The Breeze Kings Best Blues Shows 1999

The best of the Breeze Kings

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The Breeze Kings have been together since October 1997. After hundreds of shows and performances all over the USA and Europe, we could right an interesting book. Here is a collection of some our favorite memories.

1999

- On April 11th, the Breeze Kings performed at the 1st Annual Atlanta Blues Society Festival at the Tabernacle. It was the ABS's biggest event to date and the first time most of the sellout crowd had ever seen the band. Needless to say, the Breeze Kings inspired performance did not disappoint.

- April 22, the Breeze Kings opened for Leon Russell at the Tabernacle. Leon has played with everyone at one time or another and his fans come from far and wide. We're sure they got a special surprise out of the Breeze Kings

- On June 18th, the Breeze Kings opened for the legendary BO DIDDLEY at the Tabernacle. It was a killer blues and rock-n-roll show and a monster crowd - definitely the biggest performance to date for us. In some ways, this show even led to Carlos getting married!!! If you were there, we hope you enjoyed the music and had as much fun as we did. It was a night we will never forget.

- On July 4th, the Breeze Kings did their craziest gig yet. At 7:30am the band performed for the 14,000 runners of the annual Peachtree Road Race as they ran by Fellini's on Peachtree. People have come up to us throughout 1999 to say they ran by and loved our sound.

- On August 15th the Breeze Kings had another big show at Z93 92.9 FM's annual free concert featuring The Steve Miller Band and George Thorogood and the Destroyers at Lakewood Amphitheater. Thanks everyone!!

- On October 8th, the Breeze Kings had their big CD release party on their 2 year band anniversary at the Northside Tavern. The Healers opened the show and for the first time ever, the fans got to take us home.

- On Saturday October 9th, the Breeze Kings performed at the 1999 Virginia Highland Stroll Festival. Bad weather didn't keep all the local merchants from setting up shop out on the sidewalk. Bad weather didn't keep the good music from happening. The Breeze Kings did their thing and made sure the people came out and had a great time.

- On Sunday October 10th, the Breeze Kings had the honor of performing at a benefit for the National Mental Health Association of Georgia called "Chasing Away the Blues". The benefit was held at The Mill in Atlanta and featured a silent auction. Our old friends from Z93 92.9 FM were there and we had a ball. All proceeds went to help those who suffer from Clinical Depression.

In 1999, the Breeze Kings added 19 new venues to their roster: The Star Bar, Dalton Depot, Leopard Lounge, High Hat, Tabernacle, McDuff's Irish Pub, Cafe' Loco, Rooster's, Popper's, Tropicana Room, Suburb-A-Night Pizza, Jungle Room, Lakewood Amphitheatre, Darwin's, East Village Grill, The Mill, Smith's Old Bar, Riverfront Blues, and Savannah Blues.

2000

- On January 16th, the Breeze Kings performed at the Atlanta Blues Society's first meeting of the new millennium. The party was at the Jungle Room and was followed by an all-star jam like none before or since. Leave it to the Breeze Kings to bring the party wherever they are!

- On March 4th, the Breeze Kings opened for Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women at the Variety Playhouse. The crowd, and even the Saffire ladies, went out of their way to let the Breeze Kings know they loved the show.

- On March 11th, the Breeze Kings were honored to rock the house at the release party for local music magazine "Feedback". The Breeze Kings support all who support local music.

- On April 9th, the Breeze Kings once again did their thing at the 2nd annual Atlanta Blues Society Festival at the Tabernacle. We were very proud to be the only band to be invited to perform for the second year in a row. The festival was a great success and we look forward to seeing it get bigger and bigger in the future!!!

- On June 3rd, the Breeze Kings closed the night with our friends from Z93 FM radio at the Virginia Highland summer festival. The weather had cooled off and the crowd was in just the right mood for our kind of groove.

- On June 10th, the Breeze Kings were asked to play not one ... but two Atlanta area blues festivals. Too much? The Breeze Kings can make it happen. First it was the Back Porch Blues Festival at Darwin's benefiting our good friends at WRFG 89.3FM radio and then off to the Atlanta Blues Summit held at the Echo Lounge.

