There's been a hiccup at the LiUNA Bluesfest Windsor.
Bluesfest President Rob Petroni said musician Eric Gales, scheduled to play at Festival Plaza Friday night, has been denied entry into Canada and will not perform. Petroni said the Canada Border Services Agency made the decision early on Thursday.
"I got to Canada and was just denied entry," posted Gales on his Facebook page. "My wife started working on this over a year ago and I finally got connected to a company that specialized in helping people with a criminal past get here. I spent $ [money] and I did everything they told me to do but still was denied."
Gales said he had his hopes up and is very disappointed.
"I want to apologize to my fans here in Canada because I won’t be able to perform at the festivals," he added.
In 2009, he spent time in jail at the Shelby County Correction Center in Memphis Tennessee for possession of drugs and a weapon.
"While I was in there all the officers and guards were like, ‘bro you know this isn’t where you’re supposed to be. When you get out of here, go take the world by the horns and ride it all the way out.’ It took a couple of years after but, I’m here," Gales said.
Bluesfest Windsor organizers are disappointed.
“While we are greatly disappointed Eric will not be joining us, I am pleased to announce that Detroit’s award-winning band, Laura Rain and The Caesars will bring their funky soul and rhythm and blues sound to complement our dynamite amazing blues night," said Petroni.
Detroit’s award-winning band, Laura Rain and The Caesars playing Bluesfest Windsor. July 11, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Bluesfest Windsor)
Eight-time Grammy award winner Buddy Guy headlines Friday night along with blues sensation Sugaray Rayford.
Laura Rain and the Caesars formed in the Motor City in 2012 with her husband George Friend. The band performs with a stripped-down lineup of organ, guitar and drums.
Laura Rain has performed in over 25 states from California to New York and has been featured at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Marquette Area Blues Festival, Edmonton Blues Festival, the Legendary Blues Cruise and many other top tier clubs and festivals.