You can collaborate with almost anyone.

That's possible to believe this holiday season, particularly when you consider one of the most unlikely musical collaborations that occurred almost 35 years ago during the holiday season between old school crooner Bing Crosby and rock star oddity David Bowie.

The two found common ground that year for Crosby's 1977 holiday TV special. At the time, no two artists could have been more different - their fans from two different generations, their styles galaxies apart. But, in that moment both needed each other - Crosby, at 70, sought credibility with younger audiences. Bowie, 30, wanted to mainstream his appeal after years performing in glam rock.

They dueted to "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth." At first, it seems a stilted, forced collaboration - apparent in their body language and awkward banter and detailed in a Washington Post feature five years ago. But, listen to the song - it's beautiful. Their voices at once blend with and counter the other to create an unforgettable holiday song. In the years following, others agreed, and it became a mainstay on rock and easy listening stations during the holiday season. And, with its placement on YouTube a few years ago, it has since gained cult status with millions of views from people who may otherwise never have heard of Bing Crosby, or even David Bowie.

This holiday season, ask yourself, "what's the most unlikely collaboration I could either create or foster?" Let InCommons' tools and connections help you realize such a partnership. Learn about what many would consider unlikely collaborations featured on InCommons, such as the Native American Somali Friendship Committee (a cross-cultural collaboration to end violence and foster peace between two communities) and The Theatre of Public Policy (combining public policy experts and improv actors on stage to explore community issues). See how you can apply the principle of unlikely collaborations in your efforts. You never know, you may create harmony that lasts for generations.

What's an unlikely collaboration you've encountered? Let us know at info@InCommons.org.