Hey Everyone,
Just a quick reminder that we will be doing a huge New Year's Eve extravaganza with the amazing Rootstand at The Loading Dock, 205 Lake Ave, Traverse City, Michigan. 49684. Tel:231-941-4422 Website: www.myspace.com/theloadingdocktch Tickets are a lowly $10, show starts around 9pm and goes to the wee hours of the morning.
Thank you all for your continued support. Hope you all had an amazing Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, & Holidays. May 2011 be a year full of peace, joy, prosperity and inspiration.
See you out on the road,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Harper December Blog
Hey Everyone,
I hope all my friends in the USA and Canada had a Happy Thanksgiving. Wow this year has really flown by with tremendous speed. It has been a turbulent year for my band and I with some huge highs and some very deep lows. The release of my new CD "Stand Together" in May was a huge high. The number of excellent reviews gave me a true sense of accomplishment. Getting to number 10 on Billboard and number 2 on XM/ Sirius Bluesville was another achievement. Another huge high was working with the amazing special needs kids at The Buckingham Center For Exceptional Students in Fort Myers, Florida, the Williams Syndrome kids at the Williams Syndrome Camp in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the inner city kids of The Detroit Merit Academy. To help others through my music is a true blessing. I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity.
Of the lows would be the major accident we had in North Carolina in May. But this was not to be a one off event. I have to say that my wife Bobbi and I are very lucky to be alive. On early Sunday morning (November 21) after a fantastic show at Billy's Lounge in Grand Rapids, Michigan we were hit from behind with huge force by an SUV on our way home. Our Dodge Sprinter was catapulted through the air which caused the Sprinter to flip on to its passenger side. Bobbi and I were suspended in mid air, held securely by our seat belts. Thankfully no major injuries- just a little bruised and battered. The whole side of the passenger side was nothing but a twisted metal mess. The front window and all the passenger side windows were shattered. The frame was twisted and the back doors demolished. It truly is miraculous that Bobbi and I only have some bruises to show for our ordeal. Thankfully the driver of the other car and his passengers were also OK. A good Samaritan with powerful arms pulled both Bobbi and I out of the wreck. The rest of the band had driven to the gig in their own cars- which was also a true blessing. My didgeridoos didn't even get a scratch, my amp, my harps- all were OK. On a sad note- our Dodge Sprinter- named Sylvia is no more- she was totaled by our insurance company State Farm- who I would have to say were very helpful and supportive. Marc our drummer came and picked us up at the scene of the accident and even gave us a bed for the night. We were very lucky.
So as we enter this Holiday season, I would like to suggest that we all look over our lives and count our blessings. Material things can always be replaced, but a loved one can't. Think of those less fortunate than yourself and if you can, try to do something for others. It doesn't have to be big- helping someone with their groceries, or opening a door for a stranger, helping out at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Or as in our case- a perfect stranger pulling us out of our wreck of a Sprinter van. Every little bit makes this planet a much better place. Giving is the greatest gift of all. I can certainly testify to that.
Thank you all for your continued support. Have an amazing Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays to all. May 2011 be a year full of joy, prosperity and inspiration.
See you out on the road,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
I hope all my friends in the USA and Canada had a Happy Thanksgiving. Wow this year has really flown by with tremendous speed. It has been a turbulent year for my band and I with some huge highs and some very deep lows. The release of my new CD "Stand Together" in May was a huge high. The number of excellent reviews gave me a true sense of accomplishment. Getting to number 10 on Billboard and number 2 on XM/ Sirius Bluesville was another achievement. Another huge high was working with the amazing special needs kids at The Buckingham Center For Exceptional Students in Fort Myers, Florida, the Williams Syndrome kids at the Williams Syndrome Camp in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the inner city kids of The Detroit Merit Academy. To help others through my music is a true blessing. I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity.
Of the lows would be the major accident we had in North Carolina in May. But this was not to be a one off event. I have to say that my wife Bobbi and I are very lucky to be alive. On early Sunday morning (November 21) after a fantastic show at Billy's Lounge in Grand Rapids, Michigan we were hit from behind with huge force by an SUV on our way home. Our Dodge Sprinter was catapulted through the air which caused the Sprinter to flip on to its passenger side. Bobbi and I were suspended in mid air, held securely by our seat belts. Thankfully no major injuries- just a little bruised and battered. The whole side of the passenger side was nothing but a twisted metal mess. The front window and all the passenger side windows were shattered. The frame was twisted and the back doors demolished. It truly is miraculous that Bobbi and I only have some bruises to show for our ordeal. Thankfully the driver of the other car and his passengers were also OK. A good Samaritan with powerful arms pulled both Bobbi and I out of the wreck. The rest of the band had driven to the gig in their own cars- which was also a true blessing. My didgeridoos didn't even get a scratch, my amp, my harps- all were OK. On a sad note- our Dodge Sprinter- named Sylvia is no more- she was totaled by our insurance company State Farm- who I would have to say were very helpful and supportive. Marc our drummer came and picked us up at the scene of the accident and even gave us a bed for the night. We were very lucky.
So as we enter this Holiday season, I would like to suggest that we all look over our lives and count our blessings. Material things can always be replaced, but a loved one can't. Think of those less fortunate than yourself and if you can, try to do something for others. It doesn't have to be big- helping someone with their groceries, or opening a door for a stranger, helping out at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Or as in our case- a perfect stranger pulling us out of our wreck of a Sprinter van. Every little bit makes this planet a much better place. Giving is the greatest gift of all. I can certainly testify to that.
Thank you all for your continued support. Have an amazing Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays to all. May 2011 be a year full of joy, prosperity and inspiration.
See you out on the road,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Harper November Blog
Hey Everyone,
We are having some incredible weather here in Michigan, USA this Autumn. Just lovin' the sunshine!!! We began the month with a benefit for Robin Rogers at Callahan's in Michigan. Robin is on the same record label as me- Blind Pig Records. She has inoperable cancer so many musicians around the country have been putting together benefits to help pay for her medical costs. My band and I were only to happy to help out. Laurie Wright put this event together and we thank her for her incredible effort.
The rest of the month saw us touring to Tennessee, West Virgina, some home shows in Michigan, then on to Pennsylvania and Canada. We had a very sunny afternoon show at The Chattanooga State College then it was on to Brackins Bar in Maryville, Tennessee. We then headed to The Empty Glass in Charleston, West Virgina to perform to a packed house. We were very happy to be apart of the West Michigan Blues Society twentieth year bash at Billy's Lounge. The Rusty Wright band also performed which was a treat for us to see. October also saw the closure of Blues On Grand in Des Moines, Iowa- we thank Jeff Wagner for supporting us over the years and we wish him and his staff all the very best. We will really miss this great music venue.
We were very happy to visit our favorite club in Sharon, Pennsylvania - Tullys then we headed to the Canal Bank Shuffle in Thorold Canada. We had some fun and games crossing the border. The Canadian border guard kept asking me over and over whether or not I had any guns. Of course I didn't have- but it was funny to be asked the same question over and over again. As we waited in the Border lounge for our passports to be verified, we saw a young guy being handcuffed and being led away to a private room in the back. Not Good! Thankfully we were Kosher! The Canal Bank Shuffle was a superb event- huge crowd, big stage and fantastic sound. We finished the month with a show at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, Michigan. It was a Pazman Super session featuring some of Michigan's finest musicians. It was a great event with some almighty jams. News just to hand - Mark Pazman has just received a "Keeping Blues Alive" award for his Sunday blues radio show on WCFX. Congratulations to Paz. Please note that we have decided to move our December tour to the West Coast to April, 2011. So never fear we will get to you, its just going to be a little longer than expected. Hope to see you all out on the road this November.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
We are having some incredible weather here in Michigan, USA this Autumn. Just lovin' the sunshine!!! We began the month with a benefit for Robin Rogers at Callahan's in Michigan. Robin is on the same record label as me- Blind Pig Records. She has inoperable cancer so many musicians around the country have been putting together benefits to help pay for her medical costs. My band and I were only to happy to help out. Laurie Wright put this event together and we thank her for her incredible effort.
The rest of the month saw us touring to Tennessee, West Virgina, some home shows in Michigan, then on to Pennsylvania and Canada. We had a very sunny afternoon show at The Chattanooga State College then it was on to Brackins Bar in Maryville, Tennessee. We then headed to The Empty Glass in Charleston, West Virgina to perform to a packed house. We were very happy to be apart of the West Michigan Blues Society twentieth year bash at Billy's Lounge. The Rusty Wright band also performed which was a treat for us to see. October also saw the closure of Blues On Grand in Des Moines, Iowa- we thank Jeff Wagner for supporting us over the years and we wish him and his staff all the very best. We will really miss this great music venue.
