The Niagara region's best musical talent were celebrate on September 29, 2015 at Taps Brewery. The 8th Niagara Music Awards were handed out the area's favourite artists. The big winners were Roots performer Steve Goldberger and Folk group Odds and Ends, who took home 3 awards that night.
According to their website: Unsigned Only is a unique annual international music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the “gem” that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package.
The grand prize went to Jared Porter And Kaylee Bell (Australia/New Zealand) who've won mentoring from industry pros.
The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey Trebleclef went to the Saturday Sermon Blues Matinee featuring the James Anthony Band w special guest Andre Bisson
A number of talented local artists have earned 2015 Canadian Folk Music AwardNominations. Hopefully, some of them will be bringing home the hardware on November 6-8, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta after the ceremony.
Hamilton's Whitehorse duo is up for the English Songwriter, Pushing the Boundaries and Ensemble categories. Two more area musicians were nominated for Pushing the Boundaries: Hamilton singer/songwriter Dana Sipos and Elora's Kevin Breit.
Hamilton's Smoke Wagon Blues Bandand Cayuga Bluesman Jay Pollmann (of Gruve) will be representing the area in the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They'll be vying for the top of the group and solo categories respectively on January 26-30, 2016. CONGRATS!
The talented musicians won a local competition organized by our friends at the Grand River Blues Society. After a hard fought battle on Sunday, September 20th at Bobby O'Brien's in Kitchener, they were chosen to represent us.
Roots musician Steve Goldbergerwas nominated for a whopping 8 nominations. New band Odds and Ends
follow closely behind with 7.
Awards will be handed out soon on Tuesday, September 29 at Taps Brewery. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! http://blueshamilton.blogspot.com/2015/09/congrats-niagara-music-award-winners.html
We recently found out that former Rick and the Krickets bassist Billy Berman passed away August 9, 2015. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
A word from Lou, our Blogger:
"Going to a Krickets show always meant sharing laughs with Billy and hearing his mastery of the bass. I will miss him dearly."
Rick Prinsthal (leader of the Krickets) had this to say on Facebook:
"Billy and I met 25 years ago. He was always the kind of character I liked being around - lot's of charisma and plenty of laughs. He was also a pretty sharp dresser in those days!. Billy and I worked in a band for about 8 years..recorded a CD, did a lot of driving from one town to the next, and shared a lot of laughs!. I know that Billy is in a good place now, where he is free from his suffering. In fact, he's probably cracking a few good dirty jokes to the angels right now! RIP BILL"
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Festival of Friendsfounder, Bill Powell. For over two and a half decades, he was the driving force behind the prestigious Hamilton event. Our condolences to his family and friends.
His wife, Lynne, posted the following on her Facebook page: "It is with a heavy heart that I let all our Facebook friends know of Bill's passing today at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton. His death was unexpected, but peaceful."
Bill was a major part of the local arts community . Along with organizing festivals, he was a painter and also managed the music venues Ebony Knight and Knight II Coffee House. Other career highlights include running an indie music label, publishing art magazines plus working in the TV and film business.
A word from Lou, our blogger: "I had the honour of working for him at the Festival of Friends one summer. I still talk about the wonderful experiences I had there. I saw first-hand the passion and dedication he had to his work."
There have been many social media comments. Here are a few quotes:
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger: Bill Powell. You have done much to promote festivals, music and events in Hamilton. You inspired me!
Festival of Friends Twitter: The Festival is heartbroken to announce the passing of Bill Powell, our event's founder and Hamilton icon.
Loren Lieberman(current FoF President): ""Sun down, sun down, they've taken all the tents down. Where have you gone, my handsome Billy? Sun down, sun down, the carnival train has left town. Where ya been, my darlin' Billy? Sun down, sun down, they empty out the Fairgrounds. Where are you gone now, my handsome Billy?" The Last Carnival - goodbye Mr. Powell, the City of Hamilton and I will remember all that you did for us."
The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey Trebleclef was at Canada's Largest Ribfest in Burlington. He got to ride a pig and milk a cow!
Brantford rock band Bad Reed have put quite a bit into their 3-song self-titled, debut EP. Equal parts indie and psychedelic, progressive rock they also mix in some jazzy vibes and a touch of roots.
So if you desire something with some kick to it and also off the beaten path, this is what you're looking for. The lush vocals and complex instrumentation will have you coming back for more.
If you want to download it through Bandcamp, you can name your own price. Physical CD's are also available there.
No Boundaries, the sophomore release from Milton singer/songwriter Steve Riversis just dripping over with energy. This is a modern country album with some major power behind it.
The current Nashville resident knows how to hook you into a song and then get your adrenaline going. Catchy choruses and infectious guitars riffs attack from all sides and it's glorious. Steve can also handle the occasional slow number with grace.
This high octane album is available for download on iTunes.
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