Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day Videos by the Vaudevillian

Update of 2020 Post 

Every July 31, we celebrate Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day.









Links: The Vaudevillian, More Vaudevillian Stories, Videos above courtesy of The Vaudevillian

Click here for more Uncommon Instrument Videos

---

Previous (Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman in 2009) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday - The Acoustics Album Get Noticed)

Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman in 2009

From March 19, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.

Click above to enlarge

Original posts: January 24, 2009, October 10, 2009

Updated Post: July 23, 2026

Hamilton Bluesman Steve Strongman had a great year in 2009

Here are a few highlights

• Released album, Blues in Color 
• The album Blues in Color was the only Canadian disc to enter Roots Music Report's Top 20 list for the week of July 10, 2026
• Opened for Buddy Guy
• Was the surprise opening act for legend Joe Cocker.
• Up for a Maple Blues Award
• Started recording Live DVD in West Lincoln Barn
• Won a Hamilton Music Award

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

---

Previous (New Johnny Max Band Album) - - -  (Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day Videos)

Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends is a Remarkable Album

Mini-Review: Toronto's Johnny Max surrounds himself with oodles of talented artists from the Hamilton & Niagara areas for his latest remarkable album. Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends, is packed with a Blues sounds:  boogie-woogie, jazz, soul, funk, country-flavours, and more. This is all blended in to Johnny's trademark down to earth stylings and lyrics.

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music

Main Band

• Johnny Max - Lead Vocals, Producer
• Jim Casson - Drums & Percussion, Producer
• Mitch Lewis - Guitars
• Dylan Wickens - Guitars
• Steve Goldberger - Bass
• Bill Evans - Keyboards

Guests

• Neil Chapman - Guitar 
• Jay Burr - Tuba
• Quisha Wint - Vocals
• Suzie Vinnick - Vocals
• Wayne Deadder - Guitars & Vocals
• Russ Boswell - Bass
• Dave Dunlop - Trumpet
• Sabine Casson - Vocals 
• Nan McAneney  - Spoken Voice

Links: Johnny Max, More Johnny Max Stories, Album above courtesy of Bandcamp, More Releases

---

Previous (Caissie Levy Earns Tony Award) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman in 2009)

Throwback Thursday: Randy Steele Tribute @ The Studio (June 28, 2009)

Original Posts: June 29 & 30, 2009

Merged/Updated Post: March 19, 2026

On Sunday, June 28, 2009 @ The Studio at Hamilton Place, a wonderful celebration of life was held for Hamilton musician and newsman Randy Steele, who passed away on May 22, 2009.

Click here for the Global News story on his passing

Links: Rocketship7 (Randy's Last Band), More Rolling Stones covers/stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

The Grand Finale:

Links: Jim Witter, More Jim Witter Stories, More Beatles Covers/News Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Below are links to the other videos that we took at that ceremony.

• Lori Yates, Lisa Winn, Alfie Smith
• Steve Strongman: That's What She Does
• Crawlin' Kingsnakes: Now I'm Crazy
• Bob Lanois
• Jim Witter: Candle in the Wind
• Spider and the Stirling Silver Band - Celebrate
• Kori Pop: Astrocops
• Blacken'd Red: Dead Flowers
• Mickey DeSadist & the Westdale Electricians - Eighteen
• Matt Hayes & Jim Witter: Two of Us

Below is a collection of Hamilton Spectator stories about Randy and the event itself.   Click the links below the pictures to make it bigger.

Click here for bigger version

Click here for a bigger version

Click here for a bigger version

---

Previous (St. Patrick's Day Videos) - - Next (Spring Videos)

Christmas Videos by Paul James, Raoul Bhaneja, Steve Strongman, Dave Rave, Chris Ayries & André Bisson

Links: Paul James, More Paul James Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Raoul and the Big Time, More Raoul Bhaneja Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Dave Rave, More Dave Rave Stories, Video above courtesy of Dave Rave - Topic

Links: Chris Ayries, More Chris Ayries Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson Stories, Video above courtesy of André Bisson

 More Christmas Videos

---

Previous (Jack Pedler Passes) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: 2009 Christmas Videos)

BB King's 100th Birthday + Local Covers

September 16, 2025 would have been American Blues Superstar B.B. King's 100th birthday.