We were very happy to visit our favorite club in Sharon, Pennsylvania - Tullys then we headed to the Canal Bank Shuffle in Thorold Canada. We had some fun and games crossing the border. The Canadian border guard kept asking me over and over whether or not I had any guns. Of course I didn't have- but it was funny to be asked the same question over and over again. As we waited in the Border lounge for our passports to be verified, we saw a young guy being handcuffed and being led away to a private room in the back. Not Good! Thankfully we were Kosher! The Canal Bank Shuffle was a superb event- huge crowd, big stage and fantastic sound. We finished the month with a show at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, Michigan. It was a Pazman Super session featuring some of Michigan's finest musicians. It was a great event with some almighty jams. News just to hand - Mark Pazman has just received a "Keeping Blues Alive" award for his Sunday blues radio show on WCFX. Congratulations to Paz. Please note that we have decided to move our December tour to the West Coast to April, 2011. So never fear we will get to you, its just going to be a little longer than expected. Hope to see you all out on the road this November.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Monday, October 4, 2010
Harper October Blog
Hey Everyone,
Autumn is upon us already here in Michigan and Im starting to feel the chill in the air. We managed to escape the fury of Hurricane Earl over Labor Day Weekend. The national news services had us all terrified but thankfully Earl turned out to be more of a storm than a hurricane. After our shows at the Dinosaur BBQs in upstate New York, we drove to Albany just to be careful. At that point we weren't sure if our show at Harry's Bar in Hyannis, Massachusetts would be happening. Hyannis was directly in Earl's angry path. The show went ahead & it was bitter sweet, because Harry's was due to be closed after Labor Day. Despite the weather, we had a packed house and perhaps the wildest after party at a club I have ever experienced. I guess Harry's owners Laddy & Fred decided to let their hair down after more than twenty years in the business. Its such a pity that the owners of the building got greedy and doubled Harry's Bar's rent, making it impossible to continue operations. But that's corporations for you. Very little ethics, always after the dollars no matter what the cost to people's lives!! Our shows at Inn on the Blues & The Time Out Pub were also alot of fun. We are sorry to hear of our amazing timeout friend Kathy whose partner passed away suddenly. We are sending all our love to you Kathy.
So then it was back to Michigan for Dally In the Alley in down town Detroit. At first we were a little disappointed that we had an early afternoon slot. But it turned out to be the best slot of the festival because after our set- it just poured with rain for the rest of the day. We visited a new club for us- Treasure Lake Ski Lodge in Du Bois in Pennsylvania which was fun. The next day was Camp Jam in the Pines in New Jersey which was just fabulous. Camp Jam is located at The Old Cedar Camp Ground in Monroeville, a stunning location with a bunch of very cool people. We met up with other road musicians- the Skyla Burrell Band who played a great set. Then it was back to Michigan for the Rootenanny at the Rocky Top Farm in Ellsworth. We got to hang with the Rootstand guys who are the nicest people that you could ever meet. We will be doing a double bill with Rootstand at The Loading Dock in Traverse City for New Year's Eve. It should be a great show.
We finished the month with a show in Chicago at Martyrs for the Chicago World Music Festival. My band & I opened up for an Indian Sitar group which was a very unique experience. I also received some great news. I will be writing the music for a documentary about the life of Marilyn Chambers. Some other exciting news is that drummer Marc Dixon became a proud new home owner. Hope to see you out on the road this Autumn.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Autumn is upon us already here in Michigan and Im starting to feel the chill in the air. We managed to escape the fury of Hurricane Earl over Labor Day Weekend. The national news services had us all terrified but thankfully Earl turned out to be more of a storm than a hurricane. After our shows at the Dinosaur BBQs in upstate New York, we drove to Albany just to be careful. At that point we weren't sure if our show at Harry's Bar in Hyannis, Massachusetts would be happening. Hyannis was directly in Earl's angry path. The show went ahead & it was bitter sweet, because Harry's was due to be closed after Labor Day. Despite the weather, we had a packed house and perhaps the wildest after party at a club I have ever experienced. I guess Harry's owners Laddy & Fred decided to let their hair down after more than twenty years in the business. Its such a pity that the owners of the building got greedy and doubled Harry's Bar's rent, making it impossible to continue operations. But that's corporations for you. Very little ethics, always after the dollars no matter what the cost to people's lives!! Our shows at Inn on the Blues & The Time Out Pub were also alot of fun. We are sorry to hear of our amazing timeout friend Kathy whose partner passed away suddenly. We are sending all our love to you Kathy.
So then it was back to Michigan for Dally In the Alley in down town Detroit. At first we were a little disappointed that we had an early afternoon slot. But it turned out to be the best slot of the festival because after our set- it just poured with rain for the rest of the day. We visited a new club for us- Treasure Lake Ski Lodge in Du Bois in Pennsylvania which was fun. The next day was Camp Jam in the Pines in New Jersey which was just fabulous. Camp Jam is located at The Old Cedar Camp Ground in Monroeville, a stunning location with a bunch of very cool people. We met up with other road musicians- the Skyla Burrell Band who played a great set. Then it was back to Michigan for the Rootenanny at the Rocky Top Farm in Ellsworth. We got to hang with the Rootstand guys who are the nicest people that you could ever meet. We will be doing a double bill with Rootstand at The Loading Dock in Traverse City for New Year's Eve. It should be a great show.
We finished the month with a show in Chicago at Martyrs for the Chicago World Music Festival. My band & I opened up for an Indian Sitar group which was a very unique experience. I also received some great news. I will be writing the music for a documentary about the life of Marilyn Chambers. Some other exciting news is that drummer Marc Dixon became a proud new home owner. Hope to see you out on the road this Autumn.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Harper September Blog
Hey Everyone,
Wow the summer has really flown and Labor Day Weekend here in the USA is upon us. We head to the East Coast this Labor Day weekend with shows at Harry's, Hyannis, Mass, Inn on The Blues, York Beach, Maine & The Time out Pub in Rockland, Maine. Hurricane Earl is not going to effect our shows. August saw more festival madness. After our incredible weekend at the Maximum Blues Festival in Quebec, Canada we headed to Grand Rapids, Michigan to do a free show for the kids at the Williams Syndrome Camp. Now that was a saga- do you think we could find the Indian Trails Camping Grounds?. We drove up and down, Bobbi got out of the van to ask for directions three different times. It seems our GPS couldn't get her act together, so we had to rely on old fashioned local knowledge. We arrived about one hour late which was a first for us, but it didn't seem to matter, because everyone was so happy to see us. I have to say that this part of my musical career is the most fulfilling. These kids just give you so much love. I invited one of the kids up on stage to sing a 12 bar blues. The teachers told me he had a great voice. Well that kid sang like an old Chicago blues dude- it was amazing.
The next day we headed to The Cow Pie Festival in Alaska, Michigan. The weather was stifling hot, but no one seemed to care at the Cow Pie, and you really did need to watch where you stepped. The Festival was held on a working Angus Cattle Farm- so the cow pies were a plenty!!! There was no time to stick around as we had to drive to Madison, Wisconsin that night. It was a bummer because our good friends Biscuit Miller and Larry McCray were there and we all wanted to hang out. We made it to Duluth Minnesota the next day for the brilliant Bayfront Blues Festival where we performed just before Rod Piazza and Dr John. Bobbi & I hang out with Dr John before his set and we had a very in depth conversation about New Orleans and the BP Oil disaster. It was very inspiring because a week later we saw Dr John on the HBO Katrina Documentary by Spike Lee "If God is willing and the da creek don't rise" We had a fantastic set at Bayfront and was the highest CD seller of the day. We performed at a very cool bar called the Smiling Moose in Wisconsin on the way home to Michigan.
The next week we performed at the Cross Roads Music Festival in Ypsilanti, Michigan, we had a great set but the festival was closed down because a bunch of kids were fighting at another festival close by. We drove to Chicago that night & the next day we arrived at the hotel in Wausau, Wisconsin for the Big Bull Falls Festival. As we were rolling into the car park of Country Inn & Suites, the crank shaft pulley fell off our van. Yes it fell off!! After the accident in May, the transmission in late June and then having to wait for nearly 4 weeks for the body work to be repaired, Sylvia the Silver Bullet (Dodge Sprinter) was out of action yet again. Well I have to say on the positive side, we did land in Dodge Sprinter heaven- there was a dealership just 2 miles up the road and the kind folks at the festival came and picked us up & took us to the festival. The coordination was amazing- really no stress at all. We had a great set at the festival and we were the highest CD seller that day. We experienced the amazing music of Ruthie Foster and the Tommy Castro Band, the weather was picture perfect and the location was just stunning. Having a break down on a weekend, meant that we had to wait till Monday for any work to be done. So after the wrong part arrived on Tuesday, the van wasn't ready to go till Wednesday afternoon. I think everyone was going insane because we were only supposed to be away from home for one day which turned in four and a half days. But thankfully we are back on the road. I really have to thank the folks at The Country Inn & Suites in Schofield who really helped us out with a great deal on accommodation and a very late check out.