- On June 16th and 17th, the Breeze Kings did their GA blues thing in Chattanooga TN for the annual Riverbend Festival. Over 150,000 people came through the gates and many of them left with a new favorite blues band. Probably the largest event we've played to date.

- On July 4th, the Breeze Kings did it again. We crawled out of our caves at the crack of dawn, set up on Peachtree Street, and gave a blues boost to the 15,000 runners of the annual Peachtree Road Race. It was amazing how many people remembered us from last year. We saw old fans run by and certainly made a whole lot of new ones.

- On Thursday August 17, the Breeze Kings continued our quest for the big time by making our longest road trip yet. We brought GA blues all the way up to the New Jersey shore at the Bubba Mac Shack.

- On Saturday October 7 the sky was blue, the sun was shining, the beer was cold, the chili was hot and thousands of people were diggin' the blues as the Breeze Kings rocked Stone Mountain at the 21st annual Miller Lite Chili Cook Off.

- On Thursday October 12, the Breeze Kings were visited by a blues legend. The One and Only Mr. Sam Myers dropped by the Northside to catch the show and before long was right up on stage with the band. Sam left with a promise to be back soon ... we'll be waiting Sam.

- Sunday December 31st, the Breeze Kings ended another great year with a bang ... and a shiver. Performing in full winter gear, the band heated up the 26 degree air and the brave fans who came out to the annual Peach Drop celebration at Underground in Atlanta.

In 2000, the Breeze Kings added 12 new venues to their roster: The Variety Playhouse, The Red Light Cafe', The Loft, The Somber Reptile, The Maple Street Mansion, Modest Grounds, Irish Bred, The Echo Lounge, the Bubba Mac Shack (New Jersey), Chip's Roadhouse, Ray's Downtown Blues (Florida), and Bankstreet Cafe.

2001

- The fans say we're the best, the papers say we're the best, we think we're pretty good too. On January 11th, at the Northside Tavern, the Breeze Kings put their reputation to the test. We organized an "All Wolf All Night" tribute to the great Howlin Wolf. The walls were covered in Wolf pictures. The CD player warmed us up with Wolf music. And the band stormed through the night with ten brand new Wolf tunes and the packed house of blues fans couldn't get enough. Lots of special guests came to perform their favorite Wolf numbers (Tinsley Ellis, Ross Pead, Urban Shakedancers, Dennis Cantrell, Bones Hunter, Randy Chapman, Magic Fred). Unbelievable!! A whole night of NOTHING but Howling Wolf songs. It was a night to remember. Hats off to all the performers and fans who came out and to celebrate the legacy of one of the greatest bluesmen of all time.

- On February 2nd, the Breeze Kings proudly represented the Atlanta Blues Society and all Atlanta blues fans at the 2001 International Blues Challenge on famous Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee. The IBC is the world's biggest "Battle of the Blues Band" competitions and this year featured 52 of the best unsigned blues bands from around the globe. We saw so many friends and fans from all around the southeast USA and met people from as far away as Japan and Australia.

- On March 4th, the Breeze Kings were proud to participate in the first ever Concert2Cure in Atlanta. All proceeds went to the American Cancer Society and our performance was specially dedicated to two close friends who are currently fighting the battle with cancer.

- On May 19th, our friends at the Blue Sky Tavern in McDonough held the first annual Southside Blues Festival. What a time! 8 hours, 8 bands, and over 1000 blues fans filled the yard as great blues filled the air all day. The Blue Sky Tavern has been making blues happen for over four years and is one of the original homes of the Breeze Kings

- On May 20th, the Breeze Kings were a featured act at Finster Fest III - an arts and crafts festival in honor of celebrated folk artist Howard Finster. The festival was held at Howard's own Paradise Gardens in Somerville, GA and the man himself was on hand to say hello.

