Everest's Russell Pollard and Neil Young

Everest's Russell Pollard on touring with Neil Young in the Fall of 2008:

"This tour is a new experience for all of us," Pollard said. "This band has done club tours, so it's a pretty big deal for us. He's a legend, and it's a huge honor to be invited and share a tour with him. We watch every show.

"He's performing for all the nosebleed seats, and his energy and his devotion is 110 percent every night. A lot of people don't get that, and don't do that."

From Orange County Music - Everest See the Mountaintop:

It’s got to be weird when you’re on a first-name basis with Neil Young.

But it’s been a reality—and a dream realized—for Los Angeles-based band Everest, who find a personal hero and inspiration in the rock legend.

After word and demos made their way to Young, he caught Everest’s live show during a stint in Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival, where Young was promoting his concert film, CSNY Déjà Vu.

“[Young] popped over to see us in a little, 100-seat, tiny venue,” recalls Russ Pollard, Everest front man. He pauses. “Which kind of freaked everyone out.”

And then it all happened fast: a personal invitation to join Young on his European tour, getting handpicked to join his label (Vapor Records) and taking part in his famed annual Bridge School Benefit.

“That was like getting the ‘Golden Ticket’ to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory,” Pollard explains gleefully.

“We’re lucky. All in all, we’ve learned a lot this year being out with these bands. But, you know,” says Pollard, with a familiar happiness in his voice, “the cherry on top is Neil Young.”

from SXSW2010: Everest | Austin Music Source By Pete Mongillo :

You recorded your last album on Neil Young’s label and went on to tour with him. How did that come about?

Russell Pollard: He saw us play a few years ago, I guess he’d heard about us through Elliot Roberts, his manager. The two of them liked our band and offered to put out our record. Shortly after it came out, Neil invited us to play some shows in Europe, the first being at a castle in Ireland…uh…yeah. After the second or third show, Neil pulled us aside and said some things, one of them being that we were gonna play more together. We were freaked out and joyous and humbled by the whole experience. It was life changing.

What is your favorite Neil Young song?

Russell Pollard: “Revolution Blues,” “Words, Change Your Mind,” “Ambulance Blues,” “Cortez,” “Long May You Run,” “Music Arcade,” “My Heart,” “Don’t Let it Bring You Down…”"

What has been your most memorable experience on tour?

Russell Pollard: Playing Madison Square Garden with Wilco and Neil Young Dec. 16-17, 2008.

Also, see Photo of the Moment: Everest and Neil Young & Crazy Horse Also, more on the influence of Neil Young.

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