Hi Everyone,
My band "Midwest Kind" and I are just back from an amazing tour to Northern California, the UP of Michigan and Wisconsin. We covered thousands of miles and saw some incredible scenery. This trip is one of my favorites because the drive is just so breath taking. I always joke that "Im a truck driver that sings". When you do trips like this, it really does feel like "Im a truck driver that sings" LOL!!!!!. We left on July 31st from Michigan traveling through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, arriving in California three and half days later. We had a stop over in Omaha, Nebraska and Park City, Utah. We arrived late in the evening in Utah. We had booked rooms at a Ski Lodge up in the mountains which had multiple buildings and absolutely terrible customer service. The place was beautiful, but do you think we could find our room!!!. Bobbi and I walked around for over one hour in the dark before we found our room. The customer service person just hang up on Bobbi when she called to get directions. Needless to say we were very upset!!!!. Our show at The Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza in Mammoth Lakes was amazing!!!. The mountains were completely covered in thick, white smoke caused by a wild fire in Fresno plus it was truly smokin up on stage as well. We played to a huge crowd, and had an absolute ball. It was hard to breathe but the festival goers didn't seem to notice!!!. Ours shows in Sacramento, San Jose and Half Moon Bay were all super cool. Caught up with our good buddy Leslie Maple and her crew. Then it was drive, drive, drive to get to the UP of Michigan. We had a restful stay at good friend Steve Pence's Log Cabin in the mystical woods of Cornell, Michigan. Plus some great shows at Michigan's Blackstone Pizza CO, The Grand Marais Music Festival and Waukesha Blues Festival and The Smiling Moose in Wisconsin. Happy to say we made it back to Michigan safe and sound!!
An update on the "Harper and Motor City Josh new "Bare Bones" CD and Tour" Kickstarter Project. We have 40 wonderful backers who have pledged $2140 towards our goal of $3000 woohoo!!!. We have some great items/ performances and workshops on offer in return for your pledge. The Fundraiser ends on Monday September 2 at 1pm EST. The project only gets funded if we reach the full $3000. With eight days to go, Josh and I feel confident that we will reach our goal. For those interested in backing this new project please go to the Kickstarter link below and sign in to give your pledge. Check out the video, the new tunes and artwork of the CD, the blurb about the project and the bio links.
Kickstarter Link:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barebones/harper-and-motor-city-josh-bare-bones-cd-and-tour
HARPER AND MOTOR CITY JOSH "BARE BONES" CD & TOUR KICKSTARTER PROJECT
1. 1 x Harper and Motor City Josh "Bare Bones" Sticker $5
2. 1 x New 'Bare Bones" CD, signed by the both of us, plus a "Bare Bones Sticker"- $15
3. 1 x Harper and Motor City Josh "Bare Bones" Tee Shirt plus a "Bare Bones" Sticker and a signed "Bare Bones" poster- $25
4. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus "Bare Bones" T Shirt , poster and Sticker- $35
5. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus "Bare Bones" T Shirt , a Sticker and poster plus your name in the credits of the new CD -$45 (only 22 left)
6. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus a "Bare Bones" T Shirt, and Sticker, 1 x poster, all signed plus your name in the credits of the new CD, plus one free harmonica or didgeridoo or guitar lesson in your home (within the midwest -up to 300 mile radius from Detroit, Michigan) -$500 (5)
7. 1 x Concert by Harper and Motor City Josh in your home (within the midwest -up to 300 miles radius from Detroit, Michigan), 1 x free harmonica or didgeridoo or guitar lesson , 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper and Motor City Josh, 1 x Bare Bones" T Shirt, 1 x sticker, 1 x poster, all signed plus your name in the credits of the new CD. $1000 (5)
A huge thank you to our backers for this project. In September we are heading to Ontario/ New Brunswick, Canada and Rockland, Maine plus a few shows in Michigan. Hope to see you out on the road this Fall!!!
