The harmonica has been the backbone of countless genres of music from country to folk to blues and so many others. It can sit to the side and add texture to a song, but it’s not afraid to step up front and be the star of the melody line. 

Harp Heaven was born out of a suggestion from harmonica virtuoso and Harp Heaven partner Tim Gonzalez that we broaden our horizons from just doing our very successful guitar-centered shows and produce a show celebrating the harmonica.  But not just any harmonica show, no.  Bring in some of the best players in the world, players in different genres to show the versatility of the instrument.  So, we partnered with Tim and Harp Heaven was born! 

The first Harp Heaven show was held on May 27, 2014 at the legendary 3rd and Lindsley in downtown Nashville. Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy was our headliner and he was joined by Jelly Roll Johnson, Pat Bergeson and our own Tim Gonzalez for a show that the packed house, which included many prominent Nashville musicians, stood up and cheered for all night. And when Willie Nelson's own Mickey Raphael and Nashville superpicker Jack Pearson joined us for the finale, the place erupted. 

The first question we got from many in the crowd was, "When are you going to do it again?"  If that's not a proof of concept, then what is?  As everyone in the music business knows, if you can be successful with a show in Nashville, it will translate to success everywhere. 

And Musician's Union President (and great musician himself) Dave Pomeroy blasted this to all of his Facebook friends after the first show, "Harp Heaven at 3rd & Lindsley was just that last night! Charlie McCoy, Pat Bergeson, Tim Gonzalez, and Kirk Jelly Roll Johnson plus special guest Mickey Raphael. If 5 harmonica masters plus Jack Pearson can't give you the blues, then you are not alive! Great night of music, kudos to all involved..." 

Those reactions, along with a glowing review in The Nashville Musician, the magazine of the Musician's Union, convinced us to do more Harp Heaven shows (click here to read the article).  We presented a second show at 3rd and Lindsley to an equally packed and enthusiastic crowd on October 2, 2014, which added 2014 SPAH Harmonica Player of the Year Buddy Greene to the already stellar cast of McCoy, Johnson and Gonzalez and bass legend Dave Pomeroy to the finale.  That just cemented our decision to do more. 

A third show followed in April 2015 to an equally large and enthusiastic audience and featured Charlie McCoy, blues master William Howse and Tim Gonzalez.

Our goal is this: In addition to doing more shows in Nashville, we intend to take the show to other parts of the country in 2019 to appropriate 300-1000 seat venues with a rotating cast of players, including regional players in different parts of the country. Charlie McCoy has committed to do as many dates as he can fit into his schedule and many other prominent players in different regions of the country have asked about joining us.

Click here for bio's of some of our players.

FIRST SHOW OF 2019 ANNOUNCED:
Wednesday, April 10th at 8:00pm at Nashville's City Winery.  CLICK HERE for details and ticketing!!!

We are in the process of attracting Harp Heaven sponsors and venue interest. We're open to suggestions and offers. Please contact John Haring at 615-974-4886 or jharing@crushworldwide.com.