MELODIC ROCK FEST UPDATE - JEFF SCOTT SOTO SOLO SET ANNOUNCE

From Melodic Rock website:

I am extremely pleased to announce that former Journey frontman and MelodicRock favourite Jeff Scott Soto will perform a special 1 hour solo set (with full band!) prior to the show headliner at Melodic Rock Fest, South Bend Indiana October 6.

Further details will be announced shortly - but for those wondering what will be included into this special 60 minute set - EVERYTHING! If you recall the now legendary Live A The Gods set in 2002 was an amazing 55 minutes in length, so get ready to hold onto your hats for a blistering 'best of' set! Jeff Scott Soto's Melodic Rock Fest appearance will also mark the live debut of a new solo track or two...

Yes! This is so exciting! Now we just need to get the rest of the update, when I 'm sure I will be even more excited

I hope he performs 'Hey' I love that song

I am so sad, I can't go!

From www.melodicrock.com

Show Running Times -

Scrap Metal 9.15 – 11.45
Jeff Scott Soto 7.55 – 8.55
Harem Scarem 6.30 – 7.40
Kevin Chalfant Band 5.15 – 6.15


7th Heaven 4.30 – 5.00
Martie Peters Group 3.30 – 4.10
Goodbye Thrill 2.45 – 3.15
First Round Knockout 2.00 – 2.30


Seating From: 1.30
Lobby Open For Merch Sales at: 1.00pm

No more Harem Scarem!

Friday, September 21, 2007

It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I must announce that [color=#ff0000]Harem Scarem will not be able to play at MelodicRockFest in South Bend October 6.
Even in typing these words, I can't believe this is happening and understand the great sense of excitement there was in the community coming to this event for Harem Scarem's appearance live in the USA. Sadly it has come down to the fact that after updated advice on the band's travel status that proper work visa's could not be obtained in time and the members within the band are unwilling to jeopardize future travel into the USA by traveling to the USA as "tourists".
There is no way to put a positive spin on this so I won't even try. Time and again I have voiced concern at other festivals making last minute changes to line-ups, but the reality of organizing a huge show like this and having everything fall into place as envisioned is beyond what could be described in a few words here.
I have put my heart and soul into this show for the best part of the last 4 months, working day and night. No one was looking forward to Harem Scarem playing more than me - that's why I invited them in the first place. The last 36 hours have been among the very worst of my time running this website and right now I feel completely and utterly shattered by this.

Harry Hess has this statement about the cancellation:
"Hello everyone, I feel it's only right to let everyone know as soon as possible that we (Harem Scarem) are not going to be able to attend the Melodic Rock festival in Chicago October 6th.
We currently do not have the proper work visas to enter the country. We were under the impression that we could cross the boarder to play a promo show but as it turns out if tickets are being sold and people are attending the proper work visas need to be in place and unfortunately we would need at least 21 days to rectify this problem at this point.
The repercussions of getting caught could be a lifetime ban from entering the U.S and trouble when traveling internationally for life. I originally tried to leave our agent out of this arrangement because it was basically a benefit concert to help Melodic Rock.com, but this is where we should have had him handling the immigration details because we would have been told from the start that this is not doable under these circumstances.
Andrew has been extremely supportive of the band over the years and we don't want this incident to reflect badly on him and his efforts to help our scene. Please accept our sincerest apologizes to the fans and everyone involved with the festival. To take some responsibility for the situation we find ourselves in we have decided to record a 4 song acoustic EP and donate the entire proceeds to MelodicRock.com to help the site financially (which was the whole reason we agreed to do this in the first place).
Again, we apologize for this major oversight on our part." - Harry Hess.

I appreciate Harry's comments, but I also appreciate that there were some people planning on attending this show solely to see Harem Scarem. I understand some are going to be very unhappy about this. On a personal note, the withdrawal of the band has left me out of pocket at least $2200 in non-refundable air-fares.

MelodicRockFest will still be a monster event. There will still be 8 bands and 10 hours of killer melodic rock music. I am hoping that everyone will continue to embrace the event as a whole, as Scrap Metal begin rehearsals in Nashville and [color:54f6=#ff0000:54f6]Jeff Scott Soto hits the road in the USA - just to name 2 artists.
Right now I am working on finding a replacement act for the much loved Harem Scarem. I have been on the phone all night and this morning working on options.
Obviously for Harem fans no replacement is going to fix this problem, but I am doing everything in my power to bring in a new artist that will not only do justice to the original festival as a whole, but also to perhaps enhance the value for money aspect of the entire day's show.
Once again, my deepest apologies for this heartbreaking news.


I'll be back later tonight with today's news and MR-X updates...
In light of today's announcement, planned show updates and news of the opening act (which were to be of a happy/good news nature) will be held over until early next week.

I was looking forward to seeing the band from my home-country...well...SOMEBODY should have researched the info b/4 ... There is always a next time. I hope Andrew sorts through this one...he sounds so stressed out!!

Giosi

The fuck thing about Harem Scarem is that they normaly split in the end of october! No more luck to see them!