A HOLLY, JOLLY PHOTO GALLERY? BAH, HUMBUG

This December we will watch rich misanthropes turn into Good Samaritans thanks to the intervention of a few ghosts. In January, we're betting, the process will reverse itself with a vengeance. In any case, allow us to haunt you with these holiday pics.

On the occasion of her 80th birthday, the legendary Brenda Lee (c) explains to Trisha Yearwood and UMG Nashville boss Cindy Mabe that her holiday perennial, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," was originally titled "Gratin' My Knuckles Off Makin' Latkes." Photo: Chris Hollo

Interscope Capitol's Gary Kelly and his lads joined our own Lenny Beer and Jesse Beer for a Clippers game at L.A.'s sparkly new Intuit Dome, where they experienced two generations of expert pointing. Later, Gary mentioned some of the concerts hosted by the venue and was regarded quizzically.

At the final stop of Kacey Musgraves' Deeper Well Tour (the second of two dates at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena), the Interscope/MCA Nashville star consented to this rootsy tableau with AEG Presents' Rich Shaefer and Sandbox's Jason Owen. Later, Rich tried some local hot chicken. He is said to be recovering nicely.

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Songwriter-producer-musician Dan Swank commemorates his new publishing JV with Warner Chappell Music by smooshing into this populous photo op. Seen feeling especially Swanky are (l-r) Willo & Co.'s Shelby Yoder, WCM's Katy Wolaver, Swank, All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth, Hard8's Keith Lazorchack and WCM's Alexa Morris. Later, Dan wrote a heartbreaking ballad about seeing his picture on this website.

UMPG's Evan Lamberg, who inked Wicked songwriter Stephen Schwartz, asks attorney Doug Davis if we ever got a brain.

Attorney Peter Lewit, infused with holiday spirit—or possibly spirits—sends us a message of peace and good will. We'll be sending him an invoice.

At the Songwriters Hall of Fame, several of today's hitmakers gathered for this all-star pose-a-thon. Seen shortly before collaborating on a new holiday anthem that's so good it's been locked in a bomb-proof vault are (l-r) SHOF's Joel Flatow, Donna Caseine and Barbara Cane, songwriter-producers Blake Slatkin, Theron Thomas, Daniel Nigro and Amy Allen, SHOF's Mary Jo Mennella and the Grammy Museum Foundation's Rita George.