Moxie Java, in collaboration with the Idaho Foodbank, is pleased to announce the release of the fifth anniversary album in its annual Idaho Ho Ho: A Celebration of Idaho Artists series. Over the past five years, over sixty recording artists ranging from local soloists and groups to internationally-renowned singer-songwriters with Idaho ties have participated in past Idaho Ho Ho initiatives, and albums in the series perennially top the holiday CD best-seller list at The Record Exchange.

As in the past, the album features established and upcoming local musicians, surveys a variety of musical genres, including gospel, pop, novelty, country and western, and features original songs in addition to covers of holiday favorites. Artists on the 2014 compilation include Emily Braden, Jeff Crosby, Chicken Dinner Road, John Laufenburger, Kiley Ruwe Shaw & Ellie Shaw, Thomas Paul, Emily Tipton & Katie Harris, Brandon Pritchett, Nicole Blaze, Matthew C. Vander Boegh, and Kelly Lynae & Justin Ness. Boise music staple Steve Fulton, who has produced all five albums in the series, also contributes his haunting original song “Hobo Holiday.”

Over the past four years, the Idaho Ho Ho program has generated funds that have enabled the Idaho Foodbank to provide over 100,000 meals to Idahoans in need throughout the state. “For five years, Moxie Java has been synonymous with the holidays and the efforts to solve hunger in our communities,” said Karen Vauk, President and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank. “Buying this album will no doubt bring holiday cheer to not only those who buy it, but also the thousands in need in our state.”

Ken Stokes, president of Moxie Java, commented “Moxie Java has always been committed to celebrating what is unique in the Idaho experience, and there are few initiatives that are as near and dear to us as a company as our long-time collaboration with Idaho musicians and The Idaho Foodbank. Idaho Ho Ho: A Celebration of Idaho Artists has become a holiday tradition in Idaho, and we at Moxie Java once again would like to thank the many musicians, artists, individuals and businesses who generously donated their time and talents to this very worthy cause, and, of course, we offer our sincere gratitude to the residents of Idaho for their continued and enthusiastic support of this program and the Idaho Foodbank.”

The Idaho Foodbank is an independent, donor-supported, non-profit organization founded in 1984, and is the largest distributor of free food assistance in Idaho. From warehouses in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello, The Idaho Foodbank has distributed more than 135 million pounds of food to Idaho families through a network of more than 230 community-based partners. These include rescue missions, church pantries, emergency shelters and community kitchens. The Idaho Foodbank also operates direct-service programs that promote healthy families and communities through good nutrition. idahofoodbank.org

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