Saturday, May 30, 2026

Vote for the Living Blues Awards! Deadline is June 15!


Living Blues Magazine has announced the nomineees for their 2026 awards. You can vote for your favourites (even write-ins). Deadline to vote is June 15, 2026.

Below is a complete list of nominees. Canadian acts are bolded.

* Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)

Best Blues Album of 2025 (New Recordings)

  • Maria Muldaur: One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey *
  • Tommy Castro & the Painkillers: Closer to the Bone
  • Charlie Musselwhite: Lookout Highway
  • D. K. Harrell: Talkin' Heavy
  • Buddy Guy: Ain't Done with the Blues
  • Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Young Fashioned Ways
  • John Primer: Grown in Mississippi
  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram: Hard Road
  • Candice Ivory: New Southern Vintage
  • Larry McCray: Heartbreak City
  • Southern Avenue: Family
  • Little Freddie King: I Use to Be Down
  • Bob Stroger & the Headcutters: Bob is Back!
  • Leonard "Lowdown" Brown: Lowdown Street Party
  • Jimi "Primetime" Smith: It's My Time
  • Kirk Fletcher: Keep on Pushing
  • Sean McDonald: Have Mercy!
  • Mavis Staples: Sad and Beautiful World
  • Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band: Full Circle
  • Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo': Room on the Porch

Blues Artist of the Year (Female)

Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)

  • Duke Robillard*
  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
  • Larry McCray
  • John Primer
  • Kid Andersen
  • Jimmy "Duck" Holmes
  • Tommy Castro
  • Anthony Paule
  • Kirk Fletcher
  • Eric Gales

Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)

  • Kim Wilson*
  • Charlie Musselwhite
  • Billy Branch
  • Bob Corritore
  • Wallace Coleman
  • Big Harp George
  • Brandon Santini
  • Rick Estrin
  • Jason Ricci
  • Omar Coleman
Best Blues Album of 2025 (Reissue Recordings)

  • Mississippi John Hurt: Today!
  • John Lee Hooker: It Serve You Right to Suffer
  • Otis Spann: Walking the Blues
  • Lightnin' Hopkins: Lightnin' Strikes
  • Buddy Guy: This is Buddy Guy
  • Various Artists: High Water Everywhere
  • Scrapper Blackwell: Mr. Scrapper's Blues
  • Muddy Waters: The Best of Muddy Waters
  • Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco
  • Howlin' Wolf: Moanin' in the Moonlight

Best Blues Book of 2025

  • Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King By Preston Lauterbach
  • Mr. R&B and the Rhythm & Blues Revival: The Story of Jonas Bernholm Part 2 By Jonas Bernholm
  • The Life and Music of Booker "Bukka" White: Recalling the Blues By David W. Johnson
  • Go Back and Fetch It: Recovering Early Black Music in the Americas for Fiddle and Banjo By Kristina R. Gaddy and Rhiannon Giddens
  • Two Headed Doctor: Listening for Ghosts in Dr. John's Gris-gris By David Toop
  • Inside the Moment: Iconic Blues, Soul, Jazz, Rock, and R&B Images and History By Joseph A. Rosen
  • Fiddling is My Joy: The Fiddle in African American Culture By Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje

Best Live Performer

  • John Primer
  • Bobby Rush
  • Shemekia Copeland
  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
  • Anne Harris
  • Mr. Sipp
  • Eric Gales
  • Southern Avenue
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks
  • Sean McDonald

Blues Artist of the Year (Male)

  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
  • John Primer
  • Bobby Rush
  • Mr. Sipp
  • Larry McCray
  • Taj Mahal
  • Bob Corritore
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks
  • Tommy Castro
  • Bob Stroger

Blues Band of the Year

  • Southern Avenue
  • The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
  • Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band
  • The Phantom Blues Band
  • Memphissippi Sounds
  • Mississippi Heat
  • Kid Andersen's Greaseland All Stars
  • The Nighthawks
  • Altered Five Blues Band
  • Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues

Most Outstanding Blues Singer

  • Taj Mahal
  • Shemekia Copeland
  • Valerie June
  • Sugaray Rayford
  • Mud Morganfield
  • Mavis Staples
  • Oscar Wilson
  • Candice Ivory
  • Thornetta Davis
  • Erica Falls
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Music Listings: May 31-June 4, 2026

May 31-June 4, 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.

May 31-June 4 / Jun 5-7

Sunday, May 31

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

11am-5pm: Paris Cheesecake & Taco Festival @ Paris Fairgrounds (May 30-31)




1-4pm: Latin Jazz Trio @ The Hub (Welland) 

1-3pm: Niagara Falls Concert Band @ The Exchange (Niagara Falls) FREE

---- 2:00pm - 2:59pm ----


2-5pm: Lionel Bernard @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10



2pm: Nice Work If You Can Get It @ Drury Lane Theatre (Burlington) $? (May 8-31)


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)







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

3:30-6:30pm: ANAT @ Duke of Wellington (Waterloo) (Weekly)

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

4-8pm: By Design @ Chip N Charlie's (Niagara Falls)

5-8pm: The Feverish Lemons @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) 

6:30pm: Blues Series with Chris Chambers @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)



7pm: Jam @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton) (Weekly)



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



COMING SOON!

