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It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton veteran musician Colin Bruce "Bucky" Buchanan. More details will be posted here if we learn anything new. Our condolences to his family, friends & fans.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Bucky quite a few times over the years at many gigs. He was extemely talented and his fun-loving personability was very infectious. Bukcy was a hoot to hang with and always had a smile on his face. I'll miss him terribly.
Sad news hearing Bucky Buchanan has passed away. A well loved and talented local bassist, Bucky was born July 6, 1949, and would be a part of our Hamilton music scene for decades.
Throughout his career he would play with a variety of artists. King Biscuit Boy, a hometown legend would take Bucky on the road with him as well as have him in the recording studio for Biscuit’s album “Mouth Of Steel” in 1984. In 2003 he would join Dave Rave in the studio for the album “Everyday Magic”.
If you were out and about in the local clubs you could find him on stage with acts such as The Swampbusters, Rocket and The Renegades and The Lowdown Dirty Mojos. In fact when the Lowdown Dirty Mojos needed a seasoned pro they looked to Bucky to record with them in 2021 for their album “Stone Cold Groovers”. Bucky with The Lowdown Dirty Mojos would win the 2022 Maple Blues Award for New Artist /Group of the Year.
A fountain of music knowledge, Bucky would educate and amuse those around him with road stories, most passionately about his time with King Biscuit Boy. Our sincere sympathy to his family and friends. His passing is a great loss to the Hamilton music community.
A lot of egos in this business, and compared to the rest of the country Hamilton blues dogs had attitude, good attitude! The first time I saw Bucky Buchanan on stage I think was with The Little Red Rooster Blues Band in the village and he had that attitude. This guy was in the blues pocket and having a good fucking time!
After I got to know Bucky I'd say he was the most lovable guy on the Hamilton scene, always so encouraging to us young guys at the time. Sometimes I'd be on bills with all these older Hamilton cats that I didn't know very well with anxiety creeping, Bucky would walk in the green room and put a smile on my face! He would always take me aside from the crowd, give me a compliment and encourage me to keep on keeping on. Those things stick with you forever.
He pinch hit for us a few times in our really early days with The Wagon and we always had an absolute blast followed by a party of course 😎. I'm really choked up to know that I won't ever be seeing Buck for a hug and a pint at the bar again while talking about our beloved Habs. Not that awards matter in this town but I'm glad he won a Maple Blues award a few years ago, because not enough unsung Hamilton legends like Buck get the credit they deserve.
I will forever remember Buck in that big bad blues pocket with that big devilish shit eating grin on his face. Condolences to all Bucky Buchanan's life long friends and band mates. I'm lucky to have been his friend and go Habs go Buck!
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.
CFMUis a the not-for-profit radio station for McMaster University. They play a lot of local and indie artists.
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 Hammer is proud that it's very own Caissie Levy is up for a 2026 Tony Award for her work in the musical Ragtime.
A number of other Canadians got the nod, including a few for the show Titaníque, which weaves Celine Dion songs into a parody of the Titanic movie. The production and cast feature a number of Canadians.
Hopefully a few Canucks will bring home the hardware at the awards show on Sunday June 7, 2026.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Below is a complete list of nominees. Canadians are bolded.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical