Listen as Madison speaks with Jeff Plate from Trans-Siberian Orchestra ahead of their show at PNC Arena tomorrow, December 12th!

Jeff Plate, drummer of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, chats with Madison about the group’s incredible success. Since their first tour in 1999, the group has performed to over 15 million people, and sold more than 12 million CDs. They’re currently touring in 65 cities performing 106 concerts, WOW!

A jaw-dropping light show matched to rockin’ Christmas music, Jeff speaks on how the group came to be, “Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the brainchild of Paul O’Neill, the late great Paul O’Neill. I mean his idea was to create something that was musically was going to cover all the bases, and touch every music genre, and also every age group, every lifestyle, every person you can imagine putting into an arena. He wanted to entertain everybody.”

The group found success in the Christmas world, Jeff says “We had initially released our first TSO Christmas CD in 1996, ‘Christmas Eve and Other Stories’ to follow up ‘Christmas Attic’ was in 1998. At this time we knew we had something musically that was really popular…But the idea of taking this thing on the road was the big mystery.”

Questions about how to take the group on the road arose, but through the support of Paul, the group got out there. “The first show I can remember like it was yesterday, it was nerve-wracking to say the least. But, from that show on, it’s just been a remarkable ride, and the reaction of the people, the fans, has just be tremendous. Here we are 20 years later, and everything looks great for us” Jeff explains.

Jeff talks about how this show will be different this year and what we can expect, saying “For this tour in particular, we’re presenting the Ghost of Christmas Eve, which is the story based on the television show we recorded back in 1999. You can find us on the Hallmark Channel all throughout the holiday season.”

Don’t miss Trans-Siberian Orchestra coming to PNC Arena tomorrow, December 12th!