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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

CONGRATS! Local+Canadian Winners in 2017 International Songwriting Competition!



Canadian musicians made a great showing at the 2017 International Songwriting Competition (including the Grand Prize)! Many of them were from our area.

The only local 1st place winner was Hamilton's Lava Dolls who took the top spot of the Unsigned Only category.  As a result, they'll be getting musical gear, CD duplication, free music distribution and more. They also received honourable mentions in Folk/Singer-Songwriter and Unpublished categories.



Links: Lava DollsVideo above courtesy of Lava Dolls

Fort Erie Bluesman Spencer Mackenzie won 3rd place in the Blues genre. This prize includes free music distribution, musical gear and more.


Links: Spencer MackenzieMore Spencer Mackenzie StoriesVideo above courtesy of Spencer Mackenzie

Other local artists who earned honourable mentions include Suzie Vinnick (Niagara) + Steve Strongman (Hamilton) for Blues, Brantford's Benjamin Dakota Rogers (Folk Singer/Singer-Songwriter) and Wes Mason from Rockwood (Teen).



Links: Wes Mason, More Wes Mason StoriesVideo above courtesy of Wes Mason

The big winner was also from Canada. Manitoba's Matt Epp ft Faouzia won the Grand Prize. They'll gain $25,000 (US), recording time, CD duplication, musical gear and much more.



Links: Matt EppFaouzia, Video above courtesy of MattEppMusic

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Here are a few highlights (including all the Canadian winners). Click here for the complete list.
Canadian Honorable Mentions
Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners


Previous (Band on a Couch Videos: Jane Baker, Vaudevillian, The Lifers) - - - Next (News Roundup: Quarter in the Bag, Gary Cain Band, Gregg Allman, Top Canadian Jazz Clubs)

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Local Artists on "Band on a Couch" Video Podcast (Jane Baker, Vaudevillian, The Lifers)


The Band on a Couch video podcast features incredible artists from across Canada and beyond. Every few episodes, they include a local act into the mix.

Here are a few of those wonderful episodes.



Links: Jane BakerMore Jane Baker StoriesVideo above courtesy of Band on a Coach



Links: The VaudevillianMore Vaudevillian StoriesVideo above courtesy of Band on a Coach



Links: LifersVideo above courtesy of Band on a Coach

Links: Band on a CouchMore Band on a Couch Stories

Previous (King Biscuit Boy Videos) - - - Next (Local + Canadian Winners at 2017 International Songwriting Competition)

Monday, May 29, 2017

Remembering King Biscuit Boy!


The late, great Canadian Blues legend King Biscuit Boy is one of Hamilton's favourite sons and his legacy will be celebrated on June 3, 2017 at the Bay City Music Hall.  The annual Blues With a Feeling fundraiser raises money for music scholarships in his name. This year Biscuit's old band, Crowbar will be taking the stage with Danny Marks and Joshua Arden Miller.  Click here for more about this show,

In honour of this Hammertown original, here are a few video of him in glorious action!







Blast from the Past: King Biscuit Boy Videos

Links: King Biscuit BoyMore KBB StoriesVideos above courtesy of Mike Papas

Previous (Local Winner/Honourees at the 1st Canadian Songwriting Competition) - - - Next (Band on a Couch Videos: Jane Baker, Vaudevillian, The Lifers)

Saturday, May 27, 2017

CONGRATS! Local Winner/Honourees of the 1st Canadian Songwriting Competition!



The inaugural Canadian Songwriting Competition finished up on May 2017 and songs by a number of area musicians were honoured by this fantastic contest. There were multiple categories and a huge grand prize.

The only local artist to win was Cambridge musician Shae Dupuy, who earned the top spot in the Country genre. Like all category winners, she wins $250 cash, recording time for a single, professional consultation and a subscription to Canadian Musician Magazine.



Links: Shae DupuyMore Shae Dupuy StoriesVideo above courtesy of Shae Dupuy

Three area songwriters were given honourable mentions in their categories: Burlington's Abby Hall (Under 18), JoJo Worthington (Gospel) from Waterloo and Guelph performer Mikalyn Hay (Pop).





