Showing posts with label Sandra Bouza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandra Bouza. Show all posts

Monday, May 11, 2026

Spencer Mackenzie Grows by Leaps and Bounds on Empty Chairs


Mini review: Empty Chairs, the latest album from Juno-nominated Niagara Blues superstar Spencer Mackenzie is getting a lot of international attention and for good reason. He grows with each release and Empty Chairs sees him painting with a lot more colours. Lyrically, the album delves into more personal and sometimes darker themes proving his songwriting is expanding by leap and bounds. You can also hear a touch of gospel and rootsier elements to his work.

Available on: CD/Vinyl Through His Website, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music

Released on: Gypsy Soul Records

Personnel:

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Sunday, February 1, 2026

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

Blues Guitarist

Blues Industry Person

Blues Keyboard Player

Blues Video (7 nominees due to ties) 

Blues Bassist

Emerging Blues Artist or Group

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Monday, November 4, 2024

Nominees for the 20th Canadian Folk Music Awards


From the press release:

In 2025, the CFMA will return to Ottawa/Gatineau, the birthplace of the Canadian Folk Music Awards. The 20th Anniversary of the CFMA will take place from April 3–6, 2025, with a grand gala and a series of bilingual concerts that highlight the diversity, creativity, and cultural significance of the Canadian folk music scene today. Each concert will also include several awards presentations. 

VIP Wristbands are now on sale via folkawards.ca at the early bird price of $125 (tax inclusive). The wristbands grant access to all four concerts as well as afterparty networking events, offering significant savings (Tickets to all four shows are valued at $148 + tax and ticket fees if purchased separately). 

Single tickets for each concert will be available for purchase in February 2025. 

Here is the announcement video:

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

Below is a complete list of nominees. Local nominees are bolded. 

Contemporary Singer of the Year

Ensemble of the Year

Children’s Album of the Year

Contemporary Album of the Year

English Songwriter(s) of the Year

French Songwriter(s) of the Year

Global Roots Album of the Year

Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year

Instrumental Composer(s) of the Year

Instrumental Group of the Year

Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year

    Single of the Year

    Vocal Group of the Year

      Young Performer(s) of the Year

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        Thursday, November 2, 2023

        2024 Maple Blues Award Nominees


        From the news release:

        Considered the highest honours on the Canadian blues scene, the nominees for the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards have been announced.

        Returning to its roots, the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards will take place at The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto), where the awards were held from 2000 to 2006. The not-to-be-missed blues music event of the year will take place on Monday, February 12th.  Tickets start at $37.40 and are on sale now at ticketweb.ca

        Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are in bold.

        * artists is signed with Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

        + artist is signed with Waterdown's True North Records

        % artist is signed with Waterdown's Borealis Records)

        Acoustic Act of the Year

        Bassist of the Year

        • Gary Kendall (Niagara)
        • Angelique Francis
        • Jasmine Colette
        • Nathan Blackburn
        • Russell Jackson

        Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award 

        • Cheryl Lescom (Kitchener)
        • Sue Foley*
        • Alec Fraser
        • Bobby Dean Blackburn
        • Brent Parkin
        • Dalannah Gail Bowen
        • Danny Brooks
        • Mike McKenna
        • Murray Porter
        • Tom Lavin

        Drummer of the Year

        Harmonica Player of the Year

        Horn Player of the Year

        Male Vocalist of the Year

        New Artist or Group of the Year

        Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year

        Songwriter of the Year

        Electric Act of the Year

        Entertainer of the Year

        • Matt Andersen+
        • Angelique Francis
        • Blackburn Brothers
        • Blue Moon Marquee
        • Bywater Call

        Female Vocalist of the Year

        Guitarist of the Year

        Recording/Producer of the Year

        B.B. King International Artist of the Year

        • Christone ''Kingfish'' Ingram
        • Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
        • Tedeschi Trucks Band
        • Thorbjorn Risager and The Black Tornado
        • Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule)

