GOOD LUCK! Vote in the 2018 Burlington Post Readers' Choice Awards! Deadline: Feb 11

Voting is now open in the 2018 Burlington Post Readers' Choice Awards.  As always, a number of local musicians are nominated in the Local Entertainers category. Voting deadline is Sunday, February 11, 2018

Here's a the full list of nominees in the Local Entertainers category

• Adam Cooke
• Amber Ruthart
• Ashley Sloggett
• Beebop The Clown and Friends
• Brothers Inc.
• Burlington Concert Band
• Burlington Teen Tour Band
• The Castor Troys
• Centre Stage Theatre Production
• Chuck Coles
• Circle Of Harmony
• Crosstown Traffic
• Daffy Dill The Clown
• Dirty Jeans
• The Killin Time Band
• Koogle Theatre Company
• 905 Band
• The Nines
• The Penske File
• Porch Stool Jam
• Stephen Kabakos (Elvis Tribute)
• Symphony on the Bay
• The Tartan Terrors
• The Van Deferens
• Wavelength (Rush Tribute)

There are many other music-related categories to vote in as well: Live Entertainment, Local Tourist Attraction, Music Store (New), Musical Instruction, Musical Instrument Store, Best New Business

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Post's Readers' Choice Award, More Burlington Post Reader's Choice Awards Stories

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CONGRATS! 2017 Oakville Beaver Readers Choice Award Winners

There's a sense of deja-vu in Oakville Beaver's 2017 Readers Choice Awards. Most of last year's choices ended up winning again. CONGRATS!

Local Entertainers

• Diamond - Circle of Harmony
  
  
  
  Links: Circle of Harmony, More CofH Stories, Video above courtesy of TheCircleofHarmony

• Platinum - The Entertainers
  
  
  
  Links: The Entertainers, More Entertainers Stories, Video above courtesy of Ontario District - Barbershop Harmony Society
  
  
• Gold - 905 Band
  
  
  
  Links: 905 Band, More 905 Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Alan Gilday

Here are the winners of the other music related categories:

Musical Instrument Store

• Diamond - Guitar World
• Platinum - Gear Music
• Gold - MoJo Music

Music Instruction/Theatre

• Diamond - The Oakville Academy For The Arts
• Platinum - Academy Of Music
• Gold - Addison Music Learning Centre
• Gold - Guitar World
• Gold - Oakville Childrens Music

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Vote for your Favourite Entertainers in the Burlington Post Readers' Choice Awards! Deadline Feb 5

Voting is now open in the 2017 Burlington Post Readers' Choice Awards.  As always, a number of local musicians are nominated in the Local Entertainers category. Voting deadline is Sunday, February 5, 2016

Here's a the full list of nominees in the Local Entertainers category

• Adam Cooke
• Amber Ruthart
• Beebop The Clown and Friends
• Brothers Inc.
• Burlington Concert Band
• Burlington Teen Tour Band
• The Castor Troys
• Centre Stage Theatre Production
• Chuck Coles
• Circle Of Harmony
• Crosstown Traffic
• Daffy Dill The Clown
• Dirty Jeans
• The Killin Time Band
• Koogle Theatre Company
• 905 Band
• The Nines
• The Penske File
• Porch Stool Jam
• Stephen Kabakos (Elvis Tribute)
• The Tartan Terrors
• The Van Deferens
• Wavelength (Rush Tribute)

There are many other music-related categories to vote in as well: Live Entertainment, Local Tourist Attraction, Music Store (New), Musical Instruction, Musical Instrument Store

NEW! Click here to see the winners.

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Post's Readers' Choice Award, More Burlington Post Reader's Choice Awards Stories

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CONGRATS! Oakville Beaver Readers Selection Award Winners

Voting form the the Oakville Beaver's 2016 Readers Selection Awards is done and the results have been published.

Three artists were nominted in the Local Entertainers category and they all won awards.

Local Entertainers

• Diamond - Circle of Harmony
  
  
  
  Links: Circle of Harmony, More CofH Stories, Video above courtesy of TheCircleofHarmony
  
  
• Platinum - 905 Band
  
  
  
  Links: 905 Band, More 905 Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris Whelehan
  
  
• Gold - The Entertainers
  
  
  
  Links: The Entertainers, More Entertainers Stories, Video above courtesy of Ontario District - Barbershop Harmony Society
  

Here are the winners of the other music related categories:

Musical Instrument Store

• Diamond - Guitar World
• Platinum - Gear Music
• Gold - MoJo Music

Music Instruction/Theatre

• Diamond - The Oakville Academy For The Arts
• Platinum - Academy Of Music
• Platinum - Gear Music
• Gold - Addison Music Learning Centre
• Gold - Oakville Childrens Choir
• Gold - Rock This Way
• Gold - Studio Pavas

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GOOD LUCK! Vote for Your Fave Local Entertainers and More in the Oakville Beaver Readers Selection Awards (deadline is Aug 14)

It's time for Oakville residents to have their say!  The Oakville Beaver is currently running their 2016 Readers Selection Awards and they've invited everyone to make their choice for the best in the city! Deadline is August 14, 2016.

