Monday, April 27, 2020

New Ensemble! Episode ft Alex Whorms and Elise Arsenault Available


A new episode the Cable 14 show, Ensemble! is now available to watch online and should be broadcast on TV soon. The show feature two talented local singer/songwriters: Alex Whorms and Elise Arsenault. This is also the first episode hosted by the fabulous Lily Sazz and recorded at the legendary Grant Avenue Studio.

It is currently only available on demand at this page (available only for ShawRogers and Cogeco customers. Anyone can now live stream Cable 14 for free at https://cable14now.com/.

Here are some videos from the performers.





Links: Alex WhormsMore Alex Whorms StoriesVideos above courtesy of Alex Whorms





Links: Elise Arsenault, More Elise Arsenault Stories, Videos above courtesy of Elise Arsenault-Topic
More Ensemble Stories


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Saturday, April 25, 2020

GOOD LUCK! Local Country Music Association of Ontario Award Nominees + Full Nominee List


The 8th Annual Country Music Association of Ontario Awards is gonna be jam-packed with a lot of local flavour. When the ceremony hits on October 4, 2020 at the Centennial Hall in London, a ton of area artists will be vying for the top prizes.

Cambridge duo, the Reklaws top the nomination list with an impressive 6 nods (tied with Meghan Patrick).



Links: ReklawsMore Reklaws StoriesVideo above courtesy of The Reklaws

Country superstars Tebey (Burlington) and Tim Hicks (St. Catharines) are up for 4 each.



Links: TebeyMore Tebey Stories, Marie MaiVideo above courtesy of Tebey



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

Other nominees include Hamilton's Redhill ValleysTianna Woods from Burlington, and Waterloo's Western Swing Authority (their bandmate Jason Barry is also up for Producer of the Year).



Links: ReklawsMore Reklaws StoriesVideo above courtesy of The Redhill Valleys



Links: Tianna WoodsMore Tianna Woods StoriesVideo above courtesy of Marvin Adcock



Links: Western Swing AuthorityMore WSA StoriesVideo above courtesy of The Western Swing Authority - Topic

Area radio station are also getting in on the action. CHKX KX 947- HamiltonCKYY Country 89- Welland, and CKDK New Country 104 - Woodstock got the nod as well.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Click here for the press release.

Here's a full list of nominees.

Single
Album
Songwriter(s)
  • Jessica Mitchell – “Somebody Gonna Get Hurt”, Recorded By Jessica Mitchell ft Tim Hicks
  • Stuart Walker, Jenna Walker, Brad Rempel, Ben Stennis – “I Do Too”, Recorded By the Reklaws
  • Tebey Ottoh, Kylie Sackley, Matt Rogers – “The Good Ones”, Recorded By Tebey and Marie Mai
  • Tim Hicks, Emma-Lee, Karen Kosowski – “What A Song Should Do”, Recorded By Tim Hicks
  • Meghan Patrick, Jordan Rager, Michael Whitworth – “Wild As Me”, Recorded By Meghan Patrick
Female Artist 
  • Tianna Woods
  • Genevieve Fisher
  • Jessica Mitchell
  • Leah Daniels
  • Meghan Patrick
  • Nicole Rayy
Male Artist
  • Tim Hicks
  • Aaron Allen
  • Andrew Hyatt
  • Eric Ethridge
  • Jade Eagleson
  • Jim Cuddy
Group or Duo
Roots Artist or Group
Music Video
Fans’ Choice 
Record Producer(s)
  • Jason Barry – Amanda Jordan, Charlie Major, Josh David, Western Swing Authority, Billy Ray Cyrus
  • Tebey Ottoh and Danick Dupelle – Tebey and Marie Mai
  • J.R. Hutt – Giselle Sanderson, Jamie Warren, Rebekah Stevens, Sean Hogan, Tianna Woods
  • Jeff Dalziel – Aaron Allen, The Abrams, Dan Davidson, Chris Labelle, Ryan Langdon
  • Mark Schroor and Erik Fintelman – David Boyd Janes, Robyn Ottolini, Emily Clair
Radio Station (Large Market)
Radio Station (Medium Market) 
  • CFCO Country 92.9, Chatham
  • CHCQ-FM Cool 100.1 FM, Belleville
  • CICS Pure Country 91.7, Sudbury
  • CJQM-FM Country 104.3, Sault Ste Marie
  • CKXC Country 93.5, Kingston
Radio Station (Small Market)
  • CKYY Country 89, Welland
  • CHAW Country 103, Little Current
  • CJCX Pure Country 106, Orillia
  • CJDL-FM Country 107.3, Tillsonburg
  • CKYC Country 93, Owen Sound
Rising Star Award 
  • Aaron Allen
  • Alli Walker
  • David Boyd Janes
  • Dustin Bird
  • Kelsi Mayne
Francophone Artist or Group
  • Edouard Landry
  • Kristine St-Pierre
  • Les Rats D’Swompe
  • Reney Ray
  • Stef Paquette
Industry Person 
  • Dave Woods, In The Country
  • Johnathan Smalley, Rock N Horse
  • KT Timmermans, Country 103/Manitoulin Country Fest
  • Ron Kitchener, RGK Entertainment
  • Shannon Ella, Pure Country/Complete Country
2020 Impact Award: Carroll Baker (Winner)

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Local Artists Honour the Late John Prine


Sadly, the world lost John Prine, one of the most respected and loved songwriters of all time on April 7th.

