B.O.B (Big Orange Bridge) Fest 2017
By Contributor
The first annual B.O.B (Big Orange Bridge) Fest 2017 is set for April 22 all day at the Royal Bar and Grill in Nelson.
B.O.B fest is a indoor music fest/showcase opportunity for Nelson musicians.
“We have come together to showcase for potential buyers and booking agents,” said organizer John McCuaig.
“Need a group for a wedding? A special event of some kind? Come check out B.O.B Fest and see some of Nelson and area’s finest available acts.”
McCuaig said organizers are hoping to build this event every year and attract talent agencies, festival buyers, and music industry personal to B.O.B Fest in the future in hopes of creating opportunities for local musicians to work in and outside the Kootenays.
“As we all know, there is a lot of musical talent here in our area,” he said.
“We are putting out the call to network together to keep this talent working and contributing.
McCuaig has been a long time touring musician and feels he can give back lot back to this community by providing some information on how to proceed with your group or project.
He also said with recent success over sea’s and down south there is an opportunity for me to provide some light on how to achieve this.
“I am also looking forward to sharing and exchanging information with other groups on a non competitive basis,” he said.
McCuaig said the idea morphed from the Saskatchewan based rock band the Sheep Dogs.
When the Sheep Dogs entered a contest to get themselves on the cover on Rolling Stone Magazine, the whole province got behind them and voted for them.
“That is how the eventually ended up winning the contest and getting them to where they are today,” he said. “This is a chance for the musicians themselves to help each other out.”
McCuaig said there is also a fundraising portion of B.O.B fest.
“Every year we (local musicians) will rally around one group who is looking for financial aid and help fund raise for them,” he said.
“There are many groups here who need financial support for putting out a music video, recording an album, merch start up or even tour support. This will be an opportunity for local musicians to help out one another and show strength in numbers.
“This years focus will be on The Johnny McCuaig Band as they try to raise funds for their up and coming tour to Japan, Sweden, Germany and Finland.”
McCuaig said the Johnny McCuaig Band will be going around town before hand and asking businesses if they would like to take part in sponsoring the group to pick up garbage locally in a help clean up Nelson Campaign as part of B.O.B. Fest.
There will be a silent auction, memorabilia from the bands video shoots and travels, as well as merch for sale.
So Far This years participants are:
- The Johnny McCuaig Band – Title Event
- Ruckus
- Phantom Power
- Drunk Uncles
- The Mountain Rangers
- Bo Faraguna
- Kolar
- George McCuaig
Photo Caption: Members of the Johnny McCuaig Band will be out picking up garbage locally in a help clean up Nelson Campaign as part of B.O.B. Fest.— Submitted photo