Thanks and Peace,
Harper and Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, Downloads 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
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Harper and Midwest Kind July 2013 Blog
Hello Everyone,
Happy Summer! We are currently on tour in amazing California. Some cools things are a happening!! Motor City Josh and I are close to recording our new acoustic blues CD which we plan to call "Bare Bones". We have scheduled to release the CD in late October. The songs are written and the pre production sounds great, with Josh as the engineer, we are sure to have a great sounding CD. We would love to have your support for the recording, promoting, manufacturing and release of this new CD. We have set up a "Kickstarter Project" in order to raise funds for this awesome new CD and tour. We have some great items/performances and workshops on offer in return for your pledge. We plan to raise $3000 to get this project off the ground ! The Kickstarter "Harper & Motor City Josh Barebones CD & Tour Project " has gone live. The Fundraiser goes for 30 days ending on Monday September 2 at 1pm EST. .Just go to the Kickstarter link below and sign in to give your pledge. Check out the video and rough artwork of the CD, the blurb about the project and the bio links.
Kickstarter link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barebones/harper-and-motor-city-josh-bare-bones-cd-and-tour
HARPER AND MOTOR CITY JOSH "BARE BONES" CD & Tour KICKSTARTER PROJECT
1. 1 x Harper and Motor City Josh "Bare Bones" Sticker $5
2. 1 x New 'Bare Bones" CD, signed by the both of us-15 plus "Bare Bones Sticker"- $15
3. 1 x Harper and Motor City Josh "Bare Bones" Tee Shirt plus a "Bare Bones" Sticker and a signed "Bare Bones" poster- $25 (100)
4. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus "Bare Bones" T Shirt , poster and Sticker- $35 (100)
5. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus "Bare Bones" T Shirt , a Sticker and poster plus your name in the credits of the new CD -$45 (100)
6. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus a "Bare Bones" T Shirt, and Sticker, 1 x poster, all signed plus your name in the credits of the new CD, plus one free harmonica or didgeridoo or guitar lesson in your home (within the midwest -up to 300 mile radius from Detroit) -$500 (5)
7. 1 x Concert by Harper & Motor City Josh in your home (within the midwest -up to 300 miles radius from Detroit, Michigan), 1 x free harmonica or didgeridoo or guitar lesson , 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper and Motor City Josh, 1 x Bare Bones" T Shirt, 1 x sticker, 1 x poster, all signed plus your name in the credits of the new CD. $1000 (5)
Our trip home from the amazing Alpena Blues Festival in Michigan in June, was very eventful. We had a turkey vulture nearly hit our van's front window, several deer and their fauns and a wolf cross the road in front of us. To top it off, a large black bear bounded in front of the van. I think we were as scared as he was. Talk about critters gone wild- so amazing to see. We beat the rain at the Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford and the Lowell Summer Concert Series in Michigan in late June. It seemed the storms avoided us where ever we went. The Common Ground Music Festival and Jamming in Jackson were a lot of fun. Midwest Kind and I played to some huge crowds at the fabulous Traverse City Area Blues Festival opening for Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bluesfest International, in Windsor, Canada. The Windsor Bluesfest was amazing. Apart from our band set to well over 10 000 peeps, I got to play with Scott Holt (former guitarist for Buddy Guy) and Neal and Kirk from Soul Live. The next day I did a workshop with some amazing guitarists from the US and Canada. I played some harp and some slide didgeridoo!!!. Then Sab and the Family Band asked to me play some harp for their whole set late on Sunday afternoon. Good Fun!!!
