Description: You put your Bob Dylan and Neil Young CDs into a blender and you added some amazing harmonica playing, the odd legendary guitarist (Albert Lee) and a touch of spiritual longing for seasoning.

Bio: Wes and Victoria began their musical sojourn in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Johnny 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 appear 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 our Babamuse (click here) link. There is also our artist site where you can hear the whole CD Wes and Victoria (click here) link.

Press Release: For Immediate Release Wes and Victoria are pleased to release their new CD entitled “The Ballad of Billy Saigon” on Babamuse (www.babamuse.com). The recording features an all-star cast of musicians, including the legendary Albert Lee on guitar, in addition to Stephen Bruton of Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie Raitt’s bands, and David Palmer of Rod Stewart’s band. The CD sits solidly in the Contemporary Folk, Americana and Singer-Songwriter genres. Initial response has been extremely positive, with reviews as follows: Roots Music Magazine (Belgium): " The lyrics have a healing quality and Victoria's harp playing adds a "soundtrack" feeling to the songs" "Reunion" (my favorite) en "Beauty Way" both gems, are nice examples of these two elements combined to form those wonderful songs" "Another thing is the perfect sound quality of this record, which almost literally took blood sweat and tears and a lot of time in the making. This turned it even more into a small masterpiece which grows on you every time you play it...over and over again... Chris K- Program Director at KFRC 88.9 FM writes: There's something raw and natural about "folk" music. It cannot be made up; either it's present or it isn't. There's a reason why so many great players are on this record. This album is as real as it gets ... Oscar winner and Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams: “Powerful stuff ... haunting, tortured, unique ... uplifting in a 'friend pulling you up and over a concrete wall' kind of way .. Somebody's gonna grab 'Billy' or one of the other songs or maybe the whole album and put it on the big screen. It deserves a long life. The new CD features 16 tunes including the powerful title track. The themes of redemption, struggle and healing thread throughout the recording, reflecting the personal journey of the duo themselves over years of heartbreak, perseverance and commitment to their music and each other. The CD is currently available at numerous online retailers, including CD Baby and iTunes. Complete information about the duo, the all-star cast of players, the story behind the evocative CD cover and where the CD can be purchased is at www.babamuse.com. Songs in following genres can be heard at the Music Submit site- “All I Really Know About Love is You”- Americana- featuring Albert Lee and Stephen Bruton on Guitars – “Reunion”-Singer Songwriter, Folk – “Holes” Singer Songwriter, Folk and the powerful title track “The Ballad of Billy Saigon”-Singer Songwriter, Folk. Babamuse (Full Lyrics available on lyrics page)- www.babamuse.com Artists (Lo-fi video and other bits and pieces)- www.wesandvictoria.com www.myspace.com/wesandvictoria Contact: wfh@wesandvictoria.com