Our 50th Performer of the Week!: John Ellison

For our 50th Performer of the Week, we've decided to go with a legend: John Ellison.

He is the songwriting genius behind one of the biggest and most recorded soul songs of all time: Some Kind of Wonderful. The classic hit was first performed with his band Soul Brothers Six, where it reached the Billboard Top 100.

Born in Montgomery, West Virginia, Ellison currently resides in the Hamilton area where he still records and performs. He's also been recognized in his new hometown with a Hamilton Music Award nomination.

In addition to his amazing music, the singer spends time as a businessman running the Some Kind of Wonderful Food and Restaurant Companies.

Jack Harlan @ Artword Artbar (March 27, 2010)

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Links: Jack Harlan, More Jack Harlan Stories

Blues News Bites (Kim Koren, Lightfoot, Young, Podcasts)

Local

• View Magazine Has Expanded to Cover Niagara Region
• Local Videos: Kim Koren@Pearl Co.
  

National

• Lightfoot Changes Lyrics to Edmund Fitzgerald, 

International

• Posts from Other Cool Blogs - Robert Johnson: Sweet Home Chicago, Son House: Death Letter, Johnny Copeland, Rufus Thomas, Howlin' Wolf: Back Door Man, Hubert Sumlin & David Johansen: Killing Floor, JB Lenoir: I Feel So Good
• Johnny "16 Candles" Maestro Passes
• Podcasts:  Friday Night Blues#203, House of Blues: BB King Remembers Rufus Thomas

Hammertones@Frankie's Bar & Grill (March 26, 210)

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Links: Hammertones, More Hammertones Stories

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Blues News Bites (Petko, Daniel Lanois, Medakovic)

Local

• Country Star Alan Jackson Releases CD with Title Track Written by Fred Eaglesmith

 World

• Podcasts: Murphy's Saloon #178, Roadhouse#266, Nothing But the Blues #80
• Rock Photographer Jim Marshall Passes 
• Jimi Hendrix Coming to Rock Band

 Funny/Weird Stuff

• Kiss - Detroit Rock City (Reggae Version)

Featured Videos

George Petko and the Soul Shifters@Corktown


Daniel Lanois: Birth of Bellavista Nights


New Song by Dan Medakovic

Famous Framus & Dave Gould @ Rebel's Rock (March 20, 2010)

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We apologize for the quality of the video - it's sounds rockin' though.









Links: Famous Framus - More Famous Framus Stories

Performer of the Week: David Battrick

There's not a lot about local axe-slinger and vocalist David Battrick online - just a really cool MySpace Page. It's there that you'll find 6 fabulous funky blues tunes.

David and his band, Mother Blue play good old fashioned soul, country and rockin' blues.

We hope he'll have more to share in the future.

Click here for more David Battrick stories.

Troy Harmer & Ian Simpson @ Cat N Fiddle (March 20, 2010)

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Links: Troy Harmer Site - More Troy Harmer Stories

Steve Sinnicks@Casbah Lounge (March 20, 2010)

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Links: Steve Sinnicks site - More Steve Sinnicks Stories

Blues News Bites (Kim Koren, Tim Gibbons, Podcasts)

World

• Podcasts:  SA Roots and Blues 114, Roadhouse #265, Nothing But the Blues #79 (featuring a song by Rita Chiarelli)

Funny/Weird Stuff

• Blues-related comic strips from Pearls Before Swine: Part 1, Part 2
• Blues-related cartoon from Free Range

Featured Videos

DaveRave/Tim Gibbons/Gord Lewis Doing Countrified Ramones

Tim Gibbons and Driftin' Drawers: Black Annie


Kim Koren: Jolene

New Chris White CD: noOTHERway

Earlier this year, local singer/songwriter, Chris White released his latest amazing CD, noOTHERway.

If you love your folk on the poppier, mellower side, this is the perfect disc for you. There are a few up tempo tunes in this collection as well.

Throughout the album, Chris adds elements of folk, pop, rock and even some jazz. There are also some Celtic influences mixed in.

Click here for more Chris White stories.

Staircase Theatre Open Stage (March 15, 2010)

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Raphael Keelan

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Robert Scott Enfield

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Randy Shook

Dan Achen (Junkhouse) Passes

Former Junkhouse member and producer, Dan Achen passed away March 15, 2010 after a heart attack while playing hockey.

Achen played guitar for Hamilton rock legends Junkhouse. He was also the owner of Catherine North Studios, where a number of Canadian music stars recorded (Feist, Kathleen Edwards, Marble Index, and many more). Achen was an accomplished producer, as well.

The Chartattack web site posted a wonderful article: 11 Reasons Dan Achan Was Cool.

Our condolences to his family and friends.

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Performer of the Week: Mary Simon

Hamilton Singer/Songwriter Mary Simon released her 5th CD, No More Maybes in April 2010.

Her version of folk rock is peppered with a lot of pop rhythms, alt-country and more. Mary's voice is amazing and her lyrics are well crafted.

