News

Keeping the Boat Afloat

Yikes! We’re well into summer (or a version thereof) and I have been remiss in keeping my website current. Time flies while you’re living life and it seems to take so much of it just to keep ones boat afloat. Such is life at this stage of the journey and although there was a time when I would experience serious angst over such a revelation I have been doing my very best to live by the credo that acceptance is the answer to all my problems. Might sound corny but it works.

While dealing with all the settling in that happens as a result of moving into a new home, I have been getting some work done and playing my usual local venues. Bryon Tosoff is still helping with radio promoting and we have had some exciting and interesting results along the way. Tunes from the new Somewhere CD have been picked up at various stations throughout the world so one never knows what might come of it. I will post more meaningful details when they become available.

The trio is playing tonight (Thursday, July 15)  at the Dublin Crossing in Surrey and I am playing solo this Saturday (July 17) at Iguana’s in White Rock. Other upcoming dates are: The WAG in White Rock July 23, 24  with Bill Fulton on bass and Rick Clark on drums and July 30, 31 with Lee Oliphant on bass and Shawn Soucy on drums. Lee and Shawn will also join me for a gig at the Launching Pad in White Rock on August 1st where we play from 1-5pm and then dash off to the White Rock Sea Festival main stage to play a set from 6-7pm. The stage is close to the pier and apparently there will be a food vendor onsite with some mexican fare so you can eat and listen at the same time.

I wish you all happiness, tolerance and true joy.

Neil

Posted on 15 July 2010 | 1:50 pm

Are We There Yet?

For those dropping by I hope you are healthy, happy and dry. I have to say I’m a little tired of the rain we’ve been having in our ‘neck of the woods’.  I’m also a little worn out from having moved recently. Although it’s exciting to get into a home with a little more room, the whole process is sure exhausting – but we’re getting there. Now that we’re on our way to being ‘somewhat’ settled you can look for some cool events and other goodies in the not so distant future.

In the meantime, I thought I’d let you know about a few upcoming gigs and other going ons. For a full list of gigs please check out the Gigs Page.

I’m participating in a community event this Sunday (June 6) at The Ocean Park Village Pub. It’s in Ocean Park (of course), but for those not in the know about such things, its really just Surrey, but don’t tell the OP folks that. I’m one of the judges in the Ocean Park Idol contest, which runs from 7-10 pm. Sounds like a lot of fun and I’ll get a chance to play a few tunes while I’m there.

The trio is playing next weekend (June 11, 12) at the Washington Avenue Grill, where we always have a good time with the awesome staff and customers.

The trio will also be playing a new room on Thursday, July 15.  It’s a cool pub in Surrey called the Dublin Crossing. It would be great if you could come out and join us as we can get more dates if we pull in a decent crowd.

We’ve been working at getting some more radio play for the new Somewhere CD and thanks to Bryon Tosoff we did get some action down in the States and over in Italy and a few other interesting places. We have a Canadian radio push coming up, so hopefully we’ll get some more action there as well.

I have been hearing from folks that they have heard some tunes on CBC, the blues and adult pop Galaxie channels and The Shore FM. If you happen to have a minute (I know they’re hard to come by), it couldn’t hurt to phone The Shore, or any other station, and ask for some Neil Harnett.

We’ll be putting together another full-on show/concert/dance in the near future plus there are some other event ideas in the works. I was hoping to get to the shows sooner but there was a death in the family, and family comes first.

I thank you for your support and wish you all peace and joy.

Neil

Posted on 4 June 2010 | 4:00 am

The Trip’s the Thing

I have been remiss in keeping my news page up to date – sorry about that. Life has been full of challenges lately with the recent passing of my dear Mom, plus me and the family are in the middle of packing for a move. Although we are excited it sure is a lot of work and I honestly don’t know anyone that actually enjoys the process. However, as the song says, ‘The Trip’s the Thing’ and everyday I try my level best to remember that and enjoy the moment for what it is, even if the understanding eludes me.

Speaking of ‘The Trip’s the Thing’, I have been hearing from folks that they have heard it a number of times on Galaxie (the Adult Alternative channel), so that’s cool. A couple of the blues tracks off the CD are getting played on the blues channel on Galaxie as well as CBC and ‘Soul Train Ride’ is still getting airplay on The Shore. In fact, I have received some awesome posts and emails regarding the tune and The Shore.

As busy as things are right now we are also working on getting some more airplay. I want to thank Bryon Tosoff for his help. With any luck at all we’ll get more adds soon. I have other marketing plans that are a little offbeat and tied into my passion about supporting brain injury, which I will get to once we are moved and settled.

As a result of the time consuming family matters I did have to cancel my Vancouver show scheduled for May 22 but we are currently looking at another date in June or July and will announce that asap. We will also be looking to do another show in my local town of White Rock.

Be happy, tolerant and joyful. After all, ‘The Trip’s the Thing’ – Neil

Posted on 28 April 2010 | 3:36 pm

Some new radio adds & Vancouver Show

Greetings All. Spring has sprung here in the Vancouver area and I like it. Just wanted to let you know that we’ve managed to get a few more radio adds, including various CBC shows and a couple of Galaxie channels. The Galaxie channels are available on your TV digital tuner (i.e. shaw terminals). Apparently they have added a couple tunes to the blues channel and one to the AA channel (similar format to The Shore).

