The roster of acts booked to play the Vancouver Island Music Festival grew by two Thursday when organizers announced Emmylou Harris and the Sheepdogs are performing at the annual Courtenay festival this year.

Harris, making her inaugural Vancouver Island appearance, is a huge coup for the event, which runs July 6 to 8 at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.

The Sheepdogs are coming off big week that saw them garner three nominations at this year's Juno Awards, including a nod for group of the year.

Harris and the Sheepdogs join previously announced acts like k.d. lang, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Matt Andersen on the bill.

Early-bird tickets ($132) are currently on sale for a limited time. Tickets can be purchased up-Island at Long & McQuade (Courtenay), Got It, Need It, Want It (Courtenay), The Music Plant (Campbell River), Fascinating Rhythm (Nanaimo), and the Cranky Dog (Parksville).

Tickets for the popular festival are also available in Victoria at Vancouver Island Brewery. For more information, go to islandmusicfest.com.

mdevlin@timescolonist.com