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        Tuesday, March 24, 2020

        Milton Musician Sean Cunnington Passes


        It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Milton musician Sean Cunnington, who passed away  on March 18, 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus. He was a member of the band Elmwood Underground and also backed up a number of musicians. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

        His band, Elmwood Underground, left the following message on their Facebook page:
        With extremely heavy hearts, we must announce the loss of one of our own. Sean Cunnington, writer, guitar player and producer for Elmwood Underground, passed away late on March 17. We are devastated by the loss, but plan to honour his musical legacy by continuing to release the music that we have completed, as it would have been his wishes to do so. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sean's wife Teri, and his three daughters. You will be missed brother, Rest peacefully now.
        Here is his obituary:
        With tremendous sadness the family of Sean Cunnington announces his sudden passing on Wednesday March 18, 2020. Sean leaves behind his wife Teri, daughters Rachel (Jason), Emily (Joe) and Sara (Humza) and step-mom Toby. Brother-in-law to Kari & Gerry, Bonnie and Linda. Uncle to Spencer, Mollie and Jamie. Sean will also be missed by his extended family, countless friends and his music community.
        We awoke to find you gone, and now the weight of the world seems harder to bear. You were the bright thread of our weave, now gone from the loom. You touched us all with your many gifts, and we were blessed to know you. Your warmth, inclusive nature, your ever-present smile and ready laugh. A laugh; equal in measure when things went wrong, as when things went right. We will miss that laugh, and your sense of humor; wry, ironic, always meant to disarm and delight. ‘…A piece of string walks into a bar…’ Only you could retell the many jokes we already knew, the more groans and eye-rolling you could elicit the better. We laughed because you laughed, your joy was infectious. Sean, we cannot think of you without hearing music. Music possessed you and you it. To hear and see you play was like watching someone who has taught themselves to fly. We close our eyes and still hear your inimitable style as you would soar effortlessly unbound by the musical gravity anchoring the rest of us to earth. A guitar in your hands completed you, and you must know the joy you provided to us. Your grace and communication style drew an ever widening circle of people to you and we the lucky; cherished belonging to you. Your social grace and timing impeccable, you always knew when to lay back in the mix, and when to cut to the front. Now we are left only with memories, echoes of you and your legacy. You have left too soon, and we are now less than we were. Treadmill Mr. Cunnington, my One and Only, treadmill.
        A memorial gathering will be announced at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Cystic Fibrosis Canada would be appreciated.
        A few social media reactions

         Emily Burgess
        He was one of the most energetic, fun, and creative people I ever met - and one hell of a guitar player. He was always thinking of ways to make learning music fun for people, and did such a wonderful job helping to build The T-Rox Music Academy. Rest in Peace, Sean.
        Scott Apted
        Sean was one of the most positive and fearless, hard working people I knew. I’m so glad that he saw us release his vision and music only a few weeks ago. Much love to Seans wife and three children during this terrible time. RIP
        Karl Anderson (drums)
        My heart goes out to Sean's family, friends and bandmates at this time, such an unexpected event. Very proud to have known Sean for so long, to have toured together, performed in other projects together, and ultimately working together to release his final recordings. Your legacy shall live on in music. Rest well. 
        Peter Kadar (piano)
        He was a vibrant, kind and hilarious person, a killer musician, and great to work with. I send my love to his family and friends as we process this shocking news. RIP Sean.
         Media stories:


        Links: Elmwood Underground, Video above courtesy of Elmwood Underground - Topic



        Links: Carla Muller, Video above courtesy of Carla Muller



        Links: Sandra Bouza, More Sandra Bouza Stories, Video above courtesy of Sean Cunnington Music
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        Saturday, July 13, 2019

        News Roundup (TBS Talent Search Winners, Midnight Sons, Sold on Hamilton, more)

            News

            Local
            Hamilton Spectator
            Thorold News
            Canada
            FYI Music News
            Passings
                Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

                Trebleclef will be back soon

                MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS
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