Winners of the First Canadian Blues Music Awards (2025)

The very first Canadian Blues Music Awards took place on March 30, 2026 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. 

Here's a complete list of winners

* Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

• Keyboard Player: Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne (Formerly from Burlington)*
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Drummer : Jim Casson (Niagara) (Davis Hall and the Green Lanterns) / Sylvain “Sly” Coulombe (Chambers/DesLauriers) 
  
  
  
  Links: Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns, More DHGL stories, Jim Casson, More Jim Casson Stories, Video above courtesy of jimcasson
  
  
• Acoustic Blues Recording: Sue Foley: One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar *
  
  
• Producer: Steve Marriner (Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean: This Old Life (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys); David Gogo: YEAH! - (All 3 ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys)
  
  
• Bassist: Jasmine Colette (Blue Moon Marquee) 
  
• 
  
• Electric Blues Recording: Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues
  
  
• Emerging Blues Artist or Group: Ollee Owens
  
  
• Fan Favourite: Blue Moon Marquee
  
  
• Female Blues Vocalist: Crystal Shawanda
  
  
• Harmonica Player: Steve Marriner / Guy Bélanger
  
  
• Horn Player: Jerry Cook (Wailin’ Walker) 
  
  
• Industry Person: Ken Simms (Think Tank Music Network) / Bruce Morel (Music Marketing International Inc)
  
  
• Guitarist: Brandon Isaak
  
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Tim Williams
  
  
• Male Blues Vocalist: Marcus Trummer
  
  
• Song: Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues
  
  
• Video: The Harpoonist: Show Me The Green
  
  
  
  Links: Harpoonist, Video above courtesy of The Harpoonist

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Nominees for the Inaugural (2025) Canadian Blues Music Awards

With the Maple Blues Awards is no longer around, the Canadian Blues Music Awards has risen to take it's place. The inaugural list of nominees was recently announced. The ceremony takes place March 30, 2026 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY.

Below is a video of the nominee announcements.

Video above courtesy of Canadian Blues Music Awards.

Here's a complete list of nominees. Local acts are bolded.

*Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Acoustic Blues Recording

• Sue Foley: One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar *
• Big Dave McLean: This Old Life (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys)
  
  
  
  Links: Big Dave McLean, More Dave McLean Stories, Jesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien Stories, More Muddy Waters Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Big Dave McLean - Topic
  
  
• Al Lerman: Country-Fried Blues
• Blue Moon Marquee: New Orleans Sessions
• David Vest & Terry Robb: CrissCross

Blues Drummer 

• Jim Casson (Niagara) - Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns
  
  
  
  Links: Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns, More DHGL stories, Jim Casson, More Jim Casson Stories, Video above courtesy of jimcasson
  
  
• Bruce McCarthy (Bywater Call) 
• Kiran Francis (Angelique Francis) 
• Sandro Dominelli (Samantha King and the Midnight Outfit)
• Sylvain “Sly” Coulombe (Chambers DesLauriers)

Blues Guitarist

• Sue Foley*
• Brandon Isaak
• David Gogo
• Paul DesLauriers (Chambers DesLauriers)
• Tony D 

Blues Horn Player

• Loretta Hale (Hamilton) (André Bisson)
• Jerry Cook (Wailin’ Walker) 
• Julian Nalli (Bywater Call) 
• Kharincia Francis (Angelique Francis) 
• Kira Francis (Angelique Francis) 

Blues Industry Person

• Ken Wallis (Hamilton) (Blues Source Entertainment, Escarpment Blues Society) 
• Bruce Morel (Morel Music International) 
• Ken Simms (Think Tank Music Network) 
• Lori & Paul Murray (Music By The Bay Live)
• Ron Simmonds (Blues In The Dark) 

Blues Keyboard Player

• Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne (Formerly from Burlington)*
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Miles Evans-Branagh (Hamilton) (Marcus Trummer, Sandra Bouza) 
  
  
  
  Links: Sandra Bouza, More Sandra Bouza Stories, Miles Evans-Branagh, More Miles Evans-Branagh Stories, Video above courtesy of Sandra Bouza Music
  
  
• David Vest
• Jeff Rogers 
• Rooster Davis (Secondhand Dreamcar) 

Blues Video (7 nominees due to ties) 

• André Bisson (Hamilton): Latchford 
  
  
  
  Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson Stories, Video above courtesy of André Bisson
  
  
• Blue Moon Marquee: Come On Down
• Angelique Francis: Train Coming
• The Harpoonist: Show Me The Green
• Bywater Call: Colours
• Ray Lemelin & Steve Hill: Walk On/Ain’t No Use In Worryin’ 
• JP LeBlanc: All On Your Own

Electric Blues Recording

• Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys)*
• David Gogo: YEAH! (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys)*
• Angelique Francis: Not Defeated 
• Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues
• Crystal Shawanda: Sing Pretty Blues

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Kenny Blues Boss Wayne (Formerly from Burlington)*
• Amos Garrett 
• Bobby Dean Blackburn 
• Russell Jackson 
• Tim Williams

