Thursday, January 22, 2026

Smyle Bassist Peter Rhibany Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of bassist Peter Rhibany.  He was best known as the bassist for Burlington's Smyle. Peter passed away on December 24, 2025. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

From his obituary:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter O'Neill Joseph Rihbany. Peter passed away surrounded by his family at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton on December 24, 2025, at the age of 76.

Peter will be missed by his sister, Margo, brother, David, brother-in-law, Greg, niece, Devon, and nephew, Jordan.

Peter lived in Hamilton for most of his adult life. He was passionate about music and played in many bands throughout his career. The band he was best for was Smyle, with whom he recorded an album and had a song on the CHUM charts.

Peter was also a substitute teacher at various schools throughout Hamilton and had a passion for history.

Peter loved his cats; Sam, Dave, Bill and Tommie, and if desired memorial donations can be made to the Hamilton Burlington SPCA.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, BURLINGTON, 905-632-3333 www.smithsfh.com

 

Video above courtesy of emBLICko


Previous (Throwback Thursday: McMaster U Honours Bruce Cockburn)

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Ken Wallis is an amazing local music supporter. He has a great radio show

Tuesdays: 4-5:30pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM 





Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Throwback Thursday: McMaster Honours Bruce Cockburn & Juno Sculptor Shirley Elford (2009)

Original Post (part of June 6, 2009 post)

Updated Post: January 22, 2026

Canadian folk legend, Bruce Cockburn (currently signed to Waterdown's True North Records) was recognized by Hamilton's own McMaster University on June 8, 2009.

Cockburn joined local glass sculptor (she designed Juno award statuettes) Shirley Elford at the ceremony, where she also received the same honour.

Below is the Spectator article fron June 9, 2009. Click the picture to make it bigger.




Previous (2026 International Blues Challenge)

Music Listings: January 22-25, 2025

January 22-25, 2025

We try our best to make sure these listings are as accurate as possible. If you spot any errors or omissions, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com.


Jan 22-25 / Jan 26-Feb 1


Thursday, January 22

---- Before 7:00pm ----

Niagara Icewine Festival (Jan 16-Feb 1)




6-9pm: Open Mic @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach) (Weekly

6-8pm: Ed Pizzo on the Baby Grand Piano @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)

6-9pm: Lucas Stagg @ Aging Oak (Cambridge) (Weekly)



6:30-9:30pm: James Ferris with Fried Balogna @ The Corktown Pub (Hamilton)(Weekly)

6:30-8:30pm: Mix Tape Rewind @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) 

---- After 7:00pm ----


7pm: Sounds Gay! Open Mic @ Mosaic (Hamilton) (4th Thu)

7-10pm: Michelle Hedley @ Teddy's (Grimsby)

7-10pm: Josh Coulter @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)

7-9pm: Ryan Thomas Smelle @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

7-10pm: Doug Root @ Manhattans (Guelph)

7:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)


7:30-10:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Your Neighbourhood Pizza Co (Beamsville)  (Weekly)




8pm?: Droning & Friends @ Ooey Gooey's (Hamilton) $?


8-11pm: Open Mic Night + Jam @ Temple Bar (Oakville) (Weekly)

8-10pm: Dragan on the Sax @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)


8:30pm: Open Mic @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster) (Weekly


Friday, January 23

---- Before 7:00pm ----


Niagara Icewine Festival (Jan 16-Feb 1)






5-8pm: Brad James @ Fool & Flagon (Hamilton) (Weekly


6-9pm: James Anthony @ Scout Cafe (Stoney Creek) (Weekly)

6pm: The Bull Collective @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)


6-10pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls) (Weekly Fri & Sat)



6:30pm: Vanyah @ Easy Pour (Cambridge) 

---- 7:00-7:59pm ----

7-10pm: Michael Theodore @ Ottawa St Local (Hamilton) (Weekly



7pm: Eddie Paton @ Piper Arms (Burlington)

