Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 15 Years Old Today!

Today (November 29, 2023), the Hamilton Blues Lovers turns 15 years old! 

Links: Depeche Mode, Video above courtesy of Depeche Mode

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Monday, November 27, 2023

2024 Ameripolitan Award Nominees! Including Local & Canadian Nominees! Vote!


Stacey Lee Guse, the singer for the Waterloo band, the Western Swing Authority has been nominated in the Western Swing Female category in the 2024 Ameripolitan Awards. Alberta's Stefanie Joyce  is up for Outlaw Female as well. You can help them by clicking here to vote.

The awards will be handed out the weekend of February 16-18, 2024, in Austin, Texas

Western Swing Female 

Outlaw Female 

DJ Of The Year

  • Ashli Dansby on  KMHT RADIO 103.9 - Marshall, TX
  • Del Villareal on WCBN FM - Ann Arbor, MI
  • The Morning Crew on KCWM 1460 - Hondo, TX
  • Tracy Pitcox on KNEL RADIO - Brady, TX

Festival Of The Year

  • Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - San Francisco, CA 
  • SYMCO Weekender - Symco, WI
  • Outlaw Country Cruise
  • Western Swingout - Tehachapi, CA

Founders of the Sound Honorees

  • Original Members of The Texas Tornados: Augie Meyers / Flaco Jimenez

Honky Tonk Female 

  • Cristina Vane
  • Emily Nenni
  • Hannah Juanita
  • Kaitlin Butts

Honky Tonk Group 

  • Teddy & the Rough Riders
  • The Deslondes
  • The Golden Roses
  • The Shootouts

Honky Tonk Male 

  • Dylan Earl
  • Gabe Lee
  • Johnny Falstaff
  • Sterling Drake 
  • Theo Lawrence

Master Award Honoree

  • Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)

Musician Of The Year

  • Eleanor Whitmore (Tha Mastersons)- Fiddle
  • Floyd Domino - Piano
  • Jason D Williams - Piano
  • Kullen Fox - Multi Instrumentalist: Horn, Piano, Accordion
  • Lisa Pankratz - Percussion

Outlaw Group 

  • Banditos
  • Kyle Nix & the 38’s
  • Reckless Kelly
  • The Supersuckers

Outlaw Male 

  • Billy Don Burns
  • Dallas Burrow
  • Jason Boland
  • Willy Tea Taylor

Rockabilly Female

  • Angie Monroy
  • Gizzelle Becerra DeAnda
  • Mozzy Dee
  • Svetlana "Zombierella" Nagaeva

Rockabilly Group 

  • Black Kat Boppers
  • Messer Chups
  • Televisionaries 
  • The McCharmlys

Rockabilly Male 

  • Eddie Clendening
  • Les Greene
  • Oleg "Guitaracula" Fomchenkov (aka Oleg Gitarkin)
  • Omar Romero

Venue Of The Year

  • American Legion Post 82 - Nashville TN
  • Gruene Hall - New Braunfels, TX
  • Skinny Dennis - Brooklyn, NY
  • Southgate House revival - Newport, KY

Western Swing Group 

  • Carolyn Sills Combo
  • Lovesick Duo
  • Sad Daddy 
  • The Cowpokes 

Western Swing Male

  • Cory Grinder
  • Kevin Mauzy Martin
  • Kyle Eldridge 
  • Mitch Polzak

Links: Ameripolitan Music Awards, More Ameripolitan Music Awards Stories

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Sunday, November 26, 2023

Happy National Electric Guitar Day ft Bill Dillon

Update of 2018 Post


For National Electric Guitar Day we'd like to feature Hamilton guitarist extraordinaire Bill Dillon. Click here for a bio.



Links: Ronnie Hawkins, More Ronnie Hawkins Stories, More Stories/Covers of the Band, More CHCH Videos, Video above courtesy of Bill King



Links: The Boomers, More Boomers Stories, Video above courtesy of Riley Lake Productions



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Barb Pitre

Click here for more Bill Dillon Stories
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Support Local Charities



From their website: SACHA supports survivors of sexual assault while working to end violence in our community.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.

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Friday, November 24, 2023

2023 Blues Blast Award Winners Including Local & Canadian Artists


On September 23, 2023 the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards were handed out at the 3300 Event Centre in Peoria, Illinois. A few Canadian artists picked up some hardware including Burlington's Kenny “Blues Boss" Wayne and artists signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records.

Below is a complete list of winner. Local/Canadian acts are bolded.

* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

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Thursday, November 23, 2023

2024 Local & Canadian Grammy Award Nominees

On November 10, 2023 the Grammys announced their 2024 nominees. As always, a number of our fellow Canadian were on the esteemed list, including area artist Deadmau5 from Niagara Falls.

Hopefully, a number of them will bring some awards home when the 2024 GRAMMYs air live on Sunday, February 4,2023 on CBS and Paramount+.

Click here for the full list.

Here's a complete list of Canadian nominees:

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Tuesday, November 21, 2023

2023 St. Catharines Arts Award Winners


The 2023 St. Catharines Arts Awards winners were announced at a wonderful ceremony at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (Robertson Theatre) on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Below is a complete list.

