Biog
Breeze & Wilson biog (and quotes ... plus a few comments from our audiences)
It must be nearly 15 years ago when Toby answered Graham’s request in a newspaper for musicians that could make him feel like he should carry on writing and performing. That was the beginning of a timely partnership. Toby had come from a history of hard-working “playing everything” bands and Graham was out of his comfy country blues band. They spent time co-writing and recording with Graham’s old songwriting mate Barry, until Barry left to write musicals and plays. Toby and Graham wanting to continue, decided to take their songs and present them to a live audience.
So … I think, in 2004, or thereabouts, they ventured into the world of UK folk clubs and festivals. Unfortunately, their eclectic style was a little too varied for these traditional venues so they started to look for listening audiences at venues that would accept a more inclusive presentation of musical styles. They had a stroke of fortune when one of their songs was picked up by a radio host in Atlantic Canada .. and the next chapter began .
THE CANADA STORY
Early April 2007, a guy called Jim Hahnen from Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, innocently searched the net for a song he half-remembered. It had the name “Harriet” in it somewhere and so he searched for “Harriet’s Song” and was promptly directed onto our newly established Myspace page ... we had a new song there called Harriet’s Song. Although not the song he was looking for, Jim loved the song .... asked if there were more songs .... and we posted our CDs out to him.
He passed copies of the CDs to his favourite Weekend Morning radio show on the CBC network in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Although never having heard of us, Stan Carew, the host of the Weekend Mornings radio show, also liked the song and played Harriet’s Song on his show. There followed a flood of requests from his listeners for our CDs. Alongside the CD requests were offers for concerts, venues and accommodation ... if we could get there.
We wrote and recorded a song thanking the folk of the Maritimes (Eastern region of Canada) for being so supportive to us (Oh Nova Scotia) and then sent the song to Stan. Stan liked this song too, and played it on his show, this produced more and more interest from his listeners. The song Oh Nova Scotia eventually became the title track of our 2008 CD. Then Stan suggested we go over to Canada to do a few concerts to satisfy the demand from the fans there.
Four months later, in July 2007, we did two fantastic sold-out nights at The Music Room, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In October 2007, Stan visited us in the UK and we did three gigs playing together. The last gig ended in a wondrous evening with guest, Harriet Bartlett (of the song Harriet’s Song), joining us with her fantastic accordion playing. This exchange of music and friendships has now become a driving force for more communication between both homelands.
A wonderful Atlantic Canadian tour followed in the summer of 2008, and brought Breeze & Wilson and Stan Carew into duo and trio performances throughout the ten gigs. The highlight of the tour being a fantastic weekend at STANFEST, a most prestigious Song-Writers Music Festival of Atlantic Canada. We have now been over to Canada each year to do our tours, and we have spread our concerts across the breadth of the region, recording joint CDs with Stan (a prodigious songwriter). We now have a distribution site in Canada for our individual and combined CDs: www.zoeydogmusic.com Breeze & Wilson CDs are available at each gig we play ... and in the UK from: www.breezeandwilson.com
Quotes
“Following a chance email 4 years ago Graham and Toby developed a large fan-base on Canada’s east coast and, after several tours here, they have been raising money for charities and village halls in the UK ever since. The grand total raised so far is just over the £30,000 mark. Whilst the music often tells sad tales, it is carefully crafted, beautifully delivered and the jovial banter in the gaps offsets the melancholy mood! They are a highly accomplished acoustic duo with brilliant harmonies, tasteful musicianship and a great selection of songs”. Stan Carew (CBC Radio Host of Weekend Mornings, Halifax)
"Graham Breeze and Toby Wilson are an acoustic duo that favours the roots end of American Country music alongside their own compositions. They play guitars, dobro and sing in harmony with a sublime sense of taste and discrimination. These guys are real players: they have touch; they have judgement; they have talent. Anyone who can do a Lyle Lovett song and make you sit up with attention has to be good. Lyle Lovett, a Texan who epitomises style and sophistication in country music, is an impossible act to emulate; Graham and Toby did the song proud. They are deft of touch, with a wonderful sense of timing, their voices beautifully blended. If there is a better duo doing this sort of roots country music in the Midlands (UK) then I haven’t heard it: exquisite music, exquisitely played." Neil Dalton The Real Music Club & Maverick Magazine in November issue.
"Gentleman! I just wanted to drop you a line to say how sorry I am that missed your show! Alas, I was off to Antigonish with Peter conferencing and such. I heard that you "brought down the house" as the old saying goes. I hope you had as much fun as the audience and crew did. The sponsor for the show is still star struck and utterly pleased with the show! So thank you! Hopefully our paths with cross soon! Cheers" Angela Angela Campbell - Manager of Development, Imperial Theatre, 24 King Square South, Saint John, New Brunswick.
"Dear Graham and Toby, better known as Breeze and Wilson.....? ?We cannot thank you enough for the brilliant concert you did for us on May 7th. The music was great and everyone enjoyed it, as you could probably tell by the encores! This was definitely complemented by your repartee between songs - what a double act! ? ?Thanks to your generosity we were able to make a profit of £765.11!!!!? ?Our thanks must be passed on to Nina, too who has worked so hard for us.?We would be more than delighted to do it again as you suggested. Hope your time with your Canadian Fans and fellow musicians has gone well for you.? ? Best of wishes, ?Gill and rest of the fund-raisers for Malawi Children's Centre"
"Hi Toby Many, many thanks to you and Graham for a really excellent night of music, songs and chat about dogs and cheese! A number of people have approached me expressing their enjoyment of the evening and asked about the forthcoming tour with your Canadian friends. I have directed them to your web site for details. Latest estimates suggest we made about £440 after expenses on the night. This will probably go towards a new boiler and heating system in Checkley Church. Someone also came up to me in Church on Sunday morning and had listened to the whole CD and wanted to know when the lady who sings with you (Meaghan Smith) will be joining a performance. Once again, many, many thanks. Best regards. Jim"