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.
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.
Friday, August 14, 2026
Bill Durst Wins 2026 Mel Brown Award
Stratford Bluesman Bill Durst the 2026 winner of the Mel Brown Blues Award. It is named in honour of the late, legendary Kitchener musician.
From the Kitchener Blues Festival Facebook page:
MAY 12TH 2021 – MEL BROWN BLUES AWARD
Bill Durst, our 2026 winner of the Mel Brown Award, and always an audience favourite, is a Canadian Blues- Rock- Roots guitarist, singer, songwriter, entertainer who has written and recorded over 125 songs on 12 albums with 7 national radio chart hits. Bill has opened for or shared the stage with Rush, Aerosmith, BTO, Yardbirds, John Mayall, Savoy Brown, Bobby Rush, Little Feat, George Thorogood, Bad Company, Loverboy, Edgar Winter Group, Jeff Healey, Burton Cummings, Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Jack de Keyser, April Wine, L.A. Guns, David Wilcox, Bob Seger, Sly And The Family Stone and more. Mr. Durst has toured across North America and in Europe and tours extensively in Canada.
As a kid growing up in Wingham and then London, Ontario (which is halfway between Toronto and Detroit), Bill was heavily influenced by Motown, R&B, Toronto Psychedelic Soul music as well as the British Blues Invasion and Jimi Hendrix.
Bill’s entrance on the national/international stage was with his classic rock band Thundermug formed from London R&B groups in 1969. By the summer of 1972 the band had a number one hit and a fan following in Eastern Canada. The band went on to record a total of 5 albums, (3 albums in the early/mid 1970s and two CDs in the mid 1990s) releasing records in the US and Europe. Bill put out his first two solo releases in the mid eighties but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that Durst got some real career momentum. In 2004 he proclaimed his intention to start up a “little, fuzzy, psychedelic blues band” and since then Bill and his co-writer Joe DeAngelis have produced 5 full length CDs: The Wharncliffe Sessions (’05), The Great Willy Mammoth (’09), Bill Durst Live (‘12) and Hard And Heavy (’13) Good Good Lovin ('15).
Links: Bill Durst, More Bill Durst Stories, Video above courtesy of Bill Durst - Topic
Previous Years' Winners
- 2025: Bruce Hall (Grand River Blues Society)
- 2024: Rob Barkshire (Kitchener Blues Festival) & Matt Minglewood
- 2023: Donnie Walsh (Downchild)
- 2022: David Wilcox
Previous (New Dunlop Brothers Album)
Music Listings: August 15-16, 2026
August 15-16, 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.
Saturday, August 15
---- Before 2:00pm ----
8:30-9am: Ensemble! TV Show Hosted by Dave Rave & Starring Rob & Zander Lamothe + Lily Sazz, Recorded at Clifford Brewing @ Cable 14 (Hamilton) or live stream on Cable14.com *
9:30am-1pm: Freewheelin' Folk Show (Radio Show) Hosted by Jim Marino @ 93.3 CFMU or cfmu.ca (Hamilton) (Weekly)
10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat)
10am-?pm: Norwich TNT Pull @ 365701 Evergreen St $? (Aug 14-15)
- ?: Bootleg Creedence
10am-6pm: Port Dover Summer Festival (Aug 15-16)
11am-11pm: Hamilton Greek Fest @ Panagia Greek Church (Aug 14-16)
11am-11pm: Hamilton Latino Festival @ Gage Park (Aug 14-16)
11am-6pm: Niagara Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief @ London Born Wine Co (Lincoln) $? (Aug 15-16, 22-23)
- 1 pm Rita Visser
- 2 pm Brandon Agnew
- 3 pm Jay Stone
- 4 pm Matthew James Blake
11am-11pm: Jarvis CornFest @ Lion's Park (Aug 14-16)
- 3 PM - Rainham Road
- 6:30 PM - Fresh Horses - Garth Brooks Tribute
- 9 PM - 50 Mission - The Tragically Hip Tribute
12-4pm: Front Paige and Tyanna Duo @ 13th Street Winery (St. Catharines)
1-2pm: Colour Film @ Hamilton Public Library, Dundas FREE
1-4pm: Acoustic Jam @ Briskit BBQ (Georgetown) (Weekly)
1:30-5pm: James Anthony & Gail Gunnis@ Uptown Social House (Burlington)
1:30-5pm: Brant Parker Blues Band + Chuck Jackson @ Donnelly's Pub (Thorold) $10
---- 2:00pm-3:59pm ----
2-5pm: Grievous Angels @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) $?
