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!
1 May 9.00pm JD's Bar & Grill with The Sufferin Bastards- Collingwood, ON
2 May 9.00pm 100 Georges with The Sufferin Bastards- North Bay, ON
5 May 10.00pm The Apollo with The Sufferin Bastards- Thunder Bay, ON
7 May 8.30pm McNally's with The Sufferin Bastards- Regina, SK
8 May 9.00pm Rockcee's with The Sufferin Bastards- Prince Albert, SK
14 May 10.00pm Ottoman Lounge with The Sufferin Bastards- Medicine Hat, AB
15 May 9.00pm Mikey's Juke Joint with The Sufferin Bastards- Calgary, AB
16 May 9.00pm Mikey's Juke Joint with The Sufferin Bastards- Calgary, AB
17 May 10.00pm The Slice with The Sufferin Bastards- Lethbridge, AB
19 May 10.00pm The Rose and Crown with The Sufferin Bastards- Banff, AB
20 May 10.00pm The Rose and Crown with The Sufferin Bastards- Banff, AB
22 May 9.00pm Lorenzo's Cafe with The Sufferin Bastards- Enderby, BC
23 May 9.00pm The Breeze Bar & Grill with The Sufferin Bastards- Osoyoos, BC
27 May 9.00pm Rod & Gun Pub with The Sufferin Bastards- Parksville, BC
29 May 10.00pm The Queens Hotel with The Sufferin Bastards- Nanaimo, BC
30 May 10.00pm The Queens Hotel with The Sufferin Bastards- Nanaimo, BC
31 May 8.00pm Weigh West Marine Resort, Harbour Lounge with The Sufferin Bastards- Tofino, BC
2 June 9.00pm The Garage Showroom with The Sufferin Bastards - Duncan, BC
3 June 9.45pm The Yale Hotel with The Sufferin Bastards - Vancouver, BC
4 June 8.00pm The Dream Cafe with The Sufferin Bastards SPECIAL ACOUSTIC SHOW!- Penticton, BC
5 June 10.00pm The Downstream with The Sufferin Bastards- Jasper, AB
6 June 10.00pm The Downstream with The Sufferin Bastards- Jasper, AB
8 June 10.00pm Blues On Whyte with The Sufferin Bastards- Edmonton, AB
9 June 10.00pm Blues On Whyte with The Sufferin Bastards- Edmonton, AB
10 June 10.00pm Blues On Whyte with The Sufferin Bastards- Edmonton, AB
11 June 10.00pm Blues On Whyte with The Sufferin Bastards- Edmonton, AB
12 June 10.00pm Blues On Whyte with The Sufferin Bastards- Edmonton, AB
13 June 10.00pm Blues On Whyte with The Sufferin Bastards- Edmonton, AB
17 June 5.30pm Smoked Meat Pete's with The Sufferin Bastards- Montreal, QC
20 June 10.00pm FredRock 09 with The Sufferin Bastards- Fredericton, NB WITH THE BLACK CROWES www.fredrockfestival.com
20 June 12.00am The Capital Bar with The Sufferin Bastards- Fredericton, NB
21 June 10.00pm FredRock 09 with The Sufferin Bastards- Fredericton, NB www.fredrockfestival.com
27 June 11.00pm The Seahorse with The Sufferin Bastards and Carson Downey- Halifax, NS
3 July 10.00pm Dooly's with The Sufferin Bastards- Florenceville, NB
4 july 10.00pm Dooly's with The Sufferin Bastards- Woodstock, NB
10 July 7.30pm Shediac Lobster Fest with The Sufferin Bastards- Shediac, NB
16 July 7.00pm Trailside Cafe Solo- Mt. Stewart, PE
18 July TBA Corporate Event with The Sufferin Bastards- Saint John, NB
24 July 10.30pm The Mason Jar - Solo -Sussex, NB
25 July 11.00am The City Market - Solo -Saint John, NB
31 July 10.00pm Red Herring with The Sufferin Bastards- St, Andrews, NB
2, 3 Aug 10.00pm Red Herring with The Sufferin Bastards -St. Andrews, NB
5 Aug 12.30pm The Guard House - SOLO -Fredericton, NB
6 Aug 7.00pm The Commons - SOLO -Rothesay, NB
21 Aug 6.00pm Sunseeker Festival with The Sufferin Bastards -Somewhere In the woods near St George , NB
22 Aug 12.00pm Upper Clements Park with The Sufferin Bastards -Annapolis Royal, NS
22 Aug 10.00pm The Seahorse with The Sufferin Bastards -Halifax, NS
30 Aug 3.00pm The Lighthouse Concert Series - SOLO -Fredericton, NB
26 Sept 8.00pm Petite Riviere Firehall with The Sufferin Bastards- Petite Riviere, NS
