Randi Breese’s YouTube Hits
Delight Dog-Loving Viewers!
by Bonnie Sweebe
“They are silly dog songs,” said singer songwriter Randi Breese as I spoke with her at Forever Friends Pet Spa and Resort, “but people seem to like them.”
Indeed, for at last look her YouTube hit “There’s Dog Hair in Everything I Do” had reached 74,766 views and counting. So how did I come to meet Randi Breese? I was introduced to her by my dogs, Skye and Sydney.
The name Randi Breese was not new to me. I’d been sharing Randi’s terrific dog songs on Facebook and Twitter and even received an email thanks. But it wasn’t until I boarded my two golden retrievers and scheduled their well-needed baths that I met her face-to-face. You see, Randi is also their new groomer.
We were both surprised at our chance meeting. I didn’t know she was my dog’s groomer. She did not know that I ran WelcomePup.com, the company she recently emailed whose logo mascot is her new client, Skye.
Randi is soft-spoken and kind, and when flanked next to her two border collies is immediately recognizable from her videos. She was nice enough to agree to an interview.
WelcomePup: Randi, you have obvious musical talent. When did you start playing the guitar, singing and songwriting?
Randi Breese: Well, I’ve played piano most of my life and taught myself the guitar as an adult. To start, my sister, Wendi, would write poems and I would put them to music. Not long after, I started writing my own songs for fun.
WP: What inspired you to write your silly dog songs?
RB: First, my own dogs, Riley and Parker. They’re pretty silly. Then, it helps that I’m around dogs all the time being a dog groomer, training and competing with my dogs in agility and DockDogs, and being an all around dog lover. There never seems to be a day of mine without dogs. I work with dogs, I play with dogs, and I sleep with dogs!
WP: “There’s Dog Hair in Everything I Do” has become a YouTube hit. Were you surprised at its success?
RB: Yes. I wanted it to be successful, but I didn’t know how many people would be viewing it. When I was writing it, I thought, “This is hilarious. Dog lover’s are totally going to relate to this.” I’m just so happy that others enjoy the song and video, and find it as humorous a topic as I do.
WP: Your song titles are so relevant to everyday life with your dog that I find myself humming the tunes often. But I’m really impressed with your second music video called “Let’s Go for a Walk”. Now I hum that every time I see my dog’s leash. How did you come up with that idea and did you realize the positive implications?
RB: I came up with the idea of the song because I take my dogs for a 2 mile walk almost everyday. I came up with most of the lyrics while on the walks because of their reactions to things that happen on the walk. If it’s a day that I don’t take them, they like to try to guilt trip me by sitting next to me and staring at me while I watch TV. It usually works and then there is great rejoicing from them when I put my shoes on and get the leashes! I wrote it from the dog’s point of view to show how happy a simple walk can make a dog, and how healthy it is for a dog to get out of the house and bond with it’s owner.
WP: Have you always been employed in a dog related field?
RB: Before I became a dog groomer 15 years ago, I was an Operations Specialist in the US Navy. I joined right out of high school and was stationed aboard two ships during my enlistment. I went on a deployment to the Persian Gulf on the USS Prairie and then another on the USS Jason.
WP: Do you also write songs that don’t pertain to dogs?
RB: Yes. A lot of my songs are autobiographical. Writing music is great therapy. I usually write about things I love, including one about my hometown, Lodi, Ohio, where I still live.
WP: What’s next for Randi Breese?
RB: Same old, same old. I’m really happy with my life and what I do. I love grooming dogs, doing fun things with my dogs, writing music and making videos. I’d like to write at least one more dog song before I make a dog-themed cd available. Any ideas on what I should write about this time?
WP: Thank you so much for taking time to speak with us today!
For up-to-date information on Randi Breese, visit her on Facebook or via email at rbreese@neo.rr.com.
Enjoy the following videos and share them with your dog-loving friends!
