Cambridge's own Big Dan Jeffares and his incredible band will be heading to Memphis in 2025 to represent the Grand River Blues Society in the band category. WAY TO GO!
The competition was held at the Edelweiss Tavern in Kitchener on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Big Dan faced 6 other talented groups to earn this trip.
Here's one of the performances that helped him win:
Unfortunately, no local artists won at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Canada was represented though with Montreal's Adam Karch bringing home the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award (Best Solo/Duo Guitarist)
The incredible Hamilton band Garnetta and Dagroovmasters is heading to the 2023 in Memphis! The gang'll be competing against the best Blues acts from across the globe. They'll be showing the world what the Hammer can offer.
We should also mention that unfortunately Bywater Call, who won the Grand River Blues Society band spot for 2023 can no longer make it to Memphis so Hamilton's Frank Cosentino Band will be going in their place.
Toronto musician Brooke Blackburn was chosen to represent the Grand River Blues Society for the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. On May 29, 2022, after a hard-fought musical battle at Bobby O'Brien's in Kitchener, judges picked him to make us proud next year when he gets up on the international stage. He also gets a spot on the prestigious Kitchener Blues Festival.
On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Stonewalls in Hamilton was rocking with the sound of Blues! The Grand River Blues Society held an incredible competition to choose their band representative for the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
After hearing from 7 amazing bands, the judges picked Toronto band, Bywater Call as winner.
UPDATE: Bywater Call can no longer make it tot Memphis so the Frank Cosentino Bandwill be going instead.
In 2021, Bad Manors, the classic album from the legendary Crowbar, turns 50 years old! This was the unforgettable Hamilton band's second offering and the first just under just its own name (their debut was technically King Biscuit Boy with Crowbar). This was, of course, the album that would feature their biggest hit, the ever-eternal Oh, What a Feeling.
We asked a few local musicians to give their thoughts on this incredible album.
Paul Panchezak (Trickbag, King Biscuit Boy and touring member of Crowbar)
In Melody Maker, Paul McCartney called "Oh What A Feeling" the "party record of the year". I read it with my own eyes as a young high school student. It made me very proud of my home town.
When I first dove into the world of classic rock and album hunting my aunt told me stories of this glorious band that lived and partied together in this old mansion. That sounded like the life to me! I ran out and picked up a used copy at Cactus Records in Oakville which I still own and play today!
I got such a kick out of how fun this band sounded with the cool train imitations on Train Keep Rolling to the hoots, hollering and yodeling on Baby Let's Play House and of course, the iconic shouts on Oh What What a Feeling.
The album was just jammed packed with Blues, Rocking boogies, boogie woogie piano, whaling harp, and screaming guitar! I'd stare at the picture on the center fold of these wild and crazy Canuck hippies out in the snow! This album was a masterpiece that makes you proud to be a Canadian musician
For me it was one of the heaviest sounds I had heard up to that time! It proved that Canadian musicians could hold they're own with the best in the world! And in most cases surpassing!
Elmore James took the Mississippi Delta blues to a whole new level-he electrified an acoustic guitar and propelled Robert Johnson's influence into a whole new thing. An innovative slide guitar master and a great singer who set a new standard for exciting modern blues.
Not only will you enjoy all this for only $15, but all proceeds go towards Camp Oochigeas (Camp Ooch for short). They give wonderful camping experiences to children with cancer.
Here are a few spectacular video from the participants.
We are saddened to report that the talented Toronto Bluesman and slide guitar master Brian Cober(who was originally from Preston, Cambridge) passed away in his sleep after a courageous battle with cancer. It happened on Friday, December 16. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Brian Cober was one of the first guys to ever get me on stage as well as introducing to me to Terry Wilkins, who would become my musical partner in crime. Brian was truly a one of kind musician who had a unique and immediately recognizable voice on the instrument. I owe a lot of who I am and what I do musically to Brian. Thank you for for the encouragement and inspiration through the years, I am grateful to have known you. Rest easy, see you on the other side.
To All My Brothers And Sisters Who Make Music Their Life......I've Talked To Many Today...We Are all in a fog About the passing Of Our Brother Brian Cober Toronto will never be the same but I truly believe You need to keep giving your all on your gigs tonight and over the next few weeks as anyone who knew and loved Brian Knows That's How he would Want it.....Heavy Heart....RIP My Soul Brother...We Are All Richer Because of you.
The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey A while back, Trebleclefloved catching Sonny Del-Rioand the 5-Star Revue at Saturday Nite Bluesin Hamilton.
The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey Our little monkey was very busy late last year, here's a quick rundown: Trebleclefrocked out toWicked GrinatJet Hall in Hamilton
Blues Time cover Voodoo Child at Jet Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic Frank Cosentino, Alishan Hagopian, Davin Goudie
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Friday, January 1, 2016
Our good friends atBluesSource Entertainmenthave been putting on some unbelievable Saturday Night Blues shows at the Jet Hall in Hamilton. There'll be many more stunning acts to come.
Tickets are generally $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Click here to buy tickets! IT'S WELL WORTH IT!
Stay tuned for an upcoming ticket contest!
Here's a preview of what's in store for the lucky listeners.
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