"Grandma
Got Run Over by a Reindeer" Christmas Show Romps
into the Lafayette!
Dr. Elmo's allotted fifteen minutes of fame should have run out when his song, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” received its first radio play in 1979. Eleven million copies later, it has long since replaced Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” as America’s most requested Christmas carol.
Straight from his stints on “Good Morning America” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” the legendary Dr. Elmo and his special holiday all-star Reindeer Band will knock your Christmas stockings off the mantle. The show will feature Christmas music and entertainment that adults and kids will love and is sure to put everyone in a “reindeer” frame of mind.
Dr. Elmo is usually on tour during the holidays, so it is a special treat to have him here at this time of year. He may not arrive by sleigh, but it will seem like Santa himself has landed in Lafayette!
Super Sonic Reindeer Band:
Frank Martin (keyboard) http://frankmartinproductions.com/
What can we say? Frank is a SUPER STAR, and we are honored to have him performing with us! He is an amazing studio musician as well as arranger and performer.
Frank has worked with George Benson, Al Jarreau, Dianna Ross, Whitney Houston, Lou Rawls, Steve Winwood, and many others. Frank has acted as musical director for Narada Michael Walden, together they are part of Sting’s “Rainforest Band” performing at Carnegie Hall in
benefits for the Rainforest Foundation.
He has also backed countless stars including James Taylor, Billy Joel, Elton John, Madonna, Joe Cocker, Ricky Martin, Bobby McFerrin, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Gladys Knight, The Impressions, Bruce Springsteen and Percy Sledge to name a few.
Gary Vogensen (guitar)
http://www.garyvogensen.com/
During a successful and diverse career, this Bay Area singer-guitarist has taught locally, and toured for many years throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Far East. Gary has performed with national acts including The Elvin Bishop Band, Angela Strehli, Maria Muldaur, Norton Buffalo, Michael Bloomfield, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Boz Skaggs, Steve Miller, Etta James, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Tracy Nelson, Louann Barton, Rosie Flores, Rick Danko, Lloyd Price, Carlene Carter and many others.
Celso Alberti (drums)
http://www.celsoalberti.com/flash/frm_news_flash.htm
Celso is a Brazilian drummer, audio engineer/producer with credits that include tours and recording with Steve Winwood, Flora Purim & Airto, Chico Pinheiro, Emilio Santiago, Joyce Cooling, Barbara Higbie, George Brooks, Herbie Mann and many others.
Paul Olguin (bass)
www.paulolguin.com
Born (1960) & raised In Santa Monica, California. Began playing Trumpet at age 10, Tuba at 13 and switched to Electric bass at 15. Paul Has recorded with Mazzy Star, Maria Muldaur, Shana Morrison and Victor Krummenacher among many others. Performances both at home and on the road include Bob Weir, Henry Kaiser, Elvin Bishop, Tracy Nelson, Dr. Elmo, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Roy Rogers, Huey Lewis, Phil Guy, ‘Mighty’ Mike Schermer, Tom Heyman, Shana Morrison, Erika Luckett, Jonathon Richman Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, Carl Weathersby, Maria Muldaur, Augie Meyers, Jose
‘Chepito’ Areas, Wendy DeWitt, Adam Levy, Rancho Deluxe . . .
Donna Turner (vocals)
Donna Turner studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London. She has had her own band, has toured Japan twice, and has toured as a back-up singer with Mary Wells. At home with many styles of music, she has a gorgeous warmth in her voice and in her stage presence which radiate from within and fly straight into the hearts of the audience.
Carol-Joy Harris (vocals)
Carol-Joy Harris has sung professionally, both live and in the studio, in Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and California for many years, performing almost every imaginable vocal style. Her rich experience as a lead and backup singer includes being a founding member of the a cappella Groups Girls' Night Out and the Baby Boomers. She has an impressive collection of Reinderette costumes from having performed with Dr. Elmo in many venues.
Rita Abrams (Co-Director, Co-Writer) http://www.ritaabrams.com/
Rita Abrams has won 2 Emmy Awards, 31 ASCAP Awards (American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers), and 3 San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for her musical comedy collaborations, which include Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, New Wrinkles, For Whom the Bridge Tolls, and Just My Type. Her Sony/BMG comedy albums with Dr. Elmo have sold 500,000. Rita's album containing her evergreen hit single "Mill Valley" has just been re-released by Japan's MUZAK, and her songs appear in Cunard Cruise lines' production, Crazy for Love. Her Pride and Prejudice musical, with book by Josie Brown, will premiere in London on November 27th, 2012.
