Originally part of our August 13, 2009 post
Updated Post: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Guitar legend Les Paul passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2009.
Les with local Bluesman Alfie Smith
Les with local musician Joel Guenther
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Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Music Listings: August 26-27, 2026
August 26-27, 2026
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.
Wednesday, August 26 (International Dog Day)
10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat)
12-2pm: Dante Valdes & Friends @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (Aug 24-28)
12pm: Elvis - Through the Years @ Gathering Place by the Grand (Ohsweken) $? (Aug 25-26)
5-7pm: West 5th @ Super Mario's Pizza (Port Colborne)
7pm: Community Concerts ft Yacht Rock Show @ HH Knoll Lakeview Park (Port Colbourne)
8pm: Jason James @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $10
8pm: Country Outlaw Women @ Yuk Yuk's (Niagara Falls)
Thursday, August 27
---- Before 7:00pm ----
10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat)
10am-12pm: Breakfast of Champions (Radio Show) w Paul Panchezak (Trickbag) @ 93.3 CFMU or cfmu.ca (Weekly)
12-2pm: Dante Valdes & Friends @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (Aug 24-28)
1:30-2pm: Ensemble! TV Show Hosted by Dave Rave & Starring Dwayne LaForme's Boogie Blues, Recorded at Clifford Brewing @ Cable 14 (Hamilton) or live stream on Cable14.com
2pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)
5-8pm: Living Rock presents Arts of August (some live music) @ Gasworks (Hamilton) FREE
2pm: East Coast Kitchen Party ft Fried Balogna (Village of Hope Fundraiser) @ Jordan Station $20 adv/$25 door
5:30-6:30pm: Copper & Iron @ Fonthill Bandshell
6:30-8:30pm: Music on the Waterfront ft Mike Stevenson with Adam Fielding & Ritch Thoman @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE
---- 7:00pm -7:59pm ----
7:30pm: Live Jam & Open Mic Hosted by Sessionista @ The Barber Towne Pub (Georgetown) (2nd & 4th Thu)
7:30-10:30pm: Josh Edwards @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) $?
7:30pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)
---- After 8:00pm ----
8pm: Can-Alians @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $15
8-9:30pm: Summer Lawn Concerts ft Last Waltz Musical Celebration @ Old Town Hall (Waterford)
8:30pm: Brett Young @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $?
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Nominations for the 2026 Ontario Folk Music Awards
From the FolkCanada.com news release:
Folk Canada Announces 2026 Ontario Folk Music Award Nominees
The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario on Wednesday, October 14th during the annual Folk Canada Conference.
The event will feature performances by a select number of nominated artists and special guests, and is open to all Folk Canada Conference attendees. Still to be announced are the Estelle Klein Award recipients, the Laureate for the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award and Culture in Climate Award.
Established in 1987 and now in its 39th year, the Folk Canada Conference (previously the Folk Music Ontario Conference and Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) will take place October 14-18 in Hamilton, Ontario and welcomes attendees from across the country to the event. To learn more, Folk Canada invites interested parties to visit their website and sign up for their newsletter.
“The Ontario Folk Music Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity found across the province,” says Rosalyn Dennett, Executive Director of Folk Canada. “We’re proud to recognize this year’s nominees and bring the folk community together in Hamilton to celebrate their work.” Rosalyn Dennett is available for interviews, and select artists are available for interviews and performances in advance of the event.
Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are bolded.
