As Chip describes in this short clip, the title of this song belies its true origin. Contrary to what you might think, “Pass the Keg” is not a drinking song. It comes from Pass the Kalla, which is a form of music from the 18th century.
Toccatas, which mean “quickly moving fingers on the keyboard” are usually played on an organ. Listen to Chip describe how he wrote a toccata on a sequencer with a synthesizer as a tribute to one of his favorite composers, Johann Sebastian Bach.
See the original music video for God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and discover what Chip had in mind when he ‘mannheimed’ this old Welch Christmas carol. Watch a rousing horseback ride through the woods culminate in sweeping landscape views of beaches, fields and castles.
In old English, this popular carol expresses a sentiment of happiness as in “God rest ye merry, gentlemen.” Today, the refrain has lost its pause but not its fervor in Mannheim Steamroller’s rousing rendition of the timeless carol. Listen to Chip describe what he envisioned as he composed his version of this tune for Mannheim…
DetailsJourney back to the time when wise kings traversed deserts vast and empty to see the Christ child. Get swept away in the sounds and sights of the time with this remarkably well done music video of “We Three Kings” from Mannheim Steamroller’s classic album, “Christmas.”
In 1852, John Hopkins Jr. wrote a carol that described the journey of three kings to take gifts to the Christ child. Chip explains his desire to recreate the feeling of that ancient time with dulcimers and other period instruments in this short clip.
Travel back in time to 1984 to see the original music video for the Christmas carol that started it all – Deck the Halls. Enjoy Chip’s rocked out version of this classic Christmas carol in true Mannheim Steamroller form – watching band members and instruments fly through the air above snow covered mountain tops.
Back in 1984, “Deck the Halls” was the very first existing Christmas carol that Mannheim Steamroller reimagined. Listen to Chip explain how it paved the way for an entire album and eventually, hugely popular series in this short clip.
Chip Davis understands that “30/40” may sound a little strange, so he took a few seconds to explain the thought behind it. Discover the significance of “30/40” in this short video clip. 30/40 Options 30/40 – CD 30/40 – Ultimate Collection 3 Disc Set 30/40 – Double Disc Vinyl
DetailsMannheim Steamroller 30/40, the group’s newest album, will be released nationwide October 21. The aptly named album celebrates the 30th anniversary of Chip’s first Christmas record and the 40th anniversary of the first release in his Fresh Aire series. “This album is special to me in many ways,” says Chip. “In addition to providing an opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of…
DetailsThis Christmas is a special one for Mannheim Steamroller. We’re celebrating 30 years of show-stopping Christmas tours and the 30th Anniversary of Chip’s first Christmas record! It’s also 40 years since Mannheim Steamroller released its first Fresh Aire album, skyrocketing Chip and the band to fame. Today we have more than 40 million albums sold…
DetailsRemember the days of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and other “Rat Pack” crooners? Two Mannheim Steamroller band members, Johnny Adams and Ron Cooley, have captured the swinging and ultra-cool sounds of that era with their new album, Lucky 13 – Rat Pack Jazz. You’ll sway and sing to songs as “That’s Life”, “Fly Me To…
DetailsSpecial Christmas in July Sale! Looking for a way to beat the summer heat and bring on a little winter bliss? Mannheim Steamroller is here with a special Christmas in July sale to hasten the spirit of the holidays. We’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the very first Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour this year with…
DetailsMannheim Steamroller and American Gramaphone founder Chip Davis has long considered music, much like life, to be a gift. With the Fourth of July coming up, he…
DetailsA few years back, Sylvania, Ohio, the town in which Louis “Chip” Davis, Jr. grew up, honored him by declaring September 14 as “Chip Davis Day.” The celebration was held at Northview High School, which Chip graduated from in 1965, only then it was called Sylvania High School. The real honor for Chip though, was…
DetailsThe Convoy story is one that many Mannheim Steamroller fans can recite by heart. Less well known is how Mannheim Steamroller and American Gramaphone founder Chip Davis ended up in Omaha in the first place. In this post, we shed light on both…
DetailsWhile Neil Armstrong might be more famous for being the first American to walk on the moon, on this day in 1965, Ed White became the first American to conduct a space walk. He called it the most comfortable part of the Gemini 4 mission
DetailsThe Compleat Four Seasons Sir Patrick Stewart has been very visible in a wide range of media lately, from AARP magazine to staring in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Did you know Mannheim Steamroller’s own Arnie Roth created an uncommon version of Vivaldi’s “The Compleat Four Seasons” featuring Sir Patrick reading Vivaldi’s individual Sonnets that…
DetailsHere’s what you’ve been waiting for — our annual Christmas Tour announcement! This is an Extraordin-Aire-y year for Mannheim Steamroller since it’s 30 years since Chip released his first Christmas record and 30 years of having the privilege of sharing the Christmas season with you!!!! We’re also celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Chip’s first Fresh…
DetailsFinalizing our 2014 tour schedule!!! Follow the link to register to be the first to know where we will be in 2014! Tour