Links: Abby HallVideo above courtesy of Abby J Hall



Links: Mikalyn HayVideo above courtesy of Mikalyn Hay Music

The Grand Prize winner was Ottawa's the Free whose song Freedom Island impressed the judges. His spoils include $5,000 cash, a round trip flight anywhere in Canada, consulting services, recording, mixing and mastering time, professional photography, a radio campaign and much more.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners and honourable mentions:

Grand Prize Winner -  The Free: Freedom Island 

Country

Winner - Shae DupuyWishing On You (co-written by Mike LittleDrew Gregory)

Honourable Mentions

Gospel/Inspiration

Winner – Kelly Bado: Hallelujah

Pop

Winner – Ivory HoursWarpaint (written by Luke Melnik aka Luke Roes)

Honourable Mentions

Under 18

Winner – Mathew Magneson: Mrs. Politeness
Folk/Singer/Songwriter

Winner – AHI: Ol’ Sweet Day

Rock

Winner – Ria Jade: Number One

Honourable Mentions

Adult Contemporary

Winner – Sam Cash and the Romantic Dogs: Act Like We’re In Love

Honourable Mentions

Musique Francophone

Winner – Yao: Dans le sang (co-wwritten by Sonny Black)

Honourable Mentions

Aboriginal

Winner – Julian Taylor BandJust A Little Bit (co-written by Kinnie Starr, Robert Priest)

Honourable Mentions

Celtic/Maritime

Winner – Kyle Burghout: The Kettle Valley Railway / Clouds in the Kootenays

Honourable Mentions

Electronic

Winner – I M U R: Swirl (written by Jenny Lea)

Honourable Mentions

Hip-Hop/RnB

Winner - Damian La Grange: Beautiful Distraction

Honourable Mentions

Live Performance

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

CONGRATS! Local 2017 Indigenous Music Award Winners

Logan Staats with his awards. Picture courtesy of Logan Staats
Winnipeg hosted this year's Indigenous Music Awards and three talented artists won at the ceremony on May 19, 2017! Brantford singer/songwriter Logan Staats won for Best Folk Album for his amazing recording  Goodbye Goldia. Six Nations Bluesman Derek Miller won Best Producer for his work on that album too. Fort Erie's DJ Shub also took home the Best Instrumental Album trophy.



Links: Logan StaatsMore Logan Staats StoriesVideo above courtesy of Logan Staats



Links: DJ Shub, Video above courtesy of DJ Shub

Here's a complete list of winners.

Previous (Videos: Cora Perry, Tim Gibbons, Smoke Wagon Blues Band) - - - Next (News Roundup: Vaudevillian, Crybaby, Lindy Vopnfjord, Chris Cornell)

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Videos: Rose Cora Perry, Swampbusters, Smoke Wagon


There's always a lot to experience at the Concession Streetfest: great shops, fun for kids, amazing vendors and, of course, wonderful music. On Saturday, June 10, 2017 come on by and have a fabulous time. It runs from 11am-7pm.

Here's the main stage schedule (along with a few videos). Members of the Hamilton Blues Lovers (including our mascot Trebleclef) will be MCing the stage! SEE YOU THERE!

Previous (World Fiddle Day Videos: Benjamin Dakota Rogers, The Schotts, Cootes Paradise) - - - Next (Local Indigenous Music Award Winners)

Friday, May 19, 2017

News Roundup (Edgar Breau, Raoul and the Big Time, Prism Prize, CIMA Gala Award Nominees)

Picture courtesy of FTI Music News

News

Local
Canadian Independent Music Association Awards Gala Nominations

2017 Award Recipients
2017 Marketing Award Nominees
Prism Prize Winners

GRAND PRIZE:
Finalists
World

    The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music Loving Monkey

    Trebleclef made his first visit to the Bar Upstairs in St. Catharines.  Every Saturday, the Mighty Duck Blues Band invite guests to join them for an amazing Blues show.  Raoul Bhaneja and Darren Gallen of Raoul and the Big Time popped by that week.  It was incredible!

    Treble with Darren Gallen (left) and Raoul Bhaneja of Raoul and the Big Time
    Click here for more photos of the event.



