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Saturday, July 30, 2016

Renaissance Man From Hamilton's Chris Altmann Will Delight Your Senses!


Renaissance Man, the latest album from Hamilton's Chris Altmann has the perfect title.   It's a true sonic renaissance - Americana, soul, folk, blues and more will delight your senses.

This Ridin' High Records release is  quite an interesting musical ride.  With the funky Americana of the kick off track, Good Morning Mr. Coffee, the reckless abandon of the title track, the folky gospel of When I Lay My Hammer Down and a few dark, beautiful slower numbers, you'll definitely find a tune to fit every mood.

Also featuring Ty Price (guitar), Rob Wells (drums) and Suzie McNeil (backing vocals), Renaissance Man offers a fantastic sweet-sounding experience.

You can purchase this incredible CD at Chris' online shop or download it using iTunes.



Links: Chris AltmannMore Chris Altmann StoriesVideo above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Blast from the Past: Chris Altmann on Barber Shop Podcast

Links: Chris Altmann More Chris Altmann StoriesMore Releases

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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

GOOD LUCK! Vote for Hamilton's Harrison Kennedy in the Downbeat Readers Poll!


The American Blues and Jazz magazine, Downbeat, is holding it's annual reader's poll and Hamilton Blues legend Harrison Kennedy is in the running for the Blues Artist Or Group category.  Anyone can register (all they need is your email and your name) and vote.  Users can also add their own choices to the groups.

Click here to vote.

Results will be published in the December issue (out in October) of the magazine.

GOOD LUCK HARRISON!



Video above courtesy of Electro-Fi Records

Blast from the Past: Harrison Wins European Blues Award
Downbeat also recently released the results of their 2016 Critic's Poll where Buddy Guy won the Blues Artist Or Group award.

Montreal native Christine Jensen earned two wins: Rising Star–Arranger and Rising Star–Big Band. CONGRATS!



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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

New Album from Ancaster's Caroline Wiles is Awe-Inspiring!


Caroline Wiles' vocals will blow you away as soon as you hear them on her latest album, Lover's Lane.  The Ancaster singer/songwriter has a rich, awe-inspiring voice with incredible range.

The lady weaves incredible, sometimes inspirational stories with a pop-folk feel.  You'll hear everything from country, folk, pop, rock and more.  There's everything from touching ballads to infectious, catchy numbers done with gusto.

There's some phenomenal talent helping her out with this incredible music: Bob Doidge, Mike McCurlie (Banned from Heaven),  Danny Lockwood, Vince Rinaldo, Brenda Chisholm, Amy King, Larry Aul and Wendell Ferguson.

If you want a copy of this magnificent album (and why wouldn't you?) it can be picked up at her live shows or purchased through cdbaby or iTunes.



Blast from the Past: Caroline Wiles on Barber Shop Podcast

Links: Caroline WilesMore Caroline Wiles StoriesVideo above courtesy of VcardTVMore Releases

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Monday, July 25, 2016

CONGRATS! Fort Erie's Spencer MacKenzie Wins Toronto Blues Society Talent Search

Photo courtesy of Sandra MacKenzie
A total of six bands took part in the 2016 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search (3 of whom were local).  It was For Erie's teenage Blues superstar Spencer MacKenzie and his band who rocked their way to the top spot.  This comes only a few months after his win at this year's Kitchener Blues Festival Youth Legacy Showcase.

CONGRATS!







Links: Spencer MacKenzieMore Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Videos above courtesy of Daragent2

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Toronto Blues SocietyMore TBS Talent Search Stories

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Sunday, July 24, 2016

New Album From Waterloo Bluesman Jordan Patterson Demands to Heard!


In 1996, Waterloo Bluesman Jordan Patterson released an acclaimed debut album.  Unfortunately, he dropped out of performing a few years later to focus on concert promotion.  Now he's back with The Back on Track Recording Project, a bold musical statement that'll make listeners take notice.

There's an intensity here and Jordan uses it well.  Hard driving, soulful and funky, the project demands to be heard and experienced.  It's not so much an album as it is a rhythmic call to arms.  The music will lift your spirits and re-energize you.

Inducted into his Blues cause are Benjamin Rollo (drums), Mark McIntyre (bass) plus Darryl Romphf of Lumberjunk and Bobby Thompson (guitars). Guests Skyler Jordan (vocals) and Scott Galloway (keys) are enlisted as well.

You can get his album into your hands through cdbaby or iTunes.



Video above courtesy of Shy lina



Video above courtesy of NewBluesRocker2015

Links: Jordan PattersonMore Releases

Previous (News Roundup: Jay Pollman, Soulstack, Wicked Grin w Andre Bisson)

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

CONGRATS! Hamilton's Jessy Lanza on Polaris Short List!

Picture courtesy of Polaris Music Prize
The Polaris Music Prize has whittled down their Long List of Canadian Albums for 2016 to 10 for their Short List.  Hamilton electronic musician Jessy Lanza is the only local performer to make it through the process.



