Elmo Shropshire
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (November 2010) |
Elmo Shropshire | |
|---|---|
 Shropshire performing in New York in 2009. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Dr. Elmo |
| Born | October 26, 1936 Lexington, Kentucky |
| Genres | Comedy, bluegrass |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Website | drelmo |
Elmo Shropshire, D.V.M. (born October 26, 1936), better known by his stage name Dr. Elmo, is a singer of comedy songs, most notably "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." He originally recorded the song in 1979 with his then-wife Patsy. He re-recorded it solo in 1992 for the album Dr. Elmo's Twisted Christmas and again in 2000 for the album Up Your Chimney. He also recorded two albums of year-round songs: Dr. Elmo's Twisted Tunes (1993) and Love, Death and Taxes (2000).
Early life
Elmo is a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and has a degree in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. After moving to San Francisco, he opened an animal hospital and became a competitive runner, all while continuing to play with his bluegrass band.
Success with "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"
In 1979, Shropshire recorded "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" (written by his friend Randy Brooks) and became an instant regional superstar.
Elmo originally invested $40,000 of his own money to produce the original album and music video for "Grandma..." and in return, he's become "a millionaire five times over".[1] Since then, Elmo has become part of a class action suit against Sony based upon the royalties paid from digital downloads and ringtone sales.[2]
In the Christmas special Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Dr. Elmo served as co-writer, the voice of Grandpa and the adult Jake narrating.
Personal life
Shropshire lives in Novato, California.[3] He and Patsy divorced in 1985.[4]
Discography
- With Elmo & Patsy
- Elmo & Patsy (1974)
- Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer (1983)
- Solo albums
- Dr. Elmo's Twisted Christmas (1992)
- Dr. Elmo's Twisted Tunes (1993)
- Love, Death, and Taxes (2000)
- Up Your Chimney (2000)
- Dr. Elmo's MisceLOONYous Tunes (2000)
- Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2002)
- Christmas in the U.S.A. (2004)
- Dr. Elmo Sings the Boos (2005)
- Redneck Dracula (2006) (with the Halloween Ghouls)
- Dr. Elmo Bluegrass Christmas (2010)
References
- ^ "How to make a million dollars". Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Retrieved 2006-10-30.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Napoli, Lisa (2006-10-30). "Ringtone royalties" (Audio with transcript). Marketplace.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer' singer is sued". USA Today. 2007-11-27. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ http://www.pacificsun.com/story_archives/dr_elmo.html