Rising star on the local music scene, Travis Pickering, is heading out to Nova Scotia to take part in an event which will see him on the same bill as Canadian music legends like Blue Rodeo and Jimmy Rankin.
Pickering will be head out to take part in Ridge Fest 2011 which is a major summer music festival, set in the Annapolis Valley.
The chance to perform in Nova Scotia came after someone involved with the festival saw a video Travis had made on line.
After a great deal of discussion with the group, only two weeks ago Travis was offered the chance to take part in the Annapolis Valley event.
Although he was etremely excited about the chance he explained that he had to think about whether it was something he could financially do.
“I am getting married at the end of September and everything I had was going into that. After I mentioned it to some friends and family they basically threatened my life if I didn’t do it,” Travis said with a laugh.
“It is an opportunity Travis has to take. I believe things happen for a reason and if you keep passing up things like this they stop coming,” Larry added. “Basically now Travis has come to the attention of some people in the industry that can do a lot for him. So this journey could be seen as an audition for him,” Larry said.
Having the chance to be taking part in a show with Rankin and Blue Rodeo has an added excitement for the father and son.
“Growing up my dad was always playing Rankin Family and Blue Rodeo. So growing up I was always listening to it. I can’t believe that we are actually going to meet them,” Travis said.
An added bonus to the weekend is that Travis will have the chance to play at a VIP event after the concert. This will give him the chance to play for people in the industry and some of the performers as well.
The fact he will be playing in front of the largest crowd he has ever played in front of is not lost on the musician.
“I am not nervous about the performance on stage. I love playing for a crowd. It is more the VIP show after that I am a little nervous about. I am very excited. I don’t think I have slept properly in the last two weeks since I said yes to it,” Travis said.
Having his father going to the event with him makes it all the more special for Travis who has recently been working on songs with father.
“The fact that my dad is coming with me is huge. It is a huge thing for my confidence on stage. We get along great and we know each others styles so well that it compliments each other,” Travis said.
As for Larry he explained he is “the ultimate proud father and with my highly biased opinion I really think it is there for him.”