Biographic Highlights (From Wikipedia)

• Born Riley B. King in Itta Bena, Mississippi (September 16, 1925)
• Followed cousin Bukka White to Memphis, Tennessee (1946)
• Performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio program on KWEM in West Memphis
• Worked at WDIA radio station as a singer and disc jockey where he was given the nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy", later shortened to "Blues Boy" and finally to "B. B."
• First single, Mistreated Woman (1950)
  
  
  
  Links: B.B. King, More BB King Stories, Video above courtesy of B.B. King
  
  
• Released first charting single (#1 Billboard R&B) 3 O'Clock Blues (1951)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Ron Levy
  
  
• First album Singin' the Blues (1956)
• Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1980)
• He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
• Died at age 89 (May 14, 2015)

Local Covers

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Steve Strongman - Topic

Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of pierre bertrand

More 100th Birthdays

---

Previous (Grandparents Day Videos) - - - Next (Country Music Day Videos)

International Dog Day Videos by Steve Strongman & Paul Deslauriers, Rae Billing, Fraser/Daley

Update of 2021 post

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, More Paul Deslauries Stories, Video above courtesy of BLUESMAN350Z

Links: Rae Billing, More Rae Billing Stories, Video above courtesy of Rae Billing - Topic

Links: Fraser/Daley, More Mike Daley Stories, More Alec Fraser Stories, Video above courtesy of  Alec Fraser Jr

Click here for more Dog Day videos

---

Previous (Poet's Day Videos) - - - Next ('Play Music on Your Porch Day' Videos)

Community Votes Burlington 2024 Winners

Earlier this year, Community Votes Burlington announced their 2024 winners, which were voted on by the citizens of the city.

Below are the music-related winner. Click here for the full list.

Local Band

• Platinum: Rob Fitzgerald
  
  
  
  Links: Rob Fitzgerald, Video above courtesy of Rob Fitzgerald
  
  
• Gold: Killin' Time Band
  
  
  
  Links: Killin' Time Band, More KTB Stories, Video above courtesy of Killin' Time Band
  
  
• Silver: Bent City Rockers
  
  
  
  Links: Bent City Rockers, Video above courtesy of Carmen MacIntyre
  
  
• Bronze: Andre Bisson Band
  
  
  
  Link: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson Stories, Video above courtesy of André Bisson

Entertainer

• Platinum: Chris McKhool
  
  
  
  Links: Chris McKhool, More Chris McKhool Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris McKhool
  
  
• Gold: DJ Floops

Live Entertainment

• Platinum: Slye Fox
• Gold: Drury Lane Theatrical Productions
• Silver: Uptown Social House
• Bronze: Carrigan Arms

Entertainment

• Platinum: Slye Fox
• Gold: Chutney Music
• Silver: The Golfers Academy Inc

Night Club

• Platinum: Play Bar
• Gold: NYX Lounge
• Silver: Club 54

Radio Stations

• Platinum: 102-9 Klite
• Gold: KX947 New Country FM
• Silver: 97.7 Hitz FM
• Bronze: Byrnes Media

Music Lessons

• Platinum: Arcadia Academy Of Music / Shepherd Private Coaching
• Gold: Tiptoe Music
• Silver: Myriad Ensemble
• Bronze: Capstone Music
• Top Picks: Long and McQuade, Melody Man Studios, Music Centre - City Of Burlington, Rock This Way-School of Rock

Youth Music Lessons

• Platinum: Shepherd Private Coaching
• Gold: Arcadia Academy Of Music
• Silver: Capstone Music
• Bronze: Young Artists' Theatre
• Top Pick: Melody Man Studios

Music Retailer

• Platinum: Looney Tunes
• Gold: ODDSPOT
• Silver: Melody Man Studios
• Bronze: Sunrise Records

Musical Instruments

• Platinum: Long and McQuade
• Gold: Melody Man Studios
• Silver: Cyclomedica Canada Limited
• Bronze: Mountain Music

Links: Community Votes, More Community Votes Stories

---

Previous (Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman - Blues in Colour) - - - Next (Jazz Day Videos)

Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman: Blues in Colour

Original Post: March 23, 2009

Updated Post: April 24, 2025

Update: the album was later re-released by Stony Plain Records

Local blues musician, Steve Strongman has released his latest album, Blues In Colour. The recording  includes Alec Fraser on bass and Dave King on Drums. It features catchy hooks, acoustic ballads and a cover of Freddie King's Woman Across the River.