Links: Jessy LanzaMore Jessy Lanza StoriesVideo above courtesy of CBC Music

Each act on the Short list will receive $3,000 and will be in the running for the $50,000 grand prize at the Polaris Gala (September 19, 2016 at The Carlu in Toronto).

CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK.!


Previous (Lynn Russwurm Passes) - - - Next (News Roundup: Jay Pollman, Soulstack, Wicked Grin w Andre Bisson)

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Kitchener Country Music Veteran Lynn Russwurm Passes

Picture courtesy of Lynn's Facebook page
We are sad to report that Kitchener singer/songwriter Lynn Russwurm (and father of musician Lance Russwurm) passed away on June 27, 2016. He left an amazing legacy in country music as a performer, songwriter, DJ, producer, collector, promoter historian and retailer.  Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

There was a wonderful outpouring of love from Facebook.  Here are a few quotes:

"Lynn Russwurm was such a good friend and such an accomplished singer and songwriter,"

"I will remember Lynn as a gentle, always positive, smiling man"

"His contributions to Canadian Country Music history are respected and honored."

"He was a true country gentleman and such a love of country music"

The family has asked for donations to the Kidney Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society in his honour.

Click here for the Waterloo Record article.



Video above courtesy of Peter Harrison



Video above courtesy of LMTV

Below is video footage from a beautiful celebration of his life.



Video above courtesy of Jay Plant

Previous (Local CCMA Award Nominations) - - - Next (Jessy Lanza on Polaris Short List)

Sunday, July 17, 2016

GOOD LUCK! Western Swing Authority and Tim Hicks Rack Up CCMA Award Nominations!


Waterloo band, Western Swing Authority and St. Catharines' Tim Hicks are once again up for some Canadian Country Music Association Award Nominations in 2016.  WSA is up for Roots Artist of the Year and the band members are also nominated for a few too (Drummer, Fiddler, Specialty Instrument and Steel Guitar).  Tim's running for Interactive Artist of the Year plus his drummer and bassists received nods in their instrument categories as well.



Links: Western Swing AuthorityMore WSA StoriesVideo above courtesy of When the Cowboy Sings



Links: Tim HicksMore Tim Hicks StoriesVideo above courtesy of Sharon Muise

Hopefully, they'll be bringing home the hardware at the ceremony on September 11, 2016 in London.

GOOD LUCK!

Click here for the results.

Alberta country boys Brett Kissel and Gord Bamford earned the most nominations (including team members).  9 and 7 respectively.

Here's the complete list of nominees.

Roots Artist 
Fans’ Choice
Album
Female Artist
Male
Group or Duo
Rising Star
Single
Video
Songwriter 
Guitar
Keyboard
Record Company
Music Director – Large Market
Music Director – Small or Medium Market
  • Shilo Bellis – CJXL FM (Moncton)
  • Paul Ferguson – CHCQ FM  (Belleville)
  • Roo Phelps – CIGV FM (Kelowna)
  • Brendan Seeley – CKGY FM (Red Deer)
  • Jody Seeley – CFXO FM (High River)
Booking Agency
Country Club
Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition 
Country Music Program or Special 
Management Company
Music Publishing Company
Record Company Person 
Recording Package 
Recording Studio
Record Producer(s) 
Retailer
Talent Buyer or Promoter 

    Previous (New Kyle Pacey CD)

    Saturday, July 16, 2016

    Hamilton's Kyle Pacey Creates Powerful, High-Caliber CD!



    Recordings from Grammy-Nominated Hamilton Singer/Songwriter Kyle Pacey are an all too rare occurrence.   Luckily, he recently released an amazing album that's well worth the wait. So Close, his latest collection, features him at his best.

    Brimming with rocking, high-stepping tunes, the CD is a high-caliber affair.  Blues, rock, jazz, swing, folk and more blend together with Kyle's unique voice to create an impressive mix of powerful tunes.

    Kyle's chosen a crack team of area musicians to work with him on this wonderful album.  They include Neil NickaforDanny LockwoodEd Michael RothKevin Christoff (Simply Saucer), Michael Sloski, Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Darcy HepnerMichael Birthelmer (co-producer), Chris Skrzek (Skirt Check) plus the fabulous harmony vocal stylings of Jude Johnson and Sue Leonard.

    There are many places to pick up a copy of this amazing CD.  There's his live shows as well as
    Revolution RecordsThe Acoustic RoomFlow Lifestyle BoutiquePicks and SticksSC Boutique (all in Hamilton).  Also, you can purchase a copy via his website or download it using Bandcamp and cdbaby.







    Links: Kyle Pacey, More Kyle Pacey Stories, Videos above courtesy of Kyle PaceyMore Releases

    Previous (News Roundup: Basic White, Lindy Vopnfjord, Bry Webb) - - - Next (Local CCMA Award Nominations)

    Tuesday, July 12, 2016

    CONGRATS! Drummer Jimmy Boudreau to Receive Mel Brown Award!