    Links: Raoul and the Big TimeMore Raoul Bhaneja StoriesVideo above courtesy of rapchop2

    Featured Video

    Kitchener's Sean Pinchin on New Tim Bastmeyer CD


    Kitchener's Sean Pinchin plays wonderful slide guitar as part of Tim Bastmeyer's All Star Blues Band on the latest incredible album.  This recording has an amazing, earthy vibe from start to finish.

    Tim's enlisted quite an impressive group for this cool recording. Along with Sean, there's Julian Fauth (keys), Paul Reddick (harmonica), James Thomson (bass) and Cam de Laat (drums). 

    Together, they've managed to mix in boogie and funk in to their marvelous Country Blues sound. Not surprising, considering the top-notch talent involved.

    If you catch any of the groups live shows, be sure to pick up a CD.  You can also download it via iTunes.







    Blast from the Past: Sean's CD - Rustbucket

    Links: Tim Bastmeyer, More Tim Bastmeyer StoriesSean PinchinMore Sean Pinchin StoriesMore CD Releases, Videos above courtesy of randallstaffordcook

    Previous (New Gary Cain Band Album) - - - Next (Videos: Sonny Del-Rio, Robin Benedict, Michael Maguire)

    Tuesday, May 16, 2017

    Kitchener's Gary Cain Band Album Serves Up Out-of-This-World Guitar!


    If you're hungry for some teeth-rattlin' blues, Kitchener's Gary Cain Band has a meal for you! Their full-length debut  album, Twangadelic Bluesophunk definitely satisfies.

    A veritable feast for the ears, the recording serves up out-of-this-world guitar with spectacular vocals and a hearty dose of energy. It's hard rockin', funky Blues with a side of country thrown in.

    You can pick up their latest dish at their unforgettable live shows or download it via Bandcamp.

    Stream the album below.



    Blast from the Past: Gary Cain is a Finalist in Six String Theory Competition

    Links: Gary CainMore Gary Cain StoriesMore Releases

    Previous (Mothers' Day Videos: Tomi Swick, Suzie Vinnick, Dan Medakovic, Sly and the Family Stone) - - - Next (Sean Pinchin Plays on New Tim Bastmeyer Album)

    Wednesday, May 10, 2017

    CONGRATS! Dundas' Jack Maclean (The Macleans, Whiskey Epiphany) Wins 2017 Brian Lee Griffith Guitar Bursary

    Picture courtesy of Jack's Facebook page
    Talented Dundas multi-instrumentalist Jack Maclean (The Macleans, Whiskey Epiphany) was this year's winner of the Brian Lee Griffith Bursary. On Friday, May 5, 2017, he received the honour at the bursary's 3rd annual fundraiser at Bay City Music Hall

    The bursary, named in honour of the late Hamilton guitarist Brian Griffith was set up to benefit up-and-coming guitarists.  Click here to donate.

    "Just full of gratitude right now! Thank you!" Jack said on Facebook shortly after the event, "Wow... The memory of Brian shone bright tonight!!"


    Links: Jack MacleanVideo above courtesy of Jack Maclean





    Above two vidoes courtesy of Whiskey Epiphany



    Links: Whiskey Epiphany, More Whiskey Epiphany StoriesVideo above courtesy of MiscellaneousFish

    Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winner

    Links: Brian Lee Griffith Bursary, More Brian Griffith Bursary Stories

    Previous (Videos: King Biscuit Boy, Crowbar, Danny Marks, Joshua Arden Miller, Trickbag) - - - Next (News Roundup  Searchlight Winner, Loralee McGuirl, Justin Dunlop)

    Happy National Cartoonist Day!







    Here are a few interesting links with more music cartoons.

    CartoonBank.com (New Yorker Cartoons)

    Off the Mark by Mark Parisi

    Cartoonstock

    Randy Glasbergen

    Local Cartoonists:
    Please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com if you know of any other cartoonists that should be on our list.

    Links: More of our Cartoons, More Cartoonist Day Posts

    Previous (Guitar Day Videos: John Shymko, Gary Cain, Shawn Trotter, Shawn Kellerman) - - - Next (News Roundup: Sophia Radisch, Dean Brody, Festival of Friends, Col. Bruce Hampton)