Thursday, April 17, 2025

Harmonica Day Videos by Sean McAuley

Update of 2019 Post 




Links: Sean McAuleySnowHeel SlimMore Snow-Heel Slim Stories, Video above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens



Links: Gary White, More Gary White StoriesVideo above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens



Links: Neil MacNaughton, More Neil MacNaughton StoriesVideo above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens



Links: Thom Adkins, More Thom Adkins StoriesVideo above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens

More Harmonica Day Videos

Previou  (Community Votes Guelph & Cambridge Nominees)

Community Votes Guelph & Cambridge 2025 - Deadline is April 27


From March 26 to April 27, citizens of  Guelph & Cambridge can cast a ballot in Community Votes 2025. Click the above pictures to vote for a particular city.

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Guelph

Below are the music-related nominees.

Local Band

Live Entertainment



Below are the music-related nominees.

Local Band

Live Entertainment


Previous (Throwback Thursday: Tewlips Debit Album)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Throwback Thursday: Tewlips Debut CD an Incredible Ecclectic Mix

Original post: March 8, 2009
Updated post: April 17, 2025


Update: This band is no longer around so it may be hard to find CD copies of the album.

Hamilton band, The Tewlips, have released their self-tiled, debut CD. The collection has a great mix of rock, folk, singer/songwriter and some pop sensibilities.

The disc was unleashed to the world at a party at the Hamilton Place Studio Theatre on Sat, March 7, 2009. Lucky attendees were offered a free beginner music lesson with every ticket.

This unique band's members range in age from 16 to 31. Singer/guitarist, Alex Kadet told View Magazine that "We find that age is irrelevant in music".

You can stream the whole album below.


Previous (Ray Harrison Passes) - - - Next (Community Votes Guelph & Cambridge Nominees)

Music Listings, Part 1: April 17-20, 2025

April 17-20, 2025

We try our best to make sure these listings are as accurate as possible. If you spot any errors or omissions, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com.



Thursday, April 17

---- Before 7:00pm ----






5:30pm: Jamie Petrie @ Pub Fiction (Ancaster) (Weekly)


6pm: Mike Balonjan @ Limani at Fifty (Stoney Creek) $16 per vehicle/$15 refund if you spend over $50 at restaurant (Weekly)

6pm: MYKUL @ Slye Fox Pub (Burlington)


6-9pm: Open Mic @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach) (Weekly)


6-9pm: Lucas Stagg @ Aging Oak (Cambridge) (Weekly)



6:30-9:30pm: James Ferris with Fried Balogna @ The Corktown Pub (Hamilton)(Weekly)

6:30-8:30pm: Open Mic with Mark @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) (3rd Thu)

---- 7:00pm - 7:59pm ----





7-10pm: Josh Coulter @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)


7-9pm: Daryl Gray @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)


7-10pm: Stu Peterson @ Manhattans (Guelph)

7-10pm: Open Mic @ DeBar (Guelph)(Weekly)

7-11pm: Open Mic @ Offside Sports Bar & Grill (Fergus) (Weekly)

7pm: FRED SMITH @ Easy Pour (Cambridge)



7:30-10:30pm: Right Proper Lads @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

7:30pm: Abbamania + Night Fever & Friends (Tributes) @ River Run Centre (Guelph) $59.00/$10 off for groups of 10 or more (use promo code GROUP10)

---- After 8:00pm  ----







8pm: Justin Bacchus @ Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Studio Theatre - Lower Level -  $35 Regular/$28 Big Ticket Members/$24 Big Ticket Plus Members


8-11pm: Open Mic Night + Jam @ Temple Bar (Oakville) (Weekly)







8:30pm: Open Mic @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster) (Weekly)



9pm: Freedom Train @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek) $15


9pm-12am: Big. Shiny.Tunes @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

9pm-12am: Stuck in the 90's @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)



10pm: Bo @ McCabes (Guelph) (Weekly)

Friday, April 18 (Good Friday) (National Harmonica Day)

DUE TO THE HOLDAY, SOME REGUAR GIGS MAY BE CANCELLED. PLEASE CHECK WITH VENUE.

---- Before 6:00pm ----

Hamilton Music Festival (Apr 7-May 2) 






5-8pm: Brad James @ Fool & Flagon (Hamilton) (Weekly)

5:30-7pm: Music Trivia @ Mosaic Neighbourhood Bar (Hamilton) (Weekly)

5:30-9:30pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls) (Weekly)

5:30-9:30pm: Pianist @ Corso (Niagara Falls) (Weekly)

---- 6:00-6:59pm ----


6-9pm: James Anthony @ Scout Cafe (Stoney Creek) (Weekly)


6pm: Strummers Union @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

6-9pm: Stephanie Deshane @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)

6-10pm: Pianist @ Watermark (Niagara Falls) (Weekly)




6:30pm: Ferguson Young @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)

6:30pm: LUCAS STAGG @ Easy Pour (Cambridge)

---- 7:00-7:59pm ----


7-10pm: Dueling Pianos @ Uptown Social House (Burlington) (Every Fri & Sat)




7:30pm: Theatre Ancaster presents Best of Billboard (Musical) @ Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre - Adults: $43/Seniors: $38/Youth: $20 (Apr 18-May 4)

7:30pm: The Wingman @ Gator Ted's (Burlington)

7:30-11:30pm: Open Mic @ Mahtay Cafe (St. Catharines) (Weekly)


---- 8:00-8:59pm ----








8-11pm: Chad Pilon @ Legend's Grill (Hamilton)


8-11pm: LUCAS MASON @ Teddy's (Grimsby)


8pm: Rob Fekete Quintet @ Jazz Room (Waterloo) $?