I am also trying to nail down a venue and date for a Vancouver show in May. It will also be a partial fundraiser for the BC Brain Injury Association. I will update you all as soon as I have the details confirmed.

Be well and enjoy the weather.

Neil

Posted on 6 March 2010 | 4:34 pm

Singer/Songwriter Series – Dublin Crossing – Sunday, Jan 31

I will be playing a very cool event this coming Sunday (Jan 31) at the Dublin Crossing. It’s a Singer/Songwriter series that is sponsored by Molson Canadian and hosted by Ted Tosoff from the Blue Voodoo. Ted and Rick (also from Blue Voodoo) will open the night at 7pm after which I will play a 50-60 minute set of originals with stories of how the songs came to be. After my set Rick and Ted will join me and we’ll play some tunes together. The event will be video taped. If you can, please come out and support this series. The Dublin Crossing is at 101-18789 Fraser Hwy. Surrey and the phone number is 604 575-5470. There is a poster on my Gigs page as well as on the Dublin Crossing website. Be well – Neil

Posted on 26 January 2010 | 3:59 pm

The Shore FM Moves to New Frequency

The Shore FM is now broadcasting at 104.3 on your FM dial instead of 104.1. With the frequency change they now have  a stronger signal. You can also listen live from their website at www.shore104.com. As I have previously mentioned the Shore FM is an awesome station that plays great tunes and also does an super fine job of supporting local musicians and the community. They are still playing ‘Soul Train Ride’ from the new ‘Somewhere’ CD and hopefully they will play some other tunes as well. If you have a moment it would help me if you let them know that you would like to hear more Neil Harnett. While you’re at it please let them know what a great job they are doing. You can make requests at 604-280-1043 or email onair@shore104.com. Be well. – Neil

Posted on 19 January 2010 | 3:55 pm

Happy 2010 And Some News

Greetings All,

A belated Happy New Years. We had an awesome time bringing in 2010 at the Washington Avenue Grill in White Rock. It was a wonderful audience and we thank all those that attended as well as the staff at the WAG for a very enjoyable evening.

I have not posted any news for awhile due to holiday season busyness and ongoing health issues. I had a cold that turned to bronchitis then I had a bad fall when it snowed then before the bronchitis cleared up I caught another cold and … Well you get the picture. All the while I have been trying everything from oil of oregano, boiled ginseng, cold-fx to ‘you name it’. One does have to wonder if that stuff works. Nonetheless you have to try.

OK. I’ll stop whining now. I just wanted to let you all know why I haven’t started booking concert shows for the New Year. As soon as I’m confident that I am over the ‘worst of it’ I’ll be booking shows. With the upcoming Olympics it looks like the best time would be after they are over unless I can integrate a show into a post Olympic event.

Although I don’t currently have any concert shows booked I am still playing the restaurant circuit and have some dates booked at the Washington Avenue Grill. Check out the gigs page for more info.

The Shore FM (104.1) or www.shore104.com is still playing ‘Soul Train Ride’. I am still lovin’ the station and urge you all to check them out. I can finally enjoy listening to radio again. It wouldn’t hurt to let them know you like the station and that Neil Harnett guy and that you’d like to hear more from the ‘Somewhere’ CD. At very least let them know how great the station is.

I just heard today that ‘Sheryl MacKay’ at CBC played ‘Instead’ from the new CD, so that’s cool.

Well, I better get back to drinking some more Chinese Herbs and ‘God knows what’. Wishing you all health and happiness. – NH

Posted on 9 January 2010 | 4:52 pm

The Shore FM 104 Spins ‘Soul Train Ride’

A big, heartfelt thank-you to Patrick Zulinov and the rest of the good folks at The Shore FM for playing ‘Soul Train Ride’ and to Dave Chesney for his help in making it happen. I highly recommend this station (and that’s not just because they’re spinning my tune). The Shore has a very diverse and cool playlist and are a refreshing change from the usual formats. They do an awesome job showcasing local artists so please support the station by tuning in and letting them know how much you dig what they do (and if you think of it you might mention that you like that ‘Neil Harnett’ guy). You can listen to them on your radio at 104.1 or use their online streaming player. – NH

Posted on 24 November 2009 | 4:31 am

Welcome to the new neilharnett.com

Greetings All. We’ve made some changes to the site which will help with consistency and add some cool new features. One feature is that the news section (the one you’re reading now) is integrated with a blog where you can leave comments. It would require you to start an account on www.wordpress.com but it’s free and easy. I want to thank Kirsten from www.outsideinthesun.com for all her hard work.

A lot of folks are asking about New Year’s Eve at the WAG (Washington Avenue Grill). Me and the trio will be playing there for the 3rd year in a row. Tickets are not on sale yet but people can call the WAG and they will put you on the callback list. Their number is (604) 541-4244.

Thanks once again to all those who made the Nov 7 CD Release show a success. I was able to write a cheque to the Semiahmoo House Society for $575.00 which they were very thankful for. There are plans in the works for more shows and they will be posted as dates are confirmed. In the meantime I am still playing some of the local restaurants while we work on plans to expand the concert circuit. I am at Iguana’s this weekend (Nov 20, 21) and hope to see some of you there. – Peace

Posted on 19 November 2009 | 2:45 am