7-10pm: Dueling Pianos @ Uptown Social House (Burlington) (Every Fri & Sat)


7-11pm: BoomBox @ Polish Hall (Brantford) $5




7:30-9pm: Bob Bryden @ The Rathskeller (Hamilton)


7:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

7:30-10:30pm: Jack & Danika @ Malt & Barley Public House (Kitchener)


---- 8:00-8:59pm ---- 


8pm: Evan Rotella @ Clifford Brewing Co (Hamilton) $10 door







8-11pm: Blake Halladay @ Teddy's (Grimsby) 

8-11:45pm: Open Mic @ Mahtay Cafe (St. Catharines) (Weekly


8pm: 4 Ounce Pour @ The Hub (Welland)



8-10:30pm: Tia Brazda @ The Jazz Room (Waterloo) $? 


8:30pm-12:30am: Shakey Leg @ Ye Olde Squire, Fennell (Hamilton)

8:30-11:30pm: Freedom Train @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster)

8:30pm: Lo-Fi @ The Block Co, Edison Room (Burlington)

8:30-11:30pm: The Danny Boys @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)


---- After 9:00pm ----



9pm-1am: Hammer Tones @ Come by Chance (Hamilton) 

9pm: Fiddlestix @ Jersey's Bar & Grill (Burlington) 

9pm-1am: Cruze @ Pitchers Sports Bar (St. Catharines) $5 

9pm-12am: Hard Rock Hooligans @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)


9pm-1am: Tin Roof @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) 



9pm: Sarah Church @ 211 Main (Port Dover) 

9:30pm-1am: Stone House Road @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

9:30pm-1:30am: Shyster @ Bonitas (Brantford)




10pm: Billboard Nation @ The Dickens (Burlington) 

10pm-2am: Chase Heaslip @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls)

Saturday, January 24

---- Before 6:00pm ----

Niagara Icewine Festival (Jan 16-Feb 1)




1-4pm: Parkside Jazz Trio @ The Hub (Welland)

1:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)


2-5pm: Ken Mussson @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10

2-5pm: Mike Branton & Friends @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $10 (Weekly) 

2-4:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Weekly)



2-6pm: Hammer Tones @ Live at the Lodge (Port Dover) $5 



3-7pm: Tim Hebert @ Come by Chance (Hamilton)


3-6pm: Greg Brisco @ Carrigan Arms (Burlington) $5 

3-5pm: Eddie Paton @ Nickebrook Brewing (Burlington)



4-7pm: Jazz Express @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) (Weekly)



---- 6:00-7:59pm ----


6-9pm: Tony Paglia @ Briskit BBQ (Georgetown)

6-10pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls) (Weekly Fri & Sat) 




7-10:30pm: Mark T Band @ Clifford Brewing Co (Hamilton) $?





7pm: Dave Menard @ Easy Pour (Cambridge)


7:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

7:30pm: Back to the 80s @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $40




---- 8:00-8:59pm ----









8pm: Killin' Time Trio @ Black Bull (Burlington) 

8pm: Al Lerman @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $20

8pm: Patt Hewitt @ Gingerman (Oakville) 


8-11pm: Eric Starrs @ Teddy's (Grimsby)




8-10:30pm: Noam Lemish @ The Jazz Room (Waterloo) $?




8:30pm: Paul Mallard @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) 

8:30pm: McFlys @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster) $10



8:30-11:30pm: Right Proper Lads @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

---- After 9:00pm ----

9pm: Drew Brown @ The Capitol Bar (Hamilton) 

9pm: The Gathering @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $20.57 

9pm: Tone Deaf @ Jersey's Bar & Grill (Burlington) 


9pm: Jonesy (Debut) @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) 

9pm-1am: Rock Garden @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) 



9pm-12am: Jesse Parent @ The Wooly Pub (Guelph)

9pm: Dan Walsh @ 211 Main (Port Dover)

9:30pm-1am: Lost Boys @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)


