Hey Everyone,
Well Spring is definitely here in the USA. We had the wettest April on record here in Michigan, but now the sun is finally shining. A huge thank you for all the positive comments regarding my mishap with the 100 pound statue back in March. Im glad to report that I am feeling great and looking forward to a crazy Spring and Summer schedule. April was a quiet month, but we were able to rehearse the new band and do a little recording with Motor City Josh. Josh and I will be releasing a traditional acoustic original blues CD in the fall plus we will be doing a two and half week tour in December to coincide with the CD release.
I was nominated for two Detroit Music Awards- Outstanding Artist and Outstanding Recording. Bobbi and I and some good friends went to the awards and had a ball. Talk about hoopla- it was there by the bucket full. TV cameras everywhere, musicians being interviewed plus a fabulous concert at The Fillmore. The vibe was positive and everyone was there to have a great time. I ran into many amazing musicians- Detroit Funky Diva- Thornetta Davis, Bobby Murray, Paul Randolf, Skeeto Valdez plus many more. I didn't win but you know what, it was just amazing to be nominated. Detroit certainly has a vibrant music community and I am very happy to be apart of it. During April, Bobbi and I presented our educational program- "Australian Didge-ucation" at four Michigan libraries http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html . We were very well received and appreciated.
We have an exciting double bill coming up this Friday at The Historic Dawn Theater in Hillsdale, Michigan with Big James and the Chicago Play Boys. This Saturday's show at the Lone Oak Vineyard is sold out. We will head out on tour next week to New York, Ohio and Maryland. Then June will see us touring to Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi Alabama, Indiana then back to Michigan. We have a bunch of amazing festivals coming up- Western Maryland Bluesfest, Greeley Blues Jam, Colorado, The Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga, TN, Festival South, Mississippi and the Alpena Blues Festival in Michigan
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and Summer.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Friday, May 10, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Harper and Midwest Kind April Blog, 2013
Hey Everyone,
Spring is here! We are gearing up for the summer festival season which will see us traveling all over the USA and Canada. March was an eventful month with an absolutely beyond huge St Patrick's Day week at the amazing Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda, Florida. We performed four shows and everyone was well attended with the biggest show occurring on St Patricks Day. I think this day broke all previous records at The Celtic Ray. Huge congratulations to Kevin and Max Doyle for creating such a great club. For all you Michigandas- there will be a Celtic Ray coming to Michigan this summer, just north of Port Huron. Our shows throughout the Midwest were all fabulous. We visited our good Friends of the Blues at The Bourbonnais Sportman's Club in Bourbonnais in Illinois where we were treated to a didgeridoo duet. Then it was on to our favorite St Louis club- BBS Jazz Blues & Soups. We had a great time at The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf, Iowa and yet another fun show at the Gas Lamp in Des Moines, Iowa. Unfortunately while checking into one of our hotels in Iowa, I accidentally tripped on some carpet. As I stumbled, I crashed into a large one hundred pound bronze statue of a fisherman, which promptly fell right on top of my head. As with most head wounds, blood just about spurted every where. Everyone was so shocked they didn't move, I yelled with pain while cradling my head. Finally one of the hotel staff brought me a towel to mop up the blood. There wasn't any major damage done but I suffered some very severe head aches from that moment on. The general manager of the hotel offered to pay for hospital bills and so forth, which I definitely took him up on. It was such a bizarre accident, no one was to blame. It was just one of those crazy things that can happen whilst on the road. Like a true road warrior I finished the tour with shows at The Trempealeau Hotel in Wisconsin and the Smiling Moose in Newton, Wisconsin. It was when I got home to Michigan, that I realized I needed to take some time off. The Doc told me I was crazy to keep gigging as I had concussion. So I had to cancel the last week of March and the First week of April. I am very sorry for those folks looking forward to these shows but we have rescheduled all cancelled shows for later in the year.
Some of you will notice a new line up for my band "Midwest Kind". I would like to welcome Angelo Santelli on slide guitar/ Dobro, Derek Johnson on Bass Guitar and David Zwolinski on Drums. Bobbi and I wish our road warriors- Chris Smith, Matt Besey and Jamie Taunton all the very best and we thank them for their incredible playing.
