Special Report
6 May 2017
By: Orl Hernandez and Chad Williams
FHR Radio - South Florida - USA

In the 19th century, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called music "the universal language of mankind." Regardless of culture, it has been determined that music has an exciting and calming effect. There are approximately 7,000 languages in the world today. But there is one language that everybody understands no matter what tongue they speak: music.

You might be thinking where am I going with this? Well let me tell you. I invite you to take a trip with me across the pond (North Atlantic Ocean) approximately 4,200 miles East from the Eastern Coast of the United States and we land in a small Village called Priors Marston in Warwickshire, England.

In this small village with a population of under 600 people we find a 12 year old guitar prodigy who claims that the reason he plays music is because it makes his head feel good. Which makes my statement about music having an exciting and calming effect a true statement.   

Toby Lee took up the guitar at the tender age of six after learning to play the ukulele that his grandmother gave him when he was three. He shot to fame two years ago after releasing a song dedicated to the now-late BB King. The video went viral and has been viewed over 50 million times online. Unfortunately Mr. King passed away a few days later after that video was posted online. However, Toby has since received a thank you from two of Mr. King's daughters.

When he was eight, he received his first full size electric guitar and has not looked back since. His love of Blues and Rock and Roll has been apparent since the very beginning. Inspired by some of music greatest musicians such as Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore and BB King among others.

He joined the local Rock School - The Witchwood School of Rock where under the guidance of teacher Aldie Chalmers. Toby's playing grew in strength and his confidence began to grow. Although the curriculum somewhat mirrors the School of Rock Music Education Program available in the United States and 7 other countries., they are not affiliated. 

Toby Lee aged 10 - Tribute to BB King

They say guitar heroes usually wear some sort of leather or denim. But Toby is a different kind of rock star. You can find him most Sundays doing an Onesie Jam online that has become quite popular with music lovers from all over the world. Most of the time featuring Toby wearing a Wanzie in different styles. For those that don't know what a Wanzie or Onesie is, it's just another name for a style of pajamas that resemble a modern day jumpsuit.

"The Blues music makes my head feel good and the Wanzie is just comfy"

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• First picked up a ukulele when he was 3 years old that his grandma gave him
• Playing electric guitar since he was 6
• Performs a Sunday Blues Jam every week on his Facebook page
• Associated with Gibson Brands and Hamstead Soundworks amplification
• Has filmed 8 online lessons for Epiphone teaching children how to play the Blues
• Has a growing fanbase - over 83,000 FB page likes and counting
• Joe Bonamassa said on his FB page that Toby is: "One of the future super stars of the blues”
• Had his first “Under the Apple Tree” session for legendary broadcaster Bob Harris 
• Appeared on TFI Friday twice with Chris Evans on BBC Radio
• His BB King tribute video has generated over 50 million views online
• Played at BB Kings club in Memphis USA with the BB King All Star Band
• Released his first EP "10" produced by British Blues star, Laurence Jones available from www.tobylee.uk
• Performed at the London Palladium and was surprised on stage by McFly
• Joined Blues legend Walter Trout on stage at the Leamington Assembly and received a standing ovation
• Played with Fairport Convention in front of 20,000 people at the Cropredy Music
• Youtube channel has over 2 million views and over 9,100 subscribers
• Has been the subject on many BBC radio interviews
• Tony and his team from the School of Rock opened ITV's hit show The X Factor where Toby did his Chuck Berry duck walk around Simon Cowell
• Toby is currently playing the role of Zack Mooneyham in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End show, School of Rock the Musical.
• School of Rock The Musical won 'Best New Music Award" at the WhatsOnStage Awards and nominated for 3 Olivier Awards
• The 12 band members won "Outstanding Achievement in Music" making Toby an Olivier Award winner at 12 years old
• Was recently featured on the U.S. television show "Little Big Shots" 2nd Season with Steve Harvey on the NBC TV network
• Named the FHR Radio International Rising Star Award recipient for 2017 for his extraordinary dedication to music

​and the list goes on and on. What is amazing about all these accomplishments is that he is not even considered a "teen" yet.

No matter what genre of music you are into, we all know talent when we hear it and 12 year old guitar prodigy Toby Lee is the definitive of talent.

His rendition of "The Gorgeous Blues" is a true classic and an excellent example of how blues music really bridged the way for Rock "N" Roll. The amazing blues intro gives this song an awesome start, while his impeccable riffs are completely innovative and in a lane solely of their own. 

The opening chord's on the late Prince's "Purple Rain" are flawless. The spirit of Prince Rogers Nelson must surely be smiling down on Toby Lee.

While on "The Long Way" he shows incredible versatility, his guitar riffs are clean and Toby seems to have tapped into some extraterrestrial musical dimension where black and white styles are merely a thing of the past. He has an innate ability to show passion coupled with fun, he's in love with the artistry and enjoying every moment of it.

Toby's style is authentic and compelling as his soul and as passionate and direct as his facial expressions. Anyone partial to great creators should be honored to witness the greatness in the making that for now we shall call, "Toby Lee."

Toby Lee on the 2nd Season of NBC Little Big Shots

Toby Lee - The Gorgeous Blues

OFFICIAL WEBSITE -   CLICK

OFFICIAL FACEBOOK - CLICK

OFFICIAL TWITTER -   CLICK

OFFICIAL YOUTUBE -  CLICK

Author notes: Orl Hernandez is the General Manager of FHR Radio Entertainment based in Southern Florida, USA. Chad Williams is an alumni of the Berklee School of Music where she earned her Associates Degree in Music. She also has a BA from the Arts Institutes. She is a professional music producer and engineer.

Photos and/or videos depicted above are copyright of their respective owners and used with permission. Otherwise used under the U.S. Fair Use clause. Non-commercial.