We are now driving home from a great weekend at The Paola Roots Festival in Kansas where we hung out with Hamilton Loomis and his band and Anthony Gomes who rolled in late Friday night from Chicago. We all stood about in the lobby of the hotel swapping road stories for hours-it was great to catch up with these guys. On a sad note we performed our last show at Blues On Grand in Des Moines, Iowa, unfortunately this club will be closing down in October. We will miss Jeff Wagner and his crew at this amazing blues mecca. We are all praying for a miracle to keep this club open. On another sad note, Harry's in Hyannis, MA will be closing after this weekend. Another great club gone, such a pity! Hope to see you out on the road this summer and fall.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Wow the summer has really flown and Labor Day Weekend here in the USA is upon us. We head to the East Coast this Labor Day weekend with shows at Harry's, Hyannis, Mass, Inn on The Blues, York Beach, Maine & The Time out Pub in Rockland, Maine. Hurricane Earl is not going to effect our shows. August saw more festival madness. After our incredible weekend at the Maximum Blues Festival in Quebec, Canada we headed to Grand Rapids, Michigan to do a free show for the kids at the Williams Syndrome Camp. Now that was a saga- do you think we could find the Indian Trails Camping Grounds?. We drove up and down, Bobbi got out of the van to ask for directions three different times. It seems our GPS couldn't get her act together, so we had to rely on old fashioned local knowledge. We arrived about one hour late which was a first for us, but it didn't seem to matter, because everyone was so happy to see us. I have to say that this part of my musical career is the most fulfilling. These kids just give you so much love. I invited one of the kids up on stage to sing a 12 bar blues. The teachers told me he had a great voice. Well that kid sang like an old Chicago blues dude- it was amazing.
The next day we headed to The Cow Pie Festival in Alaska, Michigan. The weather was stifling hot, but no one seemed to care at the Cow Pie, and you really did need to watch where you stepped. The Festival was held on a working Angus Cattle Farm- so the cow pies were a plenty!!! There was no time to stick around as we had to drive to Madison, Wisconsin that night. It was a bummer because our good friends Biscuit Miller and Larry McCray were there and we all wanted to hang out. We made it to Duluth Minnesota the next day for the brilliant Bayfront Blues Festival where we performed just before Rod Piazza and Dr John. Bobbi & I hang out with Dr John before his set and we had a very in depth conversation about New Orleans and the BP Oil disaster. It was very inspiring because a week later we saw Dr John on the HBO Katrina Documentary by Spike Lee "If God is willing and the da creek don't rise" We had a fantastic set at Bayfront and was the highest CD seller of the day. We performed at a very cool bar called the Smiling Moose in Wisconsin on the way home to Michigan.
The next week we performed at the Cross Roads Music Festival in Ypsilanti, Michigan, we had a great set but the festival was closed down because a bunch of kids were fighting at another festival close by. We drove to Chicago that night & the next day we arrived at the hotel in Wausau, Wisconsin for the Big Bull Falls Festival. As we were rolling into the car park of Country Inn & Suites, the crank shaft pulley fell off our van. Yes it fell off!! After the accident in May, the transmission in late June and then having to wait for nearly 4 weeks for the body work to be repaired, Sylvia the Silver Bullet (Dodge Sprinter) was out of action yet again. Well I have to say on the positive side, we did land in Dodge Sprinter heaven- there was a dealership just 2 miles up the road and the kind folks at the festival came and picked us up & took us to the festival. The coordination was amazing- really no stress at all. We had a great set at the festival and we were the highest CD seller that day. We experienced the amazing music of Ruthie Foster and the Tommy Castro Band, the weather was picture perfect and the location was just stunning. Having a break down on a weekend, meant that we had to wait till Monday for any work to be done. So after the wrong part arrived on Tuesday, the van wasn't ready to go till Wednesday afternoon. I think everyone was going insane because we were only supposed to be away from home for one day which turned in four and a half days. But thankfully we are back on the road. I really have to thank the folks at The Country Inn & Suites in Schofield who really helped us out with a great deal on accommodation and a very late check out.
We are now driving home from a great weekend at The Paola Roots Festival in Kansas where we hung out with Hamilton Loomis and his band and Anthony Gomes who rolled in late Friday night from Chicago. We all stood about in the lobby of the hotel swapping road stories for hours-it was great to catch up with these guys. On a sad note we performed our last show at Blues On Grand in Des Moines, Iowa, unfortunately this club will be closing down in October. We will miss Jeff Wagner and his crew at this amazing blues mecca. We are all praying for a miracle to keep this club open. On another sad note, Harry's in Hyannis, MA will be closing after this weekend. Another great club gone, such a pity! Hope to see you out on the road this summer and fall.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Harper August Blog
Hey Everyone,
Some amazing news just in- the new CD "Stand Together" is currently number 2 on the XM/Sirius Bluesville charts- woohooo!. It looks like the songs "Love=Peace=Freedom" & "Not My Brother" are the favorite tunes. And the CD has also entered the top 20 for the second time at number 17 on the national blues charts (Roots Music Report)
The month of July was festival madness. Our van was still stuck in Peoria Illinois so we had to make do. Our road angel friend Matt Eimer lent us his mini van for two weeks. It was just driving madness- in one week in particular we drove to Traverse City Michigan from Grass Lake, Michigan and back in one day for the Cherry Festival where we opened for the very talented Tommy Castro Band. And Whoah it was HOT!!! but the cool thing was that I got to hang out with Kenny Olson (Ex Kid Rock) and Larry Mccray. Then we drove to Nescopeck, Pennsylvania for the amazing Briggs Farm Festival where I opened the festival with an Acapella version of "The Star Spangled Banner". Pretty nerve racking for an Australian- but it all worked out fine. And yes we plan to post some footage up on facebook soon. Then we drove to Rochester, New York for a quick set at the Big Rib Festival. Managed to hang out for a little bit with Chef Jimi & Leslie and a few other cool folks such as Ken McKenzie from Florida. Then we had to head back to Michigan for another festival- Blissfest up in Northern Michigan- the very next day. So after driving to Blissfest, doing two festival performances and a workshop- Bobbi & I had to drive home that night - so that we could drive to Peoria, Illinois the next day to pick up our van.
As you all may remember the Dodge Sprinter's transmission died a horrible death in June. It cost $5300 (triple ouch) to repair. I tell you that van (aka The Silver Bullet) was a sight for soar eyes when we finally picked her up. Then we had to drive the van and the mini van to Burlington, Iowa to pick up our bass rig and drumkit from The Washington Club and to give Matt back his van. Bobbi and I decided to put four new tyres on the mini van as a present to Matt for his incredible generosity. He made a joke about wanted to let us borrow his truck as well- so I guess he was pretty happy.
The following week we performed on Fox TV's Morning show and also the Mitch Albom's radio show. The TV performance is up on the Harper website if you would like to take a peek. The International Blues Fest, Windsor, Canada was amazing. There had to be 10 000 folks in attendance. The whole performance was aired on Roger's TV in Canada and it was such a great show. We opened for Foghat who performed a great set. We were rained out at the Michigan Brewer's Guild Summer Festival. It just amazes me how many people were perfectly willing to stand in ankle-to knee deep water just to drink some great beer. Serious beer drinkers in Michigan, that's for sure!!!!. The Taste of Lincoln Festival in Chicago was also a great day with picture perfect weather.
We headlined the Maximum Blues Festival de Carleton sur Mer in Quebec, Canada on August 7. The Silver Bullet was still in the body shop- getting the body work done from our accident in May. (Yes its been quite the saga). So we had to squash five people into a Hyundai Sonata rental car for the trip- What fun! I would have to say the Maximum Blues Fest was just brilliant. Stunning location, amazing sound and lights and fabulous hospitality. It was worth the forty hour round trip. As of today FINALLY we now have the Dodge Sprinter back on the road
We have some amazing festivals coming up- The Cowpie Festival, Michigan, Bayfront Blues Festival, Minnesota, The Crossroads Music Festival, Ypsilanti, Michigan, The Big Bull Falls Festival, Wisconsin and the Paola Roots Festival, Kansas.
