Backsliders To Replace Ailing Harry Manx At Woodford

Canadian blues man Harry Manx is suffering from some ill health at this point in time and is forced to undergo treatment to get him back to full health. This has meant that he has had postpone all of his forthcoming Australian tour dates for a number of months, so stay tuned for rescheduled Australian dates some time towards the late part of 2014.

While it's fine to pull the pin on the solo shows, the Woodford Folk Festival must go on and organisers have found a very suitable replacement indeed, with Aussie blues royalty the Backsliders stepping in to fill Manx's position.

“Harry's decision to postpone all touring for a three month period to undergo treatment is completely understandable,” Festival Programme Manager Mandi McIntyre said in a statement. “We are all wishing Harry a strong recovery, and we'll look forward to seeing him again at Woodford in the future.”

Backsliders have been going strong for almost 30 years now and are no strangers to the Woodford stage. The teaming of Dom Turner, Rob Hirst and Ian Collard is formidable and sees them picked by many as Australia's premier blues act.

“We're wishing our good friend Harry a speedy recovery back to full health. It's an honour to be asked to help out and we look forward to being back playing for Harry's fans and all our friends at Woodford,” Turner said.

Backsliders will play Woodford on Friday 27 December, Saturday 28 and Monday 30.