Frank Erwin Center | Press Releases

Austin, TEXAS – One of the most successful live acts in music history, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) has slated a major North American tour to bring their new album Night Castle to their legions of loyal fans. TSO’s Winter Tour 2009 will stop at the Frank Erwin Center on December 28, with two performance times to accommodate their large and rapidly growing fan base. As visionary on stage as they are in the studio, TSO is one of the fastest-growing live bands on the road today, with attendance increasing consistently each year. The group has performed before more than 5 million people since 1999, with a total live gross now exceeding $200 million.

With sales in excess of 7 million -- including nearly 2 million CDs and DVDs sold in the past two years -- Trans-Siberian Orchestra is among the most popular groups of the modern era. TSO debuted in 1996 with the timeless Christmas Eve and Other Stories. Highlighted by the remarkable hit single, "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," the album has since achieved Multi-Platinum™ certification from the RIAA, with sales now rapidly approaching 3 million. Two further albums completed O'Neill's Christmas Trilogy: 1998's The Christmas Attic and 2004's The Lost Christmas Eve, both of which are currently approaching Multi-Platinum™ certification. All three of the Christmas-themed albums have proven enduring blockbusters, returning annually to the top 10 on Billboard's "Top Catalog Albums" and "Top Holiday Albums" charts. Beethoven’s Last Night, TSO's rock opera fantasy about "what could have happened" on Beethoven's final night of life, has also been certified Gold®.

Released in 2001, TSO's full-length DVD, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, has also received RIAA Gold® certification. Narrated by the late award-winning actor Ossie Davis, the magical production -- which features guest appearances from Jewel and Michael Crawford -- is the annual centerpiece of PBS' holiday programming, airing over 500 times in more than 120 markets since 2002.
TSO’s long-awaited double album Night Castle is being released on Tuesday, October 27. Years in the making, Night Castle is without question TSO's most ambitious and adventurous work to date. Founder Paul O'Neill and crew have created 26 songs that run the gamut from hard rock to classical, taking the listener on a journey through different points of history. Night Castle details the triumphs and follies of man but is ultimately an epic story of transformation and love. The two-CD set will be released at a special low price, and will include a unique 68-page booklet, featuring story, lyrics, and full-color illustrations by legendary artist Greg Hildebrandt.

"Obviously our fans have been unbelievably patient," O'Neill says. "This was supposed to come out a few years ago. But we were dedicated to making something really special, and the longer it took, the more pressure we felt to give people the best possible piece of art we could.” "These are hard times," he adds, explaining the lower price, "and we're trying to do what we can to make them better. We believe in value with Trans-Siberian Orchestra; everything we do -- the shows, the albums, the souvenirs -- are over-the-top productions with a lot of stuff for people to see and hear and feel, and we do that for as inexpensive a price as we can."
Media Requests:

Anyone interested in requesting an interview with Trans-Siberian Orchestra or reviewer passes for the show should contact Kelly VonDrehle via reply email or phone. A high-resolution photo is attached; additional photos available upon request.

Tickets for Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2009 at the Frank Erwin Center Monday, December 28 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. are $25, $42, $52 and $62 and GO ON SALE Saturday, October 10 at 10 a.m. at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes select H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Kyle, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Temple; Ft. Hood ITR and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512-477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order online at TexasBoxOffice.com.