WOODBURY, Minn. — "Minnesota's favorite piano man," Phil Thompson, is providing some cheer at Woodbury's Kowalski's Market.
He has about 30 gigs booked throughout the metro this holiday season. Yet, every year for the past 15 years, he finds time to executive produce a holiday CD, featuring 15 Minnesota artists, including himself. While album titles varied in the beginning, Thompson's called it "A Minnesota Holiday" for the last nine years.
"Fifteen years is incredible," Thompson said. "A lot of these artists already have the songs recorded, which is great. Other artists want to record a new, original song."
Of 225 recordings with 73 different artists who have contributed over the years, Thompson said they've never repeated the same track
"Everybody from Bob Dylan to the Blenders and Sheila E.," Thompson said. "We've had SisQó."
This year's lineup includes former NBC's The Voice contestant Kat Perkins, Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness, Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter Charles Lazarus and more.
"Albums sell out every year," Thompson said. "In every album, we have over $200 worth of bonus gifts. Everything including $5 off at Sam's Christmas Village; $20 off at Chanhassen Dinner Theater; buy one, get one offers for Ice Castles, for Acapulco restaurants."
Perhaps the best part of it all? Proceeds go toward a cause based on community needs. For the past several years, they've given to Second Harvest Heartland, a food bank that provides to food shelves.
"The donations received from the album, and just the awareness of the need for support, is so crucial to our mission," said Anne Laskey, cause marketing and events lead. "Because of our wholesale purchasing power, monetary donations make the biggest impact. At Second Harvest, we can really stretch a dollar far. So for every dollar donated, we can provide three meals."
She said the need for donations spiked during the pandemic and continues to grow. Back in June, the White House reported grocery inflation was finally cooling off, but prices remain above pre-pandemic levels.
"Last year, Minnesota saw 2 million more food shelf visits than the year prior," she said, noting the state population is around 5 million people.
Thompson said, to date, the album series has raised more than $600,000 for local nonprofits.
A Minnesota Holiday is available on Spotify and Apple Music, but in-store CD purchases best help the cause. They're available in all 11 Kowalski's Markets, and each purchase includes a free muffin.
"I have to thank the entire Twin Cities community, KARE 11 and Kowalski's for continuing to support this program," he said.
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