Mannheim Steamroller returns with its annual Christmas show

Christmas seems to arrive earlier each year. That's so, at least in terms of seasonal music. Mannheim Steamroller's Sirius XM channel, which is primarily comprised of holiday tunes, commenced five days after Halloween.

Mannheim Steamroller's tour, which stops Thursday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse, started two weeks before Thanksgiving. It's not Christmas in July, but the music and songs that conjure images of December greet listeners well before what has been regarded as the norm.

"That's true, but why not play Christmas songs a month or so early?" Mannheim Steamroller's percussionist and recorder player Roxanne Layton said while calling from Appleton, Wisconsin. "People love it. Some people listen to Christmas music all year. I don't think playing Christmas music a few weeks before Thanksgiving is that big of a deal."

Layton has been playing Christmas tunes professionally with Mannheim Streamroller for 30 years.

"It's been an amazing run," Layton said. "I love what I do since it's obvious that it brings such joy to the fans of Mannheim Steamroller. What we do is so unique."

Mannheim Steamroller is indeed like no other ensemble since it delivers its own brand of baroque Christmas music. The soothing New Age holiday tunes have been crowd pleasers since the act's "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" was released in 1984.

Percussionist Chip Davis launched Mannheim Steamroller in 1974 with his "Fresh Aire" series, which is comprised of neo-classical electronic music.

The “Fresh Aire” material, an amalgam of classical piano music, progressive rock and medieval songs, was what Mannheim Steamroller was known for when the group earned notice in 1975. A cult of fans embraced the first five albums, which were all “Fresh Aire” releases.

However, everything changed when "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" dropped. More than 40 million albums of the group's breakthrough album have been sold.

That's more than Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi or Billy Joel over the same period. More than 80 percent of Mannheim Steamroller's record sales are Christmas albums.

Mannheim Steamroller's fan base is incredibly wide, ranging from children to college student's to octogenarians.

"It really is amazing how diverse our audience is," Layton said. "I love that about Mannheim. I love looking out at the sea of faces. I love the diversity."

Fans revel in such Christmas classics as "Deck the Halls," "We Three Kings" and "Good King Wenceslas."

"People love those songs and how we play them live," Layton said. "We're part of a Christmas tradition for many families."

If it weren't for Layton's father's dream of building a sailboat and traveling around the world, the veteran musician might not have picked up the recorder.

"With my dad's plan, I needed a very portable instrument," Layton said. "Few instruments are as portable as a recorder."

Layton's father sailing around the world never materialized. However, Layton embarks annually on a trek around the country thanks to her musical skills that she began honing as a child.

"I was 6 years old when I picked up the recorder and I've never stopped playing it," Layton said. "It led me to Mannheim Steamroller."

For most of Layton's life she's been a member of Mannheim Steamroller as she marks her third decade with the cottage industry that also markets its own brand of hot chocolate.

"I've been asked how I'll celebrate this milestone," Layton said. "I celebrate onstage. I look out in the crowd and that's how I celebrate this amazing journey, which has taken me to so many places that I never dreamed of visiting."

Layton never imagined that she would perform at the White House, but she's entertained presidents on multiple occasions.

"We played for the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations and it was amazing," Layton said. "I remember being there with Patti LaBelle and Leann Rimes. I was standing next to the presidents and their wives singing ‘Joy to the World.’ That was one of the top moments of my life. It was like an out of body experience performing and having dinner at the White House. President Bush said, 'Will we see you back at the House?' I thought, 'Did he just call the White House, 'The House?' It was all surreal."

Every year Layton sacrifices family life during the holidays since she's on tour with Mannheim Steamroller.

"That's how it goes, but the nice thing is that Mannheim Steamroller is my family," Layton said. "I travel with my musical family and I wouldn't trade it for anything. This has been a great way to see the country and perform before people who love the music we play."

Layton always looks forward to returning to Iowa with Mannheim Steamroller.

"I know people call it 'Iowa nice,' but it's so true," Layton said. "The people in Iowa I've found to be so genuine and kind. I like coming back to Iowa in December since the audience is great and it really feels like Christmas in Iowa. It's the perfect place for a Mannheim Steamroller show."