Harvest to find replacement act for Gregg Allman
August 6, 2011
The mettle of the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival is being tested once again as organizers are forced to master the impossible by finding an eleventh-hour replacement for Festival headliner Gregg Allman.
Allman’s people announced today that, after developing an upper-respiratory infection, all upcoming tour dates have been cancelled, including his two shows at Harvest on September 14 and 15.
“We’re sorry to announce that Gregg Allman, upon his doctor’s orders, is cancelling his tour from August 26, 2011 through September 15, 2011,” read the official statement. “Allman had to cancel several dates at the end of his European run in June due to an upper respiratory condition. His doctor hoped that with rest, he’d get better, but unfortunately the issue has persisted. Treatment is going to involve several days of hospitalization and 4 - 6 weeks of bed rest at home.”
Festival organizers were faced with the same challenge in 2010 when Allman underwent liver transplant surgery early in the summer, causing him to cancel his appearance to recover. Using the strong reputation and positive relationships that Harvest has built in the global music community, the Festival’s music programmer, Brent Staeben, was able to secure high-calibre replacements (Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals) for Allman in 2010.
Staeben is confident that this year’s replacements will be of the same calibre.
“We are, of course, very sorry to hear of Gregg’s condition and wish him a full recovery,” says Staeben. “As in the past, we are taking this news in stride and working quickly to find the best possible replacement that Harvest patrons will be excited to see.”
The Festival will honour any ticket and pass refunds after the replacement act is announced, which is expected sometime over the next week or so, once details are worked out.
“We anticipate that our patrons will be thrilled with the replacement that we sign and will thoroughly enjoy the new shows, but we will of course refund those who choose to exercise that option,” says Brad Wasson, Festival Chair. “All we ask of our patrons is to bear with us for another week or so while we work through this.”
