Press Release
The Backus Community Center and KGHS/KSDM Radio are partnering to bring the performance of “Blind Joe” Bommersbach from Grand Rapids to the Backus stage this Wednesday (Dec. 30) at 7 p.m.
Upon the urging of a local resident who had seen Bommersbach perform on the national television show, “The Voice,” Backus executive director Ward Merrill reached out to him in hopes of securing a date when he could perform in International Falls.
With current shows on his docket and a trip to Nashville to record an album, “Blind Joe” was able to squeeze in a visit to the Falls at the end of December.
“Backus is always looking for fresh, new, exciting shows to bring to the Backus stage,” Merrill noted.
“When ‘Blind Joe’ was recommended, we immediately tried to contact him since he is a rising star on the way up.
“It’s a good thing we got him now [as] Dec. 30 was his only available date,” added Merrill.
Bommersbach first performed on “The Voice” in “The Blind Auditions Part 2” airing Sept. 22. He chose Blake Shelton as his coach.
He was eliminated Oct. 26 in the knockout rounds, but it was the start of a new beginning for the North Dakota native.
Bommersbach has launched a GoFundMe page to help him record a professional album in Nashville.
He wants to raise $10,000.
According to “The Voice” biography, Bommersbach was born three months’ premature and given only a two-percent chance of living.
Miraculously, he beat the odds and survived.
While in the hospital, his eyes weren’t protected from the harsh hospital lighting, which left him blind.
Bommersbach is incredibly close to his grandfather, who taught him how to play guitar by putting it on his lap.
He now is known all over town as “Blind Joe” and performs with his wife.
Bommersbach also doesn’t let his unique circumstances get in the way of anything else he wants to accomplish.
He loves dirt biking and working with other people with disabilities, teaching technology.
Doors will open at Backus at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show on Dec. 30.
Tickets are available at the Backus Community Center, KGHS/KSDM Radio, and City Drug Store in the Falls and Betty’s in Fort Frances.
They also will be sold at the door the night of the show.