You can pick up No More Maybes or her 4 other discs - including a live Christmas collection at her site.

Links: Mary Simon - MySpace - YouTube - More Mary Simon Stories

Blues News Bites (Famous Framus, Dan Achen, Groove Corporation)

Local

• We Now Have Over 500 Videos on Our YouTube Page
• Dan Achen (RIP) stories: CBC, Band Release Demo Recordings As Tribute

World

• Free MP3's by Mississippi John Hurt
• Alex Chilton (Box Top, Big Star) Passes

Funny/Weird Stuff

• Humorous Article: 6 Albums That Were Thinly Veiled F-You's (warning, mature content)
• Guitar Related Comic Strip from Hi and Lois
• Guitar Related Comic Strip from Duplex

Featured Videos

Famous Framus Playing Slide Guitar

Links: Famous Framus, More Famous Framus Stories

Groove Corporation at Nathan Phillips Square

Tripleplay @Buddy's Roadhouse (March 13, 2010)

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Click here for more Tripleplay stories

Mike Blackborow @ Wobbley Scotsman(March 12, 2010)

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Links: More Mike Blackborow Stories - Mike's Band: Backroom 11

Martin Verall and the Ex-Patriots @ Five Star Cafe - March 12, 2010

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Click here for more YouTube video from Martin Verall

Rock 'N Blues Jam Fundraiser @ Boston Manor (March 7, 2010) Part 4 - The Jams

Click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Click here if you can't see the videos.







Links: Wizened Old Men, Tommy D Band, Common Ground

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Rock 'N Blues Jam Fundraiser @ Boston Manor (March 7, 2010) Part 3

More to come

Click here for Part 1, Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.



Wizened Old Men

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Trish O'Neill and the Blues Pirates

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Rattlesnake Point

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Rock 'N Blues Jam Fundraiser @ Boston Manor (March 7, 2010) Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.



Wizened Old Men

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Tommy D Band


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Common Ground

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Rock 'N Blues Jam Fundraiser @ Boston Manor (March 7, 2010) Part 1

More to come . . .

Click here if you can't see the videos.



Wizened Old Men

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3D Blues Band

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Retro Rockit Band

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Westside Blues Band

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Performer of the Week: Kori Pop

Mount Hope Singer/Songwriter Kori Pop will be unleashing her debut CD, From the Outskirts in the spring of 2010.

The disc is sure to display her unique, haunting voice and modern folky sensibilities. Kori's sound incorporates some jazzy grooves and pop elements as well.

Every Tuesday night, you can check her out at the My Dog Joe cafe in Westdale.

Links: Main Site - Facebook - Reverbnation - YouTube




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Previous (Mini-Documentary About Local Music Scene)  - - - Rock N Blues Jam@Boston Manor

Mini-Documentary About Hamilton Music Scene

If you can't see the videos, click here for Part 1 and click here for Part 2

Featuring interviews with Tom Wilson, Tomi Swick, the Mississippi Kings, and more.





Courtesy of Simple People Productions

Blues News Bites (Kim Koren, Tom Wilson, ESRB, Arianna Gillis)

Local

• Chris White CD Release/Fundraiser and Shrimp Daddy Fundraiser in March 2010 edition of Snap Hamilton
• The Blues Report Reviews Rita Chiarelli's New CD

World

• Podcasts: Murphy's Saloon #176 , Roots and Blues #113
• Snopes.com Article About Mama Cass Urban Legend

Kim Koren and Lee Harvey Osmond: Raven Heart


Video: Emerson Street Rhythm Band at McMaster


Arianna Gillis: The Cove

Barry Mac and the One Eye'd Jacks @ This Ain't Hollywood (March 5, 2010)

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Left to right: Mike Blackborow (guitar, vocals on T for Texas), Barry Mac (guitar, vocals), Spider Costello (drums, vocals on Dead Flowers), Lena Montecalvo (harmony vocals, lead vocals on Tennessee Waltz ), Frank Koren (bass), and Greg Brisco (keys)













Click Links for More Stories: Barry Mac, Spider Costello, Lena Montecalvo, Frank Koren, Greg Brisco

Carolyna Loveless & Friends @ This Ain't Hollywood (March 5, 2010)

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Left to right: Frank Koren, Carolyna Loveless, Karen Johnson









Click Links for more stories: Frank Koren, Carolyna Loveless, Karen Corinth

Performer of the Week: Rae Billing

Even though Rae Billing's site describes her music as alt-country - it defies any label. Folk, country, pop, rock, and more are fused together into a wonderful sound.

"There is a depth to Billing's voice that reaches into the soul," says the Spec's Graham Rockingham and we couldn't agree more. This singer/songwriter's beautiful voice is just as versatile as her songs.

Rae sang and recorded with Toronto country/pop band, Crybaby and then went on to record two solo CDs: Rae Billing and Blue Black Night. Here's hoping there will be more in the future.

Links: Main Site - MySpace - Facebook Fan Page