CAVENDISH, P.E.I. — Country musician Rik Reese strummed a chord to the roaring crowd while his band gathered to kick off a high energy performance in the kitchen stage Saturday evening.
After 10 years of entertaining festival-goers, Reese holds the record for most performances at Cavendish Beach Music Festival.
“We’ve been blessed, lucky, and the fans always give us that support. The vibe at Cavendish is like a homecoming because as soon as I arrive at the parking lot, I know the guy at the gate, the volunteer at the security fence, it’s great to see the same people year after year.” - Rik Reese.
He was even announced as “Cavendish royalty” when brought onto the stage.
“The festival has changed since the first time we performed,” recalled the East Coast musician and fan favourite.
“I remember the small kitchen tent we first played in, with the small stage. It was more of a kitchen party and that’s probably where it got its name [from].”
But every year the annual festival has grown, drawing crowds of thousands from all over the Maritimes and farther.
“People have said they will stay in the kitchen tent for the whole time because of the lively atmosphere. The beauty of today is that we perform twice, before and after Carrie Underwood hits the main stage, so after her performance, that’s when everyone really lets loose and the party is on,” said Reese.
Over the lengthy career, the Rik Reese Band (formerly known as Rik Reese and Neon Highway) has seen a share of highs and lows at the festival.
“There’s a memorial stone on the main stage for my former bandmate Pete (King). His last performance was in 2011 when we opened the show for Toby Keith. After the show, Pete was heading home on a motorcycle (along Route 11 near Bouctouche, N.B.,) and he crashed into a moose and was tragically killed, so that was his last performance in Cavendish.”
Reese said he’s the last original member from Rik Reese and Neon Highway that played in 2011.
“The other bandmates went on to do other things, but it’s kind of my duty to keep Pete’s memory and legacy alive,” he said.
The musician and his band have performed and opened for artists such as Big and Rich, Willie Nelson, The Road Hammers, Toby Keith, Blue Rodeo and Nazareth.
“We’ve been blessed, lucky, and the fans always give us that support. The vibe at Cavendish is like a homecoming because as soon as I arrive at the parking lot, I know the guy at the gate, the volunteer at the security fence, it’s great to see the same people year after year,” said Reese.
The band will finish their busy summer schedule of more than 200 shows, before writing new songs and keeping the bookings that stretch into 2021.
Among the festival-goers soaking in the country vibe were two men dressed as flowers.
“We thought why not? It’s a good way to stand out for Carrie,” said Dennis Delisle. He travelled from Halifax, N.S., for the three-day weekend specifically to see Underwood perform.
“This is our first time in Cavendish, but we definitely plan to return because it’s amazing. Very fun.”
Monique Matthews and her group of friends said they came for the country, 100 per cent.
“We came just the one day from Cape Breton to enjoy the artists, but the country vibe here is amazing,” said Matthews.
The world’s biggest acts have performed on stage at the Cavendish festival, which is now in its 11th season.
Headliners for this year included Hunter Hayes on Friday and Underwood on Saturday while Eric Church wrapped up the festival Sunday.