    Photo courtesy of Jimmy's site.
    Drummer Jimmy Boudreau will be the recipient of the 2016 Mel Brown Award, a prize named after his former band leader.  The one time member of Mel's Homewreckers will get the accolade as part of this year's Kitchener Blues Fest.

    His impressive careers includes work with an array of superstars like Snooky Pryor, Sam Moore, Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), The Mamas and the Papas, The Western Swing Authority and Jason McCoy.

    Click here for the Waterloo Region Record Story.

    CONGRATS!



    Video above courtesy of SonorCanadaTube



    Video above courtesy of Jonathan Knight



    Links: Shawn KellermanMore Shawn Kellerman StoriesVideo above courtesy of Dave Sloane, More Mel Brown Award Stories

    Blast from the Past: Charity Brown Wins 2015 Mel Brown Award

    Previous (Brad Cheeseman Group Wins Grand Prix Jazz Award) - - - Next (Shane Scott Blues Band Videos)

    Saturday, July 9, 2016

    CONGRATS! Hamilton's Brad Cheeseman Group Wins 2016 Grand Prix Jazz Award

    Picture courtesy of Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
    Hamilton's Brad Cheeseman Group have made their hometown proud by winning the 2016 Grand Prix Jazz Award at this year's Montreal Jazz Festival.  Since 1982,2 the prestigious festival has been awarding the prize to talented Canadian Jazz performers.

    Brad has this to say on his Facebook page:

    "To be performing at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in any capacity is a big deal. To share my own music with anyone is a wonderful experience on its own... to share it with the hundreds (maybe thousands) of people who heard us this week was beyond amazing. To see so many of my peers also performing at the festival was heartwarming. To be compared to some of those same peers was slightly terrifying (some of you guys are just too good).

    On Monday, we got out there and did all that we could do: we played our best and just basked in the moment... the prize was of little concern (and, to be honest, we figured/hoped that Autobahn or Tara Kannangara would win). And by not building up our own expectations, we left space for magic to happen in the music. Robert, Sam, Chelsea and Marito gave this music their all and treated my pieces as if they were there own. That's enough for any musician, right there.

    And then I got the call.

    The next 24 hours was a bit of a blur culminating in our TD Stage performance. I met a lot of wonderful people in that time and was happy to see several familiar faces in the crowd for that performance.

    I don't know what comes next, but I do know that I feel a lot of love and appreciation for everyone who has helped us get from our first gig (4.5 years ago at Homegrown Hamilton!) to here. Thank you thank you thank you."


    Video above courtesy of Montreal Jazz Festival




    Blast from the Past: Brad Cheeseman Video and More

    Links: Brad Cheeseman GroupMore Brad Cheeseman Stories, Video above courtesy of Steel City Jazz Festival

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    Also that night, Toronto's Tara Kannangara received the Stingray Rising Star Award



    Video above courtesy of Tara Kannangara

    CONGRATS EVERYONE!

    Previous (News Roundup: Stingray Chart, Steve Sinnicks, Liam Titcomb, Scotty Moore) - - -Next (Drummer Jimmy Boudreau to Receive Mel Brown Award)

    Thursday, July 7, 2016

    News Roundup (Stingray Chart, Steve Sinnicks, Liam Titcomb, Scotty Moore)

    Mike Brown/Getty Images
    Elvis Guitarist Scotty Moore Passes

    Click pic for video

    News

    Local

    Click title above for complete list

    Top 10
    1. Jordan Officer: Blue Skies
    2. Steve Dawson: Solid States and Loose Ends
    3. Matt Andersen: Honest Man
    4. David Vest: Devestatin' Rhythm
    5. Cecile Doo-KingueAnybody Listening: Dialogues, Pt. 2
    6. Eric Clapton: I Still Do
    7. Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne: Jumpin' and Boppin' 
    8. Sean Pinchin: Monkey Brain
    9. Golden State-Lone Star Revue: Golden State Lone Star Revue
    10. Tommy Castro and the Painkillers: Method To My Madness
    Local Work on List

    11. David OwenLivin' Life (Produced by Gary Kendall)
    16. Paul Reddick: Ride The One (Produced and guitar by Colin Cripps)
    75. MonkeyJunkMoon Turn Red (Produced by Colin Cripps)
    132. CrissingerBlues Expression (recorded in Hamilton)
      World

                The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey





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                He also checked out the Oh Canada Ribfest in Waterdown and rocked out to Marshall Dane.



                Featured Videos


                Links: Steve SinnicksMore Steve Sinnicks Stories, Video above courtesy Hamilton B. Lous



                Links: Liam Titcomb, More Liam Titcomb Stories,  Video above courtesy Rosalita742

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