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Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Lowell Fulson's 100th Birthday


Today (March 31, 2021) would have been American Blues great Lowell Fulson's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

Comments from Gary Kendall (Downchild)

When I heard Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby in the 70's I was hooked. He was one of the best. Good eye for talent as well, I mean he hired Ray Charles.




Links: Lowell Fulson, Videos above courtesy of Lowell Fulson - TopicMore 100th Birthdays


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Friday, March 26, 2021

Check Out Some Incredible Local Songwriting at #LocalLyricsShowcase

Our fantastic marketing maven, Linda has been spotlighting the incredible songwriting prowess of our local talent though the Facebook hashtag #LocalLyricsShowcase. Every weekend, she posts lyrics and a video to a wonderful song written by a local musician. Check it out every week for new posts.

GREAT JOB LINDA! 

Here are a few samples from previous weeks

Links: Shawn Brush, More Shawn Brush StoriesVideo above courtesy of thekrookedcowboy

Links: David LumMore David Lum StoriesVideo above courtesy of David Lum - Topic

Links: Jay BurrMore Jay Burr StoriesVideo above courtesy of N. Jay Burr


Previous (Spring Videos) - - - Next (Lowell Fulson's 100th Birthday)

Monday, March 15, 2021

CONGRATS! Canadian Grammy Winners

Montreal's Kaytranada with his two Grammys

The 2021 Grammys were handed out on Sunday, March 14 and luckily, a handful of talented Canadian artists brought home the hardware! 

Click here for the CBC Story.

Here's the list of Canadian winners

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Links: Grammys, More Grammy Stories


Previous (2021 Juno Nominees)

Friday, March 12, 2021

GOOD LUCK! 2021 Juno Nominees, Including Many Local Artists


The 50th Juno Awards will be broadcast from Toronto on Sunday, May 16, 2021. We'll be cheering on our local artists as many of them have been nominated.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list on nominees. Local acts are bolded.

Group

Adult Alternative Album
  • Are You Gone by Sarah Harmer (Burlington)
  • Sad Hunk by BAHAMAS
  • Are You in Love? by Basia Bulat 
  • Fear by Begonia 
  • Unfollow The Rules by Rufus Wainwright
Vocal Jazz Album
Metal/Hard Music Album
Dance Recording
Electronic Album
  • Suddenly by CARIBOU (Dundas)
  • Lavender God by ATTLAS
  • Desire by BOB MOSES
  • Juvenile by CRI
  • All the Time by JESSY LANZA

Producer 

  • Murda Beatz (Fort Erie)
  • Akeel Henry
  • Jordon Manswell
  • KAYTRANADA
  • WondaGurl

Recording Engineer

Instrumental Album

Blues Album

Rock Album
  • Ruthless by JJ Wilde (Kitchener)
  • Crown Lands by Crown Lands
  • Colorado by Neil Young & Crazy Horse 
  • All Of Us by Sam Roberts Band 
  • A Beautiful Place to Drown by Silverstein 
Juno Fan Choice

  • Ali Gatie
  • Curtis Waters
  • JP Saxe
  • Justin Bieber
  • Lennon Stella
  • Les Cowboys Fringants
  • NAV
  • Shawn Mendes
  • Tate McRae
  • The Weeknd

Single

  • Drink About Me by Brett Kissel
  • If The World Was Ending' by JP Saxe ft Julia Michaels
  • Intentions by Justin Bieber ft Quavo
  • Kissing Other People by Lennon Stella
  • Blinding Lights by The Weeknd

Album 

  • YOU by Ali Gatie
  • Courage by Céline Dion
  • Changes by Justin Bieber
  • Thanks for the Dance by Leonard Cohen
  • After Hours by The Weeknd