"I am really proud of this CD and can't wait for you to hear it," Strongman said.

You can stream the album below

Links: Album above courtesy of Stony Plain Records, Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, More Releases

---

Previous (Earth Day Videos) - - Next (Community Votes Burlington 2024 Winners)

Earth Day Videos by Ian Thomas, Blue Rodeo, Sarah Harmer

Update of 2020 post

Links: Ian Thomas, More Ian Thomas Stories, Video above courtesy of indigoinsf canada2

Links: Blue Rodeo, More Blue Rodeo Stories, Video above courtesy of Ian Johnson

Links: Sarah Harmer, More Sarah Harmer Stories, Video above courtesy of slowlytosea

More Earth Day Songs

---

Previous (Easter Videos) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman - Blues in Colour)

Throwback Thursday: 2009 International Blues Challenge Winners

Original Post: Part of the February 15, 2009 News Roundup post

Expanded: March 6, 2025

Local artists competing (didn't win) Steve Strongman (Hamilton/Kitchener), Bluesers (Oakville)

• Band: J.P. Soars and the Red Hots (South Florida Blues Society) / 2nd Place: Ty Curtis Band (Cascade Blues Association) / 3rd place: MonkeyJunk (from the Ottawa Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Links: J.P. Soars, Video above courtesy of Witek Bielski
  
  
  
  Links: MonkeyJunk, More MonkeyJunk Stories, Video above courtesy of Magublican TV
  
  
• Solo: Little Joe McLerran (Blues Society of Tulsa) / 2nd Place: Alphonso & Richard (Crossroads Blues Society of MS)
  
  
  
  Links: Little Joe McLerran, Video above courtesy of Jennifer Marriott
  
  
• Best Self-Produced CD: Nathan James & Ben Hernandez - Hollerin’
  
  
  
  Links: Nathan James & Ben Hernandez, Album above courtesy of Nathan James & Ben Hernandez - Topic

Links: International Blues Challenge, More IBC Stories

---

Previous (Garnetta and DaGroovmasters to represent GRBS at International Blues Challenge) - - - Next (International Women's Day Videos)

Blues Music Award Nominations, including Canadian Artists

Nominations for the 2025 Blues Music Awards were recently unveiled. They will be handed out on May 8, 2025 in Memphis.

Below is a complete list of nominees, Canadian artists are bolded.

*signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Blues Rock Album

• Struck Down, The Fabulous Thunderbirds - produced, co-written & featuring Steve Strongman (Hamilton) & backing vocals by Chris Ayries (Hamilton) on 'Sideline'*
  
  
  
  Links: Fabulous Thunderbirds, More Fabulous Thunderbirds Stories, Chris Ayries, More Chris Ayries Stories, Video above courtesy of The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Topic
  
  
• About Time, Dennis Jones
• Broken, Walter Trout
• Life is Hard, Mike Zito
• Righteous Souls, Albert Castiglia

Traditional Blues Female Artist

• Sue Foley (Ottawa)*
• Diunna Greenleaf
• Eden Brent
• Rhiannon Giddens
• Teeny Tucker

Acoustic Blues Album

• One Guitar Woman, Sue Foley (Ottawa) *
  
  
  
  Links: Sue Foley, More Sue Foley Stories, Video above courtesy of Sue Foley
  
  
• Naked Truth, Tinsley Ellis
• Raw Blues 2, Doug Macleod
• The Legend of Sugarbelly, Guy Davis
• Things Done Changed, Jerron Paxton

BB King Entertainer of the Year

• Duke Robillard *
• Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
• Rick Estrin
• Shemekia Copeland
• Sugaray Rayford

Traditional Blues Album

• Roll With Me, Duke Robillard *
• Crawlin’ ’Kingsnake, John Primer & Bob Corritore
• Getaway Blues, Eden Brent
• HAPPY HOUR, Mitch Woods
• Hill Country Love, Cedric Burnside

Traditional Blues Male Artist

• Duke Robillard *
• Cedric Burnside
• Jimmie Vaughan
• John Primer
• Jontavious Willis

Acoustic Blues Artist

• Eric Bibb *
• Keb’ Mo’*
• Doug MacLeod
• Guy Davis
• Kevin Burt

Instrumentalist - Harmonica

• Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds) *
• Billy Branch
• Bob Corritore
• Mark Hummel
• Rick Estrin