June





June 4, 6:30-8:30pm: Music on the Waterfront ft Trickbag @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE

June 4, 7pm: Open Jam with Alex Antinori @ Clifford Brewing Co (Hamilton) (1st & 3rd Thu)

June 4, 8pm: Nick Jonas @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 




June 6, 1-3pm, 7:30-9:30pm: Theatre School Spring Showcase @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) $20 #


June 6, 8pm: Andre Bisson Band @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $30


June 7, 7pm: Jeremy Fisher @ The Conrad Centre (Kitchener) $20#




June 10: (Portugal Day)

June 11, 7-10pm: Greg Brisco & Ian Andrews @ The Boiler & Whistle (Hamilton) (2nd Thu)


June 12-14: Disney's Frozen - The Broadway Musical @ Fergus Grand Theatre $? 

June 12, 5pm: Artcrawl @ James Street North (Hamilton)

June 12: 6:30-8:30pm: Staff Showcase @ Tabone Academy of Music (Hamilton) $10#


  • ?: Public House
  • ?: Jonesy
  • 5-7pm: The Dave Rave All-Stars

June 14, 2pm: Lily Sazz @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $15

June 17, 7-11pm: Dundas Music Club @ Oddfellows Hall (Dundas) (3rd Wed)

June 17, 7:30-10pm: Open Mic with Corey @ The Staircase, Lounge (Hamilton) (3rd Wed)

June 18, July 9, September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)


June 20, 8pm: Jann Arden @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 


June 25, 8pm: Flo Rida @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 

June 26-27, 9pm: Air Supply @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 

July



July 2, 6:30-8:30pm: Music on the Waterfront ft Tomi Swick @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE



July 9, September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

July 18, 8pm: Al Lerman @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $20

July 23: Lou (Founder & Blogger) Birthday

July 23, 6:30-8:30pm: Music on the Waterfront ft Lowdown Dirty Mojos @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE

July 26, 7pm: Foreign Jovi @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $?#


August


August 16, 7:30pm: Bonnie Raitt + Maia Sharp @ Centre In The Square (Kitchener) $?

September



September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)


September 29: Linda (Our Marketing Maven) Birthday


October




October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

October 14-18: Folk Canada Conference @ Sheraton Hotel (Hamilton) $?



October 31-November 14: 2pm: Evil Dead: The Musical @ Hamilton Theatre Inc $?


November



November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

November 13 (Friday the 13th)

November 26, 8pm: Basia Bulat @ River's Edge (Paris) $55.72

November 29: (Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 18)

December


December 2, 7:30pm: Mudmen @ Fergus Grand Theatre $?

December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

December 21 (1st Day of Winter)

December 25 (Christmas)
2027




April - 1: April Fools, 8: Banjo Day,  22: Earth Day, 30: Jazz Day

May 28-31 / Jun 1-7


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Thursday, May 28, 2026

Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors


Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors


NEED COMPUTER HELP? Try First Choice Computer Solutions. 
Their service is friendly and reliable. In person and remote assistance available.

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Sunday, May 24, 2026

Please Support Local Charities

Please Support Local Charities


From their website: The Society is dedicated to the preservation of the Blues music tradition and  advancement of this unique art form of​ international appeal.

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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Thursday, May 21, 2026

Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors


Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors


To enable you to make good housing decisions call us or email us: www.judymarsales.com
PROUD SUPPORTER OF HAMILTON BLUES LOVERS

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Sunday, May 17, 2026

Please Support Local Charities


Please Support Local Charities


From their website: Proudly founded and supported by local Rotarians since 1957, KidsAbility is the recognized leader in Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington for empowering children and youth with a wide range of complex special needs to realize their full potential.

We showcase this charity in honour of the late musician James Cameron

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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Victoria Day Videos ft Horrible Histories, I And Albert (Musical), Victoria TV Show




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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Bucky Buchanan Was Loveable, Encouraging and Extremely Talented! RIP


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.

The bassist/singer was a staple of the local scene for many years, including being with artists such as King Biscuit Boy (played on the alubm Mouth of Steel), Tim Gibbons & the Swampbusters, The Lowdown Dirty Mojos (he won a Maple Blues Award while in the group),  & many more.

A word from Lou, our blogger:
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.

Social Media Reaction 

Steelore-Hamilton Rock History 1970’s to 2010’s

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. 

Bucky Buchanan, Rest In Power.

Corey Lueck (Smoke Wagon Blues Band)

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!

Virginia Vader

RIP Bucky a true Hamilton legend!

When I was first learning to play bass, Bucky said he would trade me a hair cut for bass lessons.

