Peter Breinholt

Peter Breinholt began showcasing his original songs at informal gatherings and at local restaurants while he was a student at the University of Utah. A homemade tape of his music began circulating on campus, which led to an official recording done at a Salt Lake City recording studio in June 1993. That recording, called "Songs About the Great Divide",[2] became the best-selling, independently released CD ever in the state of Utah, almost entirely by word-of-mouth.[1] It was described by Salt Lake Magazine as "an underground classic on college campuses". Breinholt's concerts began selling out local theaters and concert halls, including Kingsbury Hall, Capitol Theatre, Tuacahn, the de Jong Concert Hall, Ellen Eccles Theatre, Sundance Resort Amphitheater, Sandy Amphitheater and the Thanksgiving Point Waterfall Amphitheater.

As his audiences grew, Breinholt added members to his band, including pianist David Tolk, bluegrass musician Ryan Shupe, cellist Steven Sharp Nelson and occasional harmonica player Greg Whiteley. It was during this period that the group road-tested songs that would appear on Breinholt's next two studio albums, "Heartland" (1996)[3] and "Deep Summer" (1999).[4]

In 1999, Breinholt's music was used to demo and market computer company iOmega's PocketZip, a technological predecessor to the iPod. The same year he was voted "Performing Artist of the Year" by the FCMA.

In 2000, Breinholt testified at a United States congressional hearing on the topic of digital file sharing.[5] Napster founder Shawn Fanning used Breinholt's song "You Wear Flowers" at the hearing to demonstrate how peer-to-peer technology works to the congressional committee.

In 2001, Breinholt recorded "Live September" during three sold out performances at the Sundance Amphitheater near Provo, Utah.[6]

The following year, Breinholt performed at events for the 2002 Winter Olympics, including the concert marking the arrival of the torch to Salt Lake City.[1] A live version of Breinholt's song "Jubilee" was included on the official commemorative album of the games, alongside songs by artists with local ties including Gladys Knight, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, and Kurt Bestor.[7]

In 2006, Breinholt released "All The Color Green"[8] and shortly thereafter was voted "Best Local Songwriter" in a Salt Lake City Weekly readers' poll. On New Year's Eve that year, Breinholt performed as part of a live worldwide broadcast with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.[9]

The following year, Breinholt wrote and performed six songs for the movie Everybody Wants to Be Italian[10] and later included two of those songs on his "Best of Peter Breinholt" album.[11]

Peter's song "Lullaby" was the inspiration behind Tim Ballard's decision to leave his position with the FBI to start Operation Underground Railroad.[12] Breinholt has since recorded a new version of the song with the One Voice Children's Choir and donated it to Ballard's organization.

In November 2016, Utah Governor Gary Herbert awarded Breinholt the Utah Governor's Mansion Artist Award in the arts.[13]

During the first half of 2018, Peter wrote material for his "The Counting of Nothing" album while living in Ecuador with his family. The album was released December 21, 2018.

In March 2019, Peter gave a TEDx talk in Provo, Utah entitled, "What Makes You Come Alive?".[14] He and his band also performed three songs at the sold out event and that performance was also published by Tedx and can be seen on YouTube.[15]

Peter is married to Rebecca Pulsipher Breinholt and they have four children. They live in Holladay, Utah.

• Songs about the Great Divide (1993)
• Heartland (1996)
• Deep Summer (1999)
• Live September (2001)
• Noel (2002)
• All the Color Green (2006)
• The Best of Peter Breinholt (May 2008)
• The Counting of Nothing (2018)

• Official website