Wes and Victoria
Wes and Victoria began their musical sojourn in San Antonio, TX.
Their first music business mentor was Augie Meyers, keyboardist and
songwriter for the legendary band The Sir Douglas Quintet. Their initial
lessons were conducted over piping hot bowls of caldo and Augie's
homemade grilled cheese sandwiches where Augie explained the basics
of gigging and shared stories of his exploits in the music business,
including teaching John Lennon about the accordion and Vox organ
and recording with Bob Dylan.
Putting Augie's guidance to work the duo started gigging in the San
Antonio and South Texas area in a variety of their own bands,
including a folk act named Little Smoke and a rock/punk act called
Puffin. During this time Wes started writing original material and the
duo dropped the majority of the cover material they once performed.
Looking to expand the audience for their original work, they relocated
up the road to Austin, Texas.
While in Austin, Wes and Victoria performed with a number of
regional and national acts. They appeared on stage with Lucinda
Williams, BW Stevenson, Townes Van Zandt, The Sir Douglas
Quintet, Donavon, Eric Anderson, Steve Fromholtz , Jesse Dayton
and numerous others. Wes and Victoria also opened a recording
studio near the University of Texas called the Track Shack, where
they produced local and regional acts. During this time the duo
recorded and released an acoustic LP entitled "Not For Prophet"
which garnered airplay in various US folk markets and as far away
as France.
When the studio lease expired Wes and Victoria headed west
to Los Angeles. The City of Angels proved to be the next step
in their musical evolution as Victoria started getting session work,
recording with Robert Altman, the famed movie director, Oscar
winner Hans Zimmer, a CBS movie of the week TV score where
she appeared on the soundtrack with Johhny Cash and she had
the privilege of recording on Roy Rodgers last recording, adding
her soulful harmonica tracks to all these projects.
In the meantime Wes continued to expand his composition and
songwriting skills, scoring numerous small budget television and
film projects and writing songs with Oscar winning composer
Paul Williams. He scored the Los Angeles Area Emmy awards
for 3 consecutive years as well as the ACE awards honoring
Martin Scorsese. Wes and Victoria also performed acoustic
sets throughout the LA area, appearing at the venerable venues
of the Troubadour and Whiskey A Go Go along with gigs at
various coffee houses and listening rooms across the city.
A series of illnesses derailed the couple, and they moved to
Denver, Colorado to pursue new business opportunities. Wes
continued to write, composing many of the songs that would
one day appear on the "Ballad of Billy Saigon" CD, including
the title track. Shortly after moving to Colorado Victoria was
hit head on in a near fatal high speed car accident, which
ultimately led to open joint jaw surgery and put a 3 year hold
on her harmonica playing.
During this time Wes completed the songs for the Billy Saigon
CD and began recording over a series of trip to Los Angeles. As
Victoria slowly regained her ability to play, she recorded her tracks
and the duo began to perform acoustic shows in the Denver area.
Once again, tragedy struck with a debilitating illness sidelining
Victoria and requiring multiple hospitalizations. After three more
years of recuperation Wes and Victoria once again took the stage
and began performing acoustic shows.
Now back onstage, Wes and Victoria are pleased to release
"The Ballad of Billy Saigon". The CD features songs of
perseverance and redemption, hard won from the lives of the
performers who have created it. Wes and Victoria have remained
committed to their music, to each other, and to never giving up
hope even in the darkest of times. Their music and their lives
reflect a strength that can only be gained through lives fully lived
and challenges met head on.
Get Lyrics and more of the story at the www.Babamuse.com site.
|