SUMMER BREEZE

Summer Breeze was originally formed in 1976 by five young musicians with varying musical backgrounds. Summer Breeze began a span of 4 decades performing locally and regionally winning numerous awards throughout their career. Summer Breeze is known as one of the top cover bands in the state and has had the opportunity to be the opening act for over 75 of Nashville's top recording artists including Garth Brooks, George Strait, Vince Gill and numerous others.

Summer Breeze musical influences are The Eagles, Restless Heart, George Strait, and Brooks & Dunn as well as countless others.

AWARDS

Oklahoma Country Band of the Year, Texhoma Band of the Year, True Value Country Showdown finalist.

BAND MEMBERS

Keith Woods founder of Summer Breeze is the last original member of the band. He has been in the music business since the age of 13 playing in bands throughout high school until forming Summer Breeze. Woods play acoustic guitar, keyboard and vocals. Woods attributes the band’s long success to hard work and listening to what the audiences want to hear and always making them feel like they are part of the show. Wood’s musical influence is without question - The Eagles.

Bill Leyrer originates from the Philadelphia area where he learned multiple music styles. Leyrer was part of the Dick Clark traveling road show where he had the opportunity to back up some of the biggest rock and roll legends of the 50's and 60's. Leyrer relocated in Duncan in the early 80's joining Summer Breeze and adding a very unique sound to the group. Leyrer plays the drums and vocals.

Brian Holland plays keyboard and vocals. Brian has been with the band for over 7 years. Brian has been a worship leader and church pastor for many years and while attending college was a member of the band Red River Boys who performed locally and opened for Nashville acts.

David Adair joins Summer Breeze as their lead guitar. David Adair has been a fixture on the local music scene for 40 years, since first garnering attention on guitar with a note for note rendition of Stairway To Heaven at a high school assembly in 1976. Tracer followed in 1979, then a lengthy stint with local legends Ashbury South. The early 90’s saw him found Jett Rink, after returning from Dallas and a partnership with Judy Hill and Mark Plati in Judy and The Essentials. Classic rock ensemble Eclipse followed, with Shane and Mischa McClennen. Several years with Crosswind lead into an all original endeavor, Medicine Bluff, with Bruce Fennel and Gary Webb. The resulting record remains one of his proudest accomplishments.

With Summer Breeze, Adair seems to have settled in. “This is the band I probably should have been in all along. It feels like home.” His influences include “the basic rock triumvirate – Page, Clapton, Hendrix” as well as Slash, Edward Van Halen, Joe Perry, Ted Nugent, and Gary Richrath. “I don’t play like any of them, but I wouldn’t play like me without any of them, either.”

Gaylon Blankenship play bass. He was one of the three founding members of Summer Breeze along with Keith Woods and Lynn Wilson. He performed for several years with the Cowboy Opry Band before returning to Summer Breeze after a thirty-six year absence.

"Returning to Summer Breeze as bass player and as one of the original members, it is an honor to join this fantastic group again. I took about a twenty year leave from music, but started playing again in 2006. I played with several groups including those playing gospel music. The Summer Breeze band has always had great musicians and great people. They are just like family. I'm excited to play music with this awesome group again."

Shane McClennen brings a wealth of knowledge to Summer Breeze. Shane has performed locally and regionally for many years. He performed at the legendary Billy Bob's of Texas for a number of years opening for many major country acts. Shane lists Jackson Browne, the Allman Brothers, John Mellencamp, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Vince Gill as his musical influences. Shane has paired up with fellow musician David Adair as dual lead guitarists to give Summer Breeze a very dynamic sound.

CONTACT

For Booking Information

What Others Are Saying About Summer Breeze...

Dave McAfee - Facebook after HOF Award, March, 2022.
"Congratulations Keith and all the Summer Breeze members! Proud to have been a small part of this wonderful band! To this day, the broadest, deepest catalog of music of any organization I've ever worked with! Here's to many more years bringing smiles and happiness to folks!!" (Dave is a former Summer Breeze drummer and current drummer and road manager for Toby Keith)

Melvin Jones - Facebook, Positively Duncan, June 4, 2021.
"Wow! These words do not adequately express what we saw tonight at the Simmons Center. Amazing. Spine tingling. Cold chills. Summer Breeze was awesome. Expecially the Eagles set. I cannot imagine that there is any Eagles tirbute band in the country that could do better. Thanks Keith, Bill, and everyone for a memorable evening."

Martha Burger - Facebook, Positively Duncan, June 4, 2021.
"Absolutely sensational! The crowd loved every minute of it! Thanks to all of you. Rock on!!!"

Clem Wehner - Lawton Arts for All President, April 9, 2017
"We've had the Summer Breeze Band entertain the 700 people attending our Lawton (Oklahoma) Arts for All Gala event every Fall since 2008. We used several different bands in the preceding 20 years, but the first time we heard this band, we knew that they were more exciting and musical than any we had heard before. They have the unique ability to sound new and fresh each year with an incredible range of styles. Their musical talent is truly exceptional, so we’ve never even considered asking anyone else in the nine years since then! They also perform each year at our Lawton Arts for All Festival in May. This is a great band-- nice guys, easy to work with, remarkable musicians, and a lot of fun!"

Lee Nail - Duncan Regional Hospital, Feb.12, 2017
"Had a Great Night Listening to Live Music performed by SW Oklahoma's FINEST Cover-Band for over 3 Decades". Thanks to Summer Breeze and a Ton of Friends who along with me, had the time of our lives. Great Night! *LeeHugs*

Regina Woodson - Lawton Class of '66 Reunion, Sept. 24, 2016
"Thank you Summer Breeze for making our class reunion a huge success. The music was wonderful and everyone had a great time."

Evelyn Williams - Duncan Class of '66 Reunion, Sept. 10, 2016
"Thank you Summer Breeze for making our class reunion the best one ever. Dance floor was full all night long and everyone loved the music and had a wonderful time."

Gaylon and Joyce Russell - Starlighters Dance Club, April 22, 2016
Thank you Summer Breeze for playing for our Spring Dance. The music was wonderful. We are truly amazed at the variety of music you provided and everyone enjoyed dancing the entire evening. Looking forward to the next dance."

Duncan Class of '71 Reunion
This was without a doubt the best reunion we have ever had and it was all made possible by Summer Breeze. The music was a perfect mix of old and new. The dance floor was full all night long and everyone was amazed at the band's ability to play any style of music that was requested. Thank you Summer Breeze for an outstanding evening of fun and memories!

​Vicki Zimmerman - Duncan Class of '67 Reunion, June 10, 2017
​"Best decision we ever made was to have Summer Breeze play at our 50th class reunion. You guys are the best. The dance floor was full every song you played. Time of our lives from Dirty Dancing would have been a great theme song, but I never hear it any more, just in the movie. Perfect night."

​Carol Scott - Duncan Class of '67 Reunion, June 10, 2017
​"Amazing job all the way around. Summer Breeze put the finishing touches to this great event. You guys are AWESOME."

​Kathy Snider - Duncan Class of '67 Reunion, June 10, 2017
​​"I kept telling everyone how much fun it was at the '66 reunion! YOU DID NOT DISAPPOINT! It was the time of our life! Thanks for helping to make the night such fun!!! Glad you all enjoyed it too!"