Away. Thanks for supporting us, Susan!
You can download all photo ops here.
SHOWTIME
Hosted by Tony, the 'Teers hit the stage at 12:30pm on Sunday, December 10, 2023 for an historic performance of holiday classics.
Why? Because It's Christmas was live-streamed from Music City's iconic 3rd and Lindsley that donated 100% of the ticket profits to our mission. THANK YOU to Ron and everyone at the venue who supported this very special concert.
Download all pictures here
Sending a huge thank you to Sir James Dentley who made a generous contribution to help us produce this extraordinary show.
We're excited to share that we've partnered with his JD3TV to bring new audiences exciting new content presented by Mouseketeers... starting with Why? Because It's Christmas! You can now buy the concert for $9.99 on JD3TV and watch it on demand.
Special thanks to Volume who produced the livestream that is still available on their site for purchase, as well. You guys are amazing. Thank you!
AFTER-PARTY
After the show... we partied with a purpose at the official After-party hosted by Jackalope Brewery with the legendary Daddy's Dogs in the house! Featuring raw and impromptu performances by the Mouseketeers, it was the perfect way to wrap up our event with our friends and fans. Huge thank you to Jackalope and Daddy for giving so much to our event.
Photos by: Club Member Stephanie Ropp O'Connor
Tony Lucca and Jennifer McGill
Tony Lucca and Chasen Hampton
The Party's Chasen Hampton & Deedee Magno Hall
Jason and Misty Carson
And after all of the festivities, the Mouseketeers hit Justin Timberlake's Twelve Thirty Club for dinner and a late night hang. Special thank you to Meaghan and Jessica over there. We had a blast! And guys... the food is soooo good!
Finally, we want to thank our publicist Kristen Foley, our videographer/photographer Paul Pfau, our lighting maestro Adam Erickson, and all of our volunteers for your hard work and dedication to making this something truly special. And thank you to the band: Nick Bearden, Brian Fechino, Matt Ferranti, and Billy Hawn. You guys killed it! But most of all, we want to thank all of the fans, Club Members, and of course... the Mouseketeers. THANK YOU, and have a wonderful holiday!
❤️ Team Always In The Club
Stay tuned for more pics and videos coming soon!
For a deeper dive on the whole weekend, there's a great recap from one of our Club Members here. And please don't forget to visit our silent auction ;)