Artist 

  • Ali Gatie
  • Celine Dion
  • Jessie Reyez
  • Justin Bieber
  • The Weeknd

Breakthrough Artist

  • Curtis Waters
  • JP Saxe
  • Powfu
  • Ryland James
  • Tate McRae

Breakthrough Group

  • 2Freres
  • Crown Lands
  • MANILA GREY
  • Peach Pit
  • Young Bombs

Songwriter

  • Alanis Morissette
  • Alessia Cara
  • Jessie Reyez
  • JP Saxe
  • The Weeknd

French Language Album

  • A tous les vents by 2Freres
  • Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs by Klo Pelgag
  • Les antipodes by Les Cowboys Fringants
  • Quand la nuit tombe by Louis-Jean Cormier
  • Pour dejouer l'ennui by- Pierre Lapointe

Indigenous Artist or Group 

  • Burnstick
  • Crystal Shawanda 
  • Julian Taylor
  • Leela Gilday
  • Terry Uyarak

Contemporary R&B Recording

  • Before Love Came to Kill Us by  Jessie Reyez
  • Where You Are by  Savannah Ré
  • After Hours by The Weeknd
  • Holiday by TOBi

Country Album

  • Timeless by Dallas Smith 
  • Jade Eagleson by Jade Eagleson
  • heart theory by Lindsay Ell 
  • Drinkin’ Songs: The Collection by MacKenzie Porter
  • The Lemonade Stand by Tenille Townes
Alternative Album
  • Pity Party vy Curtis Waters
  • The Sun and Her Scorch by Dizzy
  • Pray For It by July Talk
  • This Place Sucks Ass by PUP 
  • Heavy Light by U.S. Girls 
Pop Album
  • It’s Never Really Over by Johnny Orlando
  • Hold It Together by JP Saxe 
  • Changes by Justin Bieber 
  • Three. Two. One. by Lennon Stella 
  • Ryland James by Ryland 
Jazz Album: Solo
  • Gang of Three by Andrés Vial 
  • Básico, No Básico y Dirigido by Elmer Ferrer
  • Elegant Traveler by Jocelyn Gould 
  • Conpambiche by Junior Santos
  • VENA by Rachel Therrien
Jazz Album: Group
  • The reMission by Andy Milne and Unison 
  • Surfboard by Brandi Disterheft Trio with George Coleman
  • Rythme de passage by Emie R Roussel Trio 
  • First Spring by Florian Hoefner Trio
  • Trane of Thought, Live at the Rex by Pat LaBarbera/Kirk MacDonald Quintet 
Children's Album
  • Letters and Numbers by ABC Singsong
  • Goodnight to You All: Traditional Lullabies from Ireland & the UK by Charlie Hope 
  • Small But Mighty by Ginalina
  • J’aime mon école by Njacko Backo and Kalimbas at Work
  • Heart Parade by Splash’N Boots 
Classical Album: Solo/Chamber
  • MOSAÏQUE by Ensemble Made In Canada 
  • Bach & Brahms Reimagined by James Ehnes, Jon Kimura Parker, Jens Lindemann 
  • Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 4, 5 & 8 by James Ehnes with Andrew Armstrong 
  • La Peste by Les Barocudas 
  • Ana Sokolović: Short Stories by Quatuor Bozzini
Classical Album: Large Ensemble
  • Mozart: Concertos pour piano / Piano Concertos Nos. 22 & 24 by Les Violons du Roy, conducted by Jonathan Cohen, feat. Charles Richard-Hamelin 
  • Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 5, & Other Works by Louis Lortie with BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Edward Gardner 
  • Jacques Hétu: Concertos byOrchestre symphonique de Laval, conducted by Alain Trudel, feat. Jean-Philippe Sylvestre
  • Ginastera – Bernstein – Moussa: Œuvres pour violon et orchestre / Works for Violin and Orchestra by Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conducted by Kent Nagano, feat. Andrew Wan
  • Penderecki: St. Luke Passion by Orchestre symphonique de Montréal with Kraków Philharmonic Choir & Warsaw Boys’ Choir, conducted by Kent Nagano 
Classical Album: Vocal or Choral
  • La passione by Barbara Hannigan with Ludwig Orchestra 
  • Massenet: Thaïs by Erin Wall, Joshua Hopkins, Andrew Staples, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis
  • Nuits blanches: Airs d’opéra à la cour de Russie au XVIIe siècle / Opera Arias at the Russian Court of the 18th Century by Karina Gauvin with Pacific Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Alexander Weimann 
  • Sea Dreams by Luminous Voices, conducted by Timothy Shantz
  • Sarah Slean and Symphony Nova Scotia by Sarah Slean with Symphony Nova Scotia, conducted by Bernhard Gueller 
Classical Composition
  • Take The Dog Sled by Alexina Louie
  • Commedia dell’arte by Ana Sokolović 
  • Harbour by Anna Höstman 
  • Violin Concerto “Adrano” by Samy Moussa 
  • Tachitipo by Zosha Di Castri 
Rap Recording
  • New Mania by 88GLAM 
  • Baby Gravy 2 by bbno$ & Yung Gravy
  • Cold World by 
  • Good Intentions (Brown Boy 2 Deluxe Version) by NAV
  • ELEMENTS Vol. 1 by TOBi
Reggae Recording
  • Give It All by Ammoye
  • Black Man by Blessed 
  • Roots Rock (ft. Micah Shemaiah, Lasai & Big Sugar) by Dubmatix 
  • Let It Be Done by Kirk Diamond 
  • I Pray by TOME x Sean Kingston 
Contemporary Roots Album
  • The Ridge by JULIAN TAYLOR
  • North Star Calling by LEELA GILDAY
  • Bravado by ROSE COUSINS
  • CHICKABOOM! by TAMI NEILSON
  • Reliever by WILLIAM PRINCE
Traditional Roots Album
  • All Hands by BEÒLACH
  • Debout! by LE DIABLE À CINQ
  • 13 or So by NICK HORNBUCKLE
  • Bet On Love by PHARIS & JASON ROMERO
  • The Thing About Fish by RUM RAGGED
Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album
  • All Things New by ALLEN FROESE
  • The Cure by K-ANTHONY
  • Alive & Breathing by MATT MAHER
  • THE WAY by SHAWNA CAIN
  • Wouldn't You Love to Know? by STEVE BELL
World Music Album
  • VelkomBak by GYPSY KUMBIA ORCHESTRA
  • The Gold Diggers by LENGAÏA SALSA BRAVA
  • Patria by MAZACOTE
  • Espiral by OKAN
  • Kora Flamenca by ZAL SISSOKHO

