CONGRATS! Hamilton's Steve Strongman Is Triumphant at the Memphis Blues Challenge

Hamilton is beaming with pride thank to local Bluesman Steve Strongman. He brought home the Best Guitar (Solo or Duo) award at the International Blues Challenge on January 26, 2019.

He posted the following on his Facebook page:

Congratulations to Jon Chain for winning solo/duo at #IBC2019 !
I’m so proud and honoured to win the best guitarist award for solo/duo.
What an amazing week and incredible ride ! Thank you all for the love and support !

Here's what the his sponsor, Grand River Blues Society had to say:

Representing The Grand River Blues Society, Mr. Steve Strongman our first finalist in over 10 years is awarded the winner of the "Guitar Player Award" in the Solo/Duo category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis last night. Steve is the now the proud owner of the 2019 IBC Memphis Cigar Box Guitar number "445" that was designed by craftsman and frontman of the GHOST TOWN BLUES BAND,  Mr. Matt Isbell. CONGRATULATIONS to our proudly Canadian uber talented guitar wizard himself and one helluva of a great friend STEVE STRONGMAN !!!

CONGRATS STEVE!





Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Videos above courtesy of Don C

He was joined by Canadian East Coast duo, Theresa Malenfant and Scott Medford who won second place in the solo/group category.



Links: Theresa Malenfant, Video above courtesy of So Co/Southern Comfort Band

Here's a complete list of winners:

Memphis Cigar Box Guitar: Steve Strongman (Grand River Blues Society)

BAND

• 1st Place: Ms. Hy-C and Fresh Start (St. Louis Blues Society)
• 2nd Place: Sammy Eubanks and the Work’in Class (Washington Blues Society)
• 3rd Place: Celso Salim Band (Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society)

SOLO/DUO

• 1st Place: Jon Shain (Triangle Blues Society)
• 2nd Place: Theresa Malenfant and Scott Medford (East Coast Blues Society)

OTHER

• Gibson Guitar Award: Gabe Stillman (Billtown Blues Association)
• Lee Oskar Harmonica Award: Darryl Carriere of  Celso Salim Band (Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society)
• Best Self-Produced CD: Lock Up the Liquor – The Little Red Rooster Blues Band (Central Delaware Blues Society)

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: International Blues Challenge, More IBC Stories

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News Roundup (Garnet Rogers, Robbie Robertson, Dierks Bentley, more)

Reality Check

Free Range

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News

Local

• Thorold News story on Guitar Wars 
• Open Stage Adventure feature on Silence 
• Cashbox Canada feature on Garnet Rogers 
• Robbie Robertson headed for CMW Industry Hall of Fame 

Spectator Stories

• Remembering Smiling Bill 
• Canada's leading vinyl distributor calls it quits 
• Green Book pianist Don Shirley 
• Dierks Bentley 

Passings

• Lorna Doom (Germs bassist)
• Ted McKenna (drummer)
• Reggie Young (guitarist)

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Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef will be back soon.

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Robbie Burns Day Videos (Michael Marra, Loril Shannik, Rutherford & Robichaud)

Click here for information on Robert Burns

Links: Michael Marra, Video above courtesy of lauchinrain



Links: Loril Shannik, Video above courtesy of Loril Shannik



Links: Rutherford & Robichaud, More R&R Stories, Video above courtesy of A Robichaud

More Robbie Burns Day Videos

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Wonderful Weekly Brantford Matinee Series Helps our Soldiers (Videos by Dylan Wickens, Tim Gibbons, Mark Crissinger, Jack de Keyzer)

Now you can enjoy some incredible, rockin' Blues and help our brave soldiers at the same time.

Every Sunday from 2-5pm at the Brantford Gunners Club, the Howitzer Blues Band will be joined by a special guest to rock the place. The cost is only $5. Money raised goes to help veterans with PTSD or are homeless.

Here are the upcoming guests.

