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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Keyboardist Herve Basset Passes


It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Toronto keyboardist Herve Basset. He was an early member of the Hamilton/Burlington group Smoke Wagon Blues Band and played with many area musicians as well. We will post more details as they become known. Our condolences to his fans, friends and family.

There will be a celebration of his life on July 1st, 1-3pm at the Hideout in Toronto.

Here are a few heartfelt comments from social media

Corey Lueck (Smoke Wagon Blues Band):
Herve was a dear friend and musical brother, we traveled all over this damn province together making music, the chemistry we had on stage took us to some crazy lands and back. Herve played on many of our early albums and close fans of the band will always remember him as "Greasy Bones Herve"
Phil Naro
Herve, your life was taken away way too soon and it is hard to understand why tragic things like this happen to such talented & good people. So glad we were able to work together and will always remember all the great times we shared.
You were one of a kind brother. You were nice and kind to everyone and treated all with such genuine love. Peace out amigo. To all my friends, I know how much this shocks and hurts, so we will celebrate his amazingness each time we're blessed to hit a stage or share in the enjoyment of music.
Rob Quail
The loss of Herve Basset leaves a huge hole in our community. Just a lovely, sweet, generous man and an infectiously enthusiastic and creative musician.



Links: Smoke Wagon Blues BandMore Smoke Wagon Blues Band StoriesVideo above courtesy of Corey Lueck



Links: Shawn Brady, More Blue Rodeo Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Craig Thomson



Links: Forever Man, More Eric Clapton Covers/StoriesVideo above courtesy of Twentyfive Musical

Previous (Local Groups on UltimateGuitar's Canadian Bands That Rock List- - - Next (News Roundup: Brad Battle, Whitehorse, Scott Orr, Passings)

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

CONGRATS! Local Groups on UltimateGuitar's Best Rock Bands from Canada List!


We all know Canadians can really rock out! Now UltimateGuitar has unveiled their 35 Best Rock Bands from Canada list it's graced by a few local luminaries.

The Band (with members from the Norfolk/Six Nations area) took the number 6 spot. They've been on quite a few best of Canada lists recently!



Links:  The BandMore Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of Queenigma

Burlington's Silverstein hit 9th place.



Links: Silverstein, Video above courtesy of riserecords

Also from Burlington, Finger Eleven reached 29.



Links: Finger Eleven, More Finger Eleven Stories,  Video above courtesy of FingerElevenVEVO

St. Catharines band Alexisonfire earned the 31st spot.



Links: Alexisonfire, More Alexisonfire Stories, Video above courtesy of Dine Alone Records

Canadian Rock legends, Rush took top honours.

CONGRATS GUY!

Here's the complete list.
  1. Rush
  2. Devin Townsend
  3. Annihilator
  4. Arcade Fire
  5. Godspeed You! Black Emperor
  6. The Band (some members from Norfolk + Six Nations areas)
  7. Protest the Hero
  8. Three Days Grace
  9. Silverstein (Burlington)
  10. The Guess Who
  11. Sum 41
  12. Theory of a Deadman
  13. Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  14. Strapping Young Lad
  15. Nickelback
  16. Voivod
  17. Broken Social Scene
  18. Propagandhi
  19. The New Pornographers
  20. Billy Talent
  21. Kataklysm
  22. Death From Above 1979
  23. Skinny Puppy
  24. Simple Plan
  25. Cryptopsy
  26. Do Make Say Think
  27. Thousand Foot Krutch
  28. Gorguts
  29. Finger Eleven (Burlington)
  30. Despised Icon
  31. Alexisonfire (St. Catharines)
  32. The Agonist
  33. D.O.A.
  34. NoMeansNo
  35. Nadja

Previous (Off the Record Wins Pub Fiction'as Got Talent) - - - Next (Keyboardist Herve Basset Passes)

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

CONGRATS! Off the Record Win Pub Fiction's 2017 Got Talent Competition


Pub Fiction's annual Got Talent contest ended off with a bang on June 19, 2017. After months of music competition it came down to The James Ferris Band and Off the Record for the final show.

