The Rock & Roll Christmas!

Rock & Roll Christmas is a Las Vegas-caliber, multimedia, full-production show that mixes an 8-piece band with music, comedy, parodies and even a game show!

Join an all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through timeless holiday classics and bring new takes on hit songs you didn't even know were holiday classics.

The line-up of musicians is truly legendary as Paul "Stretch" Diethelm and Ted Manderfeld are joined on stage by vocalists Pamela McNeill, Stacy Bauer, and Tim Haussner, and backed by bassist Mike Zeleny, saxophonist and flutist Mike Kreitzer and drummer Billy Thommes.

You'll hear Christmas standards like Silent Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree, The Little Drummer Boy and many more like you've never heard them performed before! Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit better than the Rock & Roll Christmas!

For six of the past nine years the posters of the Rock & Roll Christmas have become something of legend. The idea has always been to “Christmas-ize” iconic Rock album covers and with the help of the very talented Randy Engebritson, they have become a reality. Check 'em out!

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The group of players involved in this show are all professional musicians from different groups who come together to create something truly Spectacular!

Ted Manderfeld / Piano and Co-Producer

Hailing from St. Cloud, Minnesota, Ted Manderfeld performs over 120 shows a year as one half of exciting and highly successful Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos. The duo has traveled  from coast to coast in the USA and Mexico playing for corporate clients, country clubs and casinos as well as many of the premier nightclubs in the region.  Along with RRXS and Deuces Wild, Ted co-produces the Billy Joel and Elton John tribute show “Eye 2 Eye” with former Bobby Vee and GB Leighton keyboardist Greg Armstrong.  He has also spent time in the studio as jingle writer, recording artist and producer. He has performed as an actor and even a game show host! All these abilities come to the forefront when Ted, with his kinetic and boundless energy performs on stage proving he truly is a showman's showman and musician’s musician.

wildpianos.com
Billy and Elton Eye 2 Eye

Paul “Stretch” Diethelm / Guitar and Co-Producer

Paul Diethelm is a veteran of over 30 years of live performance, studio recording and songwriting. Born and raised in Watertown MN, Paul moved to St Cloud in 1983 where at age 18 he joined the R&B flavored Greystone Rockers.  In 1989 Slip Twister was formed and they quickly grew to become a midwestern perennial favorite.  As an eight year member of the Jonny Lang Band, Paul toured the world and shared the stage with rock and blues legends including Aerosmith, B.B. King, Sting, and the Rolling Stones. He has made multiple appearances on national T.V. shows including David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O'Brien. Paul is a magnetic performer, a world-class guitarist and has played on two Grammy-nominated recordings, including the platinum selling Jonny Lang album "Wander This World," for which he also co-wrote the hit single title track, and most recently the "Pinetop Perkins and Friends" album where he appears on tracks with Eric Clapton, BB King & Jimmy Vaughan.

pauldiethelm.com
sliptwister.com

Billy Thommes / Drums

Billy Thommes is a world-class, powerful drummer whose musicality and professionalism make him the perfect choice to match the varied musical styles in the show! Billy is an in-demand musician in the Twin Cities for touring and studio work. With versatility as his calling card, he's backed up a wide range of artists. From the blues rock of Jonny Lang , Indigenous, Bernard Allison and Sue Foley, to the Minneapolis rock of Soul Asylum and the Honeydogs, from 50's/60's hit makers Bobby Vee and Fabian, to the funk of Dr.Mambo's Combo and Kip Blackshire, and even singer/songwriters Barbara Cohen and Marlee Macleod, Billy’s extensive musical knowledge and his ability to “play the gig” are very evident as the backbone of every “RRXS” show.

Billy Thommes Facebook

Mike Zeleny / Bass

For over 20 years, Mike Zeleny has been one third of one of the midwest’s most popular and sought after bands: Slip Twister. Along with Paul Diethelm and drummer Jay O’Donnell, Mike has played innumerable shows all over the region and proven to be an essential part of the rhythmic backbone of every show he is in, including RRXS, Billy and Elton Eye 2 Eye, The Fabulous Armadillos, and Deep Seven. Mike is also a master instrument repair technician and is the owner of MikeTech, an instrument repair and sales shop in St Cloud MN. 

miketechmusic.com
sliptwister.com    

Pamela McNeill / Vocals

In the words of Minneapolis / St. Paul magazine, “Country-rock siren Pamela McNeill cooks like grease on the griddle!”  Whether it’s opening for artists such as Etta James, touring arenas worldwide as a vocalist for stars like Rick Astley, or selling out theaters for her own shows, she truly has “an artists heart.” Besides songwriting for her 4 critically acclaimed solo albums, Pamela has also penned songs for artists such as Wynonna (Judd) and Yanni.  Based in Minneapolis she has developed a fervent following in the Midwest and in 2007 was featured in the book “Music Legends - A Rewind on the Minnesota Music Scene,”– written by Martin Keller.  As a songwriter herself, Pamela evokes the passion behind the writing of the song and her electricity as a performer will have all eyes on her every time she steps on stage to sing!

pamelamcneill.com
Pamela McNeill Facebook

Tim Haussner / Vocals

Born in Winnipeg, but raised in the woods of Northern Minnesota,  Tim Haussner has been a singer/songwriter/guitarist for many different groups in the past 10 years.  He has played thousands of shows at:  large festivals, back yards, coffee shops, bank openings, weddings, pizza joints, clubs, body builder competitions, garages, theaters, and holes in the wall from Minnesota to Alaska.  In the fall of 2006, his band Friends of Yoder released their first recording effort “Backdoor”.  They had the good fortune to be voted the best band in Central MN by the St. Cloud Times two consecutive years.  In 2008, Tim released his second CD “Road Weary” with John Wilber to critical acclaim. “Tiny” Tim’s voice and charisma continue to be a vital part of every RRXS show!

 Time Haussner Facebook

Stacy Bauer / Vocals

This powerhouse vocalist that has been with RRXS since the beginning. Having headed the popular midwest Led Zeppelin tribute band, Blimp, Stacy was a perfect candidate to come in and round out the list of vocalists for the RRXS. Besides being a member of Blimp, Stacy is a member of the Stearns County Pachanga Society and was recently asked to perform shows with Janis Joplin’s former band, Big Brother and the Holding Company in a string of sold out shows. You won’t believe the voice that comes out of this seasoned performer!

blimprocks.com

Mike Krietzer / Sax & Flute

Mike Kreitzer is a multi-instrumentalist that has also been a part of the RRXS since its inception. Having played in many local bands for more than two decades and often featured in the Fabulous Armadillos series, Mike proves to be a valuable asset to take the show to the next level. And you won’t believe the response from the crowd when you hear him play his flute on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen!”