Fresh Breath brought a modern and fun vibe to Fun-N-Sun

By Karen Bernick, March 6, 2023

Tonight was not my parents’ Sunday night ice cream show. And I loved it. From the first notes of country (modern/old) classic Tennessee Whiskey to the upbeat original tune Human Race, Fresh Breath brought a nice contemporary feel to this week’s ice cream social at Fun-N-Sun in San Benito, Texas. Fun-N-Sun is a 55+ park where my parents wintered for many years and where my husband Dan and I like to spend a week or two each year enjoying the warm weather, full roster of activities, and nice people we meet there.

Fresh Breath is a husband and wife duo, Josh and Katie Pascoe, from Kingsville, Ontario. They are full-time musicians that tour throughout Canada, usually with a full band in tow. When a musician friend suggested they try their hand with the Winter Texans, the young couple packed their equipment and a couple of month’s worth of belongings into their converted van and drove the 1,600 plus miles to the lower Rio Grand Valley.

A showcase for retirement park activity directors in Harlingen helped Fresh Breath nab a few park gigs and they found traction playing at bars on South Padre Island. “The 55 to 75 year olds eat this stuff up,” said Josh referring to their 70s pop and rock set mixed with a few Americana country hits. They are already booked as resident performers at two SPI bars for the 2024 season.

Katie serves the duo’s lead singer. She has a powerful voice that moves from sweet and clear to a slight gravel pitch when needed — think Natalie Merchant maybe crossed with Bonnie Rait. Pair that with Josh’s capable touch on his pretty blue Gretsch guitar, along with a great song list, and voila, you’ve got a very enjoyable set for these ears.

Fun-N-Sun Set March 5, 2023:

-Tennessee Whiskey (A little Chris Stapleton to start things off was cool in my book!)

-You and Me (Original tune about their relationship start.)

-Can’t You See (Good take on the Marshall Tucker classic featuring Katie on the flute.)

-Don’t Let Me Down and As My Guitar Gently Weeps (A crowd-pleasing “double bubble” from the Beatles.)

-Harvest Moon (Canadian Neil Young’s sentimental and nostalgic beauty.)

Black Water (Josh coaxed the audience into clapping along.)

-Angel From Montgomery (“Do we have any John Prine fans in the audience?” asked Josh. Great song choice…my favorite of the set.)

-Wild World — (Haven’t heard a cover of this Cat Stevens hit for years…maybe never.)

-Human Race (Sweet and hopeful original song about joy in being human.)

I really enjoyed this show and I hope they make their way back to Fun-N-Sun.