30/40 Fresh Aire
Mannheim Steamroller’s spectacular Fresh Aire album series started with this song – Fresh Aire, or “Fresh Song.” See Chip describe the inspiration and meaning behind it in this short clip.
30/40 Sonata
Fresh Aire I, the first in Mannheim Steamroller’s series of 8 groundbreaking albums, starts with a sonata. Listen to Chip describe the basic form of a sonata and discover how the sonata on Fresh Aire I runs all the way back to the classic 18th century form.
30/40 Chip Prelude & Chocolate Fudge
Fresh Aire I debuted in 1974. That album opens with a Prelude followed by a song called Chocolate Fudge. See Chip explain the meaning behind these songs and their significance to the entire Fresh Aire series.
30/40 Seven Colors of the Rainbow
Just as there are seven colors in the rainbow, there are seven notes assigned to each color of the rainbow in this song for Fresh Aire VII. Watch Chip describe what went into creating this musical description of the various colors of the rainbow in this short clip.
30/40 Pass the Keg
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.
30/40 Toccata
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.
God Rest Video from Christmas Live
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.
30/40 “God Rest”
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…
Details
“We Three Kings” Video
Journey 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.”
30/40 “We Three Kings”
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.
Deck the Halls Original Music Video
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.
30/40 “Deck the Halls”
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 on Mannheim Steamroller 30/40
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
Details40 Years In the Making!!!!! Mannheim Steamroller’s New Album Available October 21st Everywhere!!!!!
Mannheim 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…
DetailsAireborn Flyaway To Where It All Began.
This 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…
Details
A “Swing Into Fall” Special!!!!
Remember 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…
Details
Celebrate Christmas in July with Mannheim Steamroller!
Special 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’s Military Man
Mannheim 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…
Details
A Chip Off the Old Block
A 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…
Details
How C.W. McCall Ended up Truckin’ in Omaha
The 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…
Details