A sound all their own
Mannheim Steamroller will bring its unique sounds to Aurora this weekend during a Saturday concert at the Paramount Theatre.
Based on its Grammy award-winning series of "Fresh Aire" CDs, the group's distinctive performance blends classical, pop and new age with multi-media images, synchronized lighting and special effects.
Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 36 million albums and is renowned for its Christmas music. Since the early 1970s, composer, arranger and founder Chip Davis has been a pioneer in state-of-the-art electronic music.
He recently talked with the Daily Herald about the group and its music.
Q. How did you select the name Mannheim Steamroller?
A. The name was derived from a style of music created in Mannheim, Germany, in the mid-18th century and is why I refer to the music as 18th-century rock and roll.
In the music, we build to a crescendo. My father used to say, "We steamrolled the audience," and the name became Mannheim Steamroller.
Q. What instruments does the group feature?
A. We pioneered audiophile in the '70s. We use modern-day violins, drums, bass guitars and keyboard, along with original instruments of various time periods in history to get the right sound and feel.
Q. How many instruments do you play?
A. I am a classically trained bassoonist. I also play the drums, piano, various recorders and the Hurdy Gurdy, among others.
Q. When did you begin to show an interest in music?
A. I am from a musical family. Both my parents were musicians and taught music. I was playing the piano when I was 3. My parents were always very supportive and made sure I got a smattering of every kind of music.
Q. How does your background in choral groups and teaching help with where you are now in your career?
A. Teaching music and trying to get students interested in the classics and a music form they thought was moldy made me realize I needed to write music. So I decided to write new music using old forms as examples for the classroom and ended up finding what I really wanted to do.
Q. Was it rough going at first?
A. Yes, it was. When I first approached the big record companies they were intrigued but wouldn't buy it because there wasn't a classification for it. It wasn't jazz or strictly rock.
I formed my own record label and took the music to record and stereo dealers, who used the music to demonstrate the quality of sound in stereo speakers.
People wanted the music, so a new classification was created.
Q. What are you currently working on?
A. We are spending a great deal of time working on music to help deal with pain. We are working with Mayo Clinic and others producing music for recovery rooms and for those in severe pain. If you trick the mind to feel better, that aids the healing process.
We are also working with NASA on ambient music to use in long space flights to provide astronauts with a sense of normalcy.
Q. What encourages you to think outside the box?
A. I live on a farm with a large wooded area. There are nights I will spend in the woods in a tent I built to listen to and see the sights and sounds of nature.
I also have a small observatory to view the stars, and it lets me get away from the everyday grind and think outside the box.
Q. What made you think there was a market for your Christmas albums?
A. I got into Christmas music for two reasons. First, Christmas has always been a special time in my life to spend with family and friends. Second, our fans were suggesting we give Christmas carols the Mannheim twist and style.
Q. Have you ever been surprised to hear your music in an unexpected place or way?
A. I am always happy to hear our music. We are pleased our music is used as television bumpers for sports and news shows, especially at Christmas. I also am pleased so many ice skaters use our music to skate to.
Q. What do you have coming out next?
A. Our new album is called "Grinchmas." It's based on a music production we are involved in at Universal Theme Park in Orlando.
Q. If you were starting Mannheim Steamroller today, would you do anything different?
A. I don't think I would do anything different. I am happy where I am and my place in the music business.
If you go
What: Mannheim Steamroller "Fresh Aire Tour"
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Paramount Theatre; 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Tickets: $75.50/ $65.50/ $45.50
Info: (630) 896-6666, www.ticketmaster.com, www.TheParamountTheatre.com