Grimsby Rockers Off the Record took home the top prize. The gang won $20,000 along with a number of other prizes.

CONGRATS GUYS!





More ZZ Top Covers/Stories



More Covers of the Band/Stories

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winner

Links: Off the Record, More Off the Record Stories, Videos above courtesy of OffTheRecordRock

Previous (Local Artists on CBC Best Canadian Songwriters List) - - - Next (Local Groups on UltimateGuitar's Canadian Bands That Rock List)

Monday, June 26, 2017

CONGRATS! Local Artists on CBC's Best Canadian Songwriters List


To mark the Canada's 150th birthday CBC Music has been posting a few music charts. Their latest, the 25 Best Canadian Songwriters Ever List has a number of area musicians.

St. Catherines' own amazing Ron Sexsmith is in the highest position for a local act (#11) 

Legendary rockers The Band (featuring members from the Norfolk and Six Nations) follows closely behind at #12.



Links: The BandMore Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of MelkortheMorgoth

Completing the local trio is the late, great Hamiltonian Stan Rogers at lucky number 13.



Links: Stan RogersMore Stan Rogers Stories, Video above courtesy of pudops
  1. Joni Mitchell
  2. Leonard Cohen
  3. Neil Young
  4. Buffy Sainte-Marie
  5. Gordon Lightfoot
  6. Gord Downie (Tragically Hip)
  7. Bruce Cockburn
  8. Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings (Guess Who)
  9. Feist
  10. Drake
  11. Ron Sexsmith
  12. The Band
  13. Stan Rogers
  14. Alanis Morissette
  15. Stompin' Tom Connors
  16. Shania Twain
  17. Bryan Adams
  18. k.d. lang
  19. Sarah McLachlan
  20. Shad
  21. John K. Samson (The Weakerthans)
  22. Patrick Watson
  23. Susan Aglukark
  24. Joel Plaskett
  25. Tegan and Sara
Blast from the Past: CBC's Top Canadian Singers List


Previous (Local Music Supporter Paul C. Young Passes) - - - Next (Off the Record Wins Pub Fiction'as Got Talent)

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Local Music Supporter Paul C. Young Passes

R.I.P. Paul C .Young
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul C. Young, a musician and wonderful supporter of the area music scene. He passed away on June 23, 2017 from medical complications.  Our condolences to his fans, friends and family.

Jeremiah Budnark of the Brantford Open Stage had this to say on his Facebook page
It is with great regret that I must share the sad news of Paul Young's passing due to complications from liver and renal failure. Paul has been in hospital for the last couple of weeks. As per his wishes, this was not made generally known. Yesterday he got worse and was transferred to ICU. He passed away peacefully this past morning. He was 62. 
As per Paul's wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. However, he did want a party! "No sad songs, only happy memories and happy music."

So, there shall be a party, a wake. I'll post when and where as soon as it's been decided.
Farewell, my friend . . .
From Lou the blogger:
I had the honour and pleasure of knowing Paul. I loved going to his yearly, private Jakefest celebrations (named after his late, beloved dog). While there, I met wonderful people and heard great music. I will miss his friendship and warm smile. 
I encourage people to make a donation in his name to the Oakville Humane Society 
Other online comments.
Stephen Shelton: I've known Paul since high school he will be missed His support of original music at his Jakefest annual party's brought joy to all who attended. He will be missed. 
Mark McNeil: He was a kind man and a great friend of folk music.
We will have details here on any memorial party once we have information.



Links: Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Click here for our Jakefest memoires

Previous (News Roundup: Awards, Spencer Mackenzie, Digging Roots, Benjamin Dakota Rogers) - - - Next (Local Artists on CBC Best Canadian Songwriters List)

Friday, June 23, 2017

News Roundup (Awards, Spencer Mackenzie, Digging Roots, Benjamin Dakota Rogers)


News

Local
Canada
SOCAN Award Winners

Highlights below

Misc Awards
Country Music Awards
Rock Music Awards
SOCAN Classic Music Awards

    Adventure of Trebleclef, the Music Loving Monkey

    Trebleclef checked out the Burlington Sound of Music Festival on Friday!


