Hitting the high notes with TSO

Kids Stuff
By William Feldman

Welcome to Kids Stuff. Today’s column includes an interview with the Transiberian Orchestra’s incredible guitarist, Chris Caffery, along with some new information on the band itself. Plus, I have a tasty new contest, and info on Hannah Montana co-star Mitchel Musso.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY
Transiberian Orchestra, known as TSO, began in 1996. They perform symphonic rock/rock opera, and combine pastoral (religious) music with rock and theatrical music. The opera portion tells a story through music. The term "rock opera" was started by The Who, with their recording of Tommy, and Pink Floyd, with the album The Wall.
Paul O’Neill, the producer, writer and creator of the band, picked the group’s name after being impressed by both the beauty and harshness of the landscape in Siberia. He’d also taken note that the Trans-Siberian Railroad is the longest railroad in the world, connecting Europe to Asia and also bringing together cultures and music.
TSO is divided into two musical touring groups, East Coast and West Coast, for their annual holiday tour. This holiday season’s tour consists of around 50 different cities for both tours.
Chris commented that you rarely run into someone who is so focused, dedicated and brilliantly creative as Paul. Paul has a vision, and the members of TSO work together to help make it happen.
TSO has evolved over the last five years by setting an identity for itself.
"The one thing that I am noticing is that there are a lot of bands, younger musicians and people that are definitely being influenced by the TSO. When we first came out, what we were doing was establishing ourselves," said Chris.
TSO believes they finally became such a huge production within the arena status and the way the shows have skyrocketed into these monstrous productions. I think they have set their own standards.
This year it is an entirely new production as far as the stage and the light show, according to Chris.
"People are totally blown away by the magnitude of the lighting," he said.
There are a couple of changes musically in the show, but nothing tremendous.
TSO fanatics like me might notice this year there is a new bass player, Chris Altenhoff, and one new female vocalist from England.
"You know bands go through changes, and a lot of times the changes can really be positive," Chris said. "TSO is like one big family. There is nothing to say that the people that have not been on the recent tour won’t be back. We are definitely very close with people that have ever been a part of us."
TSO DVDs include The Christmas Trilogy Box Set, which includes Christmas Eve and Other Stories; The Christmas Attic; The Lost Christmas Eve; and The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.
They hope their long-awaited new non-holiday CD, Night Castles, will be released next fall, before the next holiday touring season in 2008. I agree, it is going to be very interesting to see what it is going to be like to bring TSO out in the warmer months and at outdoor venues.
On the personal side, Chris is single. He has been busy trying to write a children’s book, but touring has kept him from completing it. He sees next year as the optimal time because the group will be spending a lot of time in the studio recording and less time traveling.
Chris is interested in cooking. If you want to see some of his recipes just e-mail me.
"Basically, I like to cook anything," he said. "I was one of those people that had both of my parents working. My mom would kind of leave a suggestion of what I should make for dinner. I can make anything from a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to tons of different pasta dinners. Cooking is one of those things that when I do it I don’t think about anything else."
From research, I found out something that Chris was too modest to mention — he donated some of his recipes to Recipes For Life, which is an all-volunteer charity cookbook with recipes donated by music fans and musicians to help in the fight against childhood cancer.
To make a band successful and make it to the top, Chris noted, "One plus one is three. When they ask me what I mean when I say that, it is because the music business does not make any sense. You are going to come across a lot of obstacles. Sometimes you will know in your heart that you are doing something that is great or correct and someone will tell you it is not.
"You have to be willing to accept as silly as knowing one plus one is two and having someone tell you one plus one is three," he added. "It is a cold business. You have to be extremely dedicated and sacrifice a lot personally. If it is something that you really want to make happen, you have to be willing to put the time in it."
What does Chris think of American Idol and America’s Got Talent?
"I really like them," he said. "In the case of American Idol, just being able to find and develop somebody like Carrie Underwood alone is just worth having that show. She is so brilliant. It gives some people a chance to live their dreams. The world has changed. We have a mass media and television. Entertainment is everywhere in our faces. To be able to know that a television show that focuses on music and singing can be the number one rated show is a good feeling as a musician."
An addendum for my readers: I had a chance to see TSO this past weekend, and all I can say is, wow! As I mentioned for the past five years, you need to see their concert for yourself. Once you see it you will be hooked, too.

A CONTEST WITH A TWIST
Almost everyone, of all ages, loves to eat soft pretzels with yellow mustard. Well here is your chance to munch on some fresh ones just made. Fifteen lucky winners will receive 10 pretzels from the new Philly Pretzel Factory, opened and operated by Jason and Kathleen La Brie. Their store is located at 1687 Grant Ave., in the Grant Plaza shopping center. The phone number is 215-677-1537.
Just answer this trivia question: The pretzel is believed to have been invented by what monk in the 6th century? Hint: It’s a country shaped like a boot.
Deadline is Dec. 28. Send all e-mail to wmkidscolumn@aol.com

COOL HANNAH MONTANA INFO
Hannah Montana star Mitchel Musso is scheduled to join the No. 1 radio network for kids and families, Radio Disney AM 640 Philadelphia, to meet fans at the Oxford Valley Mall on Saturday, Dec. 15. Musso stars as Oliver in the No. 1 series for kids ages 6 to 14, Hannah Montana.
In celebration of the arrival of the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds Concert Tour, kids will get a chance to meet Hannah Montana’s best friend Musso. Radio Disney will entertain the crowd with music, games and prizes.
Musso will also be at The Crayola Factory in Easton, Pa., on Friday, Dec. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Oxford Valley Mall is located at 2300 East Lincoln Highway, Suite 220 A in Langhorne, Pa. The Crayola Factory is located at 30 Centre Square in Easton.
Go to www.RadioDisney.com/Philadelphia for more information. ••
Columnist William Feldman can be contacted by e-mail at wmkidscolumn@aol.com