For those of you who interested in our free library educational shows called "Australian Didge-ucation" http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html The shows are listed on the tour page on the Harper website . We also have a special dinner and show coming up on Saturday May 11 (Mother's Day Weekend) at the Lone Oak Vineyard in our home town of Grass Lake, Michigan. Reservations are necessary- Please go to the tour page on www.harper.biz for details.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and Summer.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Spring is here! We are gearing up for the summer festival season which will see us traveling all over the USA and Canada. March was an eventful month with an absolutely beyond huge St Patrick's Day week at the amazing Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda, Florida. We performed four shows and everyone was well attended with the biggest show occurring on St Patricks Day. I think this day broke all previous records at The Celtic Ray. Huge congratulations to Kevin and Max Doyle for creating such a great club. For all you Michigandas- there will be a Celtic Ray coming to Michigan this summer, just north of Port Huron. Our shows throughout the Midwest were all fabulous. We visited our good Friends of the Blues at The Bourbonnais Sportman's Club in Bourbonnais in Illinois where we were treated to a didgeridoo duet. Then it was on to our favorite St Louis club- BBS Jazz Blues & Soups. We had a great time at The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf, Iowa and yet another fun show at the Gas Lamp in Des Moines, Iowa. Unfortunately while checking into one of our hotels in Iowa, I accidentally tripped on some carpet. As I stumbled, I crashed into a large one hundred pound bronze statue of a fisherman, which promptly fell right on top of my head. As with most head wounds, blood just about spurted every where. Everyone was so shocked they didn't move, I yelled with pain while cradling my head. Finally one of the hotel staff brought me a towel to mop up the blood. There wasn't any major damage done but I suffered some very severe head aches from that moment on. The general manager of the hotel offered to pay for hospital bills and so forth, which I definitely took him up on. It was such a bizarre accident, no one was to blame. It was just one of those crazy things that can happen whilst on the road. Like a true road warrior I finished the tour with shows at The Trempealeau Hotel in Wisconsin and the Smiling Moose in Newton, Wisconsin. It was when I got home to Michigan, that I realized I needed to take some time off. The Doc told me I was crazy to keep gigging as I had concussion. So I had to cancel the last week of March and the First week of April. I am very sorry for those folks looking forward to these shows but we have rescheduled all cancelled shows for later in the year.
Some of you will notice a new line up for my band "Midwest Kind". I would like to welcome Angelo Santelli on slide guitar/ Dobro, Derek Johnson on Bass Guitar and David Zwolinski on Drums. Bobbi and I wish our road warriors- Chris Smith, Matt Besey and Jamie Taunton all the very best and we thank them for their incredible playing.
For those of you who interested in our free library educational shows called "Australian Didge-ucation" http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html The shows are listed on the tour page on the Harper website . We also have a special dinner and show coming up on Saturday May 11 (Mother's Day Weekend) at the Lone Oak Vineyard in our home town of Grass Lake, Michigan. Reservations are necessary- Please go to the tour page on www.harper.biz for details.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and Summer.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Harper and Midwest Kind March Blog
Happy March Everyone,
Well February was a wild ride weather wise! After our show at Harbor House in Detroit we headed out on tour for three weeks. We had shows at Goodfellas in Illinois, The 21st Amendment Saloon in Omaha, Nebraska then the fabulous Old Skoolz in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We had relatively warm weather for this time of year and very good turn outs to the shows. We had a few minor vehicle problems- a flat battery one day then the starter motor the next day. But we managed to get where we needed to be. I had a cancel a radio show with DJ Crash for Sioux Falls but apart from that nothing else had to be cancelled. The Fargo Blues Festival in Fargo, South Dakota was a blast. A great crowd attended the Best Western, Double Tree Inn. Got to see Eddy The Chief Clearwater perform, who replaced Magic Slim who unfortunately passed away recently. It was so cool that we all had accommodation there - so no need to drive after the show. It was just as well because later that evening a huge blizzard hit Fargo. The wind howled mournfully and It just snowed and snowed and snowed. It seemed like it would never stop!! We were all locked away in our rooms for and extra day and half and couldn't leave the hotel because the weather was so bad. Interstate Highway 29 was closed due to five foot snow drifts and Interstate 94 wasn't much better. We were freaking out because we had to be in Key Largo, Florida for the following week. Originally we had allowed four days to get there but now it was getting down to two and a half days. Thankfully late Monday afternoon, Interstate 94 open up and we were out of Fargo- heading to Minnesota. It was a scary drive- lots of ice and compacted snow, so I drove slowly and carefully. We made it to Madison, Wisconsin the first day, The second day we rolled into Lake City, Florida and the third day - sunny Key Largo. 32 hours of driving! Talk about extremes. Frigid temperatures in the North to monsoon like conditions in Georgia then a balmy 80 degrees F in Florida. It just goes to show where there is a will, there is a way!
