Mannheim Steamroller is the musical project of composer and producer Chip Davis, formed in 1974 in Omaha, Nebraska. Davis, born Louis F. Davis Jr., created the name from an 18th-century Mannheim crescendo technique associated with Mozart's time in Mannheim, Germany. After major labels rejected his neoclassical compositions blending Renaissance instruments with rock beats, he founded the independent label American Gramaphone to release the first Fresh Aire album in 1975, helping establish the New Age genre, often described as '18th Century Classical Rock'. The group's first Christmas album, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, released in 1984, sold five million copies and led to 12 Christmas albums totaling over 31 million units worldwide. Achievements include 19 gold records, 8 platinum, and 4 multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA. Live performances feature two traveling troupes each holiday season, typically with a core band augmented by local orchestras, drawing from Christmas classics and original material.