“A must-see live performer.”
Maurice Starr
In the glowing constellation of holiday music, “Christmas Past” orbits like a comet—bright, seasonal, and streaking with possibility. When Jody Whitesides first set out to shape a holiday album in 2006, he wasn’t chasing tradition; he was bending it. Half the songs bloomed from his solo songwriting, half from co-creation and curation, but the title track, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’, became the lantern leading the way forward.
“Christmas Past” feels like stepping through a doorway made of tinsel and light. Guitars ring like sleigh bells built for a new century. The rhythm leans into pop-rock confidence. And the melody? It sparkles with that unmistakable Jody signature—the sound of an independent artist refusing to let creativity play small.
“[Jody’s] performances and material show lots of skill and craft without sacrificing heart or conviction.”
Music Connection Magazine
After initial studies at Berklee in Boston, Jody flew west to achieve his ambitions, studying at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood. An LA showcase performance caught the ear of a talent scout, and soon thereafter, entertainment impresario Maurice Starr became interested as a consultant. Given Starr’s track record, his desire to work with Jody is not one to be taken lightly.
Central to Jody’s potential is his tireless work ethic and fighter’s heart. As a former competitive athlete — in freestyle skiing, he was ranked among the top 20 in the US. Now on he’s on the verge of turning pro in the sport of pickleball. He’s learned the tenacity and effort required to achieve his ambitions. He brings that fiery drive from the slopes and the courts to the studio and the stage.
Much like Jody and his towering, 6’4” frame, this album gathers every Christmas memory you’ve ever carried: the hush of snowfall, the warmth of family, the electric pulse of anticipation. Then it rearranges them, asking gently: What if the next chapter of this holiday was brighter than the last? What if nostalgia and innovation could dance? It’s a seasonal time machine, humming with hope.
“I love that song [of Jody’s]. That’s commercial. That’s a hit.”
Frosty, Heidi & Frank (97.1 KLSX FM, Los Angeles)
As this weekly catalog journey continues, “Christmas Past” becomes more than a re-release, it becomes a reminder that music can reshape the holidays we think we know. That even festive songs can dream forward.
Jody is endorsed by Taylor Guitars, Sennheiser, G7th, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Joe’s Guitars, Cleartone Strings, Studio Devil, Red Wirez, iZotope, Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance, Grosh Guitars, Telefunken, and Line 6.