January 27: Dylan Wickens


Links: Dylan Wickens, More Dylan Wickens Stories, Video above courtesy of Lighthouse Blues Festival

February 3: Tim Gibbons




Links: Tim Gibbons, More Tim Gibbons Stories, Video above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens

February 10: Mark Crissinger



Links: Mark Crissinger, More Mark Crissinger Stories, Video above courtesy of Keith cyr

This series will continue so check our calendar for more amazing guests.

There will also be a special fundrasier ft the Jack de Keyzer Band on February 17 at 8pm at the same place for only $20)



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer

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News Roundup (Beard Guy Tribute, Whitehorse, Revive the Rose, more)

Bizarro

Free Range

Ripley's

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News

Local

• Video: Revive the Rose on CHCH
  
  
  Links: Revive the Rose, More Revive the Rose Stories, Video above courtesy of CHCH

CBC Music Videos

• Mike "Beard Guy" Taylor Tribute Concert
  
  
  
  Links: Walk Off The Earth, More WOTE Stories, More CBC Videos, Video above courtesy of CBC Music

• Whitehorse
  
  
  
  Links: Whitehorse, More Whitehorse Stories, More CBC Videos, Video above courtesy of CBC Music
  

Spectator Stories

• Mike "Beard Guy" Taylor Tribute Concert
• About Mike Taylor
• Queen opinion piece
• Dierks Bentley
• Bach at HPO

FYI Music News

• CHUM's Brian "Henny" Henderson Passes
• Radio Host Mark Elliott Passes

Canada

• Hornby Island Blues Society to receive Blues Booter award

Passings

• Clydie King (back up singer)

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Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef will be back next week

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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Arkells on CBC's First Play Live

A total of 11 live videos from Hamilton' rocker the Arkells were posted on the CBC Music YouTube page as part of their First Play Live series

Here a guide below along with some of the actual videos.

• People's Champ
  
  
  
  
• Show Me, Don't Tell Me
• Saturday Night
• Don't Be A Stranger
• Only For A Moment
• American Screams
  
  
  
  
• Eyes On The Prize
• Knocking at Your Door
• Relentless
• Hand Me Downs
  
  
  
  
• Company Man

Blast from the Past: Arkells on CBC's q

Links: Arkells, More Arkells Stories, More CBC Videos, Videos above courtesy of CBC Music

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Steeltown's Own Dave Rave Creates a Wild Ride with 'Adventureland'

When you get yourself a copy of Adventureland, the latest infectious effort by Hamilton music legend, Dave Rave, buckle up for a very wile ride. It's a roller coaster that'll keep you thrilled from beginning to end.

Jam-packed with the melodic, catchy pop rock that Dave's best known for, this ferocious recording captures the rambunctious, boundless energy he always displays on stage. From punky rhythmic workouts to softer tunes, Dave and the gang'll guide you through this unforgettable jaunt.

His main partners on this trip are the three members of Steeltown stalwarts Freedom Train. FT bassist and vocalist Carl Jennings also does a great job with producing the album.

Many other talented guests lend their flair to the project, including:

• Jim Casson (drums)
• Dina Bach (piano, vocals)
• Bill Culp (bass)
• Mark Foley (guitar)
• Darren Lachance (guitar)
• Lauren Agnelli (bass, vocals)
• Tim Allard (organ)
• Bruce Tourney (keyboards)
• Rempe Kooij (guitar)
• Chris Peck (drums)
• Ben Parent (guitar)
• Matthew Male (percussion)
• Anthony Di Carlo (guitar, vocals)
• Paolo Di Carlo (drums, vocals)
• Anthony Medico (keys, vocals)
• Chris Turpin (keys, vocals)
• Matt Gouette (drums)

This incredible album has yet to be officially released but it will be available at Dave's CD Release Party on Tuesday, January 15 at the Casbah. Please check this page later on and we'll have links for online purchasing.



