MANCHESTER – Greg Kretschmar and his Morning Buzz show staff are bringing the first-ever Buzz Christmas Ball to Manchester’s Palace Theater on Wednesday, Dec. 14, starting at 7 p.m.

Greg and the Morning Buzz is live on the air with several New Hampshire stations weekdays from 5:30-10 a.m. Stations include Rock 101 WGIR-FM in Manchester, Keene Classics 99.1 in Keene, Maxx-93.9FM in Lebanon, and The Rock Station 100.3 WHEB in Portsmouth.

The Buzz Christmas Ball started when Jim Roach, a producer who has experience doing shows like the Buzz Christmas Ball, approached the Morning Buzz team about pulling a holiday show together.

“He’s a great guy and a pro,” Kretschmar said, “so we jumped at the chance.” Kretschmar, along with Scott “Roadkill” McMullen, Laura Boyce, and Kelly Brown will be hosting the evening. Andy Blacksmith, who rounds out the Morning Buzz staff is on leave, but might be able to make it, too. A lot of Morning Buzz friends are getting involved and the excitement is building as the evening approaches.

With the hopes of making this an annual tradition, the Christmas Ball will benefit New Horizons of New Hampshire.

“We’ve been working with them for many years with our ‘Lend a Helping Can’ fundraiser,” Kretschmar said of New Horizons. The organization helps to feed and shelter New Hampshire people in need and offers support services to achieve self-sufficiency. “It’s a great organization that does great work.”

Choosing the location for this event was easy. “We love the Palace,” Kretschmar said, “because it’s a beautiful, historic theater that doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. We’ve always wanted to do a show there, too, so we can’t wait.”

Touted as the ultimate holiday rock and roll variety show, several guest entertainers and personalities scheduled to appear, include:

? The Velvet Elves Orchestra featuring Joe Deleault, Steve Baker, David Stefanelli, Dave Mitchell, Brad Hallen, the Tornado Alley Horns, Jill Deleault and the NH All-Star Singers.

? Charlie Farren of the Joe Perry Project and Farenheit. Jon Butcher of The Jon Butcher Axis.

? Deric Dyer from the Tina Turner and Joe Cocker bands. 

? Christine Ohlman from the Saturday Night Live band.

? Mike Girard from The Fools.

? Sal Baglio from The Stompers.

? The Super Secret Project.

? Singer Gigi Abraham.

? Comedians Tony V, Bob Marley, Jimmy Dunn, and Juston McKinney.

? The cast members of The Palace Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.” 

? Gov. John Lynch.

? Comcast/NECN sports guy Eric Frede.

? Charlie Sherman.

? Santa.

“I really think it’s rare to get such a great collection of singers, comedians and actors on one stage for one night,” Kretschmar said. “These artists have played at some of the greatest venues in the world and on Dec. 14, they’ll all be at the Palace, on stage – with us. That’s pretty awesome.”

Kretschmar is known for always wearing a UNH cap, so when asked if hosting the Buzz Christmas Ball meant he’d have to change up his wardrobe, he laughed. “My guess is that we will be dressed up to some degree,” Kretschmar said. “I mean, after all, it’s a holiday show. I guess that means a spanking-new UNH cap.”

For most folks, the evening won’t be a late one. But even though the Buzz crew has to be on air by 5:30 a.m. the next morning, they are used to evening events and managing on a few hours of sleep. Besides, the excitement of the evening is going to be well worth it.

“I’m really excited about the collection of talent that will be on stage,” Kretschmar said. “Great singers, comedians and actors will all be celebrating Christmas. For us, we’ve never done a ‘variety show’ type of thing, so there’s a nervous excitement to it which is cool. I honestly think it’s going to be a great night.”