9:30pm-1:30am: Ozzy Experience @ Bonitas (Brantford)


10pm: Pop Machine @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek) 


10pm: Sunday Noise @ The Dickens (Burlington) 

10pm-2am: Jason Mercer @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls)


Sunday, January 25 (Robbie Burns Day)

---- Before 3:00pm ----

Niagara Icewine Festival (Jan 16-Feb 1)


11:30am: Beatles Brunch ft Andrew McTaggart @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)


1:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

1:30-4:30pm: Irish Jam Sesssions @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) (Weekly)

2-5pm: Tim Hebert @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10

2-5pm: Rocket & the Renegades @ Clifford Brewing Co (Hamilton) $10/PWYC




2-5pm: The Black Sheep @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

2-5pm: Ron McEwen @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5






2:30-4:15pm: Colour Film with Mylissa Tom @ West Plains United Church (Burlington) $21.05/ $15.5 Livestream


---- After 3:00pm ----

3:30pm: Mike Balonjan @ Cat & Fiddle (Hamilton)

4pm: Glenn Groves @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)


6-10pm: The Remix @ Super Mario's Pizza (Port Colborne)

6:30-9:30pm: Paige Armstrong Band @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

7pm: Jeff Heisholt, Current Fantasy @ The Capitol Bar (Hamilton)

7:30pm: Open Mic @ Golden Brothers (Welland) (Weekly)



COMING SOON!

January

January 21-Feb 7: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

January 30-February 1: Hillside Inside (Guelph)

January 31, 8-11:15pm: Bywater Call @ The Busholme (Erin) $30

January 31-February 16: Hamilton Winterfest



February



February 3, 7-10pm: The John McKinley Jam @ The Huether Hotel Jazz Room (Waterloo) (Bi-weekly) 


February 5: 7:30pm: Lighthouse @ River Run Centre (Guelph) $59+ 



February 6, 8pm: Shad with Noah23 @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $28.69

February 8, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

February 12, 7:30pm: Live Jam & Open Mic Hosted by Sessionista @ The Barber Towne Pub (Georgetown) (2nd & 4th Thu)


February 13, 5pm: Artcrawl @ James Street North (Hamilton)

February 14, 7:30pm: Kellylee Evans @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Partridge Hall (St. Catharines) $24+ 

February 14, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton) $120

February 14, 8pm: Gowan @ Centre in the Square (Kitchener) $?


February17, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $60+

February 18, 8pm: Josh Ross @ FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) $?

February 18, 7-11pm: Dundas Music Club @ Oddfellows Hall (Dundas) (3rd Wed)


February 19-March 15: Taste of Oakville (some live music)

February 19, 8pm: Matt Andersen w/ Mariel Buckley @ Centre In The Square (Kitchener) $? 

February 19, 8:30pm: KC & The Sunshine Band @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 



February 20, 7:30pm: Bruce Cockburn @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $?

February 20, 8pm: Jully Black @ Maxwell's Concerts & Events (Waterloo) $?


February 21, 8pm: Wide Mouth Mason @ Warehouse Concert Hall (St. Catharines) $36.10

February 21, 8-11pm: Blackburn Brothers @ The Busholme (Erin) $35


February 22, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

February 24, Soupfest @ Convention Centre (Hamilton)

February 25, March 5: Roots En Route Arts Festival @ Music Hall (Hamilton) $?

February 27-March 8: Frost Bites (Hamilton)

February 27-28: Because Brrr Craft Beer Sessions @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $?

February 27, 7pm: Jack de Keyzer @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Company (Dundas) $37.61


February 28, 7pm: Ja Rule & Trina @ Kitchener Auditorium $78.65+

March

February 25, March 5: Roots En Route Arts Festival @ Music Hall (Hamilton) $?