Our Florida shows were fabulous- Bayside Grille in Key Largo- Bobbi was treated to chocolates and a lobster dinner for Valentines Day, then Mangrove Mamas which was rained out but the show still went on. Three amazing shows at The Celtic Ray then our favorite Ace's Lounge and The Legendary Bradfordville Blues Club. We also visited our incredible special needs kids at the Buckingham Exceptional Student Center in Fort Myers. To see the joy on the Buckingham Kids faces is absolutely priceless. We are very blessed to receive such a beautiful experience. We have a couple of shows in Michigan then its back to Florida for St Patrick's Day week then back to the Midwest for two weeks of shows. For those of you who asked here is the correct link for our Australian Didge-ucation Presentation: http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html The shows are listed on the tour page on the Harper website listed below:
Hope to see you out on the road.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Well February was a wild ride weather wise! After our show at Harbor House in Detroit we headed out on tour for three weeks. We had shows at Goodfellas in Illinois, The 21st Amendment Saloon in Omaha, Nebraska then the fabulous Old Skoolz in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We had relatively warm weather for this time of year and very good turn outs to the shows. We had a few minor vehicle problems- a flat battery one day then the starter motor the next day. But we managed to get where we needed to be. I had a cancel a radio show with DJ Crash for Sioux Falls but apart from that nothing else had to be cancelled. The Fargo Blues Festival in Fargo, South Dakota was a blast. A great crowd attended the Best Western, Double Tree Inn. Got to see Eddy The Chief Clearwater perform, who replaced Magic Slim who unfortunately passed away recently. It was so cool that we all had accommodation there - so no need to drive after the show. It was just as well because later that evening a huge blizzard hit Fargo. The wind howled mournfully and It just snowed and snowed and snowed. It seemed like it would never stop!! We were all locked away in our rooms for and extra day and half and couldn't leave the hotel because the weather was so bad. Interstate Highway 29 was closed due to five foot snow drifts and Interstate 94 wasn't much better. We were freaking out because we had to be in Key Largo, Florida for the following week. Originally we had allowed four days to get there but now it was getting down to two and a half days. Thankfully late Monday afternoon, Interstate 94 open up and we were out of Fargo- heading to Minnesota. It was a scary drive- lots of ice and compacted snow, so I drove slowly and carefully. We made it to Madison, Wisconsin the first day, The second day we rolled into Lake City, Florida and the third day - sunny Key Largo. 32 hours of driving! Talk about extremes. Frigid temperatures in the North to monsoon like conditions in Georgia then a balmy 80 degrees F in Florida. It just goes to show where there is a will, there is a way!
Our Florida shows were fabulous- Bayside Grille in Key Largo- Bobbi was treated to chocolates and a lobster dinner for Valentines Day, then Mangrove Mamas which was rained out but the show still went on. Three amazing shows at The Celtic Ray then our favorite Ace's Lounge and The Legendary Bradfordville Blues Club. We also visited our incredible special needs kids at the Buckingham Exceptional Student Center in Fort Myers. To see the joy on the Buckingham Kids faces is absolutely priceless. We are very blessed to receive such a beautiful experience. We have a couple of shows in Michigan then its back to Florida for St Patrick's Day week then back to the Midwest for two weeks of shows. For those of you who asked here is the correct link for our Australian Didge-ucation Presentation: http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html The shows are listed on the tour page on the Harper website listed below:
Hope to see you out on the road.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
http://www.harper.biz/workshops.html Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Harper and Midwest Kind January, 2013 Blog
Hey Everyone,
Happy January! The snow is falling in Michigan and the temperature is ccccccold! December was a very quiet month for the band which we all enjoyed after such a busy year. In January we launched into our Acoustic January Tour which really worked out well. Trinity House, a small theatre in Livonia Michigan saw our manager Bobbi Llewellyn's American vocal debut. In Australia Bobbi fronted her own band and for time she sang backup for several of my bands. Then the management thing took over and the singing was pushed to the side. I wrote two songs for her and so we decided to put them into the set. Despite lots of nerves, Bobbi did a great job! We did a short tour through Missouri, Kansas and Illinois, visiting some of our favorite Clubs, BBs, The Trouser Mouse, Uncle Bos and Fat Fish Pub. The weather was stunning and amazingly warm for January.
