Two time East Coast Music Association nominee and two time CBC Rising Star Award winner, Ross Neilsen, eats, breathes and sleeps the blues. Whether electrifying audiences with his power trio or telling tall tales in his intimate solo shows, Ross has been "out there" delivering the goods.
After bursting onto the scene in late 2005, Ross Neilsen has worked hard at maintaining his profile, making sure he isn't lost in the "blues shuffle". This self-managed artist books and performs over 150 shows annually at various venues around Eastern Canada including: Clubs, Theatres (Playhouse in Fredericton, Imperial Theatre in Saint John), and Festivals such as The Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in Fredericton and The Dutch Mason Blues Festival as well as The esteemed Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia Ontario.
Ross's debut album, Where I'm From, received many accolades. Among them, an East Coast Music Award Nomination for Best Blues Recording as well as being featured in many publications and receiving much support from Canadian Radio confirming that he would be an artist to watch.
With the release of his second CD, EARLY GRAVE, Ross and his band, The Sufferin' Bastards have taken no prisoners. The sophomore release features a songwriter who has matured beyond his years delivering an emotional rollercoaster ride of primal Blues Rock. Once again Neilsen has employed some of the country's top players. Sax genius, Chris Mitchell, blows the listener away on "Don't Need Love" and "How I Could Change". Also featured on the album is up and comer, Keith Hallett, who is featured on the track "Texas". "Texas" was penned by Neilsen for the sole purpose of showcasing his young friends guitar prowess.
At only three months old, Early Grave has already garnered rave reviews from some of the country's top ears as well as receiving a nomination from the East Coast Music Association for Best Blues Recording for 2007. Never one to rest, Ross has set a solid goal for 2008 -a National tour that will take he and the Sufferin' Bastards to every Province. Ross will be breaking new barriers and doing what he loves most, taking his music to new listeners everywhere.
Whether you catch Ross performing in fifty seat nightclubs or in 1000 seat festival tents, with a band or solo, his high energy shows garner critical appraise. So keep your eyes open and expect to find Ross performing anywhere great blues is played and in a few shady places off the beaten path!
3 April 10pm Snooty Fox Pub with The Sufferin' Bastards - Fredericton, New Brunswick
4 April 10pm Red Herring with The Sufferin' Bastards - St. Andrews, New Brunswick
5 April 10pm Red Herring with The Sufferin' Bastards - St. Andrews, New Brunswick
11 April 8pm Private Party with The Sufferin' Bastards - Charlottetown, PEI
12 April 10pm Baba's Lounge with The Sufferin' Bastards - Charlottetown, PEI
18 April 7pm New Brunswick Songwriter's Circle, Featuring Chris Colepaugh, Darcy Mazerolle, Melanie Keith and robin Anne Ettles - Fredericton, New Brunswick
19 April 10pm The Back Nine with The Sufferin' Bastards Opening for Grady and Motor League. Tix available at backstreet records - Fredericton, NB
25 April All Day Salt Scapes Expo Solo Show -Halifax, Nova Scotia
26 April All Day Salt Scapes Expo Solo Show -Halifax, Nova Scotia
27 April All Day Salt Scapes Expo Solo Show -Halifax, Nova Scotia
2 May 7pm Paddle Fest Solo Show - St. Andrews, NB
3 May 1pm Paddle Fest Solo Show - St. Andrews, NB
3 May 11pm Paddle Fest with The Sufferin' Bastards - St. Andrews, NB
8 May 10pm Snooty Fox Solo Show - Fredericton, NB
9 May 9pm Dooly's with The Sufferin' Bastards- Florenceville, NB
10 May 10pm Boston Pizza Solo Show - New Minas, NS
16 May 11pm Elwoods with The Sufferin' Bastards and Special Guests Hudson -Saint John, NB
17 May 11pm The Capital Bar with The Sufferin' Bastards - Fredericton, NB
23 May 9pm Rylan Jack's Pub Solo Show -Tantalon, NS
24 May 8pm The Village Pub Solo Show -Coldbrook, NS
26 May 7pm Paddy's Pub Open Mic Host -Wolfville, NS
30 May 9.30pm Stayner's Wharf duo show with John Campbelljohn - Halifax, NS