More St. Catharines Arts Awards Stories

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Monday, November 20, 2023

Hamilton Folk Club Founder Al Lindsay Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton Folk Club founder and musician, Al Lindsay. He was also a long-time member and organizer of the Brantford Open Stage (formerly the Brantford Folk Club). Al passed on November 19, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friend and fans.

A word from Lou, our blogger:

I had the pleasure of meeting Al quite a few times through the Folk clubs. I enjoyed his sharp wit and incredible talent and considered him a friend. I'll miss him dearly.

Social Media Reaction
(comments from the Brantford Open Stage announcement)

Mark McNeil

So sorry to hear about Al’s passing. I’ll always remember him with his fiddle or penny whistle or singing funny songs like “Piddlin’ Pete.” He was the one who started it all with the Hamilton Folk Club that led to the Brantford and Caledonia Folk Clubs and later the BOS which is carrying on the tradition of all three. We owe Al a lot for helping to bring music into our lives. He will be missed.

Ann Gorman McKinney

Such a witty and genuine guy. We really enjoyed his fiddle and whistle music and singing at the Hamilton Irish Arts sessions. God speed Al - we shall not forget you. Will raise a wee dram in your honour 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎻🪈🇮🇪🎶. May he RIP 

Dolores Dugdale

So very sad to hear Al is no longer with us. He was a true gentleman and everyone enjoyed his music and songs. He is with Don (McGeoch), and they will be missed but never forgotten, The music will continue in the Heavens.God rest his soul and May he RIP.

Links: More John Harris Stories, Video above courtesy of saxondale2

Links: More Al Lindsay Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

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Sunday, November 19, 2023

Please Support Local Charities


From their Facebook page:
The Giving Closet Thrift Shop is a neighbourhood thrift store, whose profits will be reinvested into Crown Point and surrounding neighbourhoods. 
We accept donations. If you would like to donate, please contact us through this page (Click picture above) or by phone
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
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Consumate Musician Stephen Hogg Passes


It is with sadness that we announce the passing of local musician Stephen Hogg. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Video above courtesy of Stephen Hogg - Topic

Video above courtesy of Stephen Hogg - Topic 

Links: Stephen Hogg, More Stephen Hogg Stories, Video above courtesy of Stephen Hogg - Topic

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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

The Road to Memphis Fundraiser

 

A few months before hitting the Road to Memphis, three incredible acts will be rocking hamilton's Stonewalls on November 26 (2-5pm) to help fund a trip to represent the Grand River Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in 2024!

Glenn Marais & the Mojo Train plus Patrick Fockler will be competing in the Group and Solo/Duo categories respectively. The Trainwrecks, winners of the 2023 Kitchener Blues Festival Youth Legacy Showcase, will also be on hand to give the event some extra juice.

For only $15 in advance or $20 at the door (if it isn't sold out!) you can check out all of these incredible artists and help pay for them to show the world what our area has to offer to the world of Blues!





Links: Patrick Fockler, More Patrick Fockler Stories, Video above courtesy of Patrick Fockler


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Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Happy National Drumming Day ft Danny Lockwood

Update of 2019 Post




Links: Brian Griffith, More Brian Griffith Stories, Video above courtesy of Doug Smith



Links: Brad Krauss, More Johnny Cash Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of daragent2


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Monday, November 13, 2023

Dorothea Smith of 'Sing Me a River' Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Fergus' Dorothea Smith, a member of the Folk trio, Sing Me a River. Our condolences to her family, friends and fans.

Her obituary:

SMITH, Dorothea Jakelski

On the evening of November 9th, surrounded by family in person and virtually, Dorothea Jakelski Smith was ushered into eternity. While this was unexpected, we are filled with peace knowing she is pain free, with her Heavenly Father and “dancing in the cosmos” among dear family and friends who have gone before her.

Born to Gunter and Ilse Jakelski in Sudbury, Ontario, Dorothea had a deep love for Northern Ontario. As a child, she loved enjoying the outdoors, traveling, acting, music and participating in cultural experiences with her parents, younger brother Dave (Beverley) and many treasured friends.

Dorothea met her husband Bruce in the summer of 1974 at Bark Lake, the Ontario Camp Leadership Centre. After a casual invitation from Dorothea’s father to come to Sudbury for a visit anytime, Bruce surprised everyone at the door 3 weeks later! It didn’t take long for them to decide that they wanted to share the rest of their lives together. In the summer of 1976, they were married in the backyard of Dorothea’s childhood home. For 7 years before settling down, they enjoyed adventuring together all over Ontario and parts of the USA and Central America. They have spent a deeply meaningful 47 years together in a relationship that has yielded so much fruit; 4 children, spouses, 6 grandchildren and many shared journeys through life’s ups and downs.

She was a devoted mother to her very core. Everything about her life revolved around cultivating the passions of her kids, Alison (Adrian), Michael (Robin), Emily and Zac and inspiring them to follow their unique callings. She was equally as fabulous a Nana as she was a mother. She spent so much of her time and energy pouring into Maya, Jayden, Liam, Ella, Benjamin and Huxley; lavishing love and attention on them whenever she could.