Producer

• Steve Marriner (Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean: This Old Life (ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys); David Gogo: YEAH! - (All 3 ft Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys)
• Blue Moon Marquee 
• Brandon Isaak
• Renan Yildizdogan & Ross Hayes Citrullo (Marcus Trummer: From The Start) 
• Steve Dawson (Ndidi O: Simple Songs For Complicated Times) 

Blues Bassist

• Angelique Francis 
• Harry Gregg (Secondhand Dreamcar) 
• Jack Lavin 
• Jasmine Colette (Blue Moon Marquee) 
• Mike Meusel (Bywater Call)

Blues Harmonica Player

• Steve Marriner
• Al Lerman
• Guy Bélanger
• Shawn Hall (The Harpoonist) 
• Steve Grant “Cabbagetown Steve” (Little Magic Sam) 

Blues Song

• Crystal Shawanda: Sing Pretty Blues
• Angelique Francis: Train Coming
• Blue Moon Marquee: What I Wouldn’t Do
• Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues
• Ndidi O: Working Girl

Emerging Blues Artist or Group

• Glenn Marais & the Mojo Train
• Jeff Rogers
• JP LeBlanc
• Ollee Owens
• Paul Black

Female Blues Vocalist

• Crystal Shawanda
• Angelique Francis 
• Dana Wylie
• Ndidi O
• Samantha King

Male Blues Vocalist

• Big Dave McLean
• Brandon Isaak
• Jeff Rogers
• Marcus Trummer
• Wayne Nicholson

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2025 Niagara Music Award Winners & Nominees

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, the 14th edition of the Niagara Music Awards were handed out at the Sheraton Fallsview Conference Centre.

Below are a list of winners and nominees. Winners are listed at the top of the list and bolded.

ADULT CONTEMPORARY

• Lastli: Favourite Colour
• Amanda Lyn Parker: Lucid Dreaming
• Caleb Fast: Further From Me
• Junyor: We Don't Dance
• Kathryn Sinopoli: Regret
• Mel Monaco: Love Tides
• Permilla: Let Me Down
• Vibi: Matress

ALBUM

• Spencer Macenzie: Preach to My Soul
• Dialect Sosa: Ultra Violence – Decline Of A Beautiful Mind
• Evan Rotella: Last Train Home
• Moe Killed My Cool: Call Me When You Get Home
• Otherwives: Everlasting
• Sea Of Gold and Burgandy: Golden Horizons

BLUES

• Spencer Macenzie: Baptized By Cold Water
• Danny Boy Phelan
• Davis Hall and the Green Laterns: Carrottown
• Gil Hicks: Cables Out
• Terry K3tl: Blues All Night

COUNTRY

• Spencer Burton: Going Fishin
• Samantha Ava: Dead Town Diva
• Andy Colonico: Wild Card Girl
• Marty Hopkins: You Don’t Know Jack
• Dean Young: So It Is What It Is

EDM

• Kavai: Bob Does Acid
• Errunhrd: I’m Sorry

FEMALE 

• Vibi: Mattress
• Samantha Ava: Dead Town Diva
• Emily Andrews: Electric Wildlife
• Kathryn Sinololi: Regret
• Errunhrd: I’m Sorry
• Kennedy Von Kat: Edward Scissor Hands
• Paige Koop: Foolproof DIY
• Rita Visser: Rita and The Daydreamers
• Amanda Lyn Parker: Lucid Dreaming
• Mel Monaco: Love Tides
• Sleepy Jean: Six Feet Deep
• Nicole Cerminara: Let Me Down

FOLK

• Evan Rotella: Last Train Home
• Jeff Beadle: Batty Woman
• Fallen Leaves: Electric Wildlife
• Tribe 369: The Vibe Band Gypsy
• Suzie Vinnick: Talk to Me

HEAVY METAL

• Gutter Crowns: Shell
• Shadow Of The Fallen: Temples Of Stone
• Over It: Garden Style
• The Band Formely Known as Midnight Tripper: Dental Man
• Sunnycide: Decent
• Stuck In Neutral: Heart Attack
• Duskwalker: Never Going Back

HIP HOP  

• Cdot: DND &  Frvr Lonely
• Dialect Sosa: Running
• Choom Gang: Danky Kong
• Humble Hab: Bubble Gum
• Ezza E Featuring DJ Flip & Humble Hab: Let Go Pt2
• DPAX Nick Bee, K Double D, Everett Champion: Motions
• Everett Champion: Ghost Rider
• Pluto Hann: In Case You Were Wondering
• Caleb Fast: Sex and Drugs
• 80 Empire: RLWD

INSTRUMENTAL

• NT 1078: De Shrill
• P8E: Cruise Control
• Glass Apple Bonzai: Brother Bones
• Shiver: Going Underground
• M.U.L.L.E.Y: Musicians Night Off
• Shatterscript: Ignite
• Davis Hall And The Green Lanterns: Carrotown

