Mannheim Steamroller Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Mannheim Steamroller is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of their annual Christmas tour with a host of prominent activities and events.

Chip Davis, founder and creator of the world-renowned group, revolutionized the sounds of Christmas when he released his very first Christmas album in 1984.  The following year in 1985 he launched "The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller" concert tour which has become a holiday tradition throughout the country.

Twenty five years later, the tour has grown from its very first performance in Omaha to 90 performances in over 77 cities this year - with two touring companies playing to sell-out audiences.  This year's tour begins November 10 and runs through December 28.

For the first time ever, Mannheim Steamroller will be participating in the annual Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade in New York City.  Mannheim band members will be part of a float depicting the natural wonders of South Dakota.

Why South Dakota?  Another special event, "Mannheim Steamroller's Holiday Celebration on Ice", was performed and filmed in Rapid City.  Featuring a cast of international ice-skating champions performing to Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas music, the special will be televised nationally on NBC Sunday, November 28, co-hosted by Chip and Olympic Gold Medalist Brian Boitano.

On December 4, a third Mannheim Steamroller band kicks off the Holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort, with repeat performances December 11 and 18. Additionally, Chip's unique arrangement of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is the theme of Universal's "Grinchmas" and "Seusville" attractions.

"Mannheim Steamroller's 25th Anniversary Christmas Collection" also marks the 25th Anniversary of the tour and last year's anniversary of the first Christmas album." The two-CD
set features a collection of favorite songs from past Christmas albums, personally selected by Chip.
Since the release of his first Christmas album, Chip has become the #1 Christmas artist of all times, selling over 27 million Christmas albums.  Including sales of other albums including his Fresh Aire series, Chip has sold a total of almost 38 million albums - making him one of the top 50 best-selling artists since the inception of Sound Scan, an industry monitoring group.  He received a Grammy Award for Fresh Aire 7.

Chip has also taken his music in new directions with the creation of Ambient Therapy, a patent-pending sound technology used by major institutions as Mayo and Walter Reed Hospital  to help alleviate anxiety, pain and feelings of isolation in hospital patients.

NASA has approved the review of Ambient Therapy for use in long-range space flights, and Chip's work with NASA - including on-site recordings of space shuttle launch and landings - will be part of an anticipated new Mannheim concert tour, "The Music of the Spheres".

A long-time contributor and supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces, Chip received the Department of Defense Award for Exceptional Public Service in a special ceremony at the Pentagon in 2008.  The Award recognized his donation of one million Christmas CDs to U.S. troops and their families, both domestically and overseas.
 

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