We were hit with a rude awakening with some freezing temperatures last week in Michigan. The concert series at The Southfield Library was a lot of fun. Followed by an amazing new club in Traverse City called InsideOut Gallery. Just a beautiful sounding listening room. It was such a pleasure to perform in this room. Then we finished off the week with The incredible Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, Michigan. The weather was treacherous with gusting winds from lake effect snow. We had nearly a full house at the show which just goes to show the folks up in Petoskey love their music. The drive back to the Blissfest band house in Harbor Springs after the show was a trip from hell!! But we made it thanks to some great road directions from Blissfest organizers Jim and Mike and God's will. I got together with Motor City Josh in the studio this month to write some songs. We plan to release a new CD together in a traditional blues vein, which should alot of fun. We will also be putting together some shows. I am also planning to finish an acoustic CD of the band this year as well. So theres lots of cool things happening . Our new drummer Jamie Taunton will be joining the band in February! We finished the month of January at the Blackhawk Jazz & Blues Concerts series in Richland, Michigan. A great crowd full of lots of friends from Kalamazoo who came out to support us despite the snow. We had a special guest Angelo Santelli get up and play some awesome acoustic Dobro.
For those of you who are interested in our didgeridoo/ Australia presentation- which Bobbi and I have called "Australian-Didge-ucation" please check out the new workshop page on the Harper website: www.harper.biz/workshops. There will be quite a few free public shows at various libraries around the country. Please see the schedule at www.harper.biz and click on the tour page. Hope to see you all out on the road,
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.harper.biz/workshops Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Happy January! The snow is falling in Michigan and the temperature is ccccccold! December was a very quiet month for the band which we all enjoyed after such a busy year. In January we launched into our Acoustic January Tour which really worked out well. Trinity House, a small theatre in Livonia Michigan saw our manager Bobbi Llewellyn's American vocal debut. In Australia Bobbi fronted her own band and for time she sang backup for several of my bands. Then the management thing took over and the singing was pushed to the side. I wrote two songs for her and so we decided to put them into the set. Despite lots of nerves, Bobbi did a great job! We did a short tour through Missouri, Kansas and Illinois, visiting some of our favorite Clubs, BBs, The Trouser Mouse, Uncle Bos and Fat Fish Pub. The weather was stunning and amazingly warm for January.
We were hit with a rude awakening with some freezing temperatures last week in Michigan. The concert series at The Southfield Library was a lot of fun. Followed by an amazing new club in Traverse City called InsideOut Gallery. Just a beautiful sounding listening room. It was such a pleasure to perform in this room. Then we finished off the week with The incredible Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, Michigan. The weather was treacherous with gusting winds from lake effect snow. We had nearly a full house at the show which just goes to show the folks up in Petoskey love their music. The drive back to the Blissfest band house in Harbor Springs after the show was a trip from hell!! But we made it thanks to some great road directions from Blissfest organizers Jim and Mike and God's will. I got together with Motor City Josh in the studio this month to write some songs. We plan to release a new CD together in a traditional blues vein, which should alot of fun. We will also be putting together some shows. I am also planning to finish an acoustic CD of the band this year as well. So theres lots of cool things happening . Our new drummer Jamie Taunton will be joining the band in February! We finished the month of January at the Blackhawk Jazz & Blues Concerts series in Richland, Michigan. A great crowd full of lots of friends from Kalamazoo who came out to support us despite the snow. We had a special guest Angelo Santelli get up and play some awesome acoustic Dobro.
For those of you who are interested in our didgeridoo/ Australia presentation- which Bobbi and I have called "Australian-Didge-ucation" please check out the new workshop page on the Harper website: www.harper.biz/workshops. There will be quite a few free public shows at various libraries around the country. Please see the schedule at www.harper.biz and click on the tour page. Hope to see you all out on the road,
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.harper.biz/workshops Australian Didge-ucation
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Monday, December 17, 2012
Harper and Midwest Kind December Blog
Happy Holidays Everyone,
It is with great sadness that I write this blog. The tragedy at Sandy Point Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut has left a mark on my soul. My band "Midwest Kind, Bobbi and I send our heart felt prayers, condolences and huge amounts of love to the children, teachers, parents, the police, rescue workers and medical personnel, everyone who has been touched by this terrible terrible shooting. When darkness like this enters our lives, I always try to think of all the good people in the world who perform miracles everyday. American children's icon "Mr Rogers' said his Grandmother gave him some advice as a young boy- "when ever you're afraid, always look for the helpers". Very wise words because there are ALWAYS helpers, no matter where you are or who you are, there is always someone who wants to help you.
