

Bobby Bruce's World Class Tribute to Neil Diamond

Industry Reviews ...
“Bobby Bruce stands out as one of the best choices we ever made;
he and his band were electrifying on stage. To date, he has our award for the most repeat visits for major concerts, as we were simply responding to demand from the public for his return. It isn’t just the professionalism and energy that Bobby Bruce and his band bring to every performance—it’s their organisation that makes booking them an absolute pleasure.”
-Vicki Wheaton, Owner, MTM Ltd., Cayman Islands
Entertainment for: Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Marriott, Westin, Celebrations Ltd.
“We brought the Nearly Neil show to the Netherlands and Belgium several times.
This is more than just a tribute. I can’t imagine you can come closer to the original voice and sound of Neil Diamond.
For the fans this show is really a must see. Together with his Solitary Band you will have a great time from the first minute. One of the best tributes I ever have seen.”
-Peter Boone, Music Promoter, Holland / Belgium
“Bobby Bruce is in a league of his own … his style, presence, vocal ability and engagement with the audience is first class.
I would book Bobby every visit to Australia because he fills my venues, leaves my audiences happy and is an absolute pleasure to deal with.”
-Anthea J, Ettalong Diggers, NSW, Australia
“Bobby Bruce is the consummate performer and never disappoints. You don’t feel like you are watching a tribute performer up there....
the show feels authentic and is an audience favourite in every festival or concert series I have programmed.
I would highly recommend Nearly Neil and The Solitary Band”.
-Jodi Smith, JLS Entertainment
Talent Coordinator for the Pacific National Exhibition and Harmony Arts Festival, Canada
"Bobby Bruce has appeared before the several Kings and Queens of Malaysia,
before many other Royalties, Head of States and the then Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Bobby is such a unique artiste, a rare breed and as he pays tribute to Neil Diamond, he is the best so far in this world. He is a true professional, sincere, honest, very dedicated gentleman and always draws the most applause. We strongly and highly recommend Bobby Bruce,
his performance is of the highest standard ever.”
-Captain Wee Eng Lee, RW Imaging and Events, Malaysia

How "Nearly Neil" became a local legend at Vancouver Canucks games
Noah Strang, Daily Hive, December 18, 2024
Link to article: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/nearly-neil-canucks-games
When fans go to a Vancouver Canucks game, the entertainment expands far beyond the show on the ice.
Contests, giveaways, and games — they’re all part of the fun of attending an NHL game at Rogers Arena. But no off-ice attraction seems to draw a bigger reaction from fans than “Nearly Neil,” the beloved Neil Diamond tribute singer that regularly appears at Canucks games. The energy builds as Bobby Bruce, the man behind the act, grabs the microphone and starts singing the hits, like “Sweet Caroline,” in an extravagant outfit.
Fans love Nearly Neil, and he loves them back. There’s one memory in particular that still raises the hairs on his arm.
“I had actually lost my wallet, and I was walking to guest services,” Bruce said to Daily Hive in an exclusive interview. “As I was walking through the crowd, they are all streaming out of the stadium, they all started wishing me happy birthday.”
“Then hundreds of people start singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Nearly Neil as I’m walking, trying to find my wallet. It was just super memorable, very touching.”
While he’s a local legend now, it’s been a journey to get to this point. What started as an off-the-cuff Neil Diamond impersonation has turned into a travelling act that’s spanned across multiple continents, including several stops at Canucks games.
“It was a party trick for a long time, and then I ended up getting a job with a ‘legends’ show. I went to Australia, and then I toured all over the world after that.”
He’s performed in Belgium, the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, and more. The British Columbia native first appeared at a Canucks game back in 2019 after connecting with Canucks game presentation guru Mike Pohorly. The team was planning a ’70s-themed night, and Nearly Neil was picked as the perfect entertainment choice after Pohorly had seen him live in a Saskatchewan casino.
“He brings a vibrant, infectious energy to every performance,” said Pohorly. “As much as we all take hockey seriously — and at times, it can feel like life or death in the building — he’s a great reminder that we’re allowed to let loose and have fun, too.”
An appearance by Nearly Neil now not only generates buzz inside Rogers Arena. It also gets Canucks fans talking online.
“I had some really interesting [social media] comments that I had to get explained to me by young people so I could figure out that they’re actually compliments,” said Bruce. “It’s been great.”
“I don’t get recognized that much [away from the rink] because I don’t really look like I do in costume when I’m out of costume… It’s nice to have both worlds, the anonymity and the experience of what it’s like to get up there.”
A typical Canucks game day starts early for Bruce. He lives on Gambier Island, two ferries away from Vancouver, so he must leave his place in the morning to make it for puck drop.
Nearly Neil appears on the big screen during intermissions and stops in play. That format is far different than performing in a traditional concert setting and thus requires a different approach.
“I am not usually involved in stuff that’s not centred around me. I show up somewhere, and people are coming to see Nearly Neil, whereas I go to the Canucks game, and I’m just part of a huge machine of entertainment and sport.”
“That’s a really interesting and unique experience for me as an artist, just to be part of this when I’m usually the product or main event.”
Canucks games aren’t only unique for Bruce in terms of their format; he also gets to work with a special co-star. He’ll often collaborate with the team’s mascot, Fin, and Bruce is always impressed by the orca’s stage presence.
“I’ve always really enjoyed working with Fin. I don’t even know who Fin is but I do know that he’s been one of the easiest guys to work with in my entire entertainment career.”
“He’s so aware of what’s going on and he can’t even see very well in that thing. I can’t understand how he’s so good at it. The last time we performed together he came out in a blue sequin shirt like mine… that was such a big surprise, we had a great time.”
With a tour to Australia planned for early 2025, Canucks fans will not see a ton of Bruce in the spring. However, he’s eyeing a late-season date to bring the show back to Rogers Arena.
“I’ll be back in the first week of April but I’m hoping to do as many games between then and now. After, I know there’s a fan appreciation day on April 16 and I’d really love to play that game because I’m there for the fans.”