8:30pm-12:30am: Rob Cutting @ Ye Olde Squire, Fennell (Hamilton) 

8:30-11:30pm: Checkerboard Floors @ Pub Fiction (Ancaster) 

8:30pm: Gabe Adamo @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster)

8:30pm: BLISS @ Slye Fox (Binbrook)



8:30pm: MIDLIFE CRISIS @ Slye Fox Pub (Burlington)

8:30-11:30pm: The Danny Boys @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

---- After 9:00pm ----


9pm-1am: Final Plea @ Come by Chance (Hamilton)

9pm-1am: EMBRACE DUO @ Elements Casino (Flamboro)


9pm: Orangeman @ BLK Swan, Palladium Way (Burlington) $15



9pm-12am: Hard Rock Hooligans @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

9pm: Scurvy Dogz @ Pitchers Sports Bar (St. Catharines)

9pm-1am: Audioworx @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)



9pm-1am: DAN DYER @ Elements Casino (Brantford)



9:30pm-1am: A Simple Gesture @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

10pm: Empty Hours @ B-Side Social (Hamilton) 

10pm: Say Uncle @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek)

10pm: Irving Army @ BLK Swan, Brant St. (Burlington) 

10pm: Sonic Curators @ The Dickens (Burlington)

10pm-2am: Bradon Simon @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls) 


Saturday, April 19

---- Before 3:00pm ----













2-5pm: Don the Music Man @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) FREE

2-4:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Weekly)

2-5:30pm: Brian Daniels @ Pitchers Sports Bar (St. Catharines)



2-4pm: Jazz Jam @ Jazz Room (Waterloo) $?

2pm: Albatross @ Live at the Lodge (Port Dover) $5



---- 3:00-6:59pm ----


3-5pm: Alfie Smith @ Nickel Brook Taphouse (Burlington) 

3-6pm: The Hawthorne Band @ Carrigan Arms (Burlington) $5



4-7pm: Jazz Express @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

5:30-9:30pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls)  (Weekly - Fri & Sat)

5:30-9:30pm: Pianist @ Corso (Niagara Falls)  (Weekly - Fri & Sat)


6-10pm: Pianist @ Watermark (Niagara Falls) (Weekly - Fri & Sat)








---- 7:00-7:59pm ----

7pm: John Restas @ Turtle Jack's, Upper James (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7pm: Johnny Classic @ Black Bull (Burlington)


7-10pm: Duncan Wilson @ Manhattans (Guelph)

7pm: TROY BROWN @ Easy Pour (Cambridge)


7:30pm: Yogi Turgeon @ Townhall Social Eatery (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7:30pm: Theatre Ancaster presents Best of Billboard (Musical) @ Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre - Adults: $43/Seniors: $38/Youth: $20 (Apr 18-May 4)


7:30-10:30pm: Lucas Stagg @ Malt & Barley Public House (Kitchener)

---- 8:00-8:59pm ----





8pm: Burlington Symphony Orchestra: The Music of Spain @ Burlington Performing Arts Centre - $55/Senior 65+: $48/Age 16-24: $30/Under 16: $15/ Groups 10 or more: $40

8pm: Sugar @ Patio & Pump (Oakville)

8-11pm: ADAM PIERCE @ Teddy's (Grimsby)

8pm: Road Waves @ Warehouse Concert Hall (St. Catharines) $27.96








8:30pm: Audioworx @ Pub Fiction (Ancaster)

8:30pm: Lost Faculty @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster)


8:30pm: Fiction @ Slye Fox Pub (Burlington)

8:30-11:30pm: Jack van Ginger @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 


---- After 9:00pm ----




9pm: John Atlee Band @ Cooler's (Hamilton)




9pm-12am: Back to the 80's @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

9pm-1am: The Feverish Lemons @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) 



9pm-12am: Jason Aplin @ Paris Pub (Brant)


9pm: Shari & Jonny @ 211 Main (Port Dover)


10pm: Southpawz @ B-Side Social (Hamilton)

10pm: Fools Paradise @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek)


10pm: Billboard Nation @ The Dickens (Burlington)

10pm-2am: Evermile @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls) 


 Sunday, April 20 (Easter)

DUE TO THE HOLDAY, SOME REGUAR GIGS MAY BE CANCELLED. PLEASE CHECK WITH VENUE.