After the hair cut, I picked up my bass for the lesson he said always keep your thumb resting on the back of the neck & let your fingers do the rest. 

Then he said lesson over - you got all the talent you need to figure out the rest, time for a beer.

Lesson over drinking commenced!

CHEERS Bucky 🍻!  

Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Video above courtesy of Mike Papas

Previous (New Spencer Mackenzie Album) - - - Next (Victoria Day Videos)
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Monday, May 11, 2026

Spencer Mackenzie Grows by Leaps and Bounds on Empty Chairs


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.

Available on: CD/Vinyl Through His Website, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music

Released on: Gypsy Soul Records

Personnel:

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Sunday, May 10, 2026

Winners of the 2026 Blues Music Awards + Canadian Nominees


The winners of the 2026 Blues Music Awards were announced on May 7.

Below is complete list of winners & nominees. Canadian artists are bolded.

International Blues Album

Instrumentalist – Harmonica

Acoustic Blues Album

  • WINNER: Doug MacLeod, “Between Somewhere and Goodbye”
  • Catfish Keith, “Sugar for Sugar – Vol. 1 2025 Summer Sessions”
  • Erin Harpe, “Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me: A Tribute to Mississippi John Hurt”
  • Hudspeth & Taylor, “Kimuziki Live in Des Moines”
  • Johnny Iguana, “At Delmark”

Acoustic Blues Artist

  • WINNER: Kevin Burt
  • Catfish Keith
  • Doug MacLeod
  • Eric Bibb
  • Rhiannon Giddens

Album of the Year

  • WINNER: D.K. Harrell, “Talkin’ Heavy”
  • Blood Brothers Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia, “Help Yourself”
  • Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, “Young Fashioned Ways”
  • Larry McCray, “Heartbreak City”
  • Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, “Closer To The Bone”

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year

Band of the Year

  • WINNER: Tedeschi Trucks Band
  • Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
  • John Nemeth and the Blue Dreamers
  • Southern Avenue
  • Vanessa Collier Band

Best Emerging Artist Album

  • WINNER: Sean McDonald, “Have Mercy!”
  • Brody Buster, “Redemption”
  • Allison August, “August Moon”
  • Robbin Kapsalis, “THE BLUES IS IN THE HOUSE”
  • Kyle Rowland, “NOT HOLDING BACK!”

Blues Rock Album

Blues Rock Artist

  • WINNER: Tommy Castro
  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd
  • Kirk Fletcher
  • Walter Trout

Contemporary Blues Album

  • WINNER: D.K. Harrell, “Talkin’ Heavy”
  • Brandon Santini, “Which Way Do We Go?”
  • Carolyn Wonderland, “Truth Is”
  • Monster Mike Welch, “Keep Living Til I Die”
  • Southern Avenue, “Family”

Contemporary Blues Female Artist

  • WINNER: Danielle Nicole
  • Carolyn Wonderland
  • Ruthie Foster
  • Samantha Fish
  • Vanessa Collier

Contemporary Blues Male Artist

Instrumentalist – Bass

  • WINNER: Scot Sutherland
  • Benny Turner
  • Larry Fulcher
  • Michael ”Mudcat” Ward
  • Rodrigo Mantovani

Instrumentalist – Drums

Instrumentalist – Guitar

  • Derek Trucks
  • Chris Cain
  • Christoffer ”Kid” Andersen
  • Joanna Connor
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks

Instrumentalist – Horn

  • WINNER: Trombone Shorty
  • Greg Piccolo
  • Jimmy Carpenter
  • Mark Kaz Kazanoff
  • Regi Oliver

Instrumentalist – Piano 

  • WINNER: Marcia Ball
  • Anthony Geraci
  • Bruce Katz
  • Dave Keyes
  • Jon Cleary

Instrumentalist – Vocals

  • WINNER: Danielle Nicole
  • Candice Ivory
  • John Nemeth
  • Shemekia Copeland
  • Susan Tedeschi

Song of the Year

Soul Blues Album

  • WINNER: Johnny Rawls, “Make Them Dance”
  • Dave Keller, “La Brea”
  • Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band, “Full Circle”
  • Tad Robinson Band, “Soul In Blue”
  • The Soul of John Black, “Soul Salvation”

Soul Blues Female Artist

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

Soul Blues Male Artist

Traditional Blues Album

  • WINNER: Buddy Guy, “Ain’t Done With The Blues”
  • Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, “Young Fashioned Ways”
  • Charlie Musselwhite, “Look Out Highway”
  • Maria Muldaur, “One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey”
  • Roomful Of Blues, “Steppin’ Out”

Traditional Blues Female Artist 

  • WINNER: Eden Brent
  • Diunna Greenleaf
  • Maria Muldaur
  • Rhiannon Giddens
  • Teeny Tucker

Traditional Blues Male Artist

  • WINNER: John Primer
  • Billy Branch
  • Jimmie Vaughan
  • Jontavious Willis
  • Rick Estrin

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