Blast from the Past: Review of Dave Rave's Ashtray Makeup Album

Links: Dave Rave, More Dave Rave Stories, Freedom Train, More Freedom Train Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers, More Releases

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News Roundup (Hamilton Musicians' Guild, Spencer Mackenzie, Passings, More)

Thorold News story on Spencer Mackenzie

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News

Local

• Dec 2018 episode of Sold on Hamilton w Judy Marsales ft Brent Malseed (Hamilton Musicians' Guild)
  
  
  
  Links: The Hamilton Musician's Guild, More Guild Stories, More Sold on Hamilton Episodes


• Help support the Moonshine Cafe through Patreon
• Harrison Kennedy nominated for 2019 Blues Music Award

Spectator Stories

• Concert to honour Mike Tyler of Walk Off the Earth 

Passings

• Pegi Young
• Steve Ripley (Tractors)
• Daryl Dragon (Captain of Captain and Tenille)
• Alan R Pearlman (ARP Synthesizers)

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Adventure of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef kicked off the new year with his old friends Trickbag at Stonewalls.

Click here for more pictures from the event

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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GOOD LUCK! Hamilton's Harrison Kennedy Nominated for 2019 Blues Music Award

Hamilton Blues Legend Harrison Kennedy is once again up for Blues Music Awards this year (the only Canadian nominated).  He's in the running for Acoustic Artist of the Year.  Hopefully, he'll be bringing home the hardware at the May 9, 2019 ceremony in Memphis.



Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories: Video above courtesy of Harrison Kennedy - Topic

Harison is joined by fellow Canadian Sue Foley, who's up for the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) and Single of the Year for her song The Ice Queen.



Links: Sue Foley, More Sue Foley Stories, Video above courtesy of Don's Tunes

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!

Here's a complete list of nominees. Canadians are bolded.


Acoustic Artist

• Harrison Kennedy
• Ben Rice
• Guy Davis
• Hadden Sayers
• Rory Block

Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)

• Sue Foley
• Fiona Boyes
• Lindsay Beaver
• Ruthie Foster
• Trudy Lynn

Song of the Year

• “The Ice Queen,” Sue Foley
• “Ain’t Got Time For Hate,” Shemekia Copeland (written by John Hahn and Will Kimbrough)
• “Angelina, Angelina,” written by Anthony Geraci
• “Cognac,” Buddy Guy (co-written by Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
• “No Mercy In This Land,” Ben Harper (writer) and Charlie Musselwhite

Acoustic Album

• A Woman’s Soul, Rory Block
• Black Cowboys, Dom Flemons
• Global Griot, Eric Bibb
• Journeys To The Heart Of The Blues, Joe Louis Walker/Bruce Katz/Giles Robson
• Wish The World Away, Ben Rice 

Album of the Year

• America’s Child, Shemekia Copeland
• The High Cost Of Low Living, The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
• Journeys To The Heart Of The Blues, Joe Louis Walker/Bruce Katz/Giles Robson
• Rough Cut, Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager
• Why Did You Have To Go, Anthony Geraci 

B.B. King Entertainer

• Beth Hart
• Bobby Rush
• Lil’ Ed Williams
• Michael Ledbetter
• Sugaray Rayford

Band of the Year

• Anthony Geraci and The Boston Blues All-Stars
• Larkin Poe
• Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials
• Nick Moss Band
• Welch-Ledbetter Connection 

Best Emerging Artist Album

• Burn Me Alive, Heather Newman
• Free, Amanda Fish
• Heartland And Soul, Kevin Burt
• Tough As Love, Lindsay Beaver
• Wish The World Away, Ben Rice 

Blues Rock Album

• The Big Bad Blues, Billy F Gibbons
• High Desert Heat, Too Slim and the Taildraggers
• Live At The ’62 Center, Albert Cummings
• Poor Until Payday, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
• Winning Hand, Tinsley Ellis

Blues Rock Artist

• Billy F Gibbons
• Eric Gales
• J.P. Soars
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd
• Tinsley Ellis 

Contemporary Blues Album

• America’s Child, Shemekia Copeland
• Belle Of The West, Samantha Fish
• Chicago Plays The Stones, The Living History Band
• Hold On, Kirk Fletcher
• Wild Again, The Proven Ones 

Contemporary Blues Female Artist

• Beth Hart
• Danielle Nicole
• Samantha Fish
• Shemekia Copeland
• Vanessa Collier

