Mannheim Steamroller is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and is the brainchild of producer and composer Chip Davis, with assistance from pianist Jackson Berkey.
In the 1970s, Berkey and Davis began experimenting with “18th century rock,” mixing rock with the classical music of the 1700s. Once they had refined their approach, they recorded their first album, “Fresh Aire,” but were unable to find a label. Davis created his own label, American Gramaphone, and released the album in 1975.
This led to the release of an entire series of “Fresh Aire” albums that were popular with both listeners and critics. “Fresh Air 7,” released in 1990, won the Grammy for “Best New Age Album.”
Mannheim Steamrollers’ mainstream breakthrough came with the release of their first Christmas album, “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” in 1984. Almost all the songs were traditional carols “tweaked” with synthesizers and a driving rock beat that transformed them into something entirely new.
A concert review said:
“Mannheim Steamroller infused me with an insatiable urge to collect a group of good friends and go Christmas Caroling! Fantastic performance!”
To date, Mannheim Steamroller has sales of almost 30 million albums in the U.S. They will be at the Proctor & Gamble Hall at Aronoff Center on December 26. Events like these can be publicized successfully when organizers use poster printing to create colorful advertising.