Mannheim Steamroller at Benedum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today's date: November 8, 2012
Contact: Diana Roth, (412) 471-8717, roth@trustarts.org

Pandora's Unforgettable Moments Presents Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Tuesday, December 11, and Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., Benedum Center

Pittsburgh, PA:  Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday celebration for over 25 years.  Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.  The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.  Don’t miss this ultimate holiday tradition from the #1 Christmas music artist in history!

Pandora’s Unforgettable Moments Presents Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis will be performing at the Benedum Center on Tuesday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. For information and tickets ($37.25 - $82.25): visit www.Trustarts.org, call (412) 456-6666, or in person: Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue.  To purchase 10 or more tickets at discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.  The performance is a part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Created and founded by Chip Davis, Mannheim Steamroller is embarking on their 27th tour this Christmas season.   Business Week says, “Mannheim Steamroller Rules Christmas! It’s the top selling act ever in the holiday music category.” And the Dallas Morning News:   "Mannheim Steamroller is the most popular Christmas act of all times…..a lush version of "Deck The Halls" is one of the act's most popular songs." Mannheim Steamroller’s music is best described as 18th Century classical rock with a musical fusion of acoustic, analog, digital and electronic sounds.

Chip Davis, Founder of Mannheim Steamroller

Chip Davis began piano lessons at age four and composed his first piece of music at age six. He graduated from the University of Michigan, School of Music− specializing in bassoon and percussion.  Before founding Mannheim Steamroller, Davis’ early musical career included touring with the Norman Luboff Choir and later working for a Nebraska advertising agency writing jingles.  These included spots for a local bakery featuring the fictional trucker C. W. McCall. The spots were co-written with advertising writer William Fries, who became the voice of McCall. The spots were so popular Davis and Fries were persuaded to begin writing non-advertising songs featuring McCall. The most famous of these is the 1975 "Convoy". The duo released a total of five albums between 1974 and 1979, and Davis was named ASCAP Country Music Writer of the Year in 1976.

Chip Davis overcame across-the-board skeptics to found Mannheim Steamroller and produce a Christmas album.  Named after an 18th Century musical term that now translates as “crescendo,” the group’s popularity began in the 1990s with their album “Fresh Aire.”   When Davis could not find anyone to distribute it, he created his own record label, American Gramaphone.  The album became one of the best-selling independent releases in the U.S. and Europe, and the seventh recording in the Fresh Aire series received a Grammy Award for Best New Age Recording.

In 1984, Davis decided to release a Christmas album which went on to sell 5 million copies.  He approached the Christmas genre very differently than other artists, and its modernized, electronized versions of classic songs like Deck the Halls were very popular with audiences everywhere.  The current show features hits like Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High,and the concert will feature the group’s distinctive Christmas music from many of their multi-platinum award holiday albums heard over the past 25 years.  Chip Davis comments, “The music, along with our state of the art multimedia production, is meant to make this an experience for the whole family.”

 The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support.  The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh.

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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh