Almost 40 years ago, a 4th grade teacher in Virginia (who was a rabid Kingston Trio fan) taught her classes "Tom Dooley" on ukuleles instead of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on flutes, as was the fate of most 4th graders across the country. Along with a third member of the class (who now lives out of state), Don Park and Ed Gee formed a singing group. Over the years, their musical style evolved (initially made necessary by puberty causing their voices to change… how many musical groups can say that?) and their instruments got bigger.

As they lived their lives and went their own ways (including having resided in different parts of the country for years at a time) they maintained a love for the music, and always seemed to end up back in Richmond, Virginia playing and singing together. The latest incarnation as South Wind began in early 2000, after about seven years of inactivity.

Don and Ed cut the first South Wind CD (Once, Again) as a duo. The CD was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Frank Coleman, who (in addition to his recording expertise) is a talented acoustic guitarist/singer/songwriter.

Frank was already an established performer around Virginia doing solo gigs, as a member of Coleman and Fuller (along with Chris Fuller, currently with Burnt Taters), and as an on-going member of Among Friends. Frank joined Ed and Don on the last song on the CD (Goodnight Irene), and that turned out so well that he recently became a quasi-member of South Wind, joining them frequently in gigs.
 
Their fan base is as varied as the songs themselves, ranging from older fans to whom they have re-introduced this music to younger fans who had never heard anything quite like this before. South Wind communicates the affection and enthusiasm that they have for this music in their songs; listen to selections from Once, Again, or come to a live South Wind gig, and it's a good bet that you will develop enthusiasm, too!

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