Mannheim Steamroller Biography

Over the years, Mannheim Steamroller has gained fame for its distinctive New Age-style recordings of Christmas music. Founded by Chip Davis, the group made a significant entry into the music scene in 1984 with their contemporary version of 鈥淒eck the Halls,鈥 which sold five million copies and quickly became a chart-topping hit. This success cemented Mannheim Steamroller's reputation and led to enduring popularity that continues to this day.

Chip Davis, born into a musical family in Ohio, began his musical journey early in life. With a trombonist mother and a father who was a high school music educator, Davis received his first piano lessons from his grandmother at the age of four. He later joined a boys' choir and attended the University of Michigan. After graduating in 1969, he joined the Norman Luboff Choir but eventually chose to teach music in public schools. Following these teaching experiences, he worked as an arranger for a Nebraska production of Hair and later started writing jingles for commercials.

During this time, Davis recorded synthesized rock interpretations of classical and traditional pieces, leading to the creation of his debut album, Fresh Aire. In 1974, he launched American Gramaphone to release the album, while also establishing Mannheim Steamroller to give it added credibility. Fresh Aire was prominently marketed alongside state-of-the-art stereo systems, which contributed to its unexpected success.

The success of Fresh Aire laid the groundwork for subsequent albums, culminating in the release of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas in 1984, which featured the iconic rendition of 鈥淒eck the Halls.鈥 The follow-up album, A Fresh Aire Christmas, released four years later, achieved similar acclaim. Over the years, the group has expanded its discography to include titles such as A Saving the Wildlife (1986), Yellowstone: The Music of Nature (1989), Christmas in the Aire (1995), and American Spirit (2003), celebrating both the seasons and various themes of American heritage.

Beyond their seasonal albums, Mannheim Steamroller has explored other musical avenues, including a Disney-themed album, Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse (1999), and the PBS special soundtrack album Yellowstone: The Music of Nature. During the holiday season, fans can tune in to Chip Davis narrating special radio programs like 鈥淭he Twelve Days of Christmas鈥 and 鈥淎n American Christmas,鈥 which have also expanded into a full Internet radio channel on Sirius XM Radio.

In 2008, Davis underwent surgery that temporarily sidelined him from touring, prompting the decision to hire additional musicians to maintain the band's tour schedule. To accommodate their fanbase, Davis created two touring lineups, known as the "red" and "green" touring companies, allowing Mannheim Steamroller to reach more cities during their annual Christmas tour. They continue to delight audiences, having performed at events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Most recently, in September 2019, they released Exotic Spaces, an album inspired by famous and exotic locations, further showcasing their innovative approach to music and artistry.