• Wed, Dec 28, 6:30pm – WAG
• Thurs, Dec 29, 7:00pm – The Vault
• Fri, Dec 30, 8:30pm – The Vault

Tunes from the ‘Somewhere’ CD are still getting airplay in various countries, mostly in Australia and New Zealand. ‘The Trip’s the Thing’ was ‘Song of the Week’ on Hutt Radio 106.1 FM in New Zealand the week of Dec 5. That was pretty cool. A big thank you to the DJ Eddie O’Strange for that and to Dixie McCorkell from Triplestrand Productions. Also, a very big thank you to Bryon Tosoff from Voodoohead Productions for all his ongoing help with radioplay.

It’s a tough business but we forge on and look forward to those special musical moments and the occasional break. Here’s hoping 2012 brings more exciting news for everyone. I’m due for a good year.

Be Well – Neil

I guess I should explain for those not familiar with this ‘British’ tradition. I wasn’t aware of it until Amy enlightened me. There are a few variations but basically if you say Rabbit, or Rabbits on the first day of the month it brings you luck and if you say it to someone else it brings them luck for the month. For more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_rabbit

Well, it’s hard to believe another Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. Man, Time Flies - except, it seems, when you’d like it too – i.e. when you’re in the dentist chair. 

Speaking of the holiday season, my trio will be playing the Washington Avenue Grill again this year for New Year’s Eve. It’s always been a fun time, without the nonsense that often plagues such an event. I remember some of the gigs I use to do on New Year’s where it just seemed to be an exercise in excessive drinking, but for the last four years at the WAG, the audience has been wonderful and we have all had a great time without any of the goon squad behaviour. So, come on out and join us if you can. Tickets usually go pretty fast, so call soon. (604) 541-4244

I am also playing solo at the WestBeach Bar & Grill this Saturday, Dec 3, 7:30 – 11:30 (Corner of Marine Drive & Elm Street – 1101 Elm Street, White Rock, BC Tel: (604) 541-7655). It’s a cozy, little room with awesome owners and staff and some tasty food and drinks. This time of the year it can be a struggle for venues on the beach so if you can come by for even a bit that would be cool. Like many places, they are cutting back on entertainment and good turnouts will help to keep live entertainment ‘on the menu’. 

For the record, I just want to say how much I appreciate all the venues that hire us career musicians. It really is wonderful how much support we get right here in our community and I do understand the conundrum of hiring musicians during lean times. It seems we are all in the same boat working hard to keep it afloat to get to the other side – hey that rhymed  :-)

Be Well & Happy Holidays to you all and hopefully we’ll see you out on the town somewhere along the trail. – Neil

I hope you are all happy and healthy or darn close to it. I thought it was about time I posted a quick update.

I recently returned from a very cool trip to LA. It was a TAXI Road Rally. My good friend Dennis Pook joined me on the journey. We learned a lot and are glad we made the effort.

TAXI operates as an independent A&R company helping unsigned artists and writers find deals and song placements. We heard some great talent at the open mics and also some not so great talent. There was a plethora of panels and workshops, many hosted by some very successful industry writers, producers and A&R reps. It was my first year there and looking back I can see where I may have missed a few marketing opportunities but now that I know how the event works I’m looking forward to next year.

Now that I’m back home and settling in, I am getting ready for the West Beach Bar & Grill gig this Saturday, November 12 starting at 7:30pm. They have cut back their booking a bit as they are concerned with how much they spend on entertainment versus the turnouts, so, if you aren’t doing anything and want to come by for a tasty meal, snack or just a couple drinks and a visit that would be awesome and would help them to keep me on the re-book list.

I also have many other upcoming gigs, including the Uptown Lounge on Nov 18, with Linda Kidder. You can find more details on the Gigs page of my website.

Be Well.

Neil

In the First World War 61,000 Canadians died, in the Second World War 42,000 Canadians died. Many of these soldiers were dual citizens serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Peace

Man, am I diggin’ this late summer. This is what we were supposed to be enjoying in July & August but hey, better late than never?

I am playing at Iguana’s Beach Grill on Friday/Saturday, Sept 16, 17. Saturday, Sept 17 will be a special evening as Sept 17 is Playing for Change Day and so that night will also be a fundraiser for the cause. The Playing for Change Organization created the video that starts out with a dude singing a version of ‘Stand By Me’ and then they keep adding other folks from around the world doing their thing. The video is on YouTube.

The PFC mission, and I quote – ‘The Playing For Change Foundation is dedicated to creating positive social change through music education. We are driven by the belief that peace and change are possible through the universal language of music…’

You can find more about the foundation at http://playingforchange.org/ plus you can go to http://playingforchange.com/ to see a number of cool videos and find out more about what they are doing.

