"Refreshing" is the word most often used to describe the music of WIND. WIND consists of husband and wife, Nori & Barbie Kelley, with backing vocalist Shane Faux-Dugan and newly added drummer, Kenny Hudson. To date, WIND has released 19 albums and EPs. In 2020 they began to receive airplay on various “prog-rock” radio shows in the UK & US, resulting in a live slot on the "Prog & Rock Virtual Festival" on May 23, which attracted nearly 17,000 listeners. They have done live concerts on both “The Prog & Rock Show” & “Kiss That Prog” during UK tours in ’22,‘23 & ’24 as well as several club shows. WIND’s brand new Christmas EP, entitled “A Night To Remember,” was released on October 18, 2024.
Born in Japan, but raised in Gadsden, Alabama from age 9, Nori Kelley is a veteran session musician who has worked with Jon Anderson (Yes), Dave Hope (Kansas), the late Jon Camp (Renaissance),Will McFarlane (Muscle Shoals Swampers / Bonnie Raitt), John Sussewell (Diana Ross,Alvin Lee, Bob Dylan), the Chi-Lites and others. CCM magazine once compared his guitar playing to both Mark Knopfler and Phil Keaggy. Mel Bay Publications released two of Nori’s guitar teaching projects internationally, both of which were best sellers. He also produced a number of albums in Japan from 1999-2016. Nori has produced & engineered nearly 100 album projects in all, and has played on well over a thousand recordings.
Barbie Kelley hails from the Wilmington, Delaware area and comes from a large musical family. She began playing the flute at age 9, and now plays percussion and guitar as well. She has played & sung on hundreds of recording sessions. Her voice has a pleasant, almost Celtic-like quality, and has been compared by some to Natalie Merchant and Annie Haslam of Renaissance. Audiences love her flute playing, and WIND’s flute and guitar combination achieves nice results. Barbie has written a musical with Nori called “No Love, No Peace - The Musical, “ geared toward middle/junior high school students, dealing with issues such as bullying & suicide. It was debuted at AAST High School in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2017 and “WIND & Friends” released the musical soundtrack in 2018. Nori & Barbie hope to see it performed in more schools in the near future.
Shane Faux-Dugan (pron. Fox-Doogan) joined WIND on backing vocals in 2023. Shane has toured with the band in the UK and Japan, as well as a fall 2024 mini-tour to New York & Massachusetts. The new album, "The Guide," is Shane's second appearance on a WIND project, with 2004's "A Night To Remember" EP being his first.
Kenny Hudson is WIND's newest member, joining in the summer of 2025 for the recording of "The Guide."
WIND’s music is an original mixture of prog rock, classic rock and folk styles, influenced by British artists like Pink Floyd, Mark Knopfler,Yes & Renaissance, as well as North American artists like Bruce Cockburn & Tom Petty.
Their new album is called “The Guide,” and was released on September 30, 20205. “The Guide” contains ten songs and two bonus tracks, clocking in at nearly 70 minutes. The songs are a mixture of progressive rock, classic rock, pop & folk influences with thought provoking lyrics, and is already receiving many accolades and an overwhelmingly positive reaction.
WIND’s music continues to be broadcast on progressive rock radio shows in the U.K., Canada and the U.S. They will be heading to the UK in October 2025 for a 4-date tour, with plans to tour Japan and the U.S. in 2026.
WIND is available to perform as a trio or duo.
Contact them at windmusic@msn.com
Recommendations...
“Well crafted...with clever little rhythmic twists...unexpected chord changes...Barbie’s accomplished flute and whistle lines...Nori’s seasoned, song-centric guitar...what a sincere, engaging record...Nori is an assured guitarist.” ~ PROG Magazine
"(Nori’s) guitar playing stuns." ~ Doug LeBlanc, CCM Magazine
"WIND, presenting passionate music with high-flying flute, guitar acrobatics and killer chorus sections, seem to have no hard time proving they can win over even the average music listener." ~ Shawn M. Haney, All Music Guide
"I've worked with Nori, Barbie and friends on several albums now and they always make me smile... The new 'Seasons' album is an absolute tour de force, both musically and spiritually. The musicianship would be hard to fault and Nori's writing seems to improve with each album - miss it at your peril!”
~ Jon Camp, Renaissance
“Best flute & guitar music in the southeast!” ~ Borders Books & Music, Atlanta
“With the scene here in the UK currently picking up for progressive rock artists and artists with a folk and blues edge, the time could be right for WIND...they have the tools and the songs, they just need that little push...” ~ Nick Baldrain, Fireworks Magazine (UK)