Album of the Year

• Blame It On Eve, Shemekia Copeland
• Fine By Me, Curtis Salgado
• Hill Country Love, Cedric Burnside
• Person of Interest, Billy Price
• What Are You Waiting For?, Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan

Band of the Year

• Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
• John Nemeth and the Blue Dreamers
• Nick Moss Band
• Rick Estrin and the Nightcats
• Southern Avenue

Song of the Year

• “Blues For My Dad” performed and written by Chris Cain
• “Blues In My DNA” performed and written by Ronnie Baker Brooks
• “Mama, I love you” performed by Albert Castiglia and written by Albert Castiglia, Kevin Burt, & Jerry Jemmott
• “Tough Mother” performed by Shemekia Copeland and written by John Hahn & Will Kimbrough
• “Watch the World Go By” performed by Eden Brent and written by Bob Dowell & Eden Brent

Best Emerging Artist Album

• 8000 Miles to the Crossroads, Prakash Slim
• Carry On, Destini Rawls
• Drifter, Jovin Webb
• Go Be Free, Sonny Gullage
• Revelation, Piper & The Hard Times

Contemporary Blues Album

• Blame It On Eve, Shemekia Copeland
• Blues In My DNA, Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Do It My Own Way, Vanessa Collier
• Good Intentions Gone Bad, Chris Cain
• The Hits Keep Coming, Rick Estrin & the Nightcats

Soul Blues Album

• Fine By Me, Curtis Salgado
• Human Decency, Sugaray Rayford
• Person of Interest, Billy Price
• REVIVAL, Kat Riggins & her Blues Revival
• What Are You Waiting For?, Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan

Blues Rock Artist

• Albert Castiglia
• Mike Zito
• Tab Benoit
• Tommy Castro
• Walter Trout

Contemporary Blues Female Artist

• Beth Hart
• Carolyn Wonderland
• Danielle Nicole
• Ruthie Foster
• Vanessa Collier

Contemporary Blues Male Artist

• Chris Cain
• Johnny Sansone
• Mike Zito
• Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
• Ronnie Baker Brooks

Soul Blues Female Artist

• Annika Chambers
• Candice Ivory
• Kat Riggins
• Thornetta Davis
• Vaneese Thomas

Soul Blues Male Artist

• Alabama Mike
• Billy Price
• Curtis Salgado
• Johnny Rawls
• William Bell

Instrumentalist - Bass

• Benny Turner
• Bob Stroger
• Jerry Jemmott
• Michael ”Mudcat” Ward
• Rodrigo Mantovani

Instrumentalist - Drums

• Chris Peet
• Derrick D’Mar Martin
• June Core
• Kenny ”Beedy Eyes” Smith
• Tony Braunagel

Instrumentalist - Guitar

• Chris Cain
• Christoffer ”Kid” Andersen
• Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• Eric Gales
• Ronnie Baker Brooks

Instrumentalist - Horn

• Jimmy Carpenter
• Doug James
• Deanna Bogart
• Trombone Shorty
• Vanessa Collier

Instrumentalist - Piano (Pinetop Perkins Piano Player)

• Anthony Geraci
• Ben Levin
• Bruce Katz
• Eden Brent
• Mitch Woods

Instrumentalist - Vocals

• Beth Hart
• Billy Price
• Curtis Salgado
• Danielle Nicole
• Ruthie Foster

Links: Blues Music Awards, More Blues Music Awards Stories

---

Previous (Family Day Videos) - - - Next (Juno Award Nominations)

Canadian Grammy Winners 2025

There was a lot of Canadian content at the 67th GRAMMY Awards that took place at the Crypto.com Arena (LA) on Sunday, February 2 and was broadcast live on CBS.

