Although Christmas is not yet upon us, it will arrive soon. For many, the season brings joy, while for others, it might evoke feelings of sadness.

Al Pitrelli, 61, a key member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, acknowledges that such emotions are quite common. The band, which blends hard rock with holiday music, has been a staple for almost thirty years.

“Christmas stirs up strong feelings, which Paul wanted to convey from the start,” Pitrelli reflects on TSO’s founder, Paul O’Neill, who passed away in 2017. “Missing someone hits harder during the holidays. But as Paul would always say, it’s better to miss something than to never have had it at all.”

Fans of TSO will have much to look forward to as the group kicks off its dual tours starting November 13 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Green Bay, Wisconsin. The tour will go to cities including Phoenix, Denver, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Detroit, concluding on December 30 with performances in Oklahoma City and Toronto.

Presales for fan club members will begin on September 5 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by other presales starting September 12 at 10 a.m. local time. General sales will open on September 13 at 10 a.m. local time.

This year’s performance features a revival of the 20-year-old double album, “The Lost Christmas Eve,” which tells through music the story of a stern businessman who reunites with a son he had abandoned long ago.

“Paul’s message was clear,” Pitrelli shares, often speaking of his late friend as if he were present. “It’s never too late.”

Launched in the mid-’90s by seasoned rock musicians and producers (O’Neill was involved in some of Aerosmith’s albums, while Pitrelli has worked with Megadeth and Alice Cooper), TSO was inspired by rock operas from bands like The Who and Pink Floyd, combining that style with Christmas themes.

What’s the story behind the name Trans-Siberian Orchestra?

Regarding the band’s name, Pitrelli mentions that O’Neill found the idea of the famous Trans-Siberian railway in Russia “cool.” He reminisces about an early interview where an interviewer, thinking the band was foreign, complimented O’Neill, saying, “You know, your English is remarkably good.”

Following the success of their first album, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” released in 1996, a film titled “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” was produced in 1999. Initially, a tour was not planned. “We were pretty much like the Steely Dan of Christmas music,” Pitrelli jokes, referencing the iconic band known for rarely touring.

However, once they held live shows and saw massive turnout, a new phenomenon began. This year, TSO has sold around 20 million tickets and donated approximately $20 million to various charities, consistently ranking as one of the top touring acts in the industry, as reported by Pollstar and others.

What about TSO’s fanbase? Pitrelli chuckles as he reflects. “At our first show in Philadelphia in 1999, I looked at the front row and saw two grandparents in festive reindeer sweaters next to a big young man in a Slayer hoodie— that really says it all.”

For Pitrelli, hitting the road again is not only about reuniting with TSO fans but also about honoring the enduring legacy of his close friend.

“Paul was my closest friend, my mentor, my producer, my big brother. He cared for my children like they were his own,” he shares. “While I wish I didn’t have to miss him, I’m thankful to have had him in my life. Our performances are a celebration of Paul.”

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Concert Schedule for 2024