2pm: Theatre Ancaster: A Chorus Line (Musical) @ Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre $? (Aug 7-16)
2-5pm: John DeMarchi @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10
2-5pm: Mike Branton & Friends @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $10 (Weekly)
2-4:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Weekly)
Niagara Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief @ London Born Wine Co (Lincoln) $? (Aug 15-16, 22-23)
- 2 pm Brandon Agnew
- 3 pm Jay Stone
- 4 pm Matthew James Blake
2pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)
2pm: Disney's Frozen (Musical) @ Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend) $? (Aug 5-30)
2-5pm: The Flying Dutchmen @ Block 3 Brewing (St. Jacobs)
2pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)
3-6pm: Andrew Irving @ East End Social (Hamilton)
3pm: Bareback Riders @ Come by Chance (Hamilton)
3-5pm: Alfie Smith @ Nickelbrook Brewing (Burlington)
3-6pm: Open Mic @ Sessions on the River (Fort Erie) (Weekly)
Jarvis CornFest @ Lion's Park (Aug 14-16)
- 3 PM - Rainham Road
- 6:30 PM - Fresh Horses - Garth Brooks Tribute
- 9 PM - 50 Mission - The Tragically Hip Tribute
3:30pm: Vic Barreira @ Black Bull (Burlington)
---- 4:00-6:59pm ----
4-4:30pm: Ensemble! TV Show Hosted by Dave Rave & Starring Rob & Zander Lamothe + Lily Sazz, Recorded at Clifford Brewing @ Cable 14 (Hamilton) or live stream on Cable14.com
Niagara Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief @ London Born Wine Co (Lincoln) $? (Aug 15-16, 22-23)
- 4 pm Matthew James Blake
4-11pm: Paris Drinks Fest @ Two Rivers Stadium $? (Aug 14-15)
- 4:30 PM - Glimmerjean & Goode
- 5:15 PM - Absolute Treat
- 6:15 PM - Tanika Charles
- 7:15 PM - Born in the Eighties
- 8:45 PM - The Strumbellas
5-8pm: Mike Lynch @ 13th Street Winery (St. Catharines)
- JAYMZ BEE - EMCEE (MAIN STAGE) & Kristy Hamilton - Emcee (local stage)
- RED HOT RAMBLE Mardi Gras Party! also NATHAN HILTZ, JULIANN KUCHOCKI, NEIL SWAINSON, ROB PILTCH, MARK KELSO, CARLA MULLER, JULIANN KUCHOCKI, VALERIE GREEN, BRIAN DICKINSON, SAM CLARK, MARK HUKEZALIE, BRIAN FETTES
6pm: Marc Ucci @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton)
6pm: James Anthony @ Oggi Bistro (Grimsby) (Weekly)
6-10pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls) (Weekly Fri & Sat)
6-9pm: Jake O'Neill @ Flux Brewing (Scotland)
Jarvis CornFest @ Lion's Park (Aug 14-16)
- 6:30 PM - Fresh Horses - Garth Brooks Tribute
- 9 PM - 50 Mission - The Tragically Hip Tribute
---- 7:00-7:59pm ----
7pm: Pippin (Musical) @ Gasworks (Hamilton) $? (Aug 14-21)
7-10pm: Open Mic @ The Gate (Hamilton) (Weekly)
7-11pm: Public House @ Burlington Legion
7-11pm: Continenza Trio @ Briskit BBQ (Georgetown)
7-10pm: Brandon Agnew and the Night Shadows @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach)
7-10pm: HipFest ft the Hip Experience @ Harmony Square (Brantford)
7-11pm: Easy Street Blues Band @ Dunsdon Legion (Brantford)
7-10pm: Tia Brazda @ Manhattans (Guelph)
Paris Drinks Fest @ Two Rivers Stadium $? (Aug 14-15)
- 7:15 PM - Born in the Eighties
- 8:45 PM - The Strumbellas
7:30-8:30pm: Kenny & Dolly: Forever Friends @ Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (Halton Hills) $?
