Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Jeff Plate Talks 30 Years of TSO Ahead of Worcester Shows

From a Box Truck to an Arena Spectacle

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Submittedl

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Worcester, MA-Drummer Jeff Plate, a founding member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, spoke about the band’s history and what audiences can expect from this year’s tour, which celebrates TSO’s 30th anniversary with a reimagined production of “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.”

Plate traced the origins of TSO back to the progressive metal band Savatage, managed and produced by the late Paul O’Neill. The instrumental track “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24” was originally conceived for a Savatage concept album and became an unexpected holiday hit, giving O’Neill the vehicle to launch Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The band recorded their debut album, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” in 1996 and began touring in 1999. “I remember being in the studio recording that and thinking how wonderful this whole thing was, the music, the performances, the story, everything about it, but not thinking that this was going to be the instant hit that it was.” 

Plate reflected on how the show grew from a single box truck and a handful of lights into a full arena production, crediting O’Neill’s storytelling and the music’s broad, cross-generational appeal for its enduring success. “TSO has become a holiday tradition for millions of people around the country and it’s something I never dreamed of, but it is the reality and we’re all just so proud to be able to carry on this legacy that Paul created.” said Plate. A viral video of a light-synchronized house display in Ohio further accelerated the band’s rise to arena-level popularity. Plate reminisced about those first shows, “I remember the show we did in Philadelphia, there were people in tuxedos and women in beautiful evening dresses and that whole thing. And then there’s other kids in the audience with metal shirts on. So, it was like the audience was so varied at the time.” 

First-time attendees can expect an elaborate production featuring says Plate, “Come to the show. You will not be disappointed. Sit in the room, feel the fire, get snowed on, watch the laser shoot over your head and just enjoy some really great music,” by a large ensemble of musicians and vocalists performing a mix of original TSO songs woven together with recognizable holiday themes.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2026

WORCESTER, MA DCU CENTER 3:00PM  &  7:30PM     (2 SHOWS !!)

**TICKETS AVAILABLE BEGINNING 9/18 AT:  TRANS-SIBERIAN.COM  or  **TSOTICKETS.COM