March 8, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5






March 22, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

March 24, 8pm: Tenille Townes @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $55+

March 28, 8-11pm: Jack de Keyzer @ Registry Theatre (Kitchener) $40

March 29, 8pm: Old Man Luedecke @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $25.33

March 30, 8pm: Old Man Luedecke @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $26.33

April


April 5, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

April 15-May 3: Finding Neverland (Musical) @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $62 #

April 19, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5


Jan 21-22 / Jan 23-25 / Jan 26-Feb 1



Sunday, January 18, 2026

Support Local Charities


From their siteOur goal is not only to help meet the needs of our clients in the short term, but also to help clients become self-sufficient and gain and maintain self-worth / esteem to eventually stand on their own with little or no help.

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.



Winners of the 2026 International Blues Challenge + Canadian Content


Unfortunately, only a few Canadians acts took part in the 2026 International Blues Challenge (January 13 to 17, 2026 in Memphis).

Canadians in Self-Produced CD Semi-Finals

Canadian Participants (Performance Competition)

Complete List of Winners

Band: 

Thursday, January 15, 2026

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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Throwback Thursday: King Biscuit Boy's Brother Remembers Him in Spectator Story

Original post (Part of June 6, 2009)

Updated post (January 15, 2026)


Pictured: Muddy Water (left) with Richard "King Biscuit Boy" Newell

In a special to the Hamilton Spectator on June 6, 2009, King Biscuit Boy's brother, Waller R. Newell, wrote about his legendary sibling's life. Waller offered insights into the music man's career: meeting members of the Beatles, working with Aretha Franklin, and more. He also discussed his brother's intellectual side.

Click the picture below to see the full-size article (you may still need to zoom to read)


Links: King Biscuit BoyMore KBB Stories, Video above courtesy of King Biscuit Boy with The Ronnie Hawkins Band - Topic


Previous (Stephan Gnys Album from 1969 Get New Lease on Life) - - - Next (2026 International Blues Challenge)

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Get the Hamilton Blues Lovers E-Mail Newsletter


Want to be kept up to date with what's going on in the local area (Hamilton/Halton/Brant/Niagara/Waterloo/Norfolk/Haldimand)? Then get all the Blues News You Can Use with our new weekly e-mail newsletter.

Every Wednesday or Thursday night, the Hamilton Blues Lovers send out an e-mail blast with the latest happenings in the local Blues/Folk/Jazz/Roots/Country scene. Find out about new music releases, upcoming shows, our exclusive videos and much more. 

To get this amazing newsletter, please please go to our MailChimp page and enter your email address. https://mailchi.mp/f5df63ee5f8b/blueshamilton

We also welcome any ideas you may have to help improve the newsletter.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Please Support Local Charities




Please Support Local Charities

From their website: Since 1966, the poverty of loneliness and exclusion has been overcome with friendship and compassion at Welcome Inn Community Centre, where people from all walks of life work together to alleviate poverty in the North End and across Hamilton.

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.



Saturday, January 10, 2026

Rare 1969 Folk Album from Hamilton's Stefan Gnys Gets New Lease on Life


Hamilton's Stefan Gnys only made 12 copies of his album Horizoning when he first released it in 1969. Thanks to some YouTube exposure, a record company is now making it much less rare.

Below is a January 9, 2025 Hamilton Spectator article about the recoding's revival. Click the picture below to make it bigger.


Available on: Bandcamp, YouTubeSpotify, Amazon Music

Personnel:

Stream the album below


Links: Stefan GnysAlbum above courtesy of BandcampMore Releases

Previous (Superstar Crush Gets Rave Review in New Yorker) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: King Biscuit Boy's Brother Remembers Him)

Friday, January 9, 2026

Hamilton's Superstar Crush Receive Rave Review in New Yorker

Hamilton's Superstar Crush received a rave review for their debut album, Way Too Much in the December 18, 2025 edition of the prestigious New Yorker magazine.

Here's the great review.


The Hamilton Spectator reported on this wonderful honour. On January 9, 2025. Click the picture below to make it bigger.


Available on: The band's website (including Vinyl)Bandcamp, YouTubeSpotifyApple Music

Personnel:

Stream the album below



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