7:30pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)
7:30pm: Disney's Frozen (Musical) @ Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend) $? (Aug 5-30)
7:30pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)
---- 8:00-8:59pm ----
8pm: Sweeter & Friends @ Ooey Gooey's (Hamilton)
8pm?: Sean Bienhaus @ The King George (Hamilton)
8pm? Chri Jupp @ Handsome Dave's (Hamilton)
8pm: Killin' Time Trio@ Black Bull (Burlington)
8pm: Blood Roses @ The Block Co, Edison Room (Burlington) $?
8pm: The Rattles (Beatles Tribute) @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $15
8pm: Eddie Paton Solo @ Ned Devine's Irish Pub (Milton)
8-11pm: Dick Richie@ Teddy's (Grimsby)
8pm: [G]raveyard with Dolly Momoiro + S1NC3R3 + KRYOGENIX @ Warehouse Concert Hall (St. Catharines) $?
8pm: July Talk @ Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Amphitheatre (Niagara-on-the-Lake) $?
8pm: Shankara on the WorldOne Stage @ Centre In The Square (Kitchener) $?
8pm?: Jay Willow @ Falls Road on Victoria (Kitchener)
8pm: The Yacht Rock Show @ Maxwell’s Concerts & Events (Waterloo) $?
8:30pm: Whiskey Chasers @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster)
8:30pm: Brad Michaels @ Winchester Arms (Dundas)
8:30pm: Fron the Hip @ Pump & Patio (Oakville)
8:30-11:30pm: Damn Animal @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Paris Drinks Fest @ Two Rivers Stadium $? (Aug 14-15)
- 8:45 PM - The Strumbellas
---- After 9:00pm ----
9pm: Troy Harmer and the Persuaders @ Mill St & 5 American House (Waterdown)
9pm: Audio Saints @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)
9pm-1am: Evan Rotella @ South Coast Cookhouse (Crystal Beach)
9-11:45pm: Ryan Thomas Smelle Trio @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)
9pm-12:45am: Darren Hancock Band @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Splash Bar (Niagara Falls)
9pm: Dave Rave @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Lucky's Restaurant (Niagara Falls)
9pm-1am: Vinyl Flux @ Chip N Charlie's (Niagara Falls)
9pm: Shari & Jonny @ 211 Main (Port Dover)
Jarvis CornFest @ Lion's Park (Aug 14-16)
- 3 PM - Rainham Road
- 6:30 PM - Fresh Horses - Garth Brooks Tribute
- 9 PM - 50 Mission - The Tragically Hip Tribute
9:15pm: Hot Club of Nowhere @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton)
9:30-10:30pm: Kenny & Dolly: Forever Friends @ Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (Halton Hills) $?
9:30pm-1am: Feverish Lemons @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
10pm: Soulscape @ B-Side Social (Hamilton)
10pm: Sledge Hammered @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek)
10pm: Destroyer (Kiss Tribute) @ BLK Swan, Brant St (Burlington) $?
10pm: Voice Mob @ The Dickens (Burlington)
10pm-2am: VAVO @ Whiskey Dawgs (St. Catharines)
Sunday, August 16
---- Before 2:00pm ----
8am-5pm: Jarvis CornFest @ Lion's Park (Aug 14-16)
- 10:30am-3pm: Classic Car Show
- 3pm: New Rodeo
10am-5pm: Port Dover Summer Festival (Aug 15-16)
11am-8pm: Hamilton Greek Fest @ Panagia Greek Church (Aug 14-16)
11am-11pm: Hamilton Latino Festival @ Gage Park (Aug 14-16)
11am-6pm: Niagara Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief @ London Born Wine Co (Lincoln) $? (Aug 15-16, 22-23)
- 1 pm CD Onofrio ft Massiel
- 2 pm Ryan Lunn trio
- 3 pm Marty Hopkins
- 4 pm Dima Tytarenko
11:30am-2pm: Jazz Brunch with Henry Strong & Friends @ Ottawa Street Local (Hamilton) (Weekly)
11:30am: Beatles Brunch ft Andrew McTaggart @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)
1-4pm: Jazzteca @ The Hub (Welland)
1pm: South Coast Jazz @ Glenhyrst Gardens (Brantford)
- JULIET DUNN LE TRIO PARISIAN & more
---- 2:00pm - 2:59pm ----
2pm: Theatre Ancaster: A Chorus Line (Musical) @ Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre $? (Aug 7-16)
2-5pm: Tim Hebert @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10
2-6pm: Kayar @ Mill St & 5 American House (Waterdown)
2-5pm: Harmonia Women Songwriters Series ft Emerald B, Morgara, Ruby Anderson, Taylor Wilson — hosted by Maddie Corinne @ The Block Co, Edison Room (Burlington)
