Hosty Duo

Norman’s own, Mike Hosty and Mike “Tic Tac” Byars have been playing great music together for the past decade.  Both are seasoned musicians who are in no way afraid to try new tricks as well as new forms of old tricks.  A casual sampling of their set might lead one to believe that it would take at least four players to make their sound.  However, after a closer look at Mike Hosty’s feet and Mike Byars economical, locomotive like licks on the drums, it becomes apparent that you are witnessing two superb musicians at the top of their game.

It is sure to be another delightful evening in the park with the Hosty Duo performing.  For additional Summer Breeze information call the Performing Arts Studio at 405-307-9320.   PAS office hours are 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday, and from 1:00 to 5:00 on Sunday.  The Hosty Duo web site is www.hosty.com.

All Summer Breeze concerts are from 7:30 pm to 9 o’clock pm and could not take place without grants from The Norman Arts Council, The Oklahoma Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts, and the generosity and support of Michael Miller, The Norman Smile Center, Gingerbread Nursery School, Dr. Victor T. Wilson, Benvenuti’s,  Republic Bank and Trust, Avanti Skin Centers, The Hal Smith Restaurant Group, Ed and Sumya Adwon, American First Abstract, First State Bank, Modern Wealth Management, Cardinal Engineering, David Fries Roofing, The Spirit Shop, Turquoise American Bistro, The Crucible Art Foundry, The Diner, The Earth Natural Foods and Deli, The Zoo Amphitheater, T. J.. Campbell Construction, MDS Plumbing, The Brookhaven Clinic, The Montford Inn, Gilliam Music, Norman Parks and Recreation, The Deli, and The University of Oklahoma.

Travis Linville

“We are very excited to have Travis Linville back to the Summer Breeze stage.” says Steven White, Summer Breeze Chair.  “In many ways Travis reminds me of Willie Nelson when he plays in that he makes everything look easy and fun.  You can definitely tell that he thoroughly enjoys what he is doing.  Travis has played onstage with many of the biggest names in Country and Americana music and he is tremendously respected in the music industry as a performer and studio producer.”

Linville comes from a musical family. His father was the youngest member of the Linville Family Band performing at dances, parties and on the radio in Chickasha where Travis was born.  It was his father’s guitar that Travis found in a closet when he was young, and the songs of the family gatherings that inspired him to pursue music.

Elephant Revival

Elephant Revival brings their magical blend of melodies and rhythms to Summer Breeze on Sunday, May 24.  The free concert begins at 7:30 pm in Lions Park at Symmes and Flood, Norman.  Bring seating and refreshments, relax, and enjoy a delightful evening of music.

Elephant Revival members are each vocally talented multi-instramentalists.  Daniel Rodriguez plays a distinctive finger style acoustic guitar.  Bridget Law enchants audiences with her fiddle, mandolin and lovely voice.  Dango Rose plays upright bass and mandolin.  Sage T. Cook switches between electric banjo/guitar and mandolin, and Bonnie Paine works magic with her washboard, djembe, and cello. 

One review describes the Elephant Revival sound as a “neo-acoustic folk string band influenced by Celtic, Gypsy, Funk, Rock, Reggae, Oldtime, and Bluegrass.”  Others describe it as “soulful and seductive” or as simply “wonderful!”

Big Smith

The free concert begins at 7:30 pm on Sunday, May 10, at Norman’s Andrews Park Amphitheater, Daws and Webster.  Bring a picnic basket, perhaps a blanket to soften the concrete seating or lawn chairs for the grassy area on either side, and prepare to enjoy outstanding bluegrass music.

A band from the Ozarks, Big Smith is composed of five cousins: Mark and Jody Bilyeu, Bill and Rik Thomas, and Jay Williamson. The newest member, fiddle player Molly Healey, brings the total to six creative individuals bound together by blood and harmony.

“The purity of family harmonies is one of the first attractions new audiences find with Big Smith.” says White  “Add to it seasoned musicians who seem to really enjoy making bluegrass music together and it will make for a great Summer Breeze concert."

After coming together professionally in the fall of 1996, Big Smith quickly earned a devoted following playing “raucous acoustic music” that captured the spirit of their native Ozarks. In 2007 music became a full-time profession for Big Smith.

They have made their mark outside the Ozarks with several forays to Chicago, Nashville, Austin and Colorado; several tours to the West Coast including two in 2007; and along the length of the Mississippi from the Twin Cities to New Orleans. They have recently enjoyed high-profile opening gigs for the likes of Emmylou Harris, Doc Watson, The Avett Brothers and the Del McCoury band. Summer of 2008 finds them traveling to Europe for the 21st Annual Country Rendez-Vous Festival in Crappone, France.