Thursday, January 1, 2015

2014: Year in Review


2014 turned out to be another great year filled with amazing local music and a few sad moments as well.  This was the year that we partnered up with sponsors to help spread the word about the wonderful music scene.  You can check them out on the right side of our blog.  In 2014, we also started covering a lot more country music and had tons of fun doing it.

Speaking of country, this was definitely the year for St. Catharines good ol' boy Tim Hicks,  Not only did he get a much deserved Juno nomination but he added quite a few awards to his shelf (Canadian Radio Music, CMAO, CCMA, SOCAN, and Top Country).  We reviewed two of his spectacular CD's (Throwdown and 5:01) as well,

Another St. Catharines singer/songwriter, Ron Sexsmith, made many appearances on our pages.  This year he won a Juno, won a Niagara Music Award, was in CBC's top Canadian songs of all time, receieved an honorary degree from Brock and played on a wonderful Jazz tribute CD.

Canadian supergroup Blue Rodeo brought Hamilton guitar master Colin Cripps into the fold and released their first album with him this year.  He turned into quite a good luck charm as the band had a lot happen to them in 2014.  There was a Juno nomination, winning a Governor General's Award, getting on CBC's top Canadian songs list twice and releasing a kick ass Christmas CD.

Blues institution Downchild (whose roster includes a few local players) had quite a banner year as well.  Bassist Gary Kendall won a Maple Blues Award early in the year.  The entire band released a stellar album, Can You Hear the Music?, which won a Juno and a was nominated for both an Indie and a 2015 Maple Blues Award.

On a sadder note, we lost a many talented musicians in 2014.  Hamiltion guitar legend Brian Griffith passed away as did Tava Lesku (aka Tava Tunes), Roy Pongetti, Philip Bast, Jesse Winchester and Andy Grigg.  On the international front the great Johnny Winter, Joe Cocker, Pete SeegerJerry Vale, Phil Everly, Casey Kasum, and Paul Revere of the Raiders also left us this year.

Most Popular Blog Posts
Other Highlights of the Year
Our Top 3 Reviews
Our Top 3 YouTube Videos



Links: Fred Eaglesmith, More Fred Eaglesmith Stories



Links: Steve SinnicksMore Steve Sinnicks Stories



Links: Fearing and WhiteMore Stephen Fearing StoriesMore Andy White Stories

Here's to an ever better 2015!!!!

Blast from the Past: 2013 in Review

Previous (12 Videos of Christmas 9-12- - - Next (News Roundup w Duane Rutter, Bob Bryden, Joe Cocker, Bear Band, Tom Wilson, more)

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