- On July 4th, The Breeze Kings did it again. 7am on Peachtree Street, we cranked up the blues engine and fueled the 50,000 runners of the annual Peachtree Road Race with blues power. This was our 3rd year doing the race it is was as fun as ever.

- On July 4th, The Breeze Kings joined forces with most of Atlanta's extended blues family to help one of our own. Donnie McCormick is a founding member of the legendary band Eric Quincy Tate who were some of the original architects of the blues based southern rock sound. Donnie had some health issues, he needed help, and we were there.

- On October 14th, the Breeze Kings were proud to participate in "Driving It Home" A benefit for the Designated Drivers Association of Atlanta. The show also featured our good friends Zydefunk and was headlined by Buckwheat Zydeco. All proceeds went to this great cause.

In 2001, the Breeze Kings added 7 new venues to their club roster: Ragtime (Florida), the Peckerhead Brewery, Jake's Roadhouse, B-52's, Neighbor's Grill, Sassy Anne's (Tennessee), and Rafter's.

2002

- HAPPY NEW YEAR - Wow what a party!! The Breeze Kings toasted in 2002 with a capacity crowd at Peckerhead Brewery in Douglasville GA. Thanks to everyone who came out. They'll be talking about it all year!!

- On a beautiful Friday May 3rd evening in Savannah GA, the Breeze Kings thrilled the crowd at the Historic River Street Seafood Festival.

- July 4th, 7am, blues, and 55,000 people = The Peachtree Road Race. This is becoming one of our favorite gigs of the year. The runners seem to remember us, more and more fans are gathering at our corner to watch the race, and the whole vibe gets better every year.

- Thursday August 2nd the Breeze Kings met a true blues legend, and our lives will never be the same. Tommy Brown has been everywhere, performed with everybody. He has recorded with Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, Memphis Slim and others. He wrote the classic country tune Honkey Tonk. When Tommy walked in to the Northside Tavern and joined us on stage, it felt like a reunion of old friends. Speaking of old friends, later that night another Atlanta legend, Eddie Tigner, came in and almost fell to the ground when he saw Tommy Brown. Turns out these two guys had performed together as teenagers - including backing up Richard Pennimen a.k.a. Little Richard.

- Saturday August 31st at the 7th annual Harvest Moon Blues Festival, the Breeze Kings performed with the one and only Sweet Betty.

- Saturday November 30th, the Breeze Kings were honored to be part of the grand opening festivities for ricky dean's 'olde town blues club' in Conyers GA. What a great place and what a great crowd. First class all the way.

In 2002, the Breeze Kings added 8 new venues to their club roster: Loozie Anna's in Valdosta GA, the Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee FL, Fuzzy's in Atlanta, the Black Bear Tavern in Atlanta, Raleigh's BBQ & Blues in Decatur GA, the BBQ Blues Cafe in Vinings GA, Fee-Lay Gumbo in Kennesaw GA, and ricky dean's 'olde town blues club' in Conyers GA.

2003

- On March 22nd the Breeze Kings participated in the Chicken Raid festival at Northside Tavern in Atlanta. Many great bands came together to celebrate the music and memory of Mr. Frank Edwards, one of Atlanta greatest blues legends.

- On March 29nd the Breeze Kings performed at the "Flight for Sight" fund raiser for Prevent Blindness GA, a great event to help children with vision problems. We played in the EPPS Aviation hanger at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport.

- Another July 4 Peachtree Roadrace. Our 5th year. What a blast! This year the Breeze Kings were featured on FOX 5 news as part of their coverage of the event.

- Friday July 11. After almost 4 long years we finally gave our fans and friends what they wanted - A NEW CD. "You Got To Bring Some to Get Some" features 9 original tunes by the Breeze Kings and several guest artists. The release party was a blast with lots of special guests and lots of fun.

- Wednesday August 27 thru Monday September 1. A killer road trip. The Breeze Kings made their first trip through the mid west and were met with blues fans at every stop. Stevie Rays in Louisville KY, the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis IN, Main Street Jazz & Blues in Belleville IL, the Illinois Blues Festival in Peoria IL, and back home to WRFG Labor Day Blues BBQ. 4 days, 1800 miles, and a lot of fun.