My band and I are taking it easy this month, having finished our shows for 2012. I am working on a new acoustic CD , which we hope to release sometime in 2013. We are very happy to announce we have a new drummer Jamie Taunton joining the band in February. The month of January will be completely acoustic, to give you all a taste of what you will be hearing on the acoustic CD. My lovely wife Bobbi Llewellyn will also be singing a couple of songs, which Im sure you will all enjoy.
We had an amazing tour in November, firstly visiting two new clubs- Canal House in Ohio and U Detroit Cafe in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Then it was the long drive south to Florida for the fabulous Riverhawk Music Festival, followed by the incredible Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee. Then it was the newly renovated and extended Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda. WOW!!! what a fabulous venue- Kevin Doyle really has created a beautiful Irish Pub. Then we headed north like a YOYO to Bettendorf, Iowa for The Muddy Waters, another great listening room. We visited the very cool, Trouser Mouse in Missouri then another new club- Old Skoolz in Sioux Falls, South Dakota- another great find for our touring schedule. We played the Alamo in Springfield, Illinois and we were very tempted to go and see the new film "Lincoln". The Blues Society arranged a Blues in the Schools sponsorship so Bobbi and I presented our "Australian Didge-ucation" project for the all the kids at Montessori Children's House. It was such an uplifting and fun experience, we hope to return soon! We performed at BBs in St Louis, Missouri for Thanksgiving Eve to a large and very happening crowd. Our Thanksgiving dinner was spent at an "IHop", no Turkey but mmmmm it was yummy. We finished the week with some great shows at The Gas Lamp in Des Moines, The fabulous Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska then the legendary Byron's Bar in Pomeroy, Iowa. What a great way to end the tour and Drummer Scott Key's last show at our home away from home- Byrons.
Back in Michigan our final shows of the year were Carrick's House Concert and The Hamlin Pub. Carrick's House Concert- would have to been one of the best shows of the year. It was held in Craig & Nick Carrick's basement with ample seating and a full sound system. Pizza and other tasty treats were served free of charge. Gemma & Jesse opened the show with beautiful harmonies. We then followed with the full band with our former drummer Marc Dixon filling in. We had close to 70 people packed into the basement and it was an intense, hilarious, joyful and intimate concert. Such a wonderful way to end the year. Thank you Craig and Nick Carrick!!! And a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year. We couldn't do what we do without you all.
Wishing you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter/ Summer Solstice. Peace, joy and abundance to us all. May 2013 be the best year yet!!!!
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
It is with great sadness that I write this blog. The tragedy at Sandy Point Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut has left a mark on my soul. My band "Midwest Kind, Bobbi and I send our heart felt prayers, condolences and huge amounts of love to the children, teachers, parents, the police, rescue workers and medical personnel, everyone who has been touched by this terrible terrible shooting. When darkness like this enters our lives, I always try to think of all the good people in the world who perform miracles everyday. American children's icon "Mr Rogers' said his Grandmother gave him some advice as a young boy- "when ever you're afraid, always look for the helpers". Very wise words because there are ALWAYS helpers, no matter where you are or who you are, there is always someone who wants to help you.
My band and I are taking it easy this month, having finished our shows for 2012. I am working on a new acoustic CD , which we hope to release sometime in 2013. We are very happy to announce we have a new drummer Jamie Taunton joining the band in February. The month of January will be completely acoustic, to give you all a taste of what you will be hearing on the acoustic CD. My lovely wife Bobbi Llewellyn will also be singing a couple of songs, which Im sure you will all enjoy.
We had an amazing tour in November, firstly visiting two new clubs- Canal House in Ohio and U Detroit Cafe in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Then it was the long drive south to Florida for the fabulous Riverhawk Music Festival, followed by the incredible Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee. Then it was the newly renovated and extended Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda. WOW!!! what a fabulous venue- Kevin Doyle really has created a beautiful Irish Pub. Then we headed north like a YOYO to Bettendorf, Iowa for The Muddy Waters, another great listening room. We visited the very cool, Trouser Mouse in Missouri then another new club- Old Skoolz in Sioux Falls, South Dakota- another great find for our touring schedule. We played the Alamo in Springfield, Illinois and we were very tempted to go and see the new film "Lincoln". The Blues Society arranged a Blues in the Schools sponsorship so Bobbi and I presented our "Australian Didge-ucation" project for the all the kids at Montessori Children's House. It was such an uplifting and fun experience, we hope to return soon! We performed at BBs in St Louis, Missouri for Thanksgiving Eve to a large and very happening crowd. Our Thanksgiving dinner was spent at an "IHop", no Turkey but mmmmm it was yummy. We finished the week with some great shows at The Gas Lamp in Des Moines, The fabulous Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska then the legendary Byron's Bar in Pomeroy, Iowa. What a great way to end the tour and Drummer Scott Key's last show at our home away from home- Byrons.
