Stars and Promises
The Story of Christmas
Stars and Promises is the title of a new Christmas Album to be released this year by Peter Mayer and his brother Jim Mayer. It features 6 original Christmas compositions, including "Sing Joy," "Love Is Born Anew," and "Mother's Song," along with a collaboration between Peter Mayer, Jim Mayer, and acclaimed hymn writer Herbert Brokering entitled "Wings Of Angels." The album also celebrates traditional carols such as, "O Come Oh Come Emmanuel," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "The Little Drummer Boy," and others. They are performed with fresh arrangements and unique instrumentation that includes Native American wood flute, electric and acoustic guitar, percussion from around the world, two violins, cello, and voice.
Christmas Concerts: The story of Christmas
The CD release will be followed by a series of concerts that will take the seven musicians on the road to selected cities around the country, playing in churches, performance halls, and similar venues. The concerts will be set up as a music/story dialogue between the musicians and the Pastor/Minister of the particular congregation. This format can be flexible, with the leader setting the preference for how often, or to what aspect of Christmas he or she speaks. The concert will begin with an opening piece, followed by a story, a homily, or thoughts on the particular direction of the next song. The musicians would then perform the song(s), moving the event back and forth in a dialogue of spoken word and song. Our hope is that each concert will be spontaneous in its presentation, and unique to the leader(s) and community(s) involved.
Funds raised for Charity
The Christmas season celebrates the life transforming message of Christ's birth and the spirit of giving. In that spirit we will pledge 33% of the revenues of each CD sold through the Internet, at stores around the country, and the Little Flock Records 800 number to charity. Designees for the funds so far include Christians Linked in Mission, Second Harvest food distribution programs, and the Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment center for Children. Additional information on the charities can be provided on request.
At the Christmas concerts themselves, 25% of the revenue from sale of the CD's will be donated back to the Church involved to be used for their own programs or their own choices for charitable needs.
Jim and Peter send Christmas wishes! (340k MPEG Video) |
Information on the musicians:
Peter Mayer and brother Jim Mayer were born in India, the sons of missionary parents who spent a total of 17 years there. In 1966, the family moved to America where Jim and Peter pursued a career in music. Jim studied classical bass at the conservatory of music in St. Louis. He went on to study jazz, performing with artists such as Herb Ellis, Pat Matheny, James Moody, Eddie Harris and Howard Johnson. Peter played with various bands in the St. Louis area, studied classical and jazz guitar, and for three years taught the jazz guitar studies course at Webster University. In 1985, Jim and Peter formed the pop group PM with drummer, Roger Guth. In 1988, the group was signed to Warner Brothers Records, and in 1989, their single "Piece of Paradise" reached number 8 on the Billboard adult contemporary charts. That year they toured with the groups Chicago and the Moody Blues, and were asked by Jimmy Buffett to be his band on the recording, Off To See the Lizard. Buffett asked them to go on tour with him, and, since then, 1 summer has turned into 11 tours, and 7 albums with the Jimmy Buffett band. During the time off from tours with Buffett, PM released two additional albums, and Peter has pursued a solo career, releasing three albums of his own, Green Eyed Radio, Romeo's Garage, and Spare Tire Orchestra. Jim has been producing and recording music on his own, and is currently completing his musical children's story, The Boy and the Bear. Jim and Peter presently make their homes in Nashville Tennessee.Scott Bryan plays percussion with the ensemble, but has a wide range of musical abilities that include guitar, keyboards, bass, French horn, and a strong voice. He toured for 5 years with Sheryl Crow, sharing the stage with the likes of Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Bryan was a co-writer with Crow on "Hard to Make a Stand," a single off her second album. Scott Bryan now writes, produces on his own and tours with the Peter Mayer Group. He lives with his 3 sons in St. Louis Missouri.
Mark Holland plays the Native American wood flute, concert flute and various wind instruments. Having studied with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Holland has logged 20 years of playing experience on the concert flute. During that time, he has played in rock, classical and jazz settings. In 1994 Holland took up the native flute and since then has amassed a collection of over 20 of the instruments. Keeping an active interest in his art form, he founded the acoustic folk ensemble, Autumn's Child, in 1995, with whom he has recorded three albums. Holland periodically leads workshops on the native flute, and recently founded the St. Louis Native American Flute Circle.
Ron Vince plays violin and mandolin. He currently teaches at Washington University in St. Louis, and regularly plays with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He has played electric as well as acoustic violin in a variety of groups with styles ranging from classical and rock, to jazz. He and his family live in St. Louis Missouri.