Hope to see you out on the road
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Some amazing news just in- the new CD "Stand Together" is currently number 2 on the XM/Sirius Bluesville charts- woohooo!. It looks like the songs "Love=Peace=Freedom" & "Not My Brother" are the favorite tunes. And the CD has also entered the top 20 for the second time at number 17 on the national blues charts (Roots Music Report)
The month of July was festival madness. Our van was still stuck in Peoria Illinois so we had to make do. Our road angel friend Matt Eimer lent us his mini van for two weeks. It was just driving madness- in one week in particular we drove to Traverse City Michigan from Grass Lake, Michigan and back in one day for the Cherry Festival where we opened for the very talented Tommy Castro Band. And Whoah it was HOT!!! but the cool thing was that I got to hang out with Kenny Olson (Ex Kid Rock) and Larry Mccray. Then we drove to Nescopeck, Pennsylvania for the amazing Briggs Farm Festival where I opened the festival with an Acapella version of "The Star Spangled Banner". Pretty nerve racking for an Australian- but it all worked out fine. And yes we plan to post some footage up on facebook soon. Then we drove to Rochester, New York for a quick set at the Big Rib Festival. Managed to hang out for a little bit with Chef Jimi & Leslie and a few other cool folks such as Ken McKenzie from Florida. Then we had to head back to Michigan for another festival- Blissfest up in Northern Michigan- the very next day. So after driving to Blissfest, doing two festival performances and a workshop- Bobbi & I had to drive home that night - so that we could drive to Peoria, Illinois the next day to pick up our van.
As you all may remember the Dodge Sprinter's transmission died a horrible death in June. It cost $5300 (triple ouch) to repair. I tell you that van (aka The Silver Bullet) was a sight for soar eyes when we finally picked her up. Then we had to drive the van and the mini van to Burlington, Iowa to pick up our bass rig and drumkit from The Washington Club and to give Matt back his van. Bobbi and I decided to put four new tyres on the mini van as a present to Matt for his incredible generosity. He made a joke about wanted to let us borrow his truck as well- so I guess he was pretty happy.
The following week we performed on Fox TV's Morning show and also the Mitch Albom's radio show. The TV performance is up on the Harper website if you would like to take a peek. The International Blues Fest, Windsor, Canada was amazing. There had to be 10 000 folks in attendance. The whole performance was aired on Roger's TV in Canada and it was such a great show. We opened for Foghat who performed a great set. We were rained out at the Michigan Brewer's Guild Summer Festival. It just amazes me how many people were perfectly willing to stand in ankle-to knee deep water just to drink some great beer. Serious beer drinkers in Michigan, that's for sure!!!!. The Taste of Lincoln Festival in Chicago was also a great day with picture perfect weather.
We headlined the Maximum Blues Festival de Carleton sur Mer in Quebec, Canada on August 7. The Silver Bullet was still in the body shop- getting the body work done from our accident in May. (Yes its been quite the saga). So we had to squash five people into a Hyundai Sonata rental car for the trip- What fun! I would have to say the Maximum Blues Fest was just brilliant. Stunning location, amazing sound and lights and fabulous hospitality. It was worth the forty hour round trip. As of today FINALLY we now have the Dodge Sprinter back on the road
We have some amazing festivals coming up- The Cowpie Festival, Michigan, Bayfront Blues Festival, Minnesota, The Crossroads Music Festival, Ypsilanti, Michigan, The Big Bull Falls Festival, Wisconsin and the Paola Roots Festival, Kansas.
Hope to see you out on the road
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Harper July Blog Fox TV appearance
Hey Everyone,
For those of you who missed my performance with Midwest Kind on The Morning Show on Fox Television Detroit check out this link:
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/entertainment/the_vault/harper-performs-on-fox-2
The new CD "Stand Together" hit number 10 on the national blues charts (Roots Music Report) and number 13 and climbing on the Bluesville sirius/ xm radio chart. So please keep requesting tunes- it really helps.
The Silver Bullet (Dodge Sprinter van) is back on the road after being stranded in Peoria, Illinois for two long weeks getting her transmission replaced. Wooohoooo! Got an incredible show on Friday July 16 at The Windsor Blues Fest, Canada opening for Foghat & then Saturday July 17 at The Cabbage Shed in Elberta, MI.
Hope to see you all out on the road this summer.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
For those of you who missed my performance with Midwest Kind on The Morning Show on Fox Television Detroit check out this link:
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/entertainment/the_vault/harper-performs-on-fox-2
The new CD "Stand Together" hit number 10 on the national blues charts (Roots Music Report) and number 13 and climbing on the Bluesville sirius/ xm radio chart. So please keep requesting tunes- it really helps.
The Silver Bullet (Dodge Sprinter van) is back on the road after being stranded in Peoria, Illinois for two long weeks getting her transmission replaced. Wooohoooo! Got an incredible show on Friday July 16 at The Windsor Blues Fest, Canada opening for Foghat & then Saturday July 17 at The Cabbage Shed in Elberta, MI.
Hope to see you all out on the road this summer.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Harper July Blog "Stand Together" CD hits number 10
Hey everyone,
The month of June brought us some exciting news. The new CD "Stand Together" (Blind Pig Records) is now number 10 on the national US blues charts (Roots Music Report) & climbing. Thanks to you all for getting us to such a great position. Its an amazing achievement considering that I am a harmonica/ didgeridoo playing dude from Australia.
Our show at The Flint Art Fair, home of our drummer Marc Dixon, was sweltering hot. Our performance at The Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Michigan was cut short by tornado warning sirens. Thankfully no tornadoes hit the area but the storm was very fierce and we were lucky to arrive home in one piece.
We didn't do too many shows this month as I needed to get my Dodge Sprinter Van repaired due to the accident we had in May. We were worried about the transmission, as the engine was making some strange noises, but we were assured by the Dodge mechanic that the transmission was in good shape. Famous last words, so as to speak!!!!. On our way to Burlington, Iowa for a show at The Washington with the band Indigenous, my van just died on a little back road just north of Carthage, Illinois. With very little phone service and not knowing what to do, we were blessed by the arrival of a complete stranger who hooked us up with a tow and a mechanic. Bobbi then called our good friend Matt Eimer who was the music director for the Simply the Blues Festival in Fort Madison. Matt came to the rescue with only one hour's sleep. He turned up with his truck and horse trailer and his son followed with a mini van. Matt's incredible generosity enabled us to make it to our shows in Burlington, Iowa and the Bear Creek Blues Festival in Slater, Missouri. Matt even let us drive his mini van back to Michigan, where we now await the verdict of our sick Sprinter, which had to be towed to Peoria, Illinois. We hope our insurance company will cover the repairs. I still can't believe that these kind people came to our rescue without a moment's notice. A huge thank you to Matt and his son Josh and that kind lady who to stopped to help us and even let us use her phone. Many thanks also to the Riverbend band who let us use their drum kit and bass rig at the Bear Creek Blues Fest.
We have a summer packed with many great festivals which will take us to New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Quebec, Canada, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Massachusetts and Maine. For those in the New England area we have an open date on Saturday September 4 (Labor Day Weekend), so if anyone would like my band and I to play at their summer party, please let me know. Hope to see you all out on the road this summer.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
The month of June brought us some exciting news. The new CD "Stand Together" (Blind Pig Records) is now number 10 on the national US blues charts (Roots Music Report) & climbing. Thanks to you all for getting us to such a great position. Its an amazing achievement considering that I am a harmonica/ didgeridoo playing dude from Australia.
Our show at The Flint Art Fair, home of our drummer Marc Dixon, was sweltering hot. Our performance at The Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Michigan was cut short by tornado warning sirens. Thankfully no tornadoes hit the area but the storm was very fierce and we were lucky to arrive home in one piece.
We didn't do too many shows this month as I needed to get my Dodge Sprinter Van repaired due to the accident we had in May. We were worried about the transmission, as the engine was making some strange noises, but we were assured by the Dodge mechanic that the transmission was in good shape. Famous last words, so as to speak!!!!. On our way to Burlington, Iowa for a show at The Washington with the band Indigenous, my van just died on a little back road just north of Carthage, Illinois. With very little phone service and not knowing what to do, we were blessed by the arrival of a complete stranger who hooked us up with a tow and a mechanic. Bobbi then called our good friend Matt Eimer who was the music director for the Simply the Blues Festival in Fort Madison. Matt came to the rescue with only one hour's sleep. He turned up with his truck and horse trailer and his son followed with a mini van. Matt's incredible generosity enabled us to make it to our shows in Burlington, Iowa and the Bear Creek Blues Festival in Slater, Missouri. Matt even let us drive his mini van back to Michigan, where we now await the verdict of our sick Sprinter, which had to be towed to Peoria, Illinois. We hope our insurance company will cover the repairs. I still can't believe that these kind people came to our rescue without a moment's notice. A huge thank you to Matt and his son Josh and that kind lady who to stopped to help us and even let us use her phone. Many thanks also to the Riverbend band who let us use their drum kit and bass rig at the Bear Creek Blues Fest.