Back in Michigan our final shows of the year were Carrick's House Concert and The Hamlin Pub. Carrick's House Concert- would have to been one of the best shows of the year. It was held in Craig & Nick Carrick's basement with ample seating and a full sound system. Pizza and other tasty treats were served free of charge. Gemma & Jesse opened the show with beautiful harmonies. We then followed with the full band with our former drummer Marc Dixon filling in. We had close to 70 people packed into the basement and it was an intense, hilarious, joyful and intimate concert. Such a wonderful way to end the year. Thank you Craig and Nick Carrick!!! And a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year. We couldn't do what we do without you all.
Wishing you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter/ Summer Solstice. Peace, joy and abundance to us all. May 2013 be the best year yet!!!!
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Monday, October 29, 2012
Harper and Midwest Kind November Blog
Hey Everyone,
November is just about here. Our prayers and positive vibes go out to our brothers and sisters on the East Coast of the USA- who are awaiting the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy. Thankfully most people have taken heed of the severe weather warnings and have taken themselves out of harm's way. We hope that Sandy's bark is worse than her bite!!!!
October saw us heading Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina. We had alot of fun at Quaker Steak and lube in Sharon, PA. Then we headed South to Florida for one of our most favorite out door clubs- Guanabanas in Jupiter. This club is stunning and has a very cool surf, beach vibe. We then headed to new club in Orlando called Mc Wells - put together by promoter Zaider Zoller- a wonderful person who really supports live music. We had a terrible thunder and lightning storm the night of the show which effected the turn out, but we have vowed to return another time. The next show took place at Jollimon's Grill in Dunedin. Our good friend Steve Arvey, who we have known for many years going back to our early touring days in Australia, opened the show for us. He was just amazing- kinda a Neil Young blues guys- very authentic. We were just getting into our first set, the crowd was building and the vibe was good, when a huge torrential down pour of soaking rain blasted this out door show into oblivion. The court yard flooded as music goers scattered in all directions. My band and I desperately tried to pack up guitars, amps, didgeridoos, drum kit while being blasted with rain through the severely leaky roof of the out door stage. It was crazy! We were all soaked to the bone and there was no way out of it. We had a few days off and were offered accommodation at the Bradfordville Blues Club's band house in Tallahassee, Florida. Thank you Gary and Kym Anton for your kind generosity. Our good friend Missy took us out for dinner on one of the nights - and good times were had by all. We had a fabulous show at Englewoods on Dearborn, in Englewood, Florida. Another out door show with a happening crowd for my birthday. It was a nice way to spend the day. The next day we visited our favorite special needs kids at the Buckingham Center for Exceptional Students in Fort Myers. I was presented with a HUGE birthday card which was decorated by the students. It was such a lovely gift for which I am very thankful. One of the teachers Barb Chapin told me that one of her students actually smiled and spoke for the first time at this show. The little boy had a big smile on his face and danced for the entire show. Just goes to show that the power of music is all inspiring and very healing. Ace's Lounge in Bradenton was also alot of fun. For those around the Sarasota area you really need to check out this great music club. All the touring acts perform there and the sound is great. After a show at the Buckingham Bar we headed to another one of our favorite clubs- Earl's Hideaway. We had a big crowd and nice weather. Promoter Franni Southern was called away suddenly as her husband Ernie became very ill and had to be taken to hospital. Thankfully everything was OK, we were glad to hear. We ended the month with a show at the Paradise Inn in Pensacola Beach. We hung out with my former but fabulous guitarist Tyler Mac. We even got to meet his two month old baby girl. Bobbi and I presented a show for the kids at Kiddie Land in Salsbury, North Carolina. The teachers were wonderful and the children just loved learning about the didgeridoo, harmonica and Australia. We finished the week with a fantastic show at The Rowan Jazz and Blues Festival also in Salsbury. We got to catch up with Fruteland Jackson and Mac Arnold and his band. It was a great concert of new and traditional blues-.
This week we have two new clubs- Canal House in Tuscarawas, Ohio and the newly opened U Detroit Cafe in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The U Detroit show will be a special unplugged show and is the first club show we have done in the area for many years- so please come down and check us out. Hope to see you all out on the road!