2pm: Henry and Monique Folk Explosion @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $10
2-5pm: James Anthony & Gail Gunnis @ Ned Devine's (Milton)
Niagara Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief @ London Born Wine Co (Lincoln) $? (Aug 15-16, 22-23)
- 2 pm Ryan Lunn trio
- 3 pm Marty Hopkins
- 4 pm Dima Tytarenko
2pm?: CherryBomb @ Super Mario's Pizza (Port Colborne)
2-5pm: Open Mic @ Harbourfront Inn (Port Colbourne)(Weekly)
2-5pm: Ron McEwen @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
2-5pm: Matt Vandersluys @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
2pm: Disney's Frozen (Musical) @ Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend) $? (Aug 5-30)
2pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)
2pm: Lucas Stagg @ Falls Road on Victoria (Kitchener)
2:30pm: Pippin (Musical) @ Gasworks (Hamilton) $? (Aug 14-21)
---- After 3:00pm ----
3-5pm: Paul Mallard @ Nickelbrook Brewing (Burlington)
3pm: Andrew Irving @ Piper Arms (Burlington)
3pm: Mike Stevenson & Friend @ BLK Swan, Brant St. (Burlington) (Weekly)
Niagara Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief @ London Born Wine Co (Lincoln) $? (Aug 15-16, 22-23)
- 3 pm Marty Hopkins
- 4 pm Dima Tytarenko
3-6pm: Open Stage with Hellion Ton @ Cornerstone (Guelph) (Weekly)
Jarvis CornFest @ Lion's Park (Aug 14-16)
- 3pm: New Rodeo
3:30-6:30pm: ANAT @ Duke of Wellington (Waterloo) (Weekly)
4pm: Glenn Groves @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)
4-7pm: Now & Zen @ Chip N Charlie's (Niagara Falls)
6pm: Brad Soucie@ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster)
6-8pm; Classic Hits on the Lawn ft Bob Bieler, John Kossup, Dave Rusch, Josh Sattin @ 12 Princess St (Queenston) (Weekly till Aug 23)
7pm: Sanda Bouza @ The Avro (Hamilton)
7pm: Groove Miller @ The Capitol Bar (Hamilton)
7pm: Jam @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton) (Weekly)
7-8:30pm: Access Storage Concerts presents The Natural Women Show @ Central Park Bandshell (Burlington
7:30pm: Open Mic @ Golden Brothers (Welland) (Weekly)
7:30-10:30pm: Soul Jam @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
7:30pm: Bonnie Raitt + Maia Sharp @ Centre In The Square (Kitchener) $?
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Expressive Vocals & Great Songwriting on Dunlop Brothers Album
Mini-Review: Expressive vocals and great songwriting permeate the latest relase from Hamilton's Dunlop Brothers. Vol. 2 picks up where they left off on their splendid debut. It's roots meets alternative wrapped in striking production.
Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music
Personnel
- Matt Dunlop - Guitars, Vocals
- Justin Dunlop - Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Mandolin, Keyboard
- Alan Zemaitis - Keyboards, Organ, Wurlitzer, Rhodes & Bass Rhodes
- Caleb Moroz - Drums & Percussion
- Mike Scime - Drums
- Jill Harris - Vocals
Previous (Throwback Thursday - Festival of Friends 2009)
Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors
Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors
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PROUD SUPPORTER OF HAMILTON BLUES LOVERS
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Throwback Thursday - Festival of Friends 2009
From August 7, 2009 Hamilton Spectator
Original Posts: August 9, 10, 14, 2009
Merged Post: August 13, 2026
Here's a look at the 2009 Festival of Friends.
Click here to read the August 6 Hamilton Spectator story
August 8, 2009
Lovers & Other Strangers Workshop
- Lowest Lanes (ft Mark McNeil) - Jolene
- Alfie Smith - Buckshot Blues
- Carly-Jo - Booty Call
- Carly Jo & Friends - The Truth No. 2
Good Lovin' Gone Bad Workshop
Guinness Book of World Records Attempt
Click pictures to make them larger
Guitars were raised high after a performance of Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water at the Festival of Friends on August 8, 2009. Hamilton musician Christopher Charles and his band were joined by a legion of guitarists scattered across Gage Park.
