Arts & Entertainment

Elmo's Humor Tickles Us This Time of Year

He took some flak for 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,' but he's gotten over it.

Take a wild guess at which song is No. 1 among most downloaded comedy tracks this season.

... Thirty-three years after it was first recorded.

It's the song that put Dr. Elmo Shropshire among the world's best-known musicians based in Marin County, right along with Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis and the Grateful Dead.

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It's the song for which he was targeted by folks angry who took the song a little too seriously and complained about its references to alcohol and violence.

It's the song that has been covered by dozens of other musicians and bands, including a heavy metal group.

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Obviously, it's "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."

Dr. Elmo, a former veterinarian and a competive runner, is still having a blast and joking about his fame.

"The following comments have been made about my voice: 'a vaguely menacing hillbilly vibe' and 'sounds like Santa has a light grip on his throat,'" he said. "I have also been referred to as 'one of the most notorious public enemies since Bonnie & Clyde got aerated by the FBI."

He's played a few dates on his North Bay Christmas tour already, and he plays Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol on Dec. 23.

"This year, just as I reach 76 and should be checking into a retirement home, I win my age division in the National USA Track & Field cross country 5 kilometer championship and my song is No. 1 on Billboard's comedy chart for the first time. It's been one helluva year!"

Enjoy this story in the Pacific Sun and this story from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

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