Elmo & Patsy

Best known as the group behind the left-field holiday staple "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," Elmo & Patsy was a comedic folk duo formed by Elmo Shropshire and Patsy Trigg in San Francisco, California. After making their debut with a self-titled album, Elmo & Patsy, in 1974, the two singers came across Randy Brooks' original song "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and decided to record the song themselves. The single was released independently in 1979. Another studio album, Will You Be Ready?, appeared in 1980, followed by Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer — a full-length record that featured an even newer recording of the titular song — in 1983. This updated version of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" proved to be a genuine Christmastime hit, with the song peaking at Number 92 on the Hot Country Singles chart and earning Elmo & Patsy a unique audience of comedy, folk, and country fans. Despite its popularity, it also marked Elmo & Patsy's final release, with Elmo Shropshire going on to release a long line of humorous holiday albums under the name "Dr. Elmo." Meanwhile, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" continues to receive heavy radio airplay every holiday season.