Dorothea was a beautiful woman in every definition of the word. She made everyone she spent time with feel like they were her closest friend. She was intentional and deeply kind and understanding. She constantly modeled “seeing” people and invested deeply in them. She seemed to know everyone she ran into by name and always stopped to talk and check-in. She lit up every room with her outgoing personality and genuine care. She embodied the definition of hospitality and relationship.

She deeply loved music, writing, theatre, art and all things creative. This was her pulse, her outlet and a gift she shared widely and freely with the community at large. She poured herself out constantly through her many songs and we will all reap the rewards of this for years to come.

Thank you to our family doctor, Stephen Beamish as well as all the doctors and nurses at Groves Memorial Hospital, Guelph General Hospital and the Grand River Cancer Centre for your selfless and humble care over this last season.

Visitations will be held on Friday, November 17th at Graham A. Giddy Funeral home located at 280 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario from 2pm until 4pm and again from 7pm until 9pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Christian Fellowship located at 35 Farley Road, Fergus, Ontario on Sunday, November 19th at 2pm.

Dorothea, Mom, Nana - you have made it and we love you beyond words.

Social Media Reaction

David Lum (Sing me a River)

My heart is broken tonight. 

My dear friend Dorothea Jakelski Smith has crossed over and I will miss her terribly. I cherished every moment with her, not just musically in #singmeariver, but her kindness, our shared sense of humour, her laughter and her joyful spirit. 

I love you, my friend, always.

Julie McCann (Hazy Maidens) 

I feel honoured to have known Dorothea Jakelski Smith through music but she was so much more than that. One of the kindest, warmest & up for fun people I have met. Taken too soon .. my heart goes out to her family, her friends & her bandmates, David Lum & Kathy Lepp

Video above courtesy of   Sing Me a River

Video above courtesy of Sing Me a River  

Links: Sing Me a River, More Sing Me a River Stories, Video above courtesy of  Sing Me a River

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Friday, November 10, 2023

Lest We Forget! Videos by Terry Sumsion, Mike Woods and Judi Rideout

Update of 2014 post





Links: Mike Woods, More Mike Woods Stories, More From This Show, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers



Links: Judi Rideout, More Judi Rideout Stories, Video above courtesy of Judi Rideout



Links: Terry Sumsion, More Terry Sumsion Stories, Video above courtesy of Terry Sumsion

More Remembrance Day Songs
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Sunday, November 5, 2023

World Saxophone Day! Videos by Sonny Del-Rio, Dean Hunt, Darcy Hepner, Mark Volkov

Update of 2016 Post





Links: Big Phat, , Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Video above courtesy of Jeff M deBruin



Links: Darcy Hepner, More Darcy Hepner Stories, Video above courtesy of Darcy Hepner



 Links: Dan Medakovic, More Dan Medakovic Stories, More Mark Volkov Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan Medakovic
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Please Support Local Charities


From their website: Ladybird Animal Sanctuary is a unified voice for abandoned, abused and neglected animals in our community. Together, through a system of volunteers, foster homes, educators, animal lovers and exceptionally generous people, we aim to eliminate the unnecessary suffering of domestic animals in our local high­-kill shelters. Ladybird rescues cats, dogs, small animals and even farm animals­ and we never shy away from rescuing senior animals, those with costly medical issues and the so­-called ‘hard to adopt’. Through our success stories, we know that every life is worth saving and that a loving home is just around the corner for these deserving creatures.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
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Thursday, November 2, 2023

2024 Maple Blues Award Nominees


From the news release:

Considered the highest honours on the Canadian blues scene, the nominees for the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards have been announced.

Returning to its roots, the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards will take place at The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto), where the awards were held from 2000 to 2006. The not-to-be-missed blues music event of the year will take place on Monday, February 12th.  Tickets start at $37.40 and are on sale now at ticketweb.ca

Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are in bold.

* artists is signed with Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

+ artist is signed with Waterdown's True North Records

% artist is signed with Waterdown's Borealis Records)

Acoustic Act of the Year

Bassist of the Year

  • Gary Kendall (Niagara)
  • Angelique Francis
  • Jasmine Colette
  • Nathan Blackburn
  • Russell Jackson

Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award 

  • Cheryl Lescom (Kitchener)
  • Sue Foley*
  • Alec Fraser
  • Bobby Dean Blackburn
  • Brent Parkin
  • Dalannah Gail Bowen
  • Danny Brooks
  • Mike McKenna
  • Murray Porter
  • Tom Lavin

Drummer of the Year

Harmonica Player of the Year

Horn Player of the Year

Male Vocalist of the Year

New Artist or Group of the Year

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year

Songwriter of the Year

Electric Act of the Year

Entertainer of the Year

  • Matt Andersen+
  • Angelique Francis
  • Blackburn Brothers
  • Blue Moon Marquee
  • Bywater Call

Female Vocalist of the Year

Guitarist of the Year

Recording/Producer of the Year

B.B. King International Artist of the Year

  • Christone ''Kingfish'' Ingram
  • Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
  • Tedeschi Trucks Band
  • Thorbjorn Risager and The Black Tornado
  • Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule)

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