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
November is just about here. Our prayers and positive vibes go out to our brothers and sisters on the East Coast of the USA- who are awaiting the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy. Thankfully most people have taken heed of the severe weather warnings and have taken themselves out of harm's way. We hope that Sandy's bark is worse than her bite!!!!
October saw us heading Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina. We had alot of fun at Quaker Steak and lube in Sharon, PA. Then we headed South to Florida for one of our most favorite out door clubs- Guanabanas in Jupiter. This club is stunning and has a very cool surf, beach vibe. We then headed to new club in Orlando called Mc Wells - put together by promoter Zaider Zoller- a wonderful person who really supports live music. We had a terrible thunder and lightning storm the night of the show which effected the turn out, but we have vowed to return another time. The next show took place at Jollimon's Grill in Dunedin. Our good friend Steve Arvey, who we have known for many years going back to our early touring days in Australia, opened the show for us. He was just amazing- kinda a Neil Young blues guys- very authentic. We were just getting into our first set, the crowd was building and the vibe was good, when a huge torrential down pour of soaking rain blasted this out door show into oblivion. The court yard flooded as music goers scattered in all directions. My band and I desperately tried to pack up guitars, amps, didgeridoos, drum kit while being blasted with rain through the severely leaky roof of the out door stage. It was crazy! We were all soaked to the bone and there was no way out of it. We had a few days off and were offered accommodation at the Bradfordville Blues Club's band house in Tallahassee, Florida. Thank you Gary and Kym Anton for your kind generosity. Our good friend Missy took us out for dinner on one of the nights - and good times were had by all. We had a fabulous show at Englewoods on Dearborn, in Englewood, Florida. Another out door show with a happening crowd for my birthday. It was a nice way to spend the day. The next day we visited our favorite special needs kids at the Buckingham Center for Exceptional Students in Fort Myers. I was presented with a HUGE birthday card which was decorated by the students. It was such a lovely gift for which I am very thankful. One of the teachers Barb Chapin told me that one of her students actually smiled and spoke for the first time at this show. The little boy had a big smile on his face and danced for the entire show. Just goes to show that the power of music is all inspiring and very healing. Ace's Lounge in Bradenton was also alot of fun. For those around the Sarasota area you really need to check out this great music club. All the touring acts perform there and the sound is great. After a show at the Buckingham Bar we headed to another one of our favorite clubs- Earl's Hideaway. We had a big crowd and nice weather. Promoter Franni Southern was called away suddenly as her husband Ernie became very ill and had to be taken to hospital. Thankfully everything was OK, we were glad to hear. We ended the month with a show at the Paradise Inn in Pensacola Beach. We hung out with my former but fabulous guitarist Tyler Mac. We even got to meet his two month old baby girl. Bobbi and I presented a show for the kids at Kiddie Land in Salsbury, North Carolina. The teachers were wonderful and the children just loved learning about the didgeridoo, harmonica and Australia. We finished the week with a fantastic show at The Rowan Jazz and Blues Festival also in Salsbury. We got to catch up with Fruteland Jackson and Mac Arnold and his band. It was a great concert of new and traditional blues-.
This week we have two new clubs- Canal House in Tuscarawas, Ohio and the newly opened U Detroit Cafe in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The U Detroit show will be a special unplugged show and is the first club show we have done in the area for many years- so please come down and check us out. Hope to see you all out on the road!
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Harper and Midwest Kind October Blog
Hey Everyone,
I am writing to you from the Bradfordville Blues Club band house in Tallahassee, Florida. In the month of September we were very fortunate to obtain an arts grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation in Flint, Michigan to present the Australian Didgeridoo Workshop at two Flint Elementary Schools- Freeman Elementary and Byrant Elementary. My band "Midwest Kind", Bobbi and I presented a general introduction to Australia, the didgeridoo, Aussie animals, Aboriginal art and culture to roughly about 600 students. The presentations took place in the School's gym. With the grant money we purchased one hundred plastic tubes that we converted into didgeridoos. Bobbi then taught two groups of 30 kids how to paint in the style of the Australian Aborigines on their very own didgeridoos. It was so cute because some of the kids asked if they were allowed to keep their didgeridoos. They were soooo happy when we told them they could. The kids created some beautiful designs. It was astonishing to see such creativity, as both schools no longer have art departments. So this was probably the only time these children would ever have the opportunity to paint and create a piece of art. After the didgeridoos were decorated, we took the two groups of kids back to the gym. I then taught the children how to play their didgeridoos. We then had a big blow out with the band. It was alot of fun.
