Biography

1979: Dr. Elmo (as Elmo & Patsy) releases "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," jamming radio request lines. First played on KSFO Radio, San Francisco, it s briefly banned from the station.

1980: The Gray Panthers picket a Dr. Elmo concert, claiming his song is ageist, sexist and violent.

1982: "Grandma" becomes the most requested Christmas song in radio history.

1983: Dr. Elmo produces a "Grandma" music video, which airs on MTV. "Grandma" rises to #1 on Billboard's
Christmas Chart (first song ever to surpass Bing Crosby's "White Christmas").

1985: "Grandma" runs over Bing's "White Christmas" as #1 hit on Billboard's Christmas Chart for the third consecutive year.

1986: DJ Jack Daniels is fired for playing "Grandma" 27 times in a row.

1990: Ten years after being banned and picketed, "Grandma" is 1 of 4 approved Christmas songs selected for the
Armed Forces Radio playlist during Operation Desert Storm.
1995: Parenting Magazine lists "calling radio stations and requesting "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" as
the #1 thing kids love about the holidays.
1996: Dr. Elmo and Bobby Helms (Jingle Bell Rock) share top billing at Cincinnati's TAFT Theatre.

2001: The most popular interviewer at Christmas time, Dr. Elmo was a guest on over 188 radio and television
programs, including CNN, Fox Network News, Westwood One, WABC New York, WGN Chicago and others.

2002: The Animated Television Movie, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" airs in prime time on the WB
Network, Cartoon Network and CTV. Dr. Elmo wrote the story, the songs, narrated, and voiced the role of "Grandpa." Dr. Elmo releases a new Album on BMG records, featuring "Uncle Johnny's Glass Eye."

2003: NEWSWEEK runs a "Grandma Got Run Over" cartoon in their December 1 issue. Dr. Elmo performs at the
Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on the bill with Peter Frampton, George Thorogood, and Pat Benatar. Dr.
Elmo's video "Grandma's Killer Fruitcake" airs on Great American Country and The Good Life T.V.
Network. The "Grandma" Song is featured on "King of the Hill, "Saturday Night Live," "Mad TV," "CNN,"
and Disney's Christmas Special from Walt Disney World.

2004: Dr. Elmo performs at the ARCO Arena in the Jingle Ball concert with Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne and Gwen
Stefani.

2005: "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" is featured in the major motion picture, JARHEAD,
and is the most downloaded Christmas song for ringtones. Dr. Elmo is both commentator and
subject in the BRAVO channels' "Greatest Things About the Holidays." Dr. Elmo is
SonyBMG's #2 selling Christmas artist for two years in a row.

2006: "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" appears in the new movie DECK THE HALLS with Danny DeVito
and Matthew Broderick. Dr. Elmo's new SonyBMG Halloween CD makes the Billboard charts for 8 weeks.
Dr. Elmo celebrates his birthday by finishing 9th in his age division in the New York City Marathon.

2007: After years of fearing "Grandma," Hallmark has finally embraced the counter culture classic and is
featuring the song in a new line of musical greeting cards and buttons. Dr. Elmo tours with Brenda Lee.

2009: Walmart carries an exclusive gift tin commemorating Dr. Elmo's 30 year anniversary.

2010: Time Life releases "Dr. Elmo's Bluegrass Christmas" Dr. Elmo releases an iPhone App. Both to rave reviews.