Song:Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
Album:Christmas Eve and Other Stories
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) are probably today's most popular Christmas act. Their albums do huge sales this time of year. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 is their biggest hit single to date. With that name, you might think they are from Europe. You would be wrong. The man behind TSO Is producer Paul O'Neill. He manages the hard rock band Savatage. They are from Florida. They have been around since the early 80s. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 appeared on the 1995 Savatage album Dead Winter Dead. It gave O'Neill the idea of starting an orchestral rock band. He got Savatage members Jon Oliva, Al Pitrelli and Robert Kinkel on board and then he got the green light from Atlantic Records to go ahead with the concept. Their 1996 debut CD Christmas Eve and Other Stories was supposed to lead to other themes. But instead they have stuck with the Christmas concept. The band name was because O'Neil had been to Siberia. And he thought it was a cool name. The album was a success. It has been certified 3XPlatinum. And Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 charted and continues to appear on seasonal music charts. The song is a mix of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Carol of the Bells. The plan was for TSO to tour but that was put on hold when Jon Oliva's brother and Savatage guitarist Criss Oliva died. TSO began performing live after the 1998 CD The Christmas Attic. They have become one of the biggest and most consistent concert draws in the industry. O'Neill has tried to get away from the Christmas theme. Their latest CD Letters From The Labyrinth is loosely about The Berlin Wall. It was released last month. But Christmas is a big cash cow for TSO and they will keep returning to it. Christmas Eve and Other Stories is available as a budget CD. Here's the video for Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
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