Mannheim Steamroller

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From Wikipedia:

Mannheim Steamroller actually began as an alias for record producer/composer Chip Davis. Before the fame of Steamroller, Davis had been best known for creating the country music character “C.W. McCall” (of “Convoy” fame) for his friend Bill Fries. And even before Davis “made” McCall a star, he produced an unusual album of classical music performed entirely by Davis and musical collaborator Jackson Berkey, using electric bass and synthesizers. Since no major label would handle its distribution, Davis founded his own music label, American Gramaphone (a play on the classical record label Deutsche Grammophon), to release the album. The result, Fresh Aire, was released in 1975 under the pseudonym Mannheim Steamroller, in the hopes of the album being a best seller. Fresh Aire II was subsequently released in 1977 and Fresh Aire III was released in 1979.

Mannheim Steamroller quickly grew into a full band, with Davis on drums, Berkey on keyboards, and Eric Hansen on bass and lute. Berkey’s wife Almeda joined them onstage as another keyboardist. The London Symphony Orchestra appears on Fresh Aire V, Fresh Aire VI, and Fresh Aire 8.

Later, Davis collaborated with guitarist/composer Mason Williams for a remake of the 1968 instrumental “Classical Gas”, which used the original arrangement.
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  • MoldyBitches

    How I met your mother-core

    December 2011

  • BreakfastPills

    I have four albums and none of them remotely Christmas related. Shame that's most of what they're known for.

    December 2010

  • brittnik

    FUCK YEAH

    December 2010

  • LarryPotillo

    Well it's that time to fill the house with your music and read some of Chip Davis Mail he send to me as I drink hot coco. I'm so glad I found you guys the many years ago I did.

    November 2010

  • NightVermillion

    I love this music. Not only the Christmas stuff, but the other albums too.

    August 2010

  • heknows-santos

    u---uh?

    July 2010

  • CaMaster

    Fresh Aire doesn't get as much attention as it deserves...

    March 2010

  • rodanside

    Is it not a joke?

    January 2010
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