Tulsa, OK – June 6, 2024 – Tulsa’s own David Gates, renowned as the frontman of the 1970s soft-rock band Bread, will be honored in an upcoming tribute concert by TOAST - The Ultimate Bread Experience. This special event will take place on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, starting at 7 PM.

David Gates, born in Tulsa on December 11, 1940, graduated from Will Rogers High School, where he played in the school band. Beginning his career in 1958, Gates initially sang and wrote Rockabilly tunes before switching to studio work in Los Angeles. Over the years, he worked with music legends such as Duane Eddy, Pat Boone, Glenn Campbell, Bobby Darin, and Ann-Margret. His talent as an arranger and producer led to the cultivation of several hit songs, including Connie Stevens’s “A Girl Never Knows,” Shelly Fabares’s “He Don’t Love Me,” and Dorothy Berry’s “You’re So Fine.”

In 1967, Gates produced a group called Pleasure Fair, featuring Robb Royer and James Griffin. This collaboration led to the formation of the band Bread. In 1969, with Tulsa-born session drummer Jim Gordon joining the group, Bread had their first hit, “It Don’t Matter to Me.” The band went on to achieve phenomenal success with top-ten hits like “Make It With You,” “If,” “Baby I’m-a Want You,” “Everything I Own,” and “The Guitar Man.” Bread’s popularity peaked in the early 1970s, earning seven Gold Record awards and two Gold Single awards.

Rolling Stone magazine highlighted Bread's significant impact on soft rock, stating, “BREAD VIRTUALLY INVENTED soft rock in the early Seventies, and the group’s biggest hits remain staples on lite-rock radio.”

David Gates continued to make significant contributions to music after Bread’s initial split in 1973. In 1978, he penned the title song for Neil Simon’s play “The Goodbye Girl,” and in 1994, he released the album “Love is Always Seventeen,” which charted in the top twenty.

TOAST – The Ultimate Bread Experience, recognized as the No. 1 Touring Tribute to David Gates and Bread, is set to deliver a nostalgic and heartfelt performance that mirrors the original sound of Bread with surprising fidelity. Audiences have praised their live performances as “spot on” to the cherished records they loved back in the day.

TOAST is dedicated to keeping the legacy of Bread alive, presenting a “feel-good” show that includes all of Bread’s top hits and brings cherished memories flooding back for their audiences. This tribute concert promises to be one of the favorite events of the year, offering a chance to relive the magic of David Gates and Bread’s music.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating Tulsa’s musical heritage!

Event Details:

·        Date:  Friday, October 25, 2024

·        Time: 7 PM

·        Venue: Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK

Tickets are available now and can be purchased at or through the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center box office at (918) 259-5778.

For more information, please contact:

Troy Jolley

Marketing Director (TOAST – The Ultimate Bread Experience)

(801) 706-6064

[email protected]

Join us for a night of timeless music and celebrate the enduring legacy of David Gates and Bread!

About TOAST - The Ultimate Bread Experience:

TOAST is the world's premier tribute band to the 1970s hit band, Bread. Known for their precise sound that faithfully replicates the original recordings, TOAST delivers performances that transport audiences back to the golden era of soft rock.  Learn more at breadtribute.com.

About Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center:

The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art venue committed to bringing high-quality entertainment and cultural experiences to the community. Learn more at brokenarrowpac.com.