Pittsburgh's rock royalty releases 'A Very Yinzer Christmas' to benefit people with autism

Legendary Steel City musicians will release a holiday album Friday that might be the ’Burgh-iest musical compilation to ever hit the airwaves.

“A Very Yinzer Christmas” features holiday tracks by more than 25 Pittsburgh music icons, including Donnie Iris, The Skyliners, Johnny Angel & the Halos, Bill Deasy and Joe Grushecky.

The album is filled with festive favorites produced by Pittsburgh-based MTS Records and benefits Band Together Pittsburgh, a charity that uses music as an instrument to improve the lives of people with autism.

Harrison guitarist Benj Spencer is a member of the Band Together Pittsburgh community, living with autism and singing regularly during open mic events at Moondog’s in Blawnox.

The 27-year-old will make his professional debut on the star-studded album, covering “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” with Beaver Falls native Dave Granati, who gained national recognition opening for Van Halen in the 1980s.

“The fellowship at Band Together Pittsburgh is really impressive,” said Benj’s father, Greg Spencer, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge.

“Everyone shows mutual support. It’s a great environment.”

The elder Spencer serves on the board of Band Together Pittsburgh. He said it took only two trips to open mic night for his son’s confidence to grow.

“I remember him saying, ‘I think I can do that,’ ” Spencer said. “The very next time, he sang to a background track and then it was him and his guitar after that. It’s been great for him and so many others.”

Founded in 2016 by John Vento and Moondog’s owner Ron Esser, Band Together Pittsburgh provides innovative programming to inspire integration, according to the group’s website.

“When we started this thing prior to the pandemic, we had no idea where it was going to go,” Esser said.

“We have created opportunities for people that are unbelievable. People are very excited about what we do.”

Even strangers have approached Esser, he said.

“A woman I didn’t know came up to me in Walmart and thanked me and began to cry,” Esser said. “She said that her son never left his room until Band Together.”

The holiday album, compiled by Vento and Joe Wodarek of The Stickers, has been received wonderfully, Esser said.

“We are blessed.”

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Pittsburgh musicians including Miss Freddye, Scott Blasey of The Clarks and Jeff Jimerson, best known for singing the national anthem at Penguins games, will follow the album release with a performance Dec. 7 at the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall.

“The talent in the Pittsburgh area is incredible and spans generations,” organizer and executive producer Joe Wodarek said. “I want to celebrate all the talent we have in the city while doing something meaningful for some great people from Band Together Pittsburgh.”

The album download is available at yinzerchristmas.com.

Spencer said Band Together Pittsburgh has made music a ministry of sorts.

“They make music accessible to people on the spectrum, and that can make a difference in their lives,” he said.

“I think it’s awesome that all of these different artists are some of the most renowned artists in Pittsburgh, and they’re doing a whole bunch of good.”