Album Artwork

  • JUST WORDS – Lynne Hanson
  • NOTRE-DAME-DES-SEPT-DOULEURS – Klô Pelgag
  • MISS COLOMBIA – Lido Pimienta
  • PALIMPSEST – Protest The Hero
  • PRAY FOR IT – July Talk
Music Video
  • Wait No More - Scott Helman
  • Wrap Me Up - Sheenah Ko
  • NO ONE'S IN THE ROOM - Jessie Reyez
  • INTRUDERS - Jessie Reyez
  • Pomegranate - deadmau5 & The Neptunes
Adult Contemporary Album
  • Such Pretty Forks in the Road by ALANIS MORISSETTE
  • Courage by CÉLINE DION
  • Starlit Afternoon by CRAIG STICKLAND
  • Pour déjouer l'ennui by PIERRE LAPOINTE
  • CH III: The Come Up by STORRY
Traditional R&B/Soul Recording
  • Take Care of You (feat. Syd) by CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON
  • Proverb by DYLAN SINCLAIR
  • Alt Therapy Session 1: Disillusion by EMANUEL
  • In This Thing Called Life by IAMTHELIVING
  • Solid by SAVANNAH RÉ
Comedy Album
  • PanDerek (1st Wave!) by DEREK SEGUIN
  • Horse Power by JACOB SAMUEL
  • Existing Is Exhausting by MATT WRIGHT
  • The Pursuit of Comedy Has Ruined My Life by NICK NEMEROFF
  • Decoxification by SHIRLEY GNOME
Special Achievement Award: 
Humanitarian Award
Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Dundas Musician & Author Steve Parton Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dundas musician & author Steve Parton. He lost a long and courageous battle with cancer. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

His wife, Isabel posted this on his facebook page.