- Sunday October 12. A night of firsts! Not only did we get the chance to open the show for John Hammond and the WC Handy Blues All stars at the Ferst Center for the Arts at GA Tech, but it was our first performance as an all acoustic trio. Not a cable or amp to be found. The venue was beautiful, the sound was intimate and emotional, and the crowd was great.

In 2003, the Breeze Kings added 15 new venues to their club roster: Beetle's BBQ in Woodstock GA, the Blind Pig in Augusta GA, Blue Note West in Douglasville GA, the One Star Ranch in Alpharetta GA, Uptown Music Cafe in Jasper GA, Little River Grill in Canton GA, Mount Olympus in Moultrie GA, Capo's in Santa Rosa Beach FL, Stevie Ray's in Louisville KY, the Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis IN, Main Street Jazz & Blues in Belleville IL, 37 Main in Buford GA, the Crimson Moon Cafe in Dahlonega GA, and both locations of the Firehouse in Suwanee and Woodstock GA.

2004

- On January 13th the Breeze Kings Lite acoustic blues duo was born.

- On January 25th the Breeze Kings were proud to take part in Tommy Brown's New House Party - a fundraiser for R&B legend Tommy Brown who recently lost his home in an accidental fire. At the benefit we also had the pleasure of playing with the one and only Roy Lee Johnson, from the Piano Red band of the 60's and the original author of Mr. Moonlight (made famous by the Beatles).

- On February 8th the Breeze Kings reached a great milestone when we performed for the first time at Atlanta's legendary blues club Blind Willies.

- On April 15 the Breeze Kings had another brush with greatness when into the Northside Tavern walked grammy winning songwriter and performer Harvey Scales. Mr. Scales is best known as the writer of grammy winning song "Disco Lady which was a huge hit for Johnny Taylor. He also wrote blues classic "Who's Makin Love". His songs have also been covered and sampled by such great and varied artists as J Giels Band (covered "Loveitis") and The Beastie Boys (sampled "Dancing Room Only" in their tune "Shake Your Rump"). Mr. Scales said he loved the Breeze Kings' sound and enthusiastically joined us on stage for a few songs. The crowd didn't know what hit em! A truly memorable event.

- June 10th 2004, 2nd annual WOLF FEST 2004 brought to you by the Northside Tavern, the Breeze Kings and BlueNoMo Productions. Our biggest lineup yet. Featuring Bill Sheffield, Delta Moon, Little Brother, Ross Pead, The Soul Shakers, Roger Gregory, The Hound Dogs, Bob Page, Atomic Boogie, Frankie Lee;'s Blues Mission, Chicago Joe Jones, and The Jump 'n Jukes
All Wolf All Night.

- July 4th, 2004 ... another Peachtree Road Race, our 6th year in a row. What a party!!

- July 15th, 2004 ... Jazz trumpet legend Lew Soloff of Blood Sweat and Tears joined us in stage. This guy was as nice a guy as he was an amazing musician. He said he left another club because the music was boring and lifeless. A friend brought him to the Northside Tavern and the night changed. The crowd was great and the vibe was so charged that Mr. Soloff got in a cab, went back to his hotel room to get his horn, and returned to the Northside to join us for the rest of the night. Needless to say the crowd was blown away ... pun intended.

In 2004, the Breeze Kings added 8 new venues to their club roster: Blind Willies in Atlanta GA, Preservation Pub in Knoxville TN, 550 Blues in Macon GA, Manny's BBQ in Union City GA, Meehan's Ale House in Alpharetta GA, the Blue Moose Tavern in Lilburn GA, Smokejack in Alpharetta GA, and TWO Urban Licks in Atlanta GA.

