The Music of Peter Brodie

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Biography

Brodie's musical career started when he was just into his teens in 1961 as half of a duo, singing close harmony and playing rhythm guitar with a close friend. Later a mutual friend who played drums joined the two, to make up 'The Midnight Three'. The band performed a mixture of folk songs, especially those of Peter, Paul and Mary, and pop songs of the day, by such artists as the Everly Brothers and the Beatles.

The band's first major performance came at a children's summer camp in 1963. Singing lead vocal and playing rhythm guitar, Brodie performed his first composition When the Time is Right to a screaming audience of 400 youngsters. The song, written that year, was influenced by American pop songs of the late 50's.

In the mid 60's, Brodie.went to live in Toronto, Canada and in a short time had written a series of country songs, including some blue grass, having been influenced by the country artists of the day. By the late 60's, he was leaning more towards ballads and wrote several, some with a 'country' feel others more folky.

During the 70's, and now back in the UK, Brodie performed solo at various venues - pubs, folk clubs and restaurants, singing a mixture of his own compositions, pop songs and popular ballads. More recently, Brodie has taken his original recordings and multi-tracked harmonies and additional instruments using PC editing software.

... in 2001, he was featured on
London's Ritz Country 1035AM.
"Kinda cool ... very hooky."

In 2001 he was featured on London's Ritz Country 1035 radio station. His song Britain is the Country for Country, a novelty song intended to be performed by a visiting North American country singer, was played on the station's UK Showcase by DJ Randall Lee Rose. The DJ told listeners that the song was "kinda cool, it's very hooky". A recording of the radio broadcast can be heard here (mp3 1.7Mb). Rose talked about Brodie's musical background, mentioning also Brodie's other songs, especially The Afternoons Are Cold Round Georgian Bay. Listening figures for the station were said to be about 100,000.

Recent ventures have included working with a co-writer to produce a news signature tune and a fanfare suitable for a TV or radio sports programme. The fanfare featured in a multimedia presentation which opened a conference at the Bournemouth International Conference Centre, UK, in July 2002.

In October 2003 www.rodena.com, a website showcasing artists, musicians, poets, events & communities around Blue Mountain & Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, generously gave Brodie a page to present The Afternoons Are Cold Round Georgian Bay, not as a local artist, but to reflect the strong association which he has had with the province of Ontario, Canada, and the influence which the Georgian Bay area has had on his music.

2004 saw the launch of a new CD, linked to a fundraising intiative. For every copy sold, Brodie donated one US Dollar to the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS). The money raised went towards ongoing international projects, such as developing and updating resources to provide accessible venues for disabled sailors worldwide.

The album entitled 'The Music of Peter Brodie', consists of ballads, some about unrequited love, others about getting away from it all in - by road, on a freight train, to the beach, or in the case of 'Summer Breeze', on a boat. It was this track which drew the praise of IFDS. A spokesperson said: "Peter Brodie's performance on 'Summer Breeze' epitomises the spirit and triumph of sailing."

"It seems to speak to sailors of all nationalities and abilities. Sailors from around the world should enjoy his compositions, both on the water and off. IFDS would like to thank Mr. Brodie for his contribution to the sport of sailing through his musical talents." Brodie said: 'I am delighted that my music is able to help such a worthwhile cause, and I would be thrilled if Summer Breeze were to become a favourite song with sailing enthusiasts around the world, both disabled and able-bodied."

The campaign was extraordinarily successful in the short time it ran, with mentions on over 60 websites in 12 countries and articles in 4 newspapers/magazines. VoicePrint Canada, the National Broadcast Reading Service mentioned the campaign and played 'Summer Breeze' on 25 and 26 July 2004. Top broadcaster Randall Lee Rose lent his support by recording a message of encouragement (see home page).

In November 2004, RTE Radio 1, the national broadcaster for Ireland, reported on the campaign and played Summer Breeze on the maritime programme Seascapes, hosted by Tom MacSweeney.

2005 saw unprecedented airplay. In January WATD 95.9FM in Boston USA mentioned the campaign on the programme Nautical Talk, hosted by Capt Lou, who promised to play Summer Breeze on a future programme. Then in February, Jeremy J Nuttall of GiantFM 100.7 in Penticton BC, Canada played a clip of Janet Feld's version of Summer Breeze and reported on the campaign on newscasts throughout the day. Dave Harries on Swindon FM in the UK played Janet Feld's version of Summer Breeze and reported on the campaign. Tom MacSweeney played Summer Breeze (Janet Feld's version) on Seascapes on RTE Radio 1 (Ireland) to illustrate an interview from Chesapeake Bay, USA. Capt Lou of WATD 95.9FM in Boston USA played Summer Breeze and mentioned the campaign on the programme. Dave Harries on Swindon FM played Janet Feld's version of Summer Breeze - "I love the song" -. Brodie was interviewed about the campaign.

2010 has seen Brodie focus on his favourite genre - American country music. He has recorded several tracks which he has made available for individual purchase. Brodie started a new fundraiser, this time for the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox, with proceeds of a new recording of 'The Afternoons are Cold Round Georgian Bay' going to the charity.