MALE

• Spencer Burton: Going Fishin
• Evan Rotella: Last Train Home
• Lastli: Favourite Colour
• Junyor: Hurricane
• Jeff Beadle: Batty Woman
• Cdot: DND
• Nathaniel Goold: Electric Wildlife
• CD Onofrio: Sea Of Gold and Burgundy
• Brandon Agnew: The Blue That Shakes You
• Zach Mesic: Redemption Arc - Otherwives
• Spenscr Mackenzie: Preach My Soul
• Jonah Cappa: Twenty First Century – Galaxy Drive

MUSIC VIDEO

• Take The Money: Giancarlo & The Scarfones
  
  
  
  Links: Giancarlo & The Scarfones, Video above courtesy of Giancarlo & The Scarfones
  
  
• 1982: 80 Empire
• Live: Samantha Ava
• Forced To Walking: Thunderclap
• Going Fishin: Spencer Burton
• Material: The Maysides
• DND: Cdot
• Golden Horizon (Thats Alright): Sea Of Gold and Burgundy
• Mattress: Vibi
• Pieces Of Me: Suicide Star
• Maybe May: Still Mine
• Hometown: Roadwaves

NEW ARTIST

• Amanda Lyn: Parker Lucid Dreaming
• Abby Cabaj: It's Not My Fault
• Kennedy Von Kat: Edward Scissor Hands
• Dan Boyko: Lost Cause
• Jake Reynolds: If We Play Our Cards Right
• Ryan Thomas Smelle: Love Monkeys
• Brandon Agnew: The Kind Of Blue That Shakes You
• The Walkthrough: Timid

NEW GROUP  

• Days On Parade
• Stone Blind
• Lastlii
• Junyor
• Sunshine Express
• UFI
• Moe Killed My Cool
• Saint Paul
• Maybe May
• Playing With Fire
• Mushroom Valley
• Feverish Lemons
• Galaxy Drive

ORIGINAL ARTIST

• Errunhrd: I’m Sorry
• Codesis: Hold on to You
• Thunderclap: Forced To Walking
• Glass Apple Bonzai: Sound Of Love
• Anthony Botting: Boy
• Sensorium Angels: Artic Blueberry
• Eric Laurent: Back Seat

ORIGINAL GROUP

• Road Waves
• Sunshine Express
• Giancarlo and the Scarfones
• Sea Of Gold and Burgandy
• Moe Killed My Cool
• Davis Hall and the Green Lanterns
• Mushroom Valley
• Permilla

ORIGINAL SONG

• Dear Daughter: Rita And The Daydreamers
  
  
  
  Links: Rita And The Daydreamers, Video above courtesy of  Rita & the Daydreamers - Topic
  
  
• Maryanne: Evan Rotella
• Favourite Colour: Lastlii
• Wild Card Girl: Andy Colonico
• Timid: The Walkthrough
• Sound Of Love: Glass Apple Bonzai
• Love Monkeys: Ryan Thomas Smelle
• Again and Again: Cdot
• Carrotown: Davis Hall And The Green Lanterns

PRODUCER/SONG/ARTIST

• Joe Lipinski & Rita Visser: Northern Daydream by Rita Visser
• Matt Keighan: One Tree Down by Rob Repovs
• Peter Havencamp: Forced To Walking by Thunderclap
• Daniel Belasco: Sound Of Love by Glass Apple Bonzai
• Erunhrd: I’m Sorry by Erunhrd
• Lucas Rezza: RLWD by 80 Empire
• Steve Goldberger: A Sea Of Gold and Burgandy

PROMOTER

• Rob Repovs
• Medium Baby
• Chico Sanchez

PUNK

• Otherwives: Everlasting
• The Maysides: Been There Done That
• Daze Away: Air Japan
• Days On Parade: Look Alive
• Chub: No Sleeves till Brooklyn
• Welland Wasted: Democracy and Hypocrisy
• Go Ogopogo: I Get It
• Galaxy Drive: Twenty First Century
• Nitro Girl Poison: In Every Puff

ROCK  

• Moe Killed My Cool: I Want to be Fooly Cooly With You
• Stone Blind: Should’ve Known
• Junyor: Hurricane
• Aeronaut: Keep the Light On
• Kennedy Von Kat: Edward Scissor Hands
• Dan Boyko: Lost Cause
• Foolproof: DIY
• Suicide Star: Pieces of Me
• Cocktails: Get Off My Back
• Maybe May: Still Mine
• Dark City Panik: Sell Me A Lie
• Breaking Still: l Devil Inside My Mind
• Revive The Rose: Good Enough

VENUE

• Local
• Partridge Hall, First Ontario
• Warehouse
• Taps
• Big Texas
• Doc Magilligans
• Camp Cataract
• The Bank Art House
• OLG Stage
• Industria
• Moose and Goose
• Meridian Centre
• Donnelly's

GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT

• Stephan Moccio, Rezz

BEYOND NIAGARA 

• Cassandra DiFruscio

Links: Niagara Music Awards, More NMA Stories

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