COMING UP ON "ROCK CENTER WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS" - MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 AT 10P/9C

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to turn your creative dreams into reality, there's an internet tool to help you raise the cash to make it happen. Since 2009, Kickstarter has become the largest �crowd-funding' site on the web. A million people from around the world have donated more than $100 million to support different projects and ideas. Musicians, scientists, artists and filmmakers, including Colin Hanks, are raising money by using this grassroots funding model. Kate Snow reports.

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Hoda Kotb looks at the life and work of a man you've likely never heard of - a legendary figure in the American theater, who isn't based in New York City. Lou Bellamy and Penumbra, the nation's largest African American theater company, are in St. Paul, Minnesota of all places - and that's not the only surprising facet of the story.

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We all have them, but only the really brave dare to SHARE them: awkward family photos. The two guys behind the popular website share their favorite awkward holiday photos. We especially like the �inappropriate Santa' pictures.

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A sleeping pill that "wakes up" patients from a vegetative state? Sounds like an oxymoron. Sara James tells the story of one woman's quest to help her fianc

é speak again after suffering severe brain damage from a series of strokes. She acted out of love and desperation, but the result may be pioneering medicine.

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Regis Philbin joins Brian Williams in studio.

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Topping the charts as the #1 Christmas music artist in history, Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 28 million records. Now in its 26th holiday season, Mannheim Steamroller is performing in 84 cities nationwide, and enabling its founder to live like a rock star. Willie Geist reports.

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David Corvo is the senior executive producer, Rome Hartman is the executive producer and Brian Williams is the anchor and managing editor of "Rock Center with Brian Williams" (Mondays at 10p/9C). Follow us at RockCenterNBC.com, facebook.com/rockcenterNBC and @rockcenterNBC.