We have a summer packed with many great festivals which will take us to New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Quebec, Canada, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Massachusetts and Maine. For those in the New England area we have an open date on Saturday September 4 (Labor Day Weekend), so if anyone would like my band and I to play at their summer party, please let me know. Hope to see you all out on the road this summer.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Harper June Blog
Hey Everyone,
Well May was a month of trials, tribulations and triumphs. The month began with a great show with Rootstand at The Savoy in Michigan. We then drove to North Carolina and had a fabulous four days at The LEAF Festival in Black Mountain. We saw some amazing performers: The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Ozomatli, Big Sam's Funky Nation and many more. The festival hospitality was unbelievable - the food was just incredible- organic and tasty yum yum good. We also made didgeridoos out of PVC pipes with the Kids of the Montessori School who then performed with us at the festival, which was alot of fun. The next week was spent in PA, upstate New York, York Beach, Maine and Hartford, Connecticut. We then made the big drive south to Florida. On May 16 we celebrated the 200, 000 mile mark on our faithful 2005 dodge sprinter (nick named-the silver bullet). The next day, whilst driving through North Carolina in torrential rain, an out of control speeding driver aquaplaned across highway 85 south. All we saw was a glimpse of a Ford Taurus doing 360 degree spins towards our van. With a loud bang, we came to a sudden halt on the side of the highway. The Ford Taurus then bounced back across the highway. We were all shaken but not hurt and amazingly the female driver of the Ford was OK too, but her car was totaled. The passenger side of our Dodge Sprinter sustained damage on every panel and the middle door was almost impossible to open. We were very lucky and thankfully we were able to close that middle door, so we were able to continue our tour.
It was such a relief to arrive at the Paradise Inn, Pensacola Beach, Florida that evening. We had a few days to chill out and to gather our thoughts. On May 18 the new CD "Stand Together" was released through Blind Pig Records and we celebrated with a show at The Paradise Inn. The next day we were invited for a sail by our new friend Frank Toney around the inlet in Pensacola, we were joined by our Texan friend Michelle Sukup. Thankfully the huge BP oil slick near Louisiana hadn't reached Pensacola Beach- so it was a beautiful day. We had some more great shows at The Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee, Ms Newbies in Panama City Beach, The Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda and the Riverfront Music Festival in Sebastian. Florida was hot and humid and the shows were alot of fun. We even caught up with former drummer Scott Key at the festival and made many new friends. Our final show took place at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center for the special needs kids in Fort Myers. For me this was the highlight of our tour. When you see these exceptional students in action, you realize it is they who are the mountain climbers.
Just yesterday on our way to Maryville, Tennessee, we saw a huge lightning bolt hit a tree on the side of highway 75 just north of Atlanta during a powerful storm. Its loud boom sounded like an explosion and it scared the hell out of us. Man this tour has been quite the trip!
On a positive note. The new CD "Stand Together" is getting rave reviews far and wide and is already getting airplay on Sirius/ XM Bluesville and is due to become a pick to click very soon. So please request a track at your local radio stations to help us chart on the national radio charts. UK's Blues Matters Magazine has added the new CD to its top ten discs for 2010. There will also be a feature article in the Alternative Root this month- So life is good! Hope to see you out on the road this summer.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Well May was a month of trials, tribulations and triumphs. The month began with a great show with Rootstand at The Savoy in Michigan. We then drove to North Carolina and had a fabulous four days at The LEAF Festival in Black Mountain. We saw some amazing performers: The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Ozomatli, Big Sam's Funky Nation and many more. The festival hospitality was unbelievable - the food was just incredible- organic and tasty yum yum good. We also made didgeridoos out of PVC pipes with the Kids of the Montessori School who then performed with us at the festival, which was alot of fun. The next week was spent in PA, upstate New York, York Beach, Maine and Hartford, Connecticut. We then made the big drive south to Florida. On May 16 we celebrated the 200, 000 mile mark on our faithful 2005 dodge sprinter (nick named-the silver bullet). The next day, whilst driving through North Carolina in torrential rain, an out of control speeding driver aquaplaned across highway 85 south. All we saw was a glimpse of a Ford Taurus doing 360 degree spins towards our van. With a loud bang, we came to a sudden halt on the side of the highway. The Ford Taurus then bounced back across the highway. We were all shaken but not hurt and amazingly the female driver of the Ford was OK too, but her car was totaled. The passenger side of our Dodge Sprinter sustained damage on every panel and the middle door was almost impossible to open. We were very lucky and thankfully we were able to close that middle door, so we were able to continue our tour.
It was such a relief to arrive at the Paradise Inn, Pensacola Beach, Florida that evening. We had a few days to chill out and to gather our thoughts. On May 18 the new CD "Stand Together" was released through Blind Pig Records and we celebrated with a show at The Paradise Inn. The next day we were invited for a sail by our new friend Frank Toney around the inlet in Pensacola, we were joined by our Texan friend Michelle Sukup. Thankfully the huge BP oil slick near Louisiana hadn't reached Pensacola Beach- so it was a beautiful day. We had some more great shows at The Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee, Ms Newbies in Panama City Beach, The Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda and the Riverfront Music Festival in Sebastian. Florida was hot and humid and the shows were alot of fun. We even caught up with former drummer Scott Key at the festival and made many new friends. Our final show took place at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center for the special needs kids in Fort Myers. For me this was the highlight of our tour. When you see these exceptional students in action, you realize it is they who are the mountain climbers.
Just yesterday on our way to Maryville, Tennessee, we saw a huge lightning bolt hit a tree on the side of highway 75 just north of Atlanta during a powerful storm. Its loud boom sounded like an explosion and it scared the hell out of us. Man this tour has been quite the trip!
On a positive note. The new CD "Stand Together" is getting rave reviews far and wide and is already getting airplay on Sirius/ XM Bluesville and is due to become a pick to click very soon. So please request a track at your local radio stations to help us chart on the national radio charts. UK's Blues Matters Magazine has added the new CD to its top ten discs for 2010. There will also be a feature article in the Alternative Root this month- So life is good! Hope to see you out on the road this summer.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Harper Blog "Stand Together" is Released today!!!!!
Hey everyone,
Tuesday May 18 marks the release of my new CD "Stand Together" through Blind Pig Records. It features Marc Dixon (drums/ percussion) and Chris Wiley Smith (Bass) from my touring band "Midwest Kind" with specials guests: Gregg Leonard on electric guitar and Chris Du Nord on acoustic guitar and Kurt Wolak on piano, hammond organ and wurlitzer. We are all really excited about this new release. I feel its the best work I've done to date.
On a dramatic note my band and I were involved in an accident yesterday, Monday May 17, as we drove down Highway 86 south in North Carolina heading to Florida. Another vehicle spinning out of control in torrential rain hit us hard on the passenger side of our van. Everyone is OK- just a little shaken. The female driver of the other car is also OK. Our van sustained damage to all panels on the passenger side, but is still drivable. The middle door barely opens but we are still able to continue with our tour. We have arrived in Gulf Breeze, Florida and will be able to finish our May / June dates. Once we get back to Michigan, the van will be taken in for extensive repairs.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and summer,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Tuesday May 18 marks the release of my new CD "Stand Together" through Blind Pig Records. It features Marc Dixon (drums/ percussion) and Chris Wiley Smith (Bass) from my touring band "Midwest Kind" with specials guests: Gregg Leonard on electric guitar and Chris Du Nord on acoustic guitar and Kurt Wolak on piano, hammond organ and wurlitzer. We are all really excited about this new release. I feel its the best work I've done to date.
On a dramatic note my band and I were involved in an accident yesterday, Monday May 17, as we drove down Highway 86 south in North Carolina heading to Florida. Another vehicle spinning out of control in torrential rain hit us hard on the passenger side of our van. Everyone is OK- just a little shaken. The female driver of the other car is also OK. Our van sustained damage to all panels on the passenger side, but is still drivable. The middle door barely opens but we are still able to continue with our tour. We have arrived in Gulf Breeze, Florida and will be able to finish our May / June dates. Once we get back to Michigan, the van will be taken in for extensive repairs.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and summer,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Harper May Blog/ CD & Book release
Hey Everyone,
Well April just flew by and here we are in May. Finally after much anticipation my new CD "Stand Together" (Blind Pig Records) and Bobbi Llewellyn's E book "Nasty Motels, A Wombat And a Big Red Van" are now available on our website: www.harper.biz We will be doing a special pre CD release offer for all the members of our blog for a limited number of CDs prior to the CD Release date of May 18. I'll even sign the new CD for all pre orders. All pre CD orders help us chart on the national radio charts through out the USA. So we would love to hear from you all. 'Stand Together" features my fabulous dummer Marc Dixon and my amazing bass player Chris Wiley Smith. Guest guitarists are Gregg Leonard, who was heavily featured on "Day By Day" and Chris Du Nord on acoustic. The very talented Kurt Wolak plays grand piano, wurlitzer and hammond organ. The new CD was recorded at our favorite recording studio" Big Sky Recordings" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We are very happy with the way it turned out. There is alot of harp and didgeridoo. Fans of my plastic slide didgeridoo nick named "scum bag" will be happy to know that he makes his debut performance on "Stand Together"
For those who are curious about what life is like out on the road, check out Bobbi's E Book "Nasty Motels, a Wombat and a Big Red Van" on our website. Its a hilarious and insightful commentary about our life on the road from the early days in Australia to the US and beyond. These real life situations are hilarious, terrifying, inspiring and at times bizarre. It's a wild ride and not for the faint of heart. For fans of our blogs- the E book will take you to a whole other dimension. We also have a new Harper shirt available to coincide with the release of the new CD and book.
