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Monday, September 28, 2009

Performer of the Week: Patrick Lawton

Patrick Lawton's music is as eclectic as his upbringing. Formerly from Newfoundland, he now calls Hamilton home.

According to Patrick, he tries to incorporate the Celtic rhythms associated with the east coast and "bump up" the tempo. The result is a unique sound he's been playing for over 15 years.

With a voice that possesses both power and softness, excellent guitar work and a gift for great lyrics, he is definitely an amazing talent.

The singer/songwriter also runs a weekly Thursday Open Jam at the Rumak on Upper Wellington

Links: MySpace, ReverbNation

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The End - A Tribute to the Beatles (Sept, 26, 2009) Part 1


Quick Links: Friday: Part 1, Part 2, Saturday: Part 2,

Most performances are backed up by Christopher Clause & the Kings of Marigold with the Jamiesons


Sonny Del Rio
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Lisa Winn, Andrew Aldridge
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Mississippi Kings
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Spider Murphy

Saturday, September 26, 2009

The End - A Tribute to the Beatles Sept 25, 2009 (Part 2)

Quick Links: Friday: Part 1, Saturday: Part 1, Part 2,

Most performances are backed up by Christopher Clause & the Kings of Marigold with the Jamiesons


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Mike Trebilcock
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Links: Bob BrydenMore Bob Bryden Stories
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Chris and Christa
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More Beatles Covers/News Stories

The End - A Tribute to the Beatles Sept 25, 2009 (Part 1)

Quick Links: Friday: Part 2, Saturday: Part 1, Part 2,


Most performances are backed up by Christopher Clause & the Kings of Marigold with the Jamiesons


Dave Rave
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Kim Koren
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Aalia Kesari
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Carissa Kimbell
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More Beatles Covers/News Stories

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

New Book About Shawn Brush, the Krooked Cowboy

Journalist John Farrington and local musician, Shawn Brush (aka the Krooked Cowboy) have teamed up to write a biography of the talented performer.

The book explores the singer/songwriter's life, including his musical career and struggles with morquio disease (one of the causes of dwarfism) .

From the product description:

He loves life, but rarely has a pain-free day. “I say this,” says Shawn, who is 38, “not to evoke any sympathy or even empathy. “Being a little person is not being a mini-you,” he says. “I am not just a regular, normal person in the body half the size of an average-sized person. “Being small is not a regular life from a lower-to-the-ground perspective. “It is not being a man in a child’s body,” says Shawn. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
Shawn is a young man living in an old man’s body. When he was in his mid-20s a doctor told him he had the bones of an 85-year-old! “Don’t ever think I wouldn’t have liked to be a strapping six-footer with a wife, kids, job. But I am happy in the body I am in’’ Shawn is a singer-songwriter. He’s released 11 CDs in the past 15 years, many of them showcasing his own compositions. Shawn has a number of goals. One is to go on tour, but that may never happen. His health and energy limit him. He finds it difficult to play two nights in a row – even sleeping in his own bed each night. Another is to be independent – busking in 2007 took him closer to that goal. Yet another is to have others read his story and be inspired to reach their full potential. This book could achieve that!

Click here to purchase the book.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Performer of the Week: Troy Harmer

Guitarist and singer, Troy Harmer is a man of many talents (and bands). His varied work melds funk, blues, rock, and more.

Since 1993, he has been teaching and performing music. Currently, he has a number of bands on the go:

The Troy Harmer Band (his original music)
Rumours (a Fleetwood Mac tribute)
Pop the Hood (New and Classic Rock)
Crank (New and Classic Rock)
Whipped Cream (Tijuana Brass tribute)

A lot of his incredible tunes are available on CD and according to his MySpace page, Troy's working on a new one called Born to Sing the Blues.

Links: MySpace, Facebook


Sunday, September 20, 2009

Rodeo Kings Live CD/Download

Folk rock supergroup, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (featuring Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Hamilton's Tom Wilson) have teamed up with Festivalink.net to offer an amazing live performance as a download (MP3 or FLAC) and CD.

The show, recorded in April 2009 at the Old Settler's Music Festival in Texas, features 10 songs, including Swinging from the Chains of Love, White Line, 49 Tons and more.

Click here to purchase.



Links: Blackie and the Rodeo KingMore BARK StoriesMore CD releases

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New Tom Wilson CD: Live at the Acoustic Grill

Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Lee Harvey Osmond, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Florida Razors) is now offering a new CD, "Live at the Acoustic Grill" at his shows.

The Juno award-winning Hamilton music legend is joined by the talented Junkhouse/Lee Harvey Osmond drummer Ray Faruggia.

The disc includes wonderful, stripped down versions of songs from throughout his career and a few covers as well (Willie P Bennetts's John Henry the Gambler and John Prine's Christmas in Prison).

More Tom Wilson stories - More Ray Farrugia stories - More CD Releases

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Previous (New Melissa Bel CD) - - -  Next (New Rodeo Kings Live CD)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

New Melissa-Bel CD: Brave

Burlington's Melissa Bel has just released her 10-song album, Brave on iTunes.

