Rik Reese to perform in Las Vegas

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It’s a long way from Lily Lake Road in Campbellton to Las Vegas, but that’s where Shediac’s Rik Reese, formerly of Campbellton, is headed next week.

Reese was recently chosen for the cover of FHM magazine and to provide music for a red carpet event in Las Vegas.

“I was chosen for the front cover of their magazine and they made me this custom jacket for the show and paid to have this video shot for my song Old Black Train which they chose as the theme song of the event and an upcoming U.S. tour,” he said.

It’s believed to be the first time a male has been on the cover of the magazine.

Reese chose to pursue a music career some 14 years ago after first starting out in his teens in Campbellton.

“My first gig was replacing Brenda Best in their family band. I was around 17 and our first rehearsal was in Wally Best’s garage on Lily Lake Rd. My first paying gig was with the Best family … we called the band KoNTaK and if I recall, I made 50 bucks.”

Reese performs as many as 150 shows per year, and it was during a more recent show he was approached about the Vegas gig.

“A promoter saw us and thought we’d be ‘ideal’ for an upcoming event in Chicago (it was in July 2023) and Las Vegas in October.”

It’s a high-end event with tickets running from $250-750, but they wanted a ‘fun factor’ of music and decided on an East Coast kitchen party theme, and we were selected to provide the live music

Rik Reese

The show at which he will perform will include a variety of things such as a fire display with acrobatics, models on horses, exotic cars, and live music.

“It’s a high-end event with tickets running from $250-750, but they wanted a ‘fun factor’ of music and decided on an East Coast kitchen party theme, and we were selected to provide the live music.”

Reese will be joined by band members, and fellow North Shore sure boys, Jock Downs (lead guitar), Ron Parent (bass/vocals), Serge Pitre (stage manager) and Moncton drummer, Jay Arsenault.

“This particular show is one stop and a kickoff to a full 24-city U.S. tour that begins next fall. It is very cool, next year will mark 40 years that I’ve been playing and to be selected for a Vegas production is quite rewarding and surreal.”

He said his band is the only live music that will be part of the Vegas event.

“The itinerary is action-packed with performers, and we have two ‘one hour’ time slots throughout the night. Then we end the event with a 20-25 minute finale, joined by performer ShelbyDoll who is the girl on the magazine cover with me.”

The show at which Reese et al will perform, takes place at Motley Crüe’s Vince Neil’s nightclub called El Infierno located just to the west of the strip on Oct. 12.