During April we had a pretty relaxing month after a full on March tour. No major dramas to report this time, which is unusual for us. Our shows at the Livery in Benton Harbor and Rubes Bar & Grill in Flint, Michigan were a lot of fun. Bobbi and I donated a didgeridoo presentation to the kids at the Detroit Merit Academy in down town Detroit. It was pretty scary driving through all the burnt out, barely standing buildings of inner city Detroit. You actually forget just how impoverished this area is. Its very sad to see. And then we came upon the Detroit Merit Academy- a small oasis in the midst of all this devastation. The teachers at this Charter school were absolutely superb and the children were an inspiration. Everyone really appreciated our presentation on the didgeridoo and Australian indigenous culture.
We ended the month with a wild weekend at the Pee Dee Blues Bash & International Festival in Florence, South Carolina. We had alot of fun and met many great new friends. Those folks in Florence are a crazy bunch. We hope to head back in November for the Pecan Festival. We were happy to miss all the tornadoes that rolled in to town just a few hours after we left for our long ass drive back to Michigan. For all you Michigandas, we have a last minute booking at a great new music room called The Savoy in downtown Ypsilanti, Michigan. We will be performing a double bill with the very popular Rootstand.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and summer,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Well April just flew by and here we are in May. Finally after much anticipation my new CD "Stand Together" (Blind Pig Records) and Bobbi Llewellyn's E book "Nasty Motels, A Wombat And a Big Red Van" are now available on our website: www.harper.biz We will be doing a special pre CD release offer for all the members of our blog for a limited number of CDs prior to the CD Release date of May 18. I'll even sign the new CD for all pre orders. All pre CD orders help us chart on the national radio charts through out the USA. So we would love to hear from you all. 'Stand Together" features my fabulous dummer Marc Dixon and my amazing bass player Chris Wiley Smith. Guest guitarists are Gregg Leonard, who was heavily featured on "Day By Day" and Chris Du Nord on acoustic. The very talented Kurt Wolak plays grand piano, wurlitzer and hammond organ. The new CD was recorded at our favorite recording studio" Big Sky Recordings" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We are very happy with the way it turned out. There is alot of harp and didgeridoo. Fans of my plastic slide didgeridoo nick named "scum bag" will be happy to know that he makes his debut performance on "Stand Together"
For those who are curious about what life is like out on the road, check out Bobbi's E Book "Nasty Motels, a Wombat and a Big Red Van" on our website. Its a hilarious and insightful commentary about our life on the road from the early days in Australia to the US and beyond. These real life situations are hilarious, terrifying, inspiring and at times bizarre. It's a wild ride and not for the faint of heart. For fans of our blogs- the E book will take you to a whole other dimension. We also have a new Harper shirt available to coincide with the release of the new CD and book.
During April we had a pretty relaxing month after a full on March tour. No major dramas to report this time, which is unusual for us. Our shows at the Livery in Benton Harbor and Rubes Bar & Grill in Flint, Michigan were a lot of fun. Bobbi and I donated a didgeridoo presentation to the kids at the Detroit Merit Academy in down town Detroit. It was pretty scary driving through all the burnt out, barely standing buildings of inner city Detroit. You actually forget just how impoverished this area is. Its very sad to see. And then we came upon the Detroit Merit Academy- a small oasis in the midst of all this devastation. The teachers at this Charter school were absolutely superb and the children were an inspiration. Everyone really appreciated our presentation on the didgeridoo and Australian indigenous culture.
We ended the month with a wild weekend at the Pee Dee Blues Bash & International Festival in Florence, South Carolina. We had alot of fun and met many great new friends. Those folks in Florence are a crazy bunch. We hope to head back in November for the Pecan Festival. We were happy to miss all the tornadoes that rolled in to town just a few hours after we left for our long ass drive back to Michigan. For all you Michigandas, we have a last minute booking at a great new music room called The Savoy in downtown Ypsilanti, Michigan. We will be performing a double bill with the very popular Rootstand.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring and summer,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) CDs, E Book & T Shirt orders
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind (just for chatting)
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Harper Late April Blog
Hey Everyone,
Just a quicky!!!!. We have a last minute show added for Saturday May 1 at a great new music room called "The Savoy" in Ypsilanti, Michigan, 8pm- a double bill with the happening "Rootstand". So please come on down. Also we have a new Release date for new CD "Stand Together" for Tuesday May 18. We will be offering pre orders for the new CD at the end of next week on our website: www.harper.biz There will be a limited number of preorder CDs and they will be signed. So stay tuned for our blog which will come out next week.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) (CD orders, new book & T shirts)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Just a quicky!!!!. We have a last minute show added for Saturday May 1 at a great new music room called "The Savoy" in Ypsilanti, Michigan, 8pm- a double bill with the happening "Rootstand". So please come on down. Also we have a new Release date for new CD "Stand Together" for Tuesday May 18. We will be offering pre orders for the new CD at the end of next week on our website: www.harper.biz There will be a limited number of preorder CDs and they will be signed. So stay tuned for our blog which will come out next week.
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website) (CD orders, new book & T shirts)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Harper April Blog
Happy April Fool's Day Everyone,
The big news is that my new CD "Stand Together" (Blind Pig) and Bobbi's book "Nasty Motels, A Wombat And a Big Red Van" are due to be released on May 11. Not too long to go now!!!
My band "Midwest Kind" and I have just returned from a month long tour to Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Utah, California, Washington and Vancouver, Canada and what a wild ride it was. I performed two didgeridoo presentations with the band to well over 1000 kids in Fort Dodge, Iowa preceded by a fabulous show at Byrons in Pomeroy, Iowa complete with Jerry Garcia paraphernalia. Much to our Drummer Marc's delight.
Mostly we had great weather except for the blizzard like conditions on the way to The Stage Door in Mount Shasta, California. The highway was actually closed down, just after we made it through. Our shows at The Torch Club and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company were well attended and alot of fun. As was, The Yale Hotel in Vancouver, Canada- with no problems crossing the border. Our Washington shows at The Upstage, Highway 99, The Spar and Anacortes Rockfish were all alot of fun.
We had two shows scheduled for the legendary Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen. I drove our Sprinter van from Groovacious in Cedar City, Utah to Evergreen, Colorado. It was a brilliant drive, the amazing rock formations of Utah are really something to see. When we set off from Cedar City, we had just over half a tank of gas. Both Bobbi and I thought it would be enough to get us to the next gas station once we had driven through the mountains. Wrong! When we rolled into Gas station in Green River, we had one eighth of tank of fuel left- woah- that was close! We arrived at The Little Bear around 9pm the day before our shows. Our band was staying in The Little Bear’s band house, while Bobbi and I booked a room at The Brook Forest Inn about five miles away. We were both famished once we arrived at the Inn and checked into our rather pokey but comfortable room, after puffing our way up three flights of stairs. We headed down stairs to the bar and asked the barman Rod if we could order some food. He told us that the kitchen had closed for the evening, but he would try to get us some bread to eat. Within minutes a huge platter of ham and cheese sandwiches were brought to us and we weren’t even charged for them. We were so appreciative. The next day, one of the cleaners suggested that we change rooms, so that we could use the wireless internet on the second floor. I was told I could pick whichever room I liked. So I choose a beautiful room called “The Chateau” with a huge wooden king bed, with a purple lace canopy, antique lamps and a large hot tub. I couldn’t believe our good fortune. That night we arrived at The Little Bear for our Friday night show. Drew our guitarist, told us that Chris, our bass player had a dizzy spell on the outside wooden veranda of The Little Bear, the night before. Chris had passed out and badly cut his ear. When I saw Chris I could see that his left ear was very swollen and a deep shade of purple. He told me that his fall had caused him to lose his short term memory for a while, but gradually the memories began to come back to him. Drew had wanted to take him to the hospital, but Chris had begged him to wait. Thankfully he recovered.
On Saturday morning, at the Brook Forest Inn, Bobbi and I were treated to breakfast in bed. I just could not believe the hospitality of the folk at the Brook Forest. We never asked for a thing and yet they kept doing nice things for us. That evening Harper and the guys had a lively show at The Bear. After the show, we hung out with some of the Bear staff for a few drinks and a chat. I guess the guys in the band were all a little toasted, but nothing over the top. The problem with drinking alcohol in high altitudes is that you become drunker a lot quicker, so you really need to pace yourself and drink lots of water. Bobbi and I left the club early to drive back to the Inn. Apparently The Forest Brook Inn, which was built in 1913, is considered to be haunted. When I opened the front door of the Inn around about 2.30am, we startled an unusual group of five very well dressed people in the lounge room, who didn’t say a word when I greeted them. They just stared at us. It was weird! At first I thought they maybe ghosts, until Bobbi pointed out that the attractive black woman with long dreads had a laptop computer in her hands. Bobbi thought that they were paranormal investigators. When I made some inquiries the next morning, Bobbi was proved correct.