Here is the televised ceremony:

Links: Grammy, More Grammy Stories, Video above courtesy of Recording Academy / GRAMMYs

Hamilton Bluesman Steve Strongman attended as a nominee. Below is his commentary

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Steve Strongman Music

Below is a complete list of Canadian winners. Click here for the complete list

• Best Traditional Blues Album: The Taj Mahal Sextet  - Live at The Church in Tulsa (released through Waterdown Canada’s Stony Plain Records)
• Lowell: Album of the Year/Best Country Album (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, co-writer on some tracks)
  
  
  
  Links: Lowell, More Lowell Stories, Beyonce, More Beyonce Stories, Video above courtesy of rauhlren
  
  
• Daniel Caesar: Best Reggae Album: (Bob Marley: One Love - Music Inspired By the Film ft the song Waiting In Vain)
  
  
  
  Links: Daniel Caesar, More Daniel Caesar Stories, More Bob Marley Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Stereohearts R&B
  
  
• Shawn Everett: Album of the Year/Best Country Album (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, production and mixing) / Best Country Song: (Kacey Musgraves - The Architect, production and mixing)
  
  
• Dave Hamelin:  Album of the Year/Best Country Album (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, producer)
  
  
• Yannick Nézet-Séguin: Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein with London Symphony Orchestra and Bradley Cooper)
  
  
• Jessie Reyez: Best Reggae Album: Bob Marley: One Love - Music Inspired By the Film ft the song Is This Love)
  
  
  
  Links: Jessie Reyez, More Jesse Reyez Stories, Video above courtesy of Jessie Reyez
  
  
• Scott Zhang aka Monsune: Best R&B Song (SZA - Saturn, songwriter)
  
  
  
  Links: Monsune, More Monsune Stories, SZA, More SZA Stories, Video above courtesy of SZA

---

Previous (Honouring the Day the Music Died) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: Lee Harvey Osmond Videos)

Merry Christmas: Videos by Trickbag, Ian Thomas, Steve Strongman, Suzie Vinnick

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, More Chuck Berry Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Ian Thomas, More Ian Thomas Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, More Freddie King Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Click here for more Christmas stuff

---

Previous (Winter Videos) - - - Next (Bird Day Videos)

Canadian Nominees for the 2025 Grammys (including local artists)

The nominees for the 2025 Grammy Awards were recently announced and quite a number of Canadian are in the running for the prestigious prize. 

In local news, Waterdown's Stony Plain Records have two albums up for the Best Traditional Blues Album category: Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down (co-produced, co-written and guest starring Hamilton/Kitchener Bluesman Steve Strongman +  backing vocals by Chris Ayries (Hamilton) on 'Sideline') and Sue Foley: One Guitar Woman. Nothing In Rambling, a song from Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down is also nominated for Best Americana Roots Performance.

The 67th GRAMMY Awards, will take be at the Crypto.com Arena (LA) on Sunday, February 2 and broadcast live on the CBS.

Here is the official Grammy Nominee Announcement.

Links: Grammy, More Grammy Stories, Video above courtesy of Recording Academy / GRAMMYs

Below is a complete list of Canadian nominees.

Steve Strongman (Hamilton/Kitchener)

• Best Traditional Blues Album (Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down, co-producer, co-writer, guest on tracks) (released on Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Fabulous Thunderbirds, More Fabulous Thunderbirds Stories, Video above courtesy of The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Topic
  
  
• Best Americana Roots Performance (The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Nothing In Rambling ft Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood, Co-producer) (released on Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Chris Ayries  (Hamilton)

• Best Traditional Blues Album (Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down, backing vocals on 'Sideline') (released on Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Sue Foley

• Best Traditional Blues Album (One Guitar Woman) (released on Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Arcade Fire

• Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Saltburn soundtrack, ft the song No Cars Go)

Lowell Boland

• Best Pop Solo Performance (Beyoncé - Bodyguard / Texas Hold 'Em, co-writer)
• Best Country Song / Record of the Year / Song of the Year (Beyoncé - Texas Hold 'Em, co-writer)
• Album of the Year/Best Country Album (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, co-writer on some tracks)

Marika Bournaki

• Best Classical Solo Vocal Album (Fotina Naumenko - Bespoke Songs, pianist)

Daniel Caesar

• Best Reggae Album: (Bob Marley: One Love - Music Inspired By the Film ft the song Waiting In Vain)

Deborah Cox

• Best Musical Theatre Album (The Wiz - 2024 Broadway Cast Recording)

Sara Diamond

• Best R&B Song (Coco Jones - Here We Go (Uh Oh), songwriter)

Grant Dickinson aka Thelabcook

• Best Rap Song ($ ft Rich the Kid & Playboi Carti - Carnival, songwriter)

Serban Ghenea

• Album of the Year (Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department, audio engineer & mixing)
• Best Engineered Album (Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet, audio engineer & mixing)

Dave Hamelin (The Stills)

• Best Country Solo Performance (Beyoncé - 16 Carriages, production and mixing recording engineer)