I will have a donation bucket out for those who would like to contribute on the night of the event but if you are unable to attend and would still like to contribute under the banner of my event you can go here http://playingforchangeday.org/show/neil-harnett If you are able to drop by even for a bit please add your name to the attending list.

Here is an inspiring Playing for Change Day video on YouTube PFC Video

You may find it interesting to know that Yoko Ono is a big supporter of PFC hence you may notice that one of the logos is John Lennon with the caption ‘Power to the People’. Amen to that. Peace and Happiness to you all. – Neil

I will be playing at the White Rock Spirit of the Sea Festival on Sunday, July 31 at 7pm on the East Stage, which will be located in front of the Sandpiper Pub. I will be sharing the stage with a couple of dear friends – the lovely and talented Linda Kidder on bass & vocals and my lifelong buddy and groove-man Rick Clark on drums (he’s lovely & talented as well).

The three of us will also be playing Fri/Sat, Aug 5/6 at the WAG (Washington Avenue Grill) starting at 8:30 each night.

This coming Fri/Sat (July 29/30) I will be playing solo at The Vault Restaurant in Cloverdale starting at approx 8:15.

I look forward to seeing you somewhere along the journey. Be well.

Neil

I am also playing on Sat, June 18 at Kwomais Point as part of a South Surrey Festival that is somewhat ‘tied in’ with the Ocean Park Days festivities. My set is scheduled for 2:10ish-2:55ish.

Hoping to see some of you.

Be Well. – Neil

Just a quick note to let you know about a couple upcoming gigs:

WEST BEACH BAR & GRILL - May 29, 7:30-11:30
I’ll be playing some tunes at the West Beach Bar & Grill this Sunday, May 29, 7:30-11:30.  Steve Gidora from The Wheat in the Barley and our mutual friend, Jan Sentell will also be performing some tunes plus we’ll join each other at various times as well for a jamboree.

Steve has been working hard recording a new CD of his originals which features ‘Medderick’ on lead vocals, myself on lead guitar and Jan on back up vocals. Many other Vancouver and White Rock based musicians such as ‘Ed Johnson’, ‘Mickey Hovan’, ‘Fanny Starchild’ and ‘Daryl Havers’ are also part of the project. We plan to bring a few of the songs to the fore this Sunday.

Several tracks from my newest release ‘Somewhere’, have continued to receive airplay on stations in Europe, the States, Canada and Australia. ‘The Shore’ in Vancouver has been very supportive and continues to play the tune ‘Soul Train Ride’. Peter, a DJ from OAK FM in Australia was kind enough to send along this short clip, proof that he has added the tune ‘Somewhere’ to his playlist. It’s always cool to hear one’s songs on the radio especially in another part of the world. Click here to hear the clip.

This Sunday, I’ll be performing songs from ‘Somewhere’ and my previous release ‘Rubber Room Day’, as well as a diverse offering of covers.

Along with Steve & Jan, I am looking forward to some musical fun, for my first time at the West Beach Bar and Grill.

THE WAG - Trio, June 4, 8:30-11:30
The trio will be playing at the WAG (Washington Avenue Grill) on June 4th, 8:30-11:30. It’s always an enjoyable, creative ride playing with the trio so come on by if you can. Lee Oliphant is on bass and Rick Clark is on drums.

On another exciting note, my daughter Amy and I have been co-writing a song that started as an expression of how Amy ‘feels’ about what has happened in her life as a result of her accident. We are looking to finish the writing in the next week or so and then we will video Amy and I performing it together. The process has been great therapy for both of us.

Wishing you all peace, health & happiness – - and some sunshine for more than just a day or two.

Neil

Just wanted to let you know that I am playing Iguana’s Beach Grill in White Rock this weekend, May 6, 7 from 7:30-approx 11pm. They have yummy food and are great supporters of live music. Come on by if you can. You can also download this coupon to save you a few bucks. Wishing you all happiness and health. – Neil

My wife, Julia and my daughter Amy got me the AppleTV for my birthday in March. It’s a very cool tech toy and among other things, has made it very easy to watch Eckhart Tolle podcasts. At this point in my life Eckart’s wisdom has been extremely valuable to my survival. If you are a seeker and have not checked out Eckhart I highly recommend checking out his podcasts and/or his books. You can get to the podcasts via AppleTV, iTunes or YouTube.

My spiritual pursuits have been invaluable in helping me accept my daughter’s accident and the subsequent realities for her and my wife and I. It also helps me accept the state of the music industry and how that affects my career. To make money these days in the industry from playing or songwriting is a daunting task.

Regardless of the challenges, I intend to keep moving forward with all the initiatives I’ve mentioned in previous posts, although they will just take a little longer than originally planned. One of the first things will be to put on a show both in Vancouver and in my hometown of White Rock. I will also be looking once again at the Island and up in the interior. In the meantime I will be playing the usual ‘haunts’ around town.

Be Well. – Neil