Countdown to Harvest 3; the New Headliners and Budweiser Opening Acts!

Rock Icons!

We are now a month away so its time to book the babysitter, think of an excuse to get out of work and to make sure you have your tickets. I know from the experience of having a lot of absent minded associates that the shows always sell out, they will, so make sure you get your tickets today. It never fails the Monday before Harvest kicks off I have 10 phone calls asking me if I know how to land some tickets to the sold out shows. I will remind you that as of the time I am writing this article the only shows and passes that are sold out are the Ultimate Passes, Saturday Night Passes and Johnny Lang tickets, but that could change at any moment now that the new headliners have been announced. (As I am writing this the Levon Helm Band show sold out)

Buddy Guy that should be enough. Guy is an original, a legend, a hall of famer, and last time he played Harvest he blew the doors off the place. In 2008 Guy sampled blues classics, Hendrix covers and everything in between.  Even if you are not a classic blues fan this show can not be missed, Guy will impress rock harder then most of the young cats at the Harvest Festival. Do not forget that this is the same ticket that features Garrett Mason and Keith Hallett. Make sure you buy your tickets this week because this sold out in 2008 and will most likely sell out again this year.

Thursday night brings out the 2^nd replacement act the Levon Helm Band. One of my favourite players and Helms has written and recorded some of the most classic rock anthems to date. There is not a music fan out there who has not sang along to The Weight, Up on Cripple Creek and Ophelia and this musical genius has written on all of them. The Band is still a group every young player idolizes and their film “The Last Waltz” is a staple in most rock collections. The 13 piece Levon Helm Band last album Grammy award winning Electric Dirt is filled with classics which they hopefully play. Now as I am writing this article the Levon Helm Band tickets have sold out and with any hope everyone who wanted to see this show has gotten their tickets for not only Helms but for Fredericton’s road dog Ross Neilsen.

Ross Neilsen has got to be the hardest working man in East Coast show business. There is not one day of the week that I am aware of that he is not travelling to a show or playing a show. Every year during Harvest Neilsen puts on great shows, last year he and the Sufferin Bastards put on amazing shows all around town during the event. This year Neilsen is doing a solo show Thursday night to open for Levon Helm Band and then him and his ferocious band will get the Budweiser Blues tent rocking opening for Johnny Lang.  I would like to warn both Levon Helms and Johnny Lang that they have their work cut out for them following Neilsen with home court advantage. Check out this amazing cover by Neilsen and the Sufferin Bastards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXXIIVUu5Pg

Of course following the Levon Helms Band Thursday will be Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe who I covered in last weeks article; (http://www.feelsgood.ca/profiles/blogs/harvest-is-coming-preparing-...)

Next week I will continue to go over Thursday night’s acts on the other stages and in the bars. I will also highlight our friends Gordon Gets Lost’s show at the Capital Complex.

If you are interested in seeing Buddy Guy or the Levon Helms Band make sure you look into tickets today because they will not last long if they are still left.

Till next week!

Peace

Everett