Hardstock 08 -a special benefit for Scott Harding


On Feb 16 2008 at about 3 am, Scott Harding was seriously injured in a hit and run collision in NYC. He has no health insurance. He is a musician, artist and friend. 100% of the net proceeds from this show went to help him.

Hardstock 08 featured the cream of Vancouver musicians from the last 30 years.

This benefit show took place April 25 at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC. It was historic. It was glorious. The rock was pushed up the hill, the pink elephant in the room was given free booze; and pigs did fly.
Headlining was a super group created for the occasion called The Hard Ones, featuring (in alphabetical order) Barney Bentall, Doug Elliot, Paul Hyde, Colin James, Simon Kendall, Colin Nairne, Craig Northey, Pat Steward...Neil Osborne, Brad Merritt and Dave Genn (from 54/40), Tom Harrison, Ra McGuire and Smitty from Trooper; The Pointed Sticks; The Jazzmanian Devils; John Mann from Spirit of the West with his son Harlan Mann; Bughouse 5; Kinnie Starr; Hardrock Miners; the Furies; I Braineater; Go Four 3, Swank and the Mike Webster band.
The show was opened by Mayor Sam Sullivan. All told we raised almost $25,000. Not bad for a 3 week promotion when they said it could not be done.
Next up.............Holy Hardstock!!! - a 3 ring circus in a Cathedral on June 13. This is a sit down family event. Bring the kids and Mom, Dad, and Grandparents. After all, Hardstock is all about people pulling together to help out.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The Hardstock Manifesto


We have three goals to achieve.
1. Raise money for Scotty Hard.
Because he needs us to help him.
Because we can.
Because failure is not an option.
If we bring our passion to anything, we will succeed. There is no other way it can turn out.
2. To raise awareness for how fortunate we are, as Canadians, to have a public health system.
With all its faults, we must honour and treasure what we have, never failing to build upon it. To be in the position of 47 million Americans who have no health insurance, like Scott, is unacceptable, uncivilized, and very un-Canadian.
3. To show the true Hardstock character and authenticity that makes us all what we are. Life brings us many challenges; together, we can always overcome. That does not mean the problems go away. That does not mean that someone like Scott will walk again. What it means is that we will never stop trying, and we will ask ourselves each day- is there something more I could be doing? Then do it.
Hardstock 08 has brought out a wave of love and support for a guy who is a number one class act. Many people have been inspired to give and give generously. Many people have been inspired to offer their talents and vision to this project. Keep in mind this is not a one off thing. More concerts are planned and will be announced in the coming weeks.
You will not believe the energy that will be in the room on April 25. The room is large and getting larger. The room is warm and getting warmer. Are we getting close yet? Can you feel the heat?

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