In September we also made the long trip West to the incredible historic town of Deadwood, South Dakota for the Deadwood Jam. We visited Mount Rushmore along the way. We were amazed at the beauty of this National Monument. Photographs really dont give it justice. The monument is superbly crafted and very tasteful. The weather was picture perfect and the Deadwood Jam was excellent. The friendly staff and hospitality was unbeatable. We visited the graves of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jame and Sheriff Seth Bullock (for those fans of the Deadwood TV series on HBO). Bobbi, Chris, Matt, Scott and I walked right to the top of the mountain to see Seth Bullock's grave and our legs were aching for several days after. We visited Saloon No 10 where Wild Bill was shot and we had a fabulous meal just upstairs from the main saloon. What was really cool was that many of the locals could trace back their ancestry back to the early beginnings of Deadwood and they were a wealth of knowledge. It was a fascinating visit.
Back in Michigan we performed at a couple of new clubs for us- Tiz-It in Midland. Funny name but a great music club with a great first show turnout. Also The Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall. The Franke Center is a great theatre style club that was formally a church. It is run by volunteers who really know how to put on a show. We loved being there and hope to return soon. Coming up we have tour to Florida and North Carolina. We have another new club called Canal House in Tuscarawas, Ohio scheduled for Friday November 2. We also have a great acoustic show planned for Sat Nov 3 at the newly opened U Detroit Cafe in down town Detroit, Michigan . We still have some openings in December for possible Christmas / NYE parties. Just send us an email and we will try to head to your neck of the woods.
Hope to see you out on the road this Fall and Winter.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
I am writing to you from the Bradfordville Blues Club band house in Tallahassee, Florida. In the month of September we were very fortunate to obtain an arts grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation in Flint, Michigan to present the Australian Didgeridoo Workshop at two Flint Elementary Schools- Freeman Elementary and Byrant Elementary. My band "Midwest Kind", Bobbi and I presented a general introduction to Australia, the didgeridoo, Aussie animals, Aboriginal art and culture to roughly about 600 students. The presentations took place in the School's gym. With the grant money we purchased one hundred plastic tubes that we converted into didgeridoos. Bobbi then taught two groups of 30 kids how to paint in the style of the Australian Aborigines on their very own didgeridoos. It was so cute because some of the kids asked if they were allowed to keep their didgeridoos. They were soooo happy when we told them they could. The kids created some beautiful designs. It was astonishing to see such creativity, as both schools no longer have art departments. So this was probably the only time these children would ever have the opportunity to paint and create a piece of art. After the didgeridoos were decorated, we took the two groups of kids back to the gym. I then taught the children how to play their didgeridoos. We then had a big blow out with the band. It was alot of fun.
In September we also made the long trip West to the incredible historic town of Deadwood, South Dakota for the Deadwood Jam. We visited Mount Rushmore along the way. We were amazed at the beauty of this National Monument. Photographs really dont give it justice. The monument is superbly crafted and very tasteful. The weather was picture perfect and the Deadwood Jam was excellent. The friendly staff and hospitality was unbeatable. We visited the graves of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jame and Sheriff Seth Bullock (for those fans of the Deadwood TV series on HBO). Bobbi, Chris, Matt, Scott and I walked right to the top of the mountain to see Seth Bullock's grave and our legs were aching for several days after. We visited Saloon No 10 where Wild Bill was shot and we had a fabulous meal just upstairs from the main saloon. What was really cool was that many of the locals could trace back their ancestry back to the early beginnings of Deadwood and they were a wealth of knowledge. It was a fascinating visit.
Back in Michigan we performed at a couple of new clubs for us- Tiz-It in Midland. Funny name but a great music club with a great first show turnout. Also The Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall. The Franke Center is a great theatre style club that was formally a church. It is run by volunteers who really know how to put on a show. We loved being there and hope to return soon. Coming up we have tour to Florida and North Carolina. We have another new club called Canal House in Tuscarawas, Ohio scheduled for Friday November 2. We also have a great acoustic show planned for Sat Nov 3 at the newly opened U Detroit Cafe in down town Detroit, Michigan . We still have some openings in December for possible Christmas / NYE parties. Just send us an email and we will try to head to your neck of the woods.
Hope to see you out on the road this Fall and Winter.
Thanks and Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs and E Book
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.facebook.com/pages/Harper-and-Midwest-Kind/163124467948
www.musicpage.com/harper
www.reverbnation.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.myspace.com/harperband
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