Sepsis recovery inspires formation of musical duo
– In late December 2023, Yvette Bridges, a 57-year-old singer who lives in Paso Robles, began experiencing a sore throat she initially thought was a common cold. Within three days, she was fighting for her life as her organs began to fail due to a sepsis infection. “The last thing I remember is being asked if they could intubate me to help with my breathing. At first, I said no, I was afraid of what it might do to my vocal cords. Then I was told how bad things were getting. I woke up 20 days later in the ICU,” she said.
Bridges was placed in a medically induced coma with a 25 percent chance of survival. Against the odds, she regained consciousness just as a tracheotomy was being considered. After her hospital discharge, she focused on rebuilding her strength to walk again. Aware of her diminished lung capacity, she found that singing helped improve it rapidly. “I needed to get out there and start performing, so I posted on a music site as available. Chris Tso contacted me about a duo idea he had. When we met, our styles and professionalism meshed, and here we are,” she said.
The two musicians formed the Cali Coast Duo, which features a blend of acoustic and electric music, including pop, rock, and country hits. They share lead vocals and use intricate harmonies to create a unique and timeless sound. One hundred forty days after Yvette’s awakening in the ICU, Cali Coast Duo debuted at Sea Shell Cellars in downtown Paso Robles. “We’ve only got this moment and I learned firsthand, if you have a dream, go for it!” Bridges added.
Bridges was born in San Luis Obispo County and began singing at the age of five. She has performed in choirs, musicals, jazz bands, contemporary rock and gospel worship, and spent eleven years as lead vocalist for producer Mike Tozzi’s classic rock band Pipe Dream. She co-starred in the Las Vegas show “50 Pounds From Stardom,” which ran from 2017 to 2010. Bridges is known for her powerful voice that reflects her passion and joy for all audiences.
Chris Tso is a songwriter and musician originally from New York City and now residing in Paso Robles. He studied at The Songwriter’s Guild in New York City and has performed in over 2,000 shows with the New York Flyers and other bands. He has shared stages with Black Sabbath, Pat Benatar, Marshall Tucker Band, Leslie West, Eddie Money, and Edgar Winter. Tso wrote and performed on the sixth album by South American superstar Melissa and recorded with members of Spyro Gyra. He currently performs with Yvette Bridges in the Cali Coast Duo, Déjà Vu, a five-piece cover band, and in East Coast concerts with the New York Flyers. More information about Tso is available at www.christsomusic.com.
Upcoming performances are on Sunday, July 14 from 1-4 p.m. at Outlaws Bar, Grill & Casino in Atascadero and Friday, Sept. 13 from 5-8 p.m. at the Paso Market Walk.
To learn more about Yvette’s journey and Cali Coast Duo’s upcoming performances, contact calicoastduo@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page, Facebook.com/calicoastduo.