The last week of July, Bobbi and I headed to Raleigh, North Carolina to present six "Australian Didge-ucation" to Wake County Libraries. The workshops were a huge success and all six we're very well attended. As we speak we are on the road in California for the Mammoth Lakes Bluesapalooza Festival plus some tasty shows in Sacramento, Half Moon Bay and San Jose. Then its the UP of Michigan and Wisconsin. Hope to see you out on the road this 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
Happy Summer! We are currently on tour in amazing California. Some cools things are a happening!! Motor City Josh and I are close to recording our new acoustic blues CD which we plan to call "Bare Bones". We have scheduled to release the CD in late October. The songs are written and the pre production sounds great, with Josh as the engineer, we are sure to have a great sounding CD. We would love to have your support for the recording, promoting, manufacturing and release of this new CD. We have set up a "Kickstarter Project" in order to raise funds for this awesome new CD and tour. We have some great items/performances and workshops on offer in return for your pledge. We plan to raise $3000 to get this project off the ground ! The Kickstarter "Harper & Motor City Josh Barebones CD & Tour Project " has gone live. The Fundraiser goes for 30 days ending on Monday September 2 at 1pm EST. .Just go to the Kickstarter link below and sign in to give your pledge. Check out the video and rough artwork of the CD, the blurb about the project and the bio links.
Kickstarter link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barebones/harper-and-motor-city-josh-bare-bones-cd-and-tour
HARPER AND MOTOR CITY JOSH "BARE BONES" CD & Tour KICKSTARTER PROJECT
1. 1 x Harper and Motor City Josh "Bare Bones" Sticker $5
2. 1 x New 'Bare Bones" CD, signed by the both of us-15 plus "Bare Bones Sticker"- $15
3. 1 x Harper and Motor City Josh "Bare Bones" Tee Shirt plus a "Bare Bones" Sticker and a signed "Bare Bones" poster- $25 (100)
4. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus "Bare Bones" T Shirt , poster and Sticker- $35 (100)
5. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus "Bare Bones" T Shirt , a Sticker and poster plus your name in the credits of the new CD -$45 (100)
6. 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper/ Motor City Josh plus a "Bare Bones" T Shirt, and Sticker, 1 x poster, all signed plus your name in the credits of the new CD, plus one free harmonica or didgeridoo or guitar lesson in your home (within the midwest -up to 300 mile radius from Detroit) -$500 (5)
7. 1 x Concert by Harper & Motor City Josh in your home (within the midwest -up to 300 miles radius from Detroit, Michigan), 1 x free harmonica or didgeridoo or guitar lesson , 1 x "New Bare Bones" CD, signed by Harper and Motor City Josh, 1 x Bare Bones" T Shirt, 1 x sticker, 1 x poster, all signed plus your name in the credits of the new CD. $1000 (5)
Our trip home from the amazing Alpena Blues Festival in Michigan in June, was very eventful. We had a turkey vulture nearly hit our van's front window, several deer and their fauns and a wolf cross the road in front of us. To top it off, a large black bear bounded in front of the van. I think we were as scared as he was. Talk about critters gone wild- so amazing to see. We beat the rain at the Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford and the Lowell Summer Concert Series in Michigan in late June. It seemed the storms avoided us where ever we went. The Common Ground Music Festival and Jamming in Jackson were a lot of fun. Midwest Kind and I played to some huge crowds at the fabulous Traverse City Area Blues Festival opening for Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bluesfest International, in Windsor, Canada. The Windsor Bluesfest was amazing. Apart from our band set to well over 10 000 peeps, I got to play with Scott Holt (former guitarist for Buddy Guy) and Neal and Kirk from Soul Live. The next day I did a workshop with some amazing guitarists from the US and Canada. I played some harp and some slide didgeridoo!!!. Then Sab and the Family Band asked to me play some harp for their whole set late on Sunday afternoon. Good Fun!!!
The last week of July, Bobbi and I headed to Raleigh, North Carolina to present six "Australian Didge-ucation" to Wake County Libraries. The workshops were a huge success and all six we're very well attended. As we speak we are on the road in California for the Mammoth Lakes Bluesapalooza Festival plus some tasty shows in Sacramento, Half Moon Bay and San Jose. Then its the UP of Michigan and Wisconsin. Hope to see you out on the road this 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
Harper and Midwest Kind May Blog, 2013
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
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
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
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