2005

- Feb 3rd-5th, 2005 ... Breeze Kings make it to the top 10 in the 2005 International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN

- April 10th-23rd, 2005 ... Breeze Kings first tour of France

- On Thursday June 9th, the Breeze Kings hosted the third annual Wolf Fest. This year's event was the biggest yet, with a great lineup of Atlanta's best blues musicians coming out to celebrate the music of Howlin Wolf. Performers included: Ross Pead, Frankie Moates, Delta Moon, Little Brother, Cazanovas, Atomic Boogie, Frankie Lee and The Blues Mission, Sean Costello, and the great Eddie Tigner.

- July 4th, 2005 ... another Peachtree Roadrace, our 7th, and the Breeze Kings are featured on Good Day Atlanta !!

- On Wednesday June 15th 2005, The Breeze Kings became goodwill ambassadors of blues to the world!! On this night at Blind Willies in Atlanta, we were honored to have among the crowd Mr. Andras Simonyi, the Hungarian Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Simonyi is very well known for being a blues fan and guitar player. The ambassador invited the band to his table to tell us how much he enjoyed the show and the Breeze Kings, ever the international diplomats, invited him to join us onstage. The ambassador grabbed Jim’s guitar, jumped in front of the microphone, and a spirited international version of Hoochie Coochie Man ensued. Two days later we received an email from a member of the ambassador’s party saying ” The Breeze Kings last Wednesday probably did more to promote positive US-Hungary relations than our own US government has been able to achieve through all its diplomatic efforts for the past several years!”

In 2005, the Breeze Kings added 8 new venues to their club roster: M'Vorneen's Irish Pub in Cartersville GA, the Funky Blues Shack in Destin FL, the Whistle Post Tavern in Conyers GA, SmokeJack in Alpharetta GA, Charley B's in Albany GA, Centelas in Atlanta GA, Will Henry's Tavern in Stone Mountain GA, and Midtown Tavern in Atlanta.

2006

- On Saturday February 25th, the Breeze Kings were called in by television superstar and design guru Vern Yip to perform at a benefit for the Lifeline Animal Project. It was a great cause and a great event. We have done several parties for Vern now and he has become a good friend of the band.

- On Tuesday February 28th, the Breeze Kings performed at the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta for the Georgia Parent Support Network's annual gala fundraiser.

- May 2006 ... Breeze Kings second tour of France

- On Thursday June 8th, the Breeze Kings hosted the fourth annual Wolf Fest. We once again called upon the Wolf to guide us though a great night with a great lineup including Ross Pead, Bill Sheffield, Jason Pastras Trio, Frankie Moates, Chicago Joe Jones, Dr. Dixon, Cazanovas, Ira Malkin, Frankie Lee's Blues Mission, Mudcat, and Kathy Carllile.

- July 4th, 2006 ... another Peachtree Roadrace. Our 8th year in a row. It is early, but oh so much fun !!

In 2006, the Breeze Kings added eight new venues to our club roster - the new Meehan's Public House location in Sandy Springs GA, Downtown Kitchen in Canton GA, the Graveyard Tavern in East Atlanta GA, Nik's Place in Marietta GA, the 702 Bar in Midland MI, the Village Tavern in Alpharetta GA, Doc's Food & Spirits in Smyrna GA, and Tony's American Grille in Roswell.

2007

- Sambuca

- Broad Street Blues

- Tuesday May 29, jamming at Sambuca with Hungarian Ambassador Andreas Simonyi and meeting Bela Fleck

- Wolf Fest 2007

- July 2007. The Breeze Kings tour France for the thirs year in a row. We capped off the tour with a headlining sopt at France's oldest blues festival, the Cahors Blues Festival. There was a ton of press coverage. We were onthe cover of the local paper. It was quite an experience.

In 2007, the Breeze Kings have added seven new venues to our club roster - Sambuca in Atlanta GA, Broad Street Blues in Phenix City AL, Wild Wing Cafe in Alpharetta GA, Beetles BBQ in Woodstock GA, the Blues Train Cafe in Dalton GA, Charlie Mopps in Sandy Springs GA, and Ethyl's Diner in Roswell Ga. More new clubs to come in 2008.