Bobby Bruce Is Nearly Neil A Dazzling Diamond Tribute At Airlie Beach Hotel

For music lovers in Airlie Beach, the end of March promises an unforgettable experience as Bobby Bruce, known to the world as ‘Nearly Neil’, brings the iconic sound of Neil Diamond to life at The Pub. With two free shows on Saturday, March 29th, and Sunday, March 30th, from 2pm to 5.30pm, audiences are in for a nostalgic treat.

Direct from Vancouver, Canada, Bobby Bruce has been delighting audiences across the globe for nearly two decades with his tribute to Neil Diamond. Internationally, Bobby as Neil Diamond gained a loyal following, with his powerful vocals and stage presence placing him among the finest tribute acts in the world. The fact that we’re getting this calibre of performance for free is something special for Airlie Beach.

Bobby’s tribute to Neil Diamond started off as a party trick, which became a full-time career - “Well, oddly, I was in my hometown, Vancouver, and I was working at an Australian theme dinner theatre. We all had to impersonate someone, so I decided to do Tom Jones,” he recalls with a chuckle. “Someone said, ‘Doesn’t he sing Sweet Caroline?’ And I said, ‘No, no, that’s Neil Diamond.’ I opened my mouth, sang Sweet Caroline, and they all looked at me funny and said, ‘Maybe you should do him.’”.

Bobby’s voice is the heart of his performance, with his rendition of Neil Diamond’s classic hits like Cracklin’ Rosie, Kentucky Woman, and Sweet Caroline is nothing short of exhilarating. But it’s the song Holly Holy that truly resonates with him. “My favourite to sing is Holly Holy. It has the nice peaks and valleys. It’s a nice song for me to sing, and it gets a very swoony reaction from the crowd.”

For Bobby, Neil Diamond was the soundtrack of his childhood - “It was my parents’ music,” he shared. “They played it, and all of our family and friends played it. It was always on the old eighties tracks when we were travelling in the car.” This connection with the music is something Bobby shares with his audience, and it’s a powerful experience. “I really enjoy seeing that come alive in the faces of people in the audience. You can see the memories coming back for them too.”

This upcoming performance promises to be an absolute treat, with all of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits in store and even a special extra set to showcase Bobby’s incredible vocal range. "Expect all the big hits of Neil Diamond that you would know in this country," says Bobby. “Plus, we'll be doing an extra set of music, giving me an opportunity to showcase the other things I can do with my voice.”

With the Solitary Band backing him, featuring Amanda Easton Morel on backing vocals, Dale Genner on keyboards, Mitch Farmer on drums, Jeff Camilleri on bass, and Rex Goh on electric guitar, the performance promises to be an unforgettable musical experience.

Get ready to relive the magic and legacy of Neil Diamond, as Nearly Neil brings his extraordinary talent to Airlie Beach with an afternoon of classic hits. Be sure to book your table by scanning the QR Code to reserve your spot today!

WHAT: Bobby Bruce & The Solitary Band - The Ultimate Neil Diamond Legacy
WHEN: March, Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th 2pm – 5.30pm
WHERE: The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel

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