This was an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for most guitars in a jam performance.
According to the Spectator, the record wasn't broken (we were 77 short) but we did beat Toronto's recent attempt)
Below is a video of the event. We apologize for the extreme close-ups (the camera was stuck on zoom)
Links: Deep Purple, More Deep Purple Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
August 9, 2009
Memories of Jackie Washington Workshop
- Alfie Smith - God Bless the Child
- Brenda Lewis - Honeysuckle Rose
- Donna Creighton - Sweet Cheeks
- Paul Langille - Smile
- Joan Crabtree - Put Me First
- Brian Blain - St. James Infirmary
- Dave Kidney - Jackie Washington
Previous (Winners of the London Music Awards) - - - Next (New Dunlop Brothers Album)
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Please Support Local Charities
From their website: Our objective is to accumulate capital, earn investment income and use this income to make charitable donations in Norfolk County.
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.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Winners of the 2026 Forest City London Music Awards
The 2026 Forest City London Music Awards were handed out as part of London Music Week - June 6 to 14.
CONGRATS EVERYONE!
Below is a complete list of winners. Click the name to see the award announcement.
- PRODUCER/ENGINEER: Iain McNally, Producer/Engineer: Chris Strei (Brantford) - One Day at a Time
Links: Chris Strei, More Chris Strei Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris Strei - LONDON MUSIC HALL OF FAME: Teddy Leonard (of Niagara's Mighty Duck Blues Band, Hogtown AllStars, Fathead)
- AFRO CARIBIANNA: King Willie
- BLUES: Smokes Like Lightning
- CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (GROUP): Brass Roots New Horizons Band
- CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO): Yanet Campbell-Secades, Violin
- CLASSICAL VOCAL (SOLO): Felix Stueckmann
- CLASSICAL VOCAL (CHOIR OR GROUP): London Gospel Collective
- CLUB DJ: DJ Calderon
- CONTEMPORARY SINGER SONGWRITER: Anne Moniz
- CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Bailkowski (Community Builder)
- COUNTRY: Tyler DeLargie
- COVER BAND: The Strands
- ELECTRONIC: Mat Lunnen
- FAN FAVOURITE: Lindsey & The Lonelies
- FANTASY BAND: Vocals – Amanda Movio, Bass – Ryan Spong, Guitar – Randy Hicks, Drums – Cameron Hand, Horns – Alexa Brown, Strings – Tara Dunphy, Keyboards – Nathan Nykor
- FOLK ROOTS: Jesse Grandmont & Brian Barber
- HIPHOP: Cronica
- JAZZ VOCAL (SOLO or GROUP): Nicole Tan
- JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO or GROUP): Seth McNall Sextet
- LATIN: Sofi R
- LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Jones Family, Fred Smith
- LIVE MUSIC VENUE: The Bunker Performance Lounge (Stratford)
- METAL: Crowning Kings
- MUSIC VIDEO: Sophia Korz - Pretty People
Links: Sophia Korz, Video above courtesy of Sophia Korz - ONTARIO INDIE RECORDING ARTIST: Lorraine Klaasen
- POP: Justin Maki
- PUNK: Full Throttle
- ROCK: Texas King
- SUPER FAN: Brenda Heywood
- TRIBUTE ARTIST: AXL/DC: Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC
- WORLD MUSIC: Rachel McGarry
- YOUTH AWARD: Can’t Drive Yet - H.B. Beal Secondary School
Previous (Cat Day Videos) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday - Festival of Friends 2009)
Friday, August 7, 2026
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Rob Lamothe's Unforgettable Voice & Inspired Songwriting Take Centre Stage on New Live Album
Mini-Review: I've you've had the pleasure of listening to the incredible local singer/songwriter Rob Lamothe, you know about his unforgettable voice and inspired songwriting. His recent album, Live at St. Pancras Old Church lays everything bare. With mainly his voice and an acoustic guitar, Rob's vocals and lyrics take centre stage and have room to breathe. His daughter Rose Lamothe also lends her equally unique voice to two tracks.
Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music
Links: Album above courtesy of Bandcamp
Previous (Throwback Thursday - Acoustics Album Get Noticed) - - - Next (Cat Day Videos)
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