Neville and quintet ring in holidays at Buskirk

While the weather outside is frightful, four-time Grammy winner Aaron Neville and his quintet will take the stage with holiday music at 8 p.m. today at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

“Christmas with Aaron Neville” will feature standards from Neville’s past holiday albums, “Christmas Prayer” and “Aaron Neville’s Soulful Christmas,” as well as a new single, “Please Don’t Forget” from his compilation CD “Holiday Party.” 

The CD is in collaboration with The Weather Channel, and a portion of the proceeds will go the Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Campaign. Other artists on the new CD include Ray Charles and the Beach Boys.

“One of the sounds I love about the holiday season is the ‘ring ring’ of Salvation Army bells at red kettles,” Neville said in a press release. ”It brings hope, happiness and awareness to so many around the U.S.”

The Weather Channel, which produces compilation CDs of music played during its forecasts, is selling the digital album. The CD is available at retailers such as Walmart and for download from its Web site.

“We are very excited to expand the Weather Channel music collection with ... ‘Holiday Party,’” said Robyn Coward, director of licensing and merchandising for The Weather Channel, in a press release. “The timing of this campaign aligns perfectly with the holiday season and the recent launch of theweatherchannelmusic.com.”

Jeff Curnow of the Central Territory of The Salvation Army’s public relations office said the advertising budget nationwide is about $4 million, and the red kettles that appear during the holiday season make up 60 percent of the Salvation Army’s funds.

“It’s a fantastic publicity opportunity since we have such a small advertising budget,” Curnow said.

This is Neville’s third annual tour during the holidays with his quintet, and one of his four brothers, Charlie Neville, is playing the saxophone. All of Neville’s
siblings are musicians.

The New Orleans native’s first No. 1 hit was “Tell It Like It Is” in 1966; however, it was followed by a string of troubles during the 1970s. By the ’90s Neville revived his career with the “Warm My Heart” album, which won him two Grammys. By the new millennium, Hurricane Katrina would take Neville in a new direction.

“This is a strange moment in my career,” Neville said on his Web site. “Since Katrina I’ve devoted months and months to benefit concerts – and that’s a blessing.”

The Neville Brothers have revived the New Orleans Jazzfest and have raised money for the city. Neville launched the promotion of the compilation holiday CD and his new single by visiting children and a Salvation Army station in New Orleans.

“‘Please Don’t Forget’ is just a reminder to reach out a hand to our brothers and sisters who may need a little extra help this holiday season and every season for generations to come,” Neville said in a press release.