Local artists jumped online to honour this legendary man with incredible covers of his work.



Links: Lee Harvey OsmondMore Lee Harvey Osmond StoriesVideo above courtesy Tom Wilson



Links: Robin BenedictMore Robin Benedict StoriesVideo above courtesy of Robin Benedict



Links: Tripleplay (Paul's Band), More Tripleplay stories, Video above courtesy of Paul Lawrence



Links: Dave GouldMore Dave Gould StoriesVideos above courtesy of Dave Gould



Links: Andy GriffithsMore Andy Griffiths StoriesVideo above courtesy of Andy Griffiths

Now a video of the man himself.



Links: John Prine, More John Prine Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of John Prine

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Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Local Artists Honour the Late Bill Withers


Sadly, American Soul legend Bill Withers passed on March 30, 2020.

A number of local artists honoured the unforgettable artist by releasing covers of his work.



Links: Cootes ParadiseMore Cootes Paradise StoriesVideo above courtesy of Lily Sazz



Links: Colin JamesMore Colin James StoriesVideo above courtesy of Colin James



Links: Human RaceMore Human Race StoriesVideo above courtesy of the human race



Links: Chad Pilon, More Chad Pilon StoriesVideo above courtesy of chadpilon41

Here's a video from the man himself


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Sunday, April 5, 2020

CONGRATS! 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners!


COVID-19 couldn't stop the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards as it was streamed live on Saturday, April 4, 2020. See below for the announcements.



Links: CFMAMore CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

The only local connection among the winners was Nova Scotia singer/songwriter Matt Andersen, who won the Contemporary Singer of the Year award for his work on on Halfway Home By Morning, an album released by Waterdown's True North Records.



Links: Matt Andersen, More Matt Andersen Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues

Ontario winners include The Slocan Ramblers (Traditional Album of the Year), Mairi Rankin and Eric Wright (Instrumental Group of the Year) and Abigail Lapell (English Songwriter of the Year).



Links: The Slocan Ramblers, Video above courtesy of The Slocan Ramblers - Topic



Links: Mairi Rankin and Eric Wright, Video above courtesy of Eric Wright - Topic



Links: Abigail Lapell, Video above courtesy of Abigail Lapell

CONGRATS EVERYBODY

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Friday, April 3, 2020

Virus/Isolation Videos by Lester Smith, Dan Medakovic, JP Cormier, Troy Harmer, James Anthony


We hope everyone out there is safe and healthy as we go through this unprecedented time in our history. Please remember to STAY HOME as much as possible and reach out (through phone or computer) to those who may be alone. We are in this together!

Thank you to all the people who are still out there working to keep our essential services going.

Just a reminder that this is a perfect opportunity to go online to discover new local musical artists. You can support them by purchasing their music and tipping when they have streaming concerts.



Links: Les SmithMore Les Smith StoriesVideo above courtesy of Lester Smith



Links: Danny MedakovicMore Dan Medakovic StoriesVideo above courtesy of Dan Medakovic



Links: JP CormierMore JP Cormier StoriesVideo above courtesy of J.P. Cormier



Links: Troy HarmerMore Troy Harmer Stories, More Neil Diamond Covers/StoriesVideo above courtesy of Troy Harmer Live In Concert At Your Place



Links: James AnthonyMore James Anthony Stories, Video above courtesy of James Anthony

Any local artist have a virus/isolation song? Please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com

Links: More COVID-19 VideosGuide to Helping Musicians during COVID-19

Previous (Trebleclef and Erin McGean Join KISS) - - - Next (Canadian Folk Music Award Winners)

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Hamilton's Own Trebleclef & Erin McGean to Join KISS


BREAKING NEWS! The 'Hottest Band in the World' is about to become even hotter. Legendary rockers KISS have chosen two immense talents from the Hammer to replace founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley once their 'End of Road' tour is finished.

Our little monkey mascot, Trebleclef will take over the 'Demon' persona (and bass duties) and local singer Erin McGean will be the new 'Starchild' and rhythm guitarist.

A while back, there were top secret auditions to replace the two original members and continue the KISS legacy. The Hamilton Blues Lovers recently got the OK to unveil the band's new blood to the world.

"I knew the band deserved nothing but the best to continue the monster that is KISS," Gene Simmons announced, "I called up my good friend Lou (our blogger) at his mansion and he arranged tryouts with Hamilton musicians. It's amazing how much wonderful talent this city has. It blew my mind."

In the end, there could be only two. Trebleclef won them over with his growling voice and willingness to learn how to breathe fire (which is a little tricky when you have flammable fur on your face). Erin's incredible vocals and stage presence impressed everybody involved.

According to the group's press agent, April Fulcilli, the debut of the new lineup will be an invite-only intimate show at Luigi's House of Pasta. They'll definitely play the newly changed 'Hamilton Rock City'.

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