News Alert! Petey has announced he will not be bringing a jolly-sized man in a red suit with eight reindeer to join us this Christmas! Instead, this year he has decided to break tradition and bring us guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Peter Mayer, of the Peter Mayer Group in concert on December 8th, at Hickory Ridge Middle School in Harrisburg, NC.

Mayer has melded a unique and multi-faceted writing style, a distinctive voice, and inspired musicianship to create compelling and accessible music that is electrifying in live performance. Mayer has culled influences from his childhood in India that ranged from traditional Indian music to The Beatles, and from his studying and teaching Jazz guitar at Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Add the many years that he has shared the stage with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, James Taylor, Mac McAnally, Sonny Landreth, Don Henley and others, and you begin to trace the musical storyline of the Peter Mayer Group.

Each December, the Peter Mayer Group embarks on its Christmas Tour, Stars and Promises. For many, these 16 or 17 performances kick off the Christmas-Holiday season and have become both a thrilling and meaningful part of their celebration. These performances feature a collection of original and traditional Christmas music played by an expanded musical cast that include guest artists such as noted Native Flute player Mark Holland, local children’s and bell choirs in select areas, and the beautiful scenery and sonic presentation brought on board by the production of Chad Stewart and Stewart Sound.

The Stars and Promises tour has continued to grow, seeing frequent sellout crowds since its inception in 2000. In 2010, the group rang in the holiday season with its most ambitious tour to date, celebrating its tenth anniversary with a tour that thrilled audiences across the country.

A favorite part of the evening for the audiences is the Meet and Greet after each performance. “I don’t believe music in live performance is just a process of rolling into town, playing a show for the people, taking a bow, and then rolling out again,” says Mayer. “I believe each time we, the musicians, play we should be part of the audience of those who came for a one-night-only experience, and I consider the audience to be a part of the band in the sense that they take the music in and give it back to us with their unique energy, making it come alive in a brand new way each time.“

Due to the Meet and Greet seating is limited, so log onto http://peteyspromise.org/shop/en/45-stars-and-promises-concert.html for tickets before Petey sells them all!