Torill
and Olav Tofte met in 1987. They started to perform together in 1988.
In 1994 they started the band “Don’t mess with Alice”, which was changed
to “Tofte” in 2001, playing mostly Olav’s songs – a mix of acoustic
ballads and -70’s southern outlaw. They played in bars, clubs, larger
events and country festivals in Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
Their
songs “Living man”, “Down by the river” and “The one to pay” were
released by 4 indie labels in the US - The Country Gazette, Comstock
Records, Nite Sky Records and Hill Topper Records. Which lead to air
play in the US, Australia, New Zealand and 10 European countries.
They
have also participated in 2 Norwegian compilation CD’s, have released 3
Maxi single CD’s and 1 CD production between 1994 and 2006. They have
had the opportunity to work with some of the best country musicians in
Norway, and did some support gigs for the most popular country band in
Norway ever – Hellbillies. In this period they met Willie Nelson, Marty
Stewart, Paul Overstreet, Hal Ketchum and Steve Earl when playing at the
same festivals in Norway. They also met Scotty Moore, Elvis’s first
guitar player, who became a good friend after several meetings in Norway
and Nashville till he sadly passed away. He liked Torill’s voice a lot.
The
couple made a lifestyle change around 2000, which included food,
training, alcohol and faith. And in 2016 Torill and Olav and their
daughter Pernille, released a CD with 3 psalms and 7 of Olav’s new
songs. Their sound is still the same, but they now do mostly cultural
and charity arrangements and church concerts.
In
September 2017 Torill and Olav recorded 3 of Olav’s songs at the 515
studio in Nashville. They got great assistance from Erik Halbig
(Lonestar, Mavericks, Collin Ray) – ac.guitar, el.guitar, lap steel,
mandolin and banjo, Jay Weaver (Dolly Parton, Mavericks) – bass, Tim
Grogan (Desert Rose Band, Tanya Tucker) – drums and Billy Nobel (Tim
McGraw) – organ and piano. The songs were arranged by Olav and produced
by Erik.
The
song "The Star" was made digital available in December 2017 by
Indigoboom, and will be promoted in 2018 by Andrew and Terri Dean at
Nite Sky Records.
It
seems that another Norwegian female country singer will use 2 of Olav’s
unreleased songs on her new CD this year. And 3 recorded songs will be
heard in a Norwegian film that will be shown at Norwegian cinemas this
spring.
It seems that 2018 will be an exciting year for Tofte.
Contact Information: +47 9097 61 12
Email: olav.tofte@hotmail.com
Distributed by NITE*SKY Records International
Andrew Dean/CEO NITE*SKY International Records,
Promotions and Artist Development,
Email Andrew@nitesky.us
"Where the Stars Shine"
website nitesky.us
website nitesky.us
