New Jersey Shore Christmas song features music legend Gary U.S. Bonds and a fake Snooki

Where can you find a reindeer at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, a fake Snooki on the Seaside Heights beach, and the real Gary U.S. Bonds lending his pipes to a verse?

It's on the new seasonal track — and video — for “Coal for Christmas,” an upbeat rocker in a “Run Rudolph Run” style by Tommy Byrne of Toms River.

Byrne, a young veteran of the Jersey Shore music scene, had a connection or two that led to Bonds, the rock 'n' roll star whose classics include “Quarter to Three,” “New Orleans,” “This Little Girl Is Mine” and more.

“Gary is a legend, and if someone was going to sing on it, it's either Gary or Chuck Berry,” Byrne said. “I think if Chuck Berry was alive he would have sang on it, too.”

Byrne also reached out to several other notable figures with Jersey Shore ties to appear on the song. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of “Jersey Shore” fame didn't reply.

“So one of our friends went on Snooki's website and brought her Halloween costume, the leopard thing she's wearing (in the video),” Byrne said. “She plays the part well.”

Brooke Christian played Snooki, and Jeff Erdman was the Reindeer she danced with on the Seaside Heights beach in the video. Funds go toward Steven Van Zandt’s TeachRock organization, which uses rock 'n' roll in the classroom to connect with kids.

Byrne and his crew also filmed at Jimbo's Bar and Grill on the Seaside Heights boardwalk, Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, and the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

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“My best friends and I had some of the best times of our lives on Christmas Eve,” Byrne said. “When I wrote the song it was all about making a pit stop at the Jersey Shore, going out partying with your friends.”

A team of Jersey Shore notables play and sing on “Coal for Christmas,” including PK Lavengood, Joe Bellia, Layonne Holmes, Ian Gray, Eddie Testa and JoBonanno.

Byrne will debut the song live Thursday, Dec. 21, at the “A Very Jersey Christmas” show at the Headliner in Neptune. Pat Roddy, JoBonanno, Trish Mata and Paul Anthony, Ray Andersen and Testa are also on the bill.

Previously, Byrne released “Christmas Means More This Year,” as well as the autism awareness anthem “Unstoppable.”

Bonds plays the Asbury Holiday Extravaganza show Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Pat Guadagno and The Hound Dogs will open the show.

Byrne will be in the audience.

“We just wanted to spread some cheer,” Byrne said.

Go: A Very Jersey Christmas with Pat Roddy, JoBonanno, Trish Mata, Paul Anthony, Eddie Testa, Ray Andersen and more, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, Headliner, 1401 Route 35, Neptune, $20; headlineroasis.com. "Coal for Christmas" version with Gary U.S. Bonds on Bandcamp here.

APMF fundraiser

The Asbury Park Music Foundation, which annually presents more than 30 free concerts in the city, is in the midst of a fundraising drive.

Music fans are asked to go to asburyparkmusiclives.org to donate $25, $50, $100 or another amount to support the concerts and its Music Saved My Life educational programs, which include lessons for kids in grades K to 8 in the city's Hope Academy Charter School; the after-school Hip Hop Institute at the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth; and scholarships to Lakehouse Music Academy.

Concerts produced by the APMF include Music Mondays at Springwood Park; the Asbury Park Live Summer Concert Series at the 1st Avenue Green on the boardwalk; and the Asbury Park Concert Band series at the Arthur Pryor Bandshell on the boardwalk.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore Christmas song features Gary U.S. Bonds, fake Snooki