LOS ANGELES — The folks at The Urban Voices Project are used to performing holiday concerts, but this year there was some extra excitement in the air. The Skid Row community-based choir just rehearsed a new song called “Let's Think About a Holiday” in preparation for the 60th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration in DTLA.

One longtime member of the UVP is Iron who explained to us where his name comes from: 

“When I became on the street, I had to fight so much, I became the Iron Gladiator,” said Iron. “So, 'G' is for Gerald, Gerry. Iron G. Donato.”

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At one time, Iron had his own entertainment company, but when his husband of 30 years suddenly died, his life jumped the rails and he found himself living on the streets. 

“It's been three years and I'm still trying to get my life back together,” said Iron. “In order to get my food stamps, I had to become the animal, the rat, that they wanted me to be-- without showering, without shaving. I became deranged and insane. I was so filled with anger and pain that it was hell.”

Iron says he has always been passionate about music. It's one of the only things he's been able to cling to as he struggles to get back on his feet again.

“When I stopped creating, I started to die,” Iron explained. “And then I came to Urban Voices and with my creativity, I regained my dignity. And then I started to rise again.”

UVP co-founder and musical director, Leeav Sofer explained that the new song, “Let’s Think About a Holiday” is a collaboration between UVP and Sofer’s band, Mostly Kosher. The two groups are scheduled to premiere the song at the Dorothy Chandler to be broadcast on local public broadcasting.

“[At UVP], you're not only sharing your voice, but you're connecting it to other people,” Sofer said. “And, thus, it's creating a social network. We deliver a message every time we perform. That's what this choir is about. They're just embraced into the family setting because it's a community thing.”

Sofer says the group is not just about holiday concerts, though. It is a year-round family of dedicated musicians.

“We’re the number one Skid Row in the nation and the whole world is looking to us," said Iron. "And UVP is changing the world, how they see homelessness. We are shifting that paradigm to let people know compassion, empathy, and humanity is what counts.”