Pierce gained global attention when he was personally invited by Neil Young to serve as special guest opener on Young’s tour. Pierce has sharing stages with B.B. King, Neil Young, Al Green, Steve Earle, Seal, Aaron Neville, Jill Scott, Allison Russell, and Blind Boys of Alabama. Recent highlights include Pierce’s rendition of “Southern Man” on Heart of Gold, a Neil Young tribute album also featuring Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, and Steve Earle. See them perform as part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts’ Free LakeFest Weekend presented by the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center, June 12-14, at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.