It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ray Harrison (known as Rabbit to close friends) , a legendary musician who was a member of Crowbar and the Cameo Blues Band. We do not have any details at this time but we will post it on this page when we learn more. Our condolences to his family, friends and and fans.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ray quite a few times mostly through Crowbar and the Cameo Blues Band. He was extremely talented and friendly. I will miss him greatly.
One of the highlights of my life was playing with Ray and the guys at the Hotel Isabella. Many great years with Cameo and so many great memories of this Giant of a Man.
Ray Harrison was a goliath of a player, and among my musical heroes in Crowbar. I always cherished getting to hear him play. I'll never forget him letting me use his rig when I opened for them, a true honour. Ray was the best boogie-woogie player I ever heard. A true Rock N' Roller.
I just heard the sad news that Ray Harrison has passed away. Not only was "Rabbit" Ray a fantastic pianist and organ player, he was a larger than life character who leaves behind a huge void. He had a great ear and he knew how to rock and roll. He was one of those guys that never seemed to practice, yet he was absolutely killer on his instrument. We'd been on countless gigs together and the hang between sets was always as much fun as the playing... perhaps even more. Endless stories full of laughs!
When I lived in Toronto, he would often show up at my place unannounced and say "let's go". We'd get into his van, grab some beer and drive around for hours while he showed me old haunts from his past in Toronto's Mount Dennis neighbourhood. He had some scary biker friends. He knew the best greasy spoons all over the city. He'd make that Jackie Gleason/Ralph Kramden bulging eyes expression which always made me laugh. He'd collect old things and give them to friends he knew would appreciate them, like when he gave me an old Roy Rogers harmonica. We laughed a lot.
When I mentioned to him last year that so many friends our age were passing away, he said, "Yeah, they're plowing our row". He'd often comment on my FB posts with one word, "Whoosh".... a private joke. Whoosh, now you're gone. You will be missed, but something tells me the stories and anecdotes will go on and on. Rest in peace my friend.
My fondest memory of Ray Harrison ... I had played with him for a bit on and off on different shows. This time we were at the Shipdeck Stage at Harbourfront. The band was all set up and we got a rain call and had to relocate inside. Everyone dashed off with their gear except for Ray and I. Ray's gear was being moved by the crew and gone and Ray stood by me, telling me not to move anything, that the crew would move it all and for me not to move a thing. (I would have moved it all myself without Ray) I always felt good when Ray was on the gig. He always made you laugh and he always put his heart into everything he played.
On another occasion, I had a band called The Panthers....Ray found an old tv light, it was a panther light...and then he found a second panther light. I was thrilled. Ray knew I loved bulldogs, pugs and any dogs like them. He came over with a beautiful white French bulldog milk dispenser that matched my cookie jar perfectly (he had no idea)...then he brought over a pug cookie jar. I treasure these items, as I have with Ray's friendship. Sure gonna miss you Ray. I'm leaving the light on for you. RIP
In early March 2025, Brantford Bluesman Chuck Jackson was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his support of Canadian Arts. The former Downchild singer and Southside Shuffle founder has worked tirelessly to support music and arts throughout this country.
According to the Canadian government website, It's for those who have have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Through over 50 years of live musical performance, and serving as a founder and Director of the Southside Shuffle for 25 years, Chuck Jackson’s contributions to the Canadian Blues Collective meet the strict mandate to be acknowledged with the distinction of “Blues Legend”. With the distinction, Jackson will receive a physical representation of his “Blues Legend” status, and full authority to recognize up to two musicians with the “Blues Legacy” distinction. In keeping with the two-tiered, musician-led formula, Jackson has selected the artists to be acknowledged with the Blues Legacy Distinction:
In response to being the first recipient of the “Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction”, Jackson shared his thoughts about the initiative:
“To be the first recipient, I’m very honoured. I’m looking forward to seeing this continue to grow – Canada has a rich resource of Blues musicians who deserve to be recognized, and this is a really good way to do it. There are so many artists in Canada who have made an impact, who haven’t been recognized through programs that are out there, and this is something different. To be able to name Hock Walsh and Jane Vasey is also something I am very happy to do - both of them have made great contributions through music, and this is recognition they should have had a long time ago. There are a lot of artists who have passed, who are deserving, and this is a way for people to have an opportunity to learn about their musical contributions. Like I said, this is something I’m looking forward to seeing grow, and I’m very honoured to be the first recipient and name Hock and Jane as two of the people who deserve this recognition too.”
Jackson is scheduled to be presented with a physical award acknowledging the distinction on Thursday August 17th, 2023 as part of the 25th annual Southside Shuffle’s opening event, The Beggars Blues Banquet. The event takes place at the Port Credit Legion in Port Credit, Ontario.
The “Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction” is a new initiative that strives to acknowledge the musicians who have made an impact within the Canadian Blues Collective. Founded and funded by Canadian Blues artist Erin McCallum, the distinction is two-tiered; musicians who are recognized as “Blues Legends” (they must meet a strict mandate to be eligible) are automatically given the opportunity to acknowledge up to two musicians (who also meet the outlined criteria) to be given the distinction of “Blues Legacy”.
In addition to “Blues Legends” being acknowledged with a physical recognition, all musicians who are acknowledged via the “Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction” will receive a written acknowledgement. Each written acknowledgement will be published with the intention of creating an accessible resource for people worldwide to learn about the notable Blues musicians who have made an impact within the Canadian Blues music Collective.
Blues and Roots Radio Canada will be the official online platform for people to access information about this initiative, and the artists who receive the Blues Legend and Blues Legacy distinctions.
Blues Blast Magazine recently unveiled the nominees for their 2022 awards and a few local acts are in the running. People are encouraged to click here to vote. Deadline is August 19th, 2022.
Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are bolded.
There’s no stopping the blues – not even a second year of a global pandemic. In a year like no other, 2021 has proven that Canadian blues artists are tenacious, forward-thinking, and incredibly creative in the face of adversity. Despite ongoing challenges and changes, Toronto Blues Society continues to support and promote Canadian Blues artists by announcing the nominees for the upcoming 25th annual Maple Blues Awards. The winners will be announced on January 31, 2022 at the LIVE Maple Blues Award Show to be held at Koerner Hall in Toronto,
Blues fans can cast their votes online at www.mapleblues.ca. Public Voting opens November 3, 2021 at 12:01 am Eastern Time and closes December 1, 2021, 11:59 pm Eastern .
Here's a complete list of nominees: Local artists are bolded.
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