Shawn Everett

• Album of the Year/Best Country Album (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, production and mixing)
• Best Country Album / Best Country Solo Performance / Best Country Song / Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well, mixing)

Kaytranada 

• Best Remixed Recording (Doechii - Alter Ego)
• Best Dance/Electronic Music Album (Timeless)
• Best Dance/Electronic Recording (Witchy ft Childish Gambino)

Avril Lavigne

• Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack, ft the song I'm With You)

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

• Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein with London Symphony Orchestra and Bradley Cooper)
• Best Opera Recording (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra - Catan: Florencia en el Amazonas / Metropolitan Opera Orchestra - Puts: the Hours)

Jessie Reyez

• Best Reggae Album: Bob Marley: One Love - Music Inspired By the Film ft the song Is This Love)

Spiritbox

• Best Metal Performance (Cellar Door)

Shania Twain

• Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Twisters: The Album, ft the song Boots Don't with Breland)

The Weeknd

• Best Melodic Rap Performance (We Still Don't Trust You with Future and Metro Boomin)

Charlotte Day Wilson

• Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (Cyan Blue)

Scott Zhang aka Monsune

• Best R&B Song (SZA - Saturn, songwriter)

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

---

Previous (Winners of the 2024 St. Catharines Arts Awards) - - - Next (New Stony Plain Releases)

Local Blues Supporter Doug Gilmore Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of local Blues supporter, Doug Gilmore.

From the Grand River Blues Society:

Rest in Peace Doug Gilmore (GORFIT) 5-Mar-1953 - 7-Apr-2024

Doug was a long time supporter and a member of The Grand River Blues Society and worked behind the scenes helping transition the former Blues Blast into the weekly GRBS Blues Buzz. He also designed and formatted the Grand River Blues Bi-Monthly Newsletter. In the early years of the Grand River Blues Society, Doug provided assistance with research and music selections for the former Poor Folks Radio Blues Show on CKMS Univ. of Waterloo hosted by DJ Bruce Hall. 

Doug peacefully passed in his 72nd year, surrounded by the love of his family. Son of the late Samuel and Janet Gilmore. Forever cherished and loved by his wife Catherine. Dearly loved father of Jason (Paola) HALL , Erin, Brandon (Amy), and Shaughna (Geoff). Adored Poppa of Madisyn, Brooke and Cole. Doug will be dearly missed by many treasured family members and friends. Survived by his loving sister Shirley (Bruce). He will be fondly remembered by his first wife Maureen Hall-Gilmore. Doug will be missed dearly by his beloved puppy Jake. A celebration of Doug’s life will be held at Toll Funeral Home, 55 Charing Cross St Brantford on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 from 10am – 11am. Eulogies will be shared in the Chapel at 11am. In Lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Brant County SPCA.

---

Previous (Videos: Steve Strongman, Brant Parker, Carlos Del Junco) - - - Next (Hamilton Arts Awards Short List)

Enter to Win 2 Tix to 2024 Blues With A Feeling!

Blues With a Feeling is back for another year!  The annual fundraiser (proceeds go the Bob Pedler Fund) in honour of Blues giant King Biscuit Boy (aka Richard Newell) always features killer Blues acts and this year's no different.

Juno winner Steve Strongman will be headlining the incredible show. Brant Parker will bring his recently reunited Bay City Blues Band to join in the fun. Special guest Carlos Del Junco is gonna be showing off his harmonica virtuosity too. All this for only $30. Click here to buy tickets.

Thanks to the event's promo team, we have two tickets to this not-to-be-missed show to give away. To enter to win please do one (or more) of the following:

• Email blueshamilton@gmail.com with the BWAF in the subject
• Like and share this Facebook post
• Like and RT this X (formerly Twitter) post 

The deadline to enter is Monday, May 6, 2024 at midnight. A winner will be drawn and they'll have until the end of the day to respond. If they don't respond, another winner will be picked.

 

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Mario Toneguzzi

Links: Brant Parker, More Brant Parker Stories, Video above courtesy of Angelo NotoCampanella

Links: Carlos Del Junco, More Carlos Del Junco Stories, Video above courtesy of Stray Music Tracks From DavoRobbo

---

Previous (Blues Legend & Legacy Distinctions) - - - Next (Local Blues Supporter Doug Gilmore Passes)