---- Before 3:00pm ----



11:30am: Beatles Brunch ft Andrew McTaggart @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)





2pm: Theatre Ancaster presents Best of Billboard (Musical) @ Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre - Adults: $43/Seniors: $38/Youth: $20 (Apr 18-May 4)



2-5pm: Ryan Thomas @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: Barley Brae @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: Almost Serious @ The Falls Road Pub (Kitchener) (Weekly)

2:30-4:30pm: Celtic Jam @ Malt & Barley Public House (Kitchener) (3rd Sun)

---- After 3:00pm ----

3-7pm: Arthur Duo @ Cat & Fiddle (Hamilton)


4pm: Glenn Groves @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

5-8pm: (No Music) @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

6-9pm: Sonia Collymore @ Lowville Bistro (Burlington)

6:30-9:30pm: The O’Deadlys @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

6:45-9pm: Open Mic @ Erksine Presbyterian Church (Hamilton) (Weekly)


7:30pm: Open Mic @ Golden Brothers (Welland) (Weekly) 




9pm: Bo @ McCabe's Irish Pub (Guelph)

10pm: Open Mic @ Jimmy Jazz (Guelph) (Weekly)

2025: Apr 17-20 / Apr 21-27 / Apr 28-May 4



Saturday, April 12, 2025

Ray Harrison (Crowbar, Cameo Blues Band) was Larger Than Life, RIP

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.

Career highlights

A personal note from Lou, our blogger:
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.
Social Media Reaction

Chuck Jackson (Downchild, Cameo Blues Band)
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.

Miles Evans-Branagh (aka Miles from Nowhere)

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.

Rest easy, Rabbit. 

Al Lerman

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.

Maureen Brown

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

Links:  Shooter, Video above courtesy of Vinyl From The Crates




Previous (Throwback Thursday: Ric & the Krickets - Right As Rain) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: Tewlips Debit Album)

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Throwback Thursday: Rick and the Krickets CD - Right as Rain

Original Post: March 3, 2009
Updated post: April 10, 2025


Note: Copies of this CD might be hard to find. It is not available online.

Rick and the Krickets, featuring Rick Prinsthal of the Deacons and the Paperboys, have released a new CD called Right as Rain.

The collection includes covers of Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, I Saw Her Standing There, Gimmie Gimmie Good Lovin', Sunshine Superman, a few originals and more.


Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Throwback Thursday: Jacob Moon Video Catches Rush's Attention

Part of Original News Roundup Post: February 26, 2009
Updated Post: April 3, 2025


According to Hamilton singer/songwriter Jacob Moon's news page, Rush singer Geddy Lee has sent him a message praising his latest YouTube offering.

The online video has Moon performing Subdivisions live on the rooftop of the Staircase Theatre.

"The guys have all seen this and think it's terrific. Kudos to Jacob and best of luck to him. Great voice!! Best - Geddy"
Previous (April Fools 2025) - - - Next (Banjo Day Videos)

Monday, March 31, 2025

Trebleclef to Open New Restaurant & Live Venue

We here at the Hamilton Blues Lovers are proud to make the following announcement: Our cute mascot, Trebleclef will be opening a new restaurant called Treble's Diner & Hootenanny. Our monkey's been dreaming of this moment since he graduated with honours from Luigi's School of Culinary Arts & Taxidermy

There'll be many mouthwatering offerings, such as:

  • Treble's Specials: Banana Goulash, Flambe a la Banane, Fried Bananas & Spam
  • The Yellow Submarine (sub with Bananas and tuna)
  • Harmonica Sammies (harmonica-shaped sandwiches - in different keys)
  • I Can See Cholesterol By the Dashboard Light (Triple cheese Meatloaf with extra gravy)
  • King Biscuits (Oh Boy)
The Dessert Menu:
  • 'Oh What a Filling' blueberry pies 
  • Let's (Milk) Shake (made with Teenage Head Beer)
  • Linda Luigi cakes (90% butter frosting, 10% cake)
  • Baby Won't You Drive My Carbs (3-layer chocolate cake with crumbled cookie topping served with ice cream)
The beautiful décor will also reflect Treble's love of music with:
  • Drum and Guitar shaped seats
  • Spotlight and visual effects lighting in the dining room.
  • Record & CD shaped plates 
  • Drum sticks and picks as cutlery including tuning "forks"
  • Photos and memorabilia of local musicians on the walls and ceiling
  • Booths for recording live music in the bathrooms
  • Sheet music napkins
There's also live music for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and late at night. 

According to Lu, our blogger and main investor in Treble's Diner, there were a few challenges.

"Getting a monkey approved to work in a restaurant took a bit of doing" Lu explained. "We had to get Treble a specially-made full body-sized hairnet for government officials to give us the go ahead."

"Finding artists to come in the morning or lunch has been hard too," added April Fulcilli, the talent booker, "Any musicians interested in the breakfast, brunch and lunch shifts, please contact me."

Please note: All musicians eat and for drink free! (only bananas apply)

The grand opening/launch party will take place all day on April 31 featuring Breakfast in Canada (Supertramp Tribute), Loaf (Bread tribute),  Lunch at Allen's, and a reunion of the Dinner Belles. So come on down to 100 Kelly Jay Way and dig in!

SEE EVERYONE THERE!