According to Marc Schneider from Billboard.com, Bun E. Carlos wasn't invited to play drums on an upcoming CHEAP TRICK recording for the A Very Special Christmas series, and though he's annoyed by this latest slight, insists he's still a member of the legendary power pop band.

"I'm a full member of Cheap Trick in all respects," he tells Billboard. "Solely as an accommodation to some of the band members, I reluctantly agreed to take a temporary hiatus from touring."

During this hiatus, which has lasted a couple years, guitarist Rick Nielsen's son Daxx has filled in as the touring drummer.

"The other members have never seriously talked to me about my leaving the band permanently," Carlos says.

A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary album which will hit stores October 16 and feature more pop-flavored acts such as CHRISTINA AGUILERA, MICHAEL BUBLÉ, VINCE GILL, AMY GRANT and DAVE MATTHEWS among others benefitting Special Olympics.

Since 1987, the biggest and brightest voices in the recording industry have generously lent their time and talents to Special Olympics to create the holiday album series A Very Special Christmas, the single most successful benefit recording series in musical history generating more than $100 million in royalties to benefit Special Olympics.

Each successive album of the series has honored the quality of its predecessors with timeless recordings of holiday music by some of the most influential and talented artists of their time. U2, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND, MADONNA, STING, BON JOVI, REBA MCENTIRE, ALAN JACKSON, WYCLEF JEAN, SHERYL CROW, MARY J. BLIGE, NO DOUBT, ERIC CLAPTON, TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS, VANESSA WILLIAMS and BRYAN ADAMS are among the stars who contributed tracks to previous albums and whose songs for 'A Very Special Christmas have become perennial favorites on the radio and at holiday celebrations over the years.

Learn more about A Very Special Christmas at AVerySpecialChristmas.org.