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INDUSTRY NEWS Free concerts announced for GIE+EXPO 2013 On March 1, the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) announced two headliners for its free concert lineup for this year's show, which will take place Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, at Louisville's Kentucky Exposition Center. On Oct. 23, country music star Craig Morgan will perform the opening concert at 4th Street Live in downtown Louisville. On Oct. 24, legendary band Three Dog Night will follow suit with a concert on the same stage. Both headliners will start their concerts at 9 p.m. Morgan boasts an impressive body of work with 14 top-10 hits, including "Redneck Yacht Club," "International Harvester," "Almost Home," "That's What I Love About Sunday" and "Tough." He'll also sing some of the songs from his newly released album, This Ole Boy. A multi-talented performer, Morgan also stars in "Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors" on the Outdoor Channel. It is a 30-minute reality show that offers fans a fly-on-the-wall look at Morgan's extreme lifestyle at home, touring and in the great outdoors — hunting, aerial bow fishing, bungee jumping and skydiving. Currently in its third season, the award-winning TV show airs Sundays at 11 p.m. Eastern time on Outdoor Channel. During a 40-year span, Three Dog Night has racked up some of the most astonishing chart statistics in popular music, including 21 consecutive top-40 hits. Among them were three No. 1 singles, 11 top-10 singles and 12 straight Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified Gold LPs. With their customary impeccable harmonies and exciting arrangements, they will perform fan favorites, including "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Joy to The World," "Black and White," "Shambala," "One," "Liar" and "Celebrate," as well as new songs such as "Heart of Blues" and "Prayer of the Children," an a-cappella ballad. The band is made up of founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals, original band mates Jimmy Greenspoon (keyboards) and Michael Allsup (guitar), and completed by Paul Kingery (bass and vocals) and Pat Bautz (drums). The entertainment for Oct. 25 will be announced soon. Nissan Commercial Vehicles, an exhibitor, is GIE+EXPO's stage sponsor for all three nights of evening entertainment. GIE+EXPO — the ninthCraig Morgan largest trade show in North America — is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Inc., Professional Grounds Management Society, and Professional Landcare Network. The first day of the show will be Dealer Day, with the final two days of the show open to all industry participants. For more information about GIE+EXPO, visit www.gie-expo.com, e-mail info@gie-expo.com, or call (800) Three Dog Night 558-8767 or (812) 949-9200. 10 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Ed McCanse Heftee lift inventor and company founder dies On March 4, Heftee Industries LLC announced with great sadness the passing of J. Edson (Ed) McCanse, the company's founder and inventor of the Heftee service lift. In 1988, Ed McCanse founded McCanse Engineering, Inc. together with his wife, Lillian, and one of his sons, Rick McCanse. The company initially provided contract design services, safety training and other engineering consulting services. By 1991, however, the company was manufacturing and selling the Heftee service lift, as well as agricultural products for the Christmas tree industry. Ed designed the Heftee 2000, a single-post lift for lawnmower and utility vehicle service, as well as the Heftee 250 and Heftee 4000 lifts. Ed obtained various patents on these and other products. He successfully led the company through its early growth and was responsible for establishing the Heftee lift as the premier OPE service lift across North America. In 1999, Ed retired and sold McCanse Engineering to Scott Fore, who subsequently renamed the company after its core product brand — Heftee. Ed was well known throughout the outdoor power equipment industry, working first for John Deere and Company in Moline, Ill., and then for Woods Equipment Company in Oregon, Ill. He served as Chief Engineer, as well as Quality Assurance and Safety Manager for Woods. In his role at Woods, he was responsible for the design of the Bat Wing mower. Ed passed away at age 83 on Friday, March 1. He and Lillian were married 65 years, resided in Oregon for more than 50 years, and were actively involved in various community organizations and events. Ed is survived by Lillian; his son Rick and four other children; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. www.outdoorpowerequipment.com