The next day when we met up with the band, only Chris our bass player was at the band house. Chris explained what had befallen Drew our guitarist and Marc our drummer. Drew had walked into the kitchen of the band house to make some popcorn shortly after leaving the Little Bear the night before. Marc heard an almighty crash, and ran into the kitchen to find Drew unconscious on the floor with a thin stream of bile seeping out of his mouth. He tried desperately to revive him, he even splashed some water on Drew’s face, but nothing seemed to work. Drew was breathing but was out for the count. We had no cell phone service at the Brook Forest Inn. So Marc did the only thing he could do and dialled 911 for an ambulance. Marc placed Drew on his side and waited for the ambulance to arrive. The paramedics told Marc he did the right thing once they had examined Drew. After working on Drew for a few minutes, the two paramedics were able to revive him. Drew was held for observation at the St Anthony Central Hospital in Denver until Sunday morning. It was a combination of high altitude and booze which caused him to pass out. I honestly believe that Marc saved Drew’s life that night. Like a trooper Drew insisted on performing at our Sunday show at Jake's Roadhouse in Arvada. Sitting on a stool, because it was too difficult for him to stand, Drew shakily played his guitar. What a way to end the last day of our tour!
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
The big news is that my new CD "Stand Together" (Blind Pig) and Bobbi's book "Nasty Motels, A Wombat And a Big Red Van" are due to be released on May 11. Not too long to go now!!!
My band "Midwest Kind" and I have just returned from a month long tour to Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Utah, California, Washington and Vancouver, Canada and what a wild ride it was. I performed two didgeridoo presentations with the band to well over 1000 kids in Fort Dodge, Iowa preceded by a fabulous show at Byrons in Pomeroy, Iowa complete with Jerry Garcia paraphernalia. Much to our Drummer Marc's delight.
Mostly we had great weather except for the blizzard like conditions on the way to The Stage Door in Mount Shasta, California. The highway was actually closed down, just after we made it through. Our shows at The Torch Club and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company were well attended and alot of fun. As was, The Yale Hotel in Vancouver, Canada- with no problems crossing the border. Our Washington shows at The Upstage, Highway 99, The Spar and Anacortes Rockfish were all alot of fun.
We had two shows scheduled for the legendary Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen. I drove our Sprinter van from Groovacious in Cedar City, Utah to Evergreen, Colorado. It was a brilliant drive, the amazing rock formations of Utah are really something to see. When we set off from Cedar City, we had just over half a tank of gas. Both Bobbi and I thought it would be enough to get us to the next gas station once we had driven through the mountains. Wrong! When we rolled into Gas station in Green River, we had one eighth of tank of fuel left- woah- that was close! We arrived at The Little Bear around 9pm the day before our shows. Our band was staying in The Little Bear’s band house, while Bobbi and I booked a room at The Brook Forest Inn about five miles away. We were both famished once we arrived at the Inn and checked into our rather pokey but comfortable room, after puffing our way up three flights of stairs. We headed down stairs to the bar and asked the barman Rod if we could order some food. He told us that the kitchen had closed for the evening, but he would try to get us some bread to eat. Within minutes a huge platter of ham and cheese sandwiches were brought to us and we weren’t even charged for them. We were so appreciative. The next day, one of the cleaners suggested that we change rooms, so that we could use the wireless internet on the second floor. I was told I could pick whichever room I liked. So I choose a beautiful room called “The Chateau” with a huge wooden king bed, with a purple lace canopy, antique lamps and a large hot tub. I couldn’t believe our good fortune. That night we arrived at The Little Bear for our Friday night show. Drew our guitarist, told us that Chris, our bass player had a dizzy spell on the outside wooden veranda of The Little Bear, the night before. Chris had passed out and badly cut his ear. When I saw Chris I could see that his left ear was very swollen and a deep shade of purple. He told me that his fall had caused him to lose his short term memory for a while, but gradually the memories began to come back to him. Drew had wanted to take him to the hospital, but Chris had begged him to wait. Thankfully he recovered.
On Saturday morning, at the Brook Forest Inn, Bobbi and I were treated to breakfast in bed. I just could not believe the hospitality of the folk at the Brook Forest. We never asked for a thing and yet they kept doing nice things for us. That evening Harper and the guys had a lively show at The Bear. After the show, we hung out with some of the Bear staff for a few drinks and a chat. I guess the guys in the band were all a little toasted, but nothing over the top. The problem with drinking alcohol in high altitudes is that you become drunker a lot quicker, so you really need to pace yourself and drink lots of water. Bobbi and I left the club early to drive back to the Inn. Apparently The Forest Brook Inn, which was built in 1913, is considered to be haunted. When I opened the front door of the Inn around about 2.30am, we startled an unusual group of five very well dressed people in the lounge room, who didn’t say a word when I greeted them. They just stared at us. It was weird! At first I thought they maybe ghosts, until Bobbi pointed out that the attractive black woman with long dreads had a laptop computer in her hands. Bobbi thought that they were paranormal investigators. When I made some inquiries the next morning, Bobbi was proved correct.
The next day when we met up with the band, only Chris our bass player was at the band house. Chris explained what had befallen Drew our guitarist and Marc our drummer. Drew had walked into the kitchen of the band house to make some popcorn shortly after leaving the Little Bear the night before. Marc heard an almighty crash, and ran into the kitchen to find Drew unconscious on the floor with a thin stream of bile seeping out of his mouth. He tried desperately to revive him, he even splashed some water on Drew’s face, but nothing seemed to work. Drew was breathing but was out for the count. We had no cell phone service at the Brook Forest Inn. So Marc did the only thing he could do and dialled 911 for an ambulance. Marc placed Drew on his side and waited for the ambulance to arrive. The paramedics told Marc he did the right thing once they had examined Drew. After working on Drew for a few minutes, the two paramedics were able to revive him. Drew was held for observation at the St Anthony Central Hospital in Denver until Sunday morning. It was a combination of high altitude and booze which caused him to pass out. I honestly believe that Marc saved Drew’s life that night. Like a trooper Drew insisted on performing at our Sunday show at Jake's Roadhouse in Arvada. Sitting on a stool, because it was too difficult for him to stand, Drew shakily played his guitar. What a way to end the last day of our tour!
Hope to see you out on the road this Spring,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Harper March Blog
Hey everyone,
Spring is on its way finally. After digging my van out of a three foot snow drift that blew across my driveway this week- Im so ready for some warmth. Today we begin our annual trek across the USA hitting Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Utah, Northern California, Vancouver, Canada, Washington State, Colorado then home to Michigan. This is one of my favorite tours of the year, the scenery is just stunning. We plan to visit the Redwood Forest again in Northern California on the amazing highway 101 and we are certain to be stopping many times to take in the view amidst the mountains of Utah and Colorado. We will be also be visiting a few schools this week where my band and I will be demonstrating the deeply spiritual didgeridoo (yidaki).
We have some exciting news just to hand, Bobbi- my wife and manager will be releasing her new book "Nasty Motels, a Wombat and a Big Red Van" sometime in April. The book is about our life on the road and all the crazy, inspirational, bizarre and life threatening situations (LOL) that we have faced over the years. It will include many pictures and paraphernalia from our various tours, including the early days in Australia when we first started all this madness, plus tours of the US, Europe and the UK. So stay tuned for more details next month.
The new CD "Stand Together" through Blind Pig Records is set for a May 11 release. Can't wait!!! I really think that this CD is the best one Ive written and it features my fabulous band "Midwest Kind" plus some special guests. Im sure you are all going to dig it. Listen out for some of the new tunes during our upcoming tours.
Sad to hear about the passing of blues guitarist Li'l Dave Thompson in a car accident on his way home to Mississippi from the Low Country Blues Bash in South Carolina. We were on the same festival as Dave. It just goes to show how dangerous it can be out on those roads. So please buckle up! Our heart felt sympathy goes out to Dave's wife and family.
Hope to see you all this spring.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Spring is on its way finally. After digging my van out of a three foot snow drift that blew across my driveway this week- Im so ready for some warmth. Today we begin our annual trek across the USA hitting Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Utah, Northern California, Vancouver, Canada, Washington State, Colorado then home to Michigan. This is one of my favorite tours of the year, the scenery is just stunning. We plan to visit the Redwood Forest again in Northern California on the amazing highway 101 and we are certain to be stopping many times to take in the view amidst the mountains of Utah and Colorado. We will be also be visiting a few schools this week where my band and I will be demonstrating the deeply spiritual didgeridoo (yidaki).