    Click here for more pictures from the event

    -----------

    On Saturday, he grabbed a bite to eat and the wonderful Camp 31 in Paris, ON 

    Even movie stars love to eat at Camp 31!

    Wednesday, June 21, 2017

    Hamilton's Steve Strongman Gets Your Adrenaline Pumping with 'No Time Like Now'


    After mastering straight ahead Blues rock and the nuances of acoustic Blues as well, Hamilton's Steve Strongman has decided to kick thing up a notch with his latest, No Time Like Now (from Sonic Unyon Records/Sony Music Canada). His sound's extremely energized, funky and ready to take on anything that crosses its path!

    This unstoppable Blues train will hit you head on with its adrenaline-pumping power and shake you to your foundations, only to soothe you with the two beautiful final tracks. No Time Like Now is one hell of a sonic experience!

    Helping Steve with his great new sound are some of his usual talented co-horts: drummers Dave King/Adam Warner, bassists Rob Szabo/Alec Fraser and keyboardist Jesse O'Brien. The album also features a stellar guitar cameo from Randy Bachman playing on a reborn version of his classic You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet.

    So get your but down to one of his fabulous live shows and pick up a copy of this CD or go online to Amazon.ca, 
    iTunes or eMusic to get your recommended dose of high-octane Blues.



    Video above courtesy of Sonic Unyon



    Video above courtesy of TheBluerocker007

    Blast from the Past: Steve's Previous Album - Let Me Prove It To You

    Links: Steve StrongmanMore Steve Strongman StoriesMore Releases

    Previous (Father's Day Videos: Caretakers, Ludgates, Craig Cardiff- - - Next (News Roundup: Awards, Spencer Mackenzie, Digging Roots, Benjamin Dakota Rogers)

    Tuesday, June 20, 2017

    CONGRATS! Local Artists on CBC's Best Canadian Debut Albums List


    First impressions are important, especially in the music industry. With that in mind, the CBC Music recently chose their 25 Best Canadian Debut Albums list to celebrate our country's 150th. Not surprisingly, there  were a few local entries.

    Hammertown legend Daniel Lanois appears as does talented former Hamiltonian Kathleen Edwards.



    Links: Daniel LanoisMore Daniel Lanois Stories, Video above courtesy of rtisi



    Links: Kathleen EdwardsMore Kathleen Edwards Stories,  Video above courtesy of SeeThisRadio

    Classic rockers The Band (with members from the Norfolk and Six Nations areas) were also honoured.



    Links: The BandMore Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of washox

    Here's the complete list (in chronological order)
    Blast from the Past: CBC's Top Canadian Songs List


    Previous (Father's Day Videos: Caretakers, Ludgates, Craig Cardiff) - - - Next (New Steve Strongman Album)

    Saturday, June 17, 2017

    GOOD LUCK! Local Artists on Polaris Long List


    3 amazing local artists have taken the first step towards winning the prestigious Polaris Music Prize .  The Long List was recently unveiled and a trio of albums from area musicians are on it. Hamilton rockers Arkells and B.A. Johnston are in the running along with Welland's Daniel Romano.



    Links: ArkellsMore Arkells StoriesVideo above courtesy of ArkellsVEVO



    Links: B.A. JohnstonMore BA Johnston Stories, Video above courtesy of Pigeon Row



    Links: Daniel RomanoMore Daniel Romano Stories, Video above courtesy of Daniel Romano [Official]

    The Short List of 10 albums will be unveiled on July 13. The grand prize winner wil be revealed at the Polaris Prize gala on Sept. 18!

    The top spot will win $50,000 and the rest of the Short List will receive $3,000.

    GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!


    Here's the complete list
    Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winner


    Previous (News Roundup: Jacob Moon, Jude Johnson, Patrick Campbell + Michael Hogg) - - - Next (Father's Day Videos: Caretakers, Ludgates, Craig Cardiff)

    Tuesday, June 13, 2017

    CONGRATS! Tim Hicks and Jason Barry Win 2017 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards



    Two local boys took home Country Music Association of Ontario Awards this year!  On June 11, 2047 at Centennial Hall (London), St. Catharines superstar Tim Hicks  and the talented Jason Barry from Waterloo won Male Artist of the Year and Record Producer of the Year awards respectively. Jason produced the work of Burlington's Tianna Woods and Waterloo's The Western Swing Authority, among others.



