‘MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER’ STARTED ON A ‘CONVOY’
‘MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER’ STARTED ON A ‘CONVOY’
LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) – The synth pop group Mannheim Steamroller is most associated with Christmas music, but it owes everything to the 1970s CB radio fad. That’s because Mannheim Steamroller leader Chip Davis co-wrote “Convoy,” the 1976 novelty hit for C.W. McCall. a.k.a. Bill Fries. Davis started out as a jingle writer who freelanced for ad agency owner Bill Fries, who did commercials as “C.W. McCall.” The character was so popular that Davis and Fries were signed to a record label, which released “Convoy” to capitalize on the Citizens Band radio craze hitting America in 1975-76. Davis says royalties from the No. 1 hit gave him the freedom to concentrate on the instrumental group, Fresh Aire, and later, Mannheim Steamroller. Although Davis appreciates “Convoy,” he says there’s no chance that Mannheim Steamroller will ever remake “Convoy” since the group only records Christmas music. Mannheim Steamroller’s newest recording is Christmas Extraordinaire.
Tue 12-11-01