Melissa's incredible, smooth voice is used to great effect as she travels through blues, pop, soul, rock, and folk with ease.

The disc is an expansion of her EP offered earlier this year. Many of the newer songs showcase a power in the young lady's voice that was only hinted at in the previous release.

NEW! A limited amount of physical CDs will be available at her shows. Songs from her EP that appear in this new disc have been remixed, remastered or even rerecorded for this release.

Click here to purchase on iTunes

More Melissa-Bel stories - More CD Releases

Monday, September 14, 2009

Performer of the Week: Powerhouse


Powerhouse is many bands in one. Since 1985, the popular group's main attraction has has been performing R&B, soul, rock classics and originals. Shows can be tailored to both formal and casual events.

On top of that, they also perform as a Chicago Tribute band called Chicago Transit. As well, members are involved in Rod Stewart and Ray Charles tributes (with more on the horizon).

These festival mainstays sure offer a lot of variety!

All that great music comes from eight musicians (five singers!), including Steve Negus of Saga on drums.

If you can't make it to their shows (though you should) a CD is available through their web site.

Click here for their Main Site

Locke Street Festival - Sept. 12, 2009 (Part 2)

Quick Links: Alfie Smith@ The Locke Street Fest - Part 1

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Gord Lewis Band: Left to right: Brian Griffith, Gord Lewis (Teenage Head), Jack Pedler (Teenage Head), Anyone know the name of the singer and bassist?

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Hamilton Tigers: Left to right: Michael Birthelmer, Ed Roth (Shakers), Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Rick Taylor, Michael Hickey (Trickbag), Brian Griffith

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Dave Rave and Friends: Left to right: Mark Foley, Ed Roth (Shakers), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse), Dave Rave (Shakers), Rick Andrews (Shakers), More Beatles Covers/News Stories

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Left to Right: Jesse O'Brien , Anybody know the drummers, Terry Wilkens, Joel Guenther, Brian Griffith

Locke Street Festival - Sept. 12, 2009 - Part 1


Quick Links: Alfie Smith@ The Locke Street Fest - Part 2 -



Gord Lewis Band: Left to right: Brian Griffith, Gord Lewis (Teenage Head), Jack Pedler (Teenage Head), Anyone know the name of the singer and bassist?

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Hamilton Tigers: Left to right: Michael Birthelmer, Ed Roth (Shakers), Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Rick Taylor, Michael Hickey (Trickbag), Brian Griffith

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Dave Rave and Friends: Left to right: Mark Foley, Ed Roth (Shakers), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse), Dave Rave (Shakers), Rick Andrews (Shakers)

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Left to Right: Jesse O'Brien , Anybody know the drummer? Terry Wilkens, Joel Guenther, Brian Griffith

Links: Jesse O'BrienMore Jesse O'Brien Stories, More Louis Jordan covers/stories

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Alfie Smith Blues Band @ Locke Street Festival (September 12, 2009)


Quick Links: More Locke Fest Vids: Part 1, Part 2

The band: Alfie Smith (guitar, vocals), Gary White (guitar, left), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse) (drums), Bob Doidge (bass, trumpet)





Thursday, September 10, 2009

Christopher Charles Wins Old Powerhouse Songwriter Competition.

After many months and many performers, it was the soulful sounds of Christopher Charles that won the Old Powerhouse Songwriting Competition organized by D. Scott Malachi Greenidge.

The grand prize was $1,500 cash! Congratulations!

Melissa Bel took 2nd place and Alfie Smith came in 3rd. Great job guys!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Jack de Keyzer Produces and Plays on New CD by The Blazers: Red Hot

Toronto blues band, The Blazers have enlisted local guitar slinger, Jack deKeyzer to produce their debut CD, Red Hot.

Jack also joins in the fun by playing the axe on five tunes.

Al Lerman of Fathead also performs on the disc.

Click here to listen to few of the tunes.

Links: Jack de KeyzerMore Jack De Keyzer StoriesMore CD Releases

Monday, September 7, 2009

Performer of the Week: Les Smith

Les Smith is known around these parts as a member of the good rockin' band, Trickbag.

On his 2005 solo CD, piece by piece, Les shows another side of himself. It is mainly a folk/roots/country affair. There's some rockin' on here too.

Joining Les on the disc are Steve Strongman, Mike Birthelmer (who also produced the album), Lisa Winn and a few of his Trickbag buddies.

He is also a successful songwriter whose work have been covered by Sylvia Tyson.

Below is a video of Trickbag performing one of his solo pieces. Click here if you can't see it.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Tom Wilson - Burlington Ribfest (Sept, 4, 2009)


The band Harlan Pepper (featuring Tom Wilson's son Thompson) opened the show with a few tunes.



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Tom Wilson's band included Jesse O'Brien (keyboards), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse) (drums), Johnny Diamond (bass), and Aaron Goldstein (Lee Harvey Osmond)(guitar)





Thompson Wilson joined his dad for a few numbers



Both bands got together for the finale





More Tom Wilson stories