In the Local Entertainers category, there are three nominees: party group, the 905 Band, acapella women's chorus, Circle of Harmony and barbershop acapella group, The Entertainers.



Links: 905 Band, More 905 Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Colleen from ReMax



Links: Circle of Harmony, More CofH Stories,, Video above courtesy of TheCircleofHarmony



Links: The Entertainers, More Entertainers Stories, Video above courtesy of Ontario District - Barbershop Harmony Society

GOOD LUCK GUYS!

Other music-related categories include: Musical Instrument Store and Entertainment

Click here to see who won!

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Bianca Bernardi Debuts With an EP Filled With Emotion and Passion!

We continue  our reviews of the recent Hamilton Music Award nominees with a look at the amazing Burlington songstress Bianca Bernardi.  Her self-titled debut EP received a nod for Best Pop Recording and the talented lady herself is up for Female Artist of the Year. What a way to kickstart her recording career!

All the recognition is richly deserved as the EP explores many music facets such as pop, jazz, rock, folk, and soul.  Bianca's got the voice of an angel and can perform in any style she damn well pleases.  You can really feel the emotion and passion in her magnificent voice.

The singer/songwriter has enlisted some top flight talent to lend a helping hand.  Her father, Crowbar drummer Sonnie Bernardi is along for the ride and he brought along many of his  905 Band  co-horts (Jack Shearer, Russ Little, Michael Stuart).  This superb lineup also includes Karen Thornton, Bill Dillon, Guido Basso, Paul Offenbacher (who produced the EP), Nikki Loney, Shawn Trotter, and Kiirsi Maunula.

Bianca tells us that the CD has sold out but she is waiting some more copies.  You can contact her for more information.  The EP can also be downloaded using iTunes.

Video above courtesy of Bianca Bernardi



Video above courtesy of Kasey Bridges

Links: Bianca Bernardi, More Bianca Bernardi Stories, More Releases

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Waterdown's Karen Thornton Will Transport You With 'Rain Down on Me'

Jazz doesn't get much better than Rain Down on Me, the Hamilton Music Award nominated album from Waterdown's Karen Thornton.  The music will surely transport you into new worlds.

Rhythms from New Orleans, Europe and Latin America will have you dancing and the ballads will take you on an emotional trip.  Karen's soulful voice guides the listeners through this fantastic voyage.

The talented lady has many sensational musicians on her side: Jack Shearer and Terry Brannagh of the 905 Band, Tom Fosyth, Dave Field, Peter Grimmer, Tom Bigas, Sonnie Bernardi (Crowbar/905 Band), Rob Somerville, Russ Little, and Steve McDade, The legendary Ian Thomas offers up his voice for one of the tracks plus the great Sharon Musgrave, Bianca Bernadi and others add some top notch background vocals.

Physical CDs are available through her online store and to buy at Long and McQuade Burlington.







Links: Karen Thornton, More Karen Thornton Stories,  More Releases, Videos above courtesy of Karen Thorton, More Releases

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Various Local YouTube Videos (905 Band, Justin Sawicki, Brett Brohman, Carolyna Loveless)

Video courtesy of Megyver

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Video courtesy of Justin Sawicki

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Video courtesy of Brett Brohman

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Video courtesy of Dan Rose

Mike Almas Band @ Stonewalls (July 10, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Mike Almas (left) is joined by 905 Band members Sonnie Bernardi (drums/vocals on Flip, Flop, Fly) and Dave Johns (bass)











Links: More Mike Almas stories - CD Review and two more videos from this show

New Mike Almas CD: I Can't Stop

Local Bluesman Mike Almas' latest CD, I Can't Stop is now available for fans of quality no-frills blues rock.

This disc will have you swingin', dancin', and boogyin' like there's no tomorrow. There's a definite good time vibe here on tunes like Blue to the Bone, Lookin 4 Love, Devil's Gate and the instrumental Swamp Stomp. A few quieter soulful moments are also on tap (Why, My Father's Horn)

Mike's skillful guitar playing is showcased throughout the recording as is the incredible work of legendary drummer Jack Pedler (Teenage Head) and talented basist Neil Nickafor.

CDs can be purchased at Mike's shows and at Picks and Sticks on Locke.

Below are two recent live performances of songs from the CD featuring 905 Band members Sonnie Bernardi (drums) and Dave Johns (bass) at Stonewalls on July 10, 2010. Click here for more videos from this show. Click here if you can't see the videos.





Click here for more Mike Almas stories

Blues News Bites (HMV, Drinking Songs, Local Videos)

Canada

• New HMV digital download store

World

• Elvin Bishop Releases Limited Edition CD to Help His Mentor, Little Smokey Smothers
• Buddy Guy and Al Green producer Willie Mitchel passes 

Funny/Weird Stuff

• Barstool Mountain's Top 100 Drinking Songs

Videos 

905 Band At Canal Days


Dave Pomfret Live at INDI 101


Ben Somer at Bluemoon Lounge


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