    Links: Tim HicksMore Tim Hicks Stories,  Video above courtesy of TimHicksVEVOVideo of Tim talking about his win

    The big winner of the might was Bowmanville's Meghan Patrick, who 4 awards.



    Links: Meghan Patrick, More Meghan Patrick StoriesVideo above courtesy of Meghan Patrick

    Click here for the FYI Music News Story 

    Here's the complete list of winners

    Previous (Hamilton Arts Awards Winners) - - - Next (News Roundup: Jacob Moon, Jude Johnson, Patrick Campbell + Michael Hogg)

    Monday, June 12, 2017

    CONGRATS! 2017 Hamilton Arts Award Winners


    Hammertown's incredible artistic community took centre stage at the City of Hamilton Arts Awards ceremony on June 7, 2017 at the Hamilton Central Library. Established winners received $2,500 and a medallion. Emerging artists were awarded $1,000 and a certificate.

    There were three music-related winners.  In the Music, Established category cellist and composer Kirk Starkey took top spot.



    Links: Kirk Starkey, Video above courtesy of 93.3 CFMU

    Wonderful singer/songwriter Hanna Bech was chosen for the Music, Emerging honours.



    Links: Hanna BechMore Hanna Bech Stories, Video above courtesy of Don Glesson

    Veteran pianist, Valerie Tryon earned the Lifetime Achievement award for her impressive body of work.



    Links: Valerie TryonMore Valerie Tryon StoriesVideo above courtesy of LibraryOfCongress

    Click here for the Spectator story

    Here's a complete list of winners:
    CONGRATS EVERYONE!

    Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners


    Previous (Local Independent Blues Award Nominees) - - - Next (Country Music Association of Ontario Award Winners)

    Friday, June 9, 2017

    GOOD LUCK! Local Independent Blues Award Nominees! VOTE! Deadline is Aug 1!


    Nominations are out for the 2017 Independent Blues Awards and a few incredible local artists (as well as a number of other fabulous Canadian acts) are up for some of the honours.

    Hamilton's Smoke Wagon Blues Band has a whopping 5 nominations (Best Contemporary CD, Best Modern Roots CD, Best New Artist, Best New Artists CD and Best RnB/Soul Song).



    Links: Smoke Wagon Blues BandMore Smoke Wagon Blues Band StoriesVideo above courtesy of SoundofBlues (Alessandra)

    There's a also Hammertown connection to the Colin James covers album, Blue Highways, which was nominated for Best Blues Rock CD. Hamilton's Steve Pelletier and Jesse O'Brien perform on this kickin' recording.



    Links: Colin JamesMore Colin James StoriesSteve Pelletier, More Steve Peletier StoriesJesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien StoriesVideo above courtesy of Blues Rock

    Other Canadians nominated include BC's James Buddy Rodgers (3 nods) and The Paul Delauriers Band from Montreal (1 nod). God Don’t Never Change: the Songs of Blind Willie Johnson, nominated for Best Acoustic CD, includes a song from Toronto's Cowboy Junkies.

    You can do your part by voting for our talented performers in the contest. Deadline to do so is on August 1, 2017. Winners will be announced August 13, 2017. Click here to vote.

    Here's a complete list of nominees (Canadians are bolded)

    Contemporary CD
    Blues Rock CD
    Acoustic CD
    Tradtional CD
    RnB/Soul CD
    Live CD
    Male Blues Artist
    Female Blues Artist
    Traditional Blues Band
    Blues Rock Band
    Modern Roots Band
    Gateway Award
    Stage Performance
    Road Warrior Award
    Traditional Blues Song
    Best Modern Roots Song
    Funk Song
    Song for the Common Good
    Music Video

    Previous (News Roundup: Cory Cruise, St. Catharines Arts Awards, Evermile, More) - - - Next (Hamilton Arts Awards Winners)