We have some exciting news just to hand, Bobbi- my wife and manager will be releasing her new book "Nasty Motels, a Wombat and a Big Red Van" sometime in April. The book is about our life on the road and all the crazy, inspirational, bizarre and life threatening situations (LOL) that we have faced over the years. It will include many pictures and paraphernalia from our various tours, including the early days in Australia when we first started all this madness, plus tours of the US, Europe and the UK. So stay tuned for more details next month.
The new CD "Stand Together" through Blind Pig Records is set for a May 11 release. Can't wait!!! I really think that this CD is the best one Ive written and it features my fabulous band "Midwest Kind" plus some special guests. Im sure you are all going to dig it. Listen out for some of the new tunes during our upcoming tours.
Sad to hear about the passing of blues guitarist Li'l Dave Thompson in a car accident on his way home to Mississippi from the Low Country Blues Bash in South Carolina. We were on the same festival as Dave. It just goes to show how dangerous it can be out on those roads. So please buckle up! Our heart felt sympathy goes out to Dave's wife and family.
Hope to see you all this spring.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Harper February Blog
Hey Everyone,
Welcome to snowy February here in the USA. January saw us in the freezing cold in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Michigan then we headed south to Alabama and Florida for some much appreciated warmth. Our Florida shows at the fabulous Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahasse, Ms Newbies in Panama City Beach, Aces in Bradenton, Celtic Rays in Punta Gorda, The Backroom in Boca Raton were alot of fun. As was Little Willies in Alabama. We performed yet another show for the special needs kids at the Buckingham Center for Exceptional Students where as per usual we had a blast. It seems with each visit we stay longer and longer. The wonderful kids and their teachers are such a blessing to experience. This time we all had to be finger printed which is now required by law for all Floridian schools. Our new guitarist Drew thought it would be funny to put down as an alias "Shifty Joe" on his application, not realizing the seriousness of the situation. Thankfully he crossed it out. So I guess Drew now has a new nick name. After a two year absence we performed at Key West's fabulous Green Parrot Bar. The afternoon session was huge with at least 200 in attendance. There were quite alot of familiar faces plus several people just off the boat from the Legendary blues cruise.
After Florida we headed north to Virgina where we hung out with Mike and Jane Aronson. Copious amounts of red wine, fine cheese and large steaks were consumed. The next day we presented a didgeridoo workshop at the Jefferson Center Music Lab in Roanoke, Virginia followed by an evening show at Blue 5. We were surprised to see our former keyboard player James and drummer Scott at the show. it was great to catch up. We were urged by the locals to leave town that night to avoid the huge winter storm that was coming through the next day. So after the show we drove through the night to Camden, South Carolina narrowly missing the snowmaggedon and arriving at about 5.30am. We checked into the first hotel that had an open sign on. Later we discovered that we had checked in the crack hotel central. Its hard to see at night- especially when you're tired, but no harm was done. We had a great show at The Venue on Broad then we headed south to Charleston for the Low Country Blues Fesitval. We got to hang out with the Kyla Burrell Band for a bit at the first show, then later Steve Simon, Keith & T at The Mill Lounge.
Some bad news just to hand. We have decided to cancel our upcoming UK tour, due to the down turn in the world economy. This has forced us to cut back on our international touring schedule for this year. But the good news is that we picked up some other US festivals during the same time frame. The new CD through Blind Pig is due to be released on May 11- can't wait ! Hope to see you all out on the road.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Welcome to snowy February here in the USA. January saw us in the freezing cold in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Michigan then we headed south to Alabama and Florida for some much appreciated warmth. Our Florida shows at the fabulous Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahasse, Ms Newbies in Panama City Beach, Aces in Bradenton, Celtic Rays in Punta Gorda, The Backroom in Boca Raton were alot of fun. As was Little Willies in Alabama. We performed yet another show for the special needs kids at the Buckingham Center for Exceptional Students where as per usual we had a blast. It seems with each visit we stay longer and longer. The wonderful kids and their teachers are such a blessing to experience. This time we all had to be finger printed which is now required by law for all Floridian schools. Our new guitarist Drew thought it would be funny to put down as an alias "Shifty Joe" on his application, not realizing the seriousness of the situation. Thankfully he crossed it out. So I guess Drew now has a new nick name. After a two year absence we performed at Key West's fabulous Green Parrot Bar. The afternoon session was huge with at least 200 in attendance. There were quite alot of familiar faces plus several people just off the boat from the Legendary blues cruise.
After Florida we headed north to Virgina where we hung out with Mike and Jane Aronson. Copious amounts of red wine, fine cheese and large steaks were consumed. The next day we presented a didgeridoo workshop at the Jefferson Center Music Lab in Roanoke, Virginia followed by an evening show at Blue 5. We were surprised to see our former keyboard player James and drummer Scott at the show. it was great to catch up. We were urged by the locals to leave town that night to avoid the huge winter storm that was coming through the next day. So after the show we drove through the night to Camden, South Carolina narrowly missing the snowmaggedon and arriving at about 5.30am. We checked into the first hotel that had an open sign on. Later we discovered that we had checked in the crack hotel central. Its hard to see at night- especially when you're tired, but no harm was done. We had a great show at The Venue on Broad then we headed south to Charleston for the Low Country Blues Fesitval. We got to hang out with the Kyla Burrell Band for a bit at the first show, then later Steve Simon, Keith & T at The Mill Lounge.
Some bad news just to hand. We have decided to cancel our upcoming UK tour, due to the down turn in the world economy. This has forced us to cut back on our international touring schedule for this year. But the good news is that we picked up some other US festivals during the same time frame. The new CD through Blind Pig is due to be released on May 11- can't wait ! Hope to see you all out on the road.
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Harper January Blog "Happy New Year"
Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year. I hope you are all having a great start to the new year. The month of December was spent in the recording studio- "Big Sky Recording" in Ann Arbor, Michigan working on the new CD. It was pretty intense with many long hours. I am happy to say that the new CD is finished and now awaits mastering. Our record company Blind Pig Records plans to release it in early May of this year. I know its a long way off but these CD releases always take more time than we would like. The recording process was fabulous, Marc Dixon on Drums, Chris Smith on Bass, Gregg Leonard on Guitar and Kurt Wolak on Keyboard. It is a 12 song, 48 minute plus CD which Im sure many of you will dig once it has been released.
With a new year, comes a new guitarist- Drew Pentkowski, a great Michigan guitarist who is sure to win some fans. His slide guitar is unbelievable! We are all happy that he has joined Midwest Kind.
This week we tour Michigan and Indiana with tours next week to Illinois, Missouri then down to Alabama and Florida at the end of the month. Our Florida tour will include a visit to our pals at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center and a long awaited visit to Key West. In February we hit South Carolina, Virginia, Upstate New York, Massachusetts, Maine and ending up in Michigan. In March we have a month long tour to the West Coast and in between which will take us all the way to Vancouver, Canada. Then its off to the United Kingdom in April. We had a fantastic year in 2009 and things are looking great for 2010. Thank you all for sharing the journey.
Hope to see you out on the road,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads
Happy New Year. I hope you are all having a great start to the new year. The month of December was spent in the recording studio- "Big Sky Recording" in Ann Arbor, Michigan working on the new CD. It was pretty intense with many long hours. I am happy to say that the new CD is finished and now awaits mastering. Our record company Blind Pig Records plans to release it in early May of this year. I know its a long way off but these CD releases always take more time than we would like. The recording process was fabulous, Marc Dixon on Drums, Chris Smith on Bass, Gregg Leonard on Guitar and Kurt Wolak on Keyboard. It is a 12 song, 48 minute plus CD which Im sure many of you will dig once it has been released.
With a new year, comes a new guitarist- Drew Pentkowski, a great Michigan guitarist who is sure to win some fans. His slide guitar is unbelievable! We are all happy that he has joined Midwest Kind.
This week we tour Michigan and Indiana with tours next week to Illinois, Missouri then down to Alabama and Florida at the end of the month. Our Florida tour will include a visit to our pals at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center and a long awaited visit to Key West. In February we hit South Carolina, Virginia, Upstate New York, Massachusetts, Maine and ending up in Michigan. In March we have a month long tour to the West Coast and in between which will take us all the way to Vancouver, Canada. Then its off to the United Kingdom in April. We had a fantastic year in 2009 and things are looking great for 2010. Thank you all for sharing the journey.
Hope to see you out on the road,
Peace,
Harper & Midwest Kind
www.harper.biz (Official Harper Website)
www.myspace.com/harperband
www.youtube.com/harperband (for live video clips)
www.facebook.com/harperandmidwestkind
www.blindpigrecords.com (for CD orders & downloads
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