Album of the Year
- Honesty by The Lifers (Guelph)
Links: The Lifers, More Lifers Stories, Video above courtesy of The Lifers - The Truth We Hold by Amanda Rheaume
- Not Defeated by Angelique Francis Band
- Mi Pequeña by Eliana Cuevas
- Immersed by Justin Gray
- Sofreh Tisch by Ladom Ensemble
- Reasons To Stay by Tanika Charles
Music Video of the Year
- “One More Dance Around The Sun” by Great Lake Swimmers
Links: Great Lake Swimmers, More GLS Stories, Video above courtesy of GreatLakeSwimmers - “Without You” by Aysanabee
- “Been Done” by Frank Mighty
- “Kaku “Grandma’” by Jonathan Nvita
- “Exploits Island” by Kate Weekes
- “Vulgar Bulgar” by Medusa Quartet
- “Fruta Prohibida” by Payadora
Performing Artist of the Year
- Logan Staats (Brantford)
Links: Logan Staats, More Logan Staats Stories, Video above courtesy of Logan Staats - The Barrel Boys
- Julian Taylor
- Mimi O’Bonsawin
- OK Naledi
- Schmaltz & Pepper
Recording Artist of the Year
Song of the Year
- “Unforgettable” by Amanda Rheaume
- “Inevitable” by Emma Lamontagne
- “WIHOGORA” by Empress Nyiringango
- “Oh, Little One” by Jory Nash
- “Patron Saint” by Kate Greenland
- “Until the Devil’s Paid” by Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps
- “Quit My Habit” by Rebekah Hawker
- “Temporary” by Vicki Brittle
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Please Support Local Charities
From their website: Hamilton Food Share's purpose is to increase our community's capacity to reduce hunger. We do this by supplying much needed food supplies and short-term storage to food banks and hot meal programs. Additionally, our organization establishes community partnerships, donor relations and fundraising activities that support our food recovery operation.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Lowdown Dirty Mojos Take You Thru Salvation & Sin On 'Lucky 7'
Mini-Review: Lucky 7, the high-octane album from Hamilton's Lowdown Dirty Mojos is not your typical covers collection. These ain't the same songs you've heard a million times - they're revved up versions of hidden gems from the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mavis Staples, Huey Piano Smith, The Velvet Underground, Barbra Lynn as well as Ike & Tina Turner. These tracks'll take you on a wonderful, soulful journey through salvation and sin.
Guests:
- The Shiny Lights (Patti Smith, Mimi Shaw, Buckshot Bebee) (background vocals)
- Dean Hunt (sax)
- Les Kadar (trumpet)
Available: Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Their Live Shows (CD)
Previous (Poet's Day Videos) - - - Next (Ontario Folk Music Award Nominations)
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Poet's Day Videos by Tom Shea, Seryna, Aaliyah
Update of 2021 Post
Links: Tom Shea, More Tom Shea Stories
Links: More Poet's Day Videos, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton Youth Poets
Previous (Throwback Thursday: Mark McNeil - Greeting from Hamilton) - - - Next (New Lowdown Dirty Mojos Album)
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Throwback Thursday - Mark McNeil: Greetings From Hamilton
Original Post: August 12, 2009
Updated Post: August 20, 2026
Update: This album is not available on streaming services and is now hard to find on CD.
Spectator reporter and musician, Mark McNeil recently released his third recording: Greetings from Hamilton.
The six songs on the EP showcase Mark's expressive voice, and his amazing talent with various instruments: guitar (acoustic, electric, Hawaiian, slide), bass, ukulele, banjo and mandolin.
The music is an incredible combination of folk, country, pop and many other styles. There is even a little reggae-esque feeling on the first track, Early Bird.
Lyrically, the album is a wonderful look at the many facets of Hamilton. Mark writes about his experiences in his adopted city (he's originally from Ottawa but has lived here for over 25 years).
"It's kind of a postcard to friends from long ago - to say I'm having a good time and I don't think I'll be moving back to Ottawa any time soon." Mark wrote in the the liner notes.
Joining in his celebration of Hamilton are a few local players such as Steve Sinnicks, Aaron Goldstein, Ray Lyell, Troy Dowding, and more. The disc is produced by Mark and Dan Medakovic and Engineered by Dan Medakovic and Rob Lamothe
The six songs on the EP showcase Mark's expressive voice, and his amazing talent with various instruments: guitar (acoustic, electric, Hawaiian, slide), bass, ukulele, banjo and mandolin.
The music is an incredible combination of folk, country, pop and many other styles. There is even a little reggae-esque feeling on the first track, Early Bird.
Lyrically, the album is a wonderful look at the many facets of Hamilton. Mark writes about his experiences in his adopted city (he's originally from Ottawa but has lived here for over 25 years).
"It's kind of a postcard to friends from long ago - to say I'm having a good time and I don't think I'll be moving back to Ottawa any time soon." Mark wrote in the the liner notes.
Joining in his celebration of Hamilton are a few local players such as Steve Sinnicks, Aaron Goldstein, Ray Lyell, Troy Dowding, and more. The disc is produced by Mark and Dan Medakovic and Engineered by Dan Medakovic and Rob Lamothe
Previous (Bill Durst Wins Mel Brown Award) - - - Next (Poet's Day Videos)
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Support Local Charities
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
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