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Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Tour Comes to Northwest Arkansas |
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December 4, 2009
Submitted by: Walton Arts Center
For More Information Contact:
Beth Goodwin
479.571.2747
bgoodwin@waltonartscenter.org
For Immediate Release
America’s #1 Christmas tour celebrates 25 years of music
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (December 2, 2009) – Mannheim Steamroller’s 58-city, 25th Christmas Anniversary Tour will be stopping in Northwest Arkansas to celebrate their newest release, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas - 25th Anniversary CD Collection. Grammy Award®-winning Chip Davis, creator and mastermind of the music, will direct and co-produce the tour ensemble. The beloved Christmas songs of Mannheim Steamroller, along with the group’s cutting-edge multimedia effects, will be coming to Walton Arts Center on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 4 pm and 7:30 p.m.
The Mannheim Steamroller annual Christmas tour has become a holiday tradition along with decorating the tree and spending time with friends and family. The group’s unique and signature sound is where classical, modern-day rock, acoustic and electronic music meet. The tour will feature guest vocalist Johnny Mathis and Paul Winter as well as The Cambridge Singers, members of The Chicago Symphony and The Omaha Symphony.
Since 1984, Mannheim Steamroller has produced eight platinum Christmas albums selling more than 28 million in the U.S. alone. Founder Chip Davis originally recorded a Christmas album using a mix of renaissance instruments with rock & roll beats. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas was such a runaway hit that it propelled the group to become the biggest selling Christmas music artists in history and one of the top 50 biggest selling musical acts ever.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas will include hit songs such as Joy to the World, The First Noel, Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song. The entire family can celebrate the spirit of the season with the "18th century rock band" that has become one of the most popular acts in the last 30 years.
The series sponsor for The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis is M&M’s with media support from Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. For more information about this event or others, contact the Walton Arts Center Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
Walton Arts Center is Arkansas' premier center for the performing arts and entertainment. Each year more than 140,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend over 350 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, graduations and more. Approximately 20,000 students and teachers from 30 school districts participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and over 300 volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to pay on average only 50% of the cost of programs offered. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
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