Dear friends of Steve Parton, this is his wife Isabel, letting you all know that Steve passed away early in the morning on March 11. I know Steve was well loved by so many people and it grieves me to inform you all, of what has come to pass. Steve made this world a better place through his kindness and his willingness to help others, especially through music, which was his great passion in life.

In his own words: “Well, this is goodbye. I’ve lived an exceptional life. Mexico, Europe, almost every state and province, by hitchhiking, hopping freight trains and touring with rock bands. Wife, kids, friends.”

Thank you all for your wonderful tributes to Steve which were expressed in the last post about him. It helps us all to comprehend how important Steve was to so many people.

Not only was Steve an amazing musician but he also wrote about his battle with cancer in the book, Cancer Trip. Other career highlights include founding both Avalon Music Academy and Hammer Artists Management, technical writing, music journalism, screenwriting, film directing, novelist, and much more. 

Click here for the Hamilton Spectator story.

Here's his celebration of life

Video above courtesy of St. Paul's United Church, Dundas

A word from Lou, our blogger:

I met Steve on a number of occasions and he was always funny, positive, and friendly. After having the pleasure of reading his book, Cancer Trip, a few years ago, I learned a lot about his brave battle. It's his friendship and many talents that I'll miss most.

Social media reaction

Tom Altobelli

Steve is a kind, compassionate, and caring individual who is well respected by all in the Hamilton music scene and has been kind and caring to us and everyone I work with.

Hailey Gillis

What a wonderful kind man, what a gift to the world and its people, what a bright spirit.

Brennagh Burns

Steve touched so many people...so many lives! Blessed to have connected with him.

Natalie Baxter-Robinson

I only got to meet Steve a couple of times when he was filming Kidnapped by Wolves. He was so kind and thoughtful to my son Tyler. He shared the kindest words of encouragement and I will always remember how that affected both me and my son. 

Jamie Shea

I was only just getting to know you, Steve and yet you’ve had such an impact on me. I know you’ve had a similar impact on so many. You’ll live on in all of us. 

More Beatles Covers/Stories

Links: Steve PartonMore Steve Parton Stories, Videos above courtesy of Steve Parton Music


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Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Local Music Superfan and Early Blues Lovers Supporter Dale Park Passes


From our blogger, Lou:

I am heartbroken to report the passing of Dale Park, one of Hamilton's biggest local music fans. My love goes out to his friends and family, especially his beloved wife Susan.

Dale was the very first person who answered the Kijiji ad where I posted about my new group, The Hamilton Blues Lovers. We developed a wonderful friendship over the years and shared many stories as well as our love of local music. He was my earliest supporter.

I have many cherished memories of him. During a Blues With a Feeling fundraiser, Dale kept pushing me to dance with Linda, who at the time was a friend who hung out with us but later became my wife. We shared many incredible Trickbag shows together. Being invited to his wedding and seeing him dance with his new bride was another unforgettable moment.

Thank you for your friendship and all the great memories Dale. I'll miss you

In your honour, here's a track from his favourite band, Trickbag.



Previous (International Women's Day Videos) - - - Next (Steve Parton Passes)

Thursday, March 4, 2021

New EP From The Swingin' Blackjacks Explodes with Boogie Power!


Need an injection of joy to get over the lockdown Blues? Look no further than Four Hot Tracks, the latest EP from Toronto's The Swingin' Blackjacks. This short but sweet rockabilly collection will give ya a dose of boogie and have you stompin' your feet.

Featuring Niagara's Gary Kendall (Kendall Wall Band, Downchild) on bass/vocals, the trio is rounded out by Matt Allen on lead vocals/guitar plus Adam David on drums. Every one of them are firing on all cylinders and serving up world-class rock.

This explosive recording is available through their website (CD + download), Apple Music and Spotify.



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