Contemporary Blues Male Artist

• Kenny Neal
• Rick Estrin
• Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Selwyn Birchwood
• Toronzo Cannon

Instrumentalist-Bass

• Danielle Nicole
• Michael “Mudcat” Ward
• Patrick Rynn
• Scot Sutherland
• Willie J. Campbell

Instrumentalist-Drums

• Cedric Burnside
• Jimi Bott
• June Core
• Tom Hambridge
• Tony Braunagel 

Instrumentalist - Guitar

• Anson Funderburgh
• Christoffer “Kid” Andersen
• Laura Chavez
• Monster Mike Welch
• Ronnie Earl

Instrumentalist - Harmonica

• Billy Branch
• Bob Corritore
• Dennis Gruenling
• Kim Wilson
• Mark Hummel

Instrumentalist - Horn

• Doug James
• Jimmy Carpenter
• Kaz Kazzanof
• Mindi Abair
• Nancy Wright
• Vanessa Collier

Instrumentalist - Vocalist

• Beth Hart
• Danielle Nicole
• Janiva Magness
• Michael Ledbetter
• Shemekia Copeland

Pinetop Perkins Piano Player

• Anthony Geraci
• Bruce Katz
• Jim Pugh
• Marcia Ball
• Mike Finnigan

Soul Blues Album

• Back In Business, Frank Bey
• Every Soul’s A Star, Dave Keller
• I’m Still Around, Johnny Rawls
• Love Makes A Woman, The Knickerbocker All-Stars
• Reckoning, Billy Price

Soul Blues Female Artist

• Annika Chambers
• Barbara Blue
• Candi Staton
• Thornetta Davis
• Whitney Shay

Soul Blues Male Artist

• Frank Bey
• Johnny Rawls
• Sugaray Rayford
• Wee Willie Walker
• William Bell

Traditional Blues Album

• The Blues Is Alive And Well, Buddy Guy
• The High Cost Of Low Living, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
• The Luckiest Man, Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters
• Tribute to Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell and the Bell Dynasty
• Why Did You Have To Go, Anthony Geraci

Traditional Blues Male Artist

• Anthony Geraci
• Cedric Burnside
• James Harman
• Lurrie Bell
• Nick Moss 

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Nominees

Links: Blues Music Awards, More Blues Music Awards Stories

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Last CHCH Videos of 2018! Goodnight Sunrise, BR XPression, Maysides, Cam Bogle

CHCH TV ended 2018 off with some incredible videos. Check them out below!

Links: Goodnight Sunrise, More Goodnight Sunrise Stories, Video above courtesy of CHCH


Links: BR XPression, Video above courtesy of CHCH


Links: The Maysides, Video above courtesy of CHCH


Links: Cam Bogle, Video above courtesy of CHCH

More CHCH Videos

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1st News Roundup of 2019 (Tim Hicks, Jeremy Fisher, Whitehorse, Tom Wilson, Melissa Bel, more)

Free Range

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News

Local

• Arkells, Tebey and Tim Hicks on Nielsen BDS Top 10 lists
• 2018: Year in Review
• Mike Taylor of Walk Off the Earth Passes
• Molly Kurvinck of Tamarack Passes

Videos

• Marz Homes presents Tim Hicks
  
  
  
  Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, More Marz Garage Podcasts, Video above courtesy of Marz Homes
  
  
• Dan's Space Van w Jeremy Fisher
  
  
  
  Links: Jeremy Fisher, More Jeremy Fisher Stories, More Space Van Episodes, Video above courtesy of Danny Michel

• Whitehorse covers Feist on CBC
  
  
  
  Links: Whitehorse, More Whitehorse Stories, More CBC Videos, Video above courtesy of CBC Music
  
  
• Melissa Bel co-writes new Avril Lavigne single
  
  
  
  Links: Avril Lavigne, More Avril Lavigne Stories, Melissa Bel, More Melissa Bel Stories, Video above courtesy of Avril Lavigne
  
  
• Tom Wilson on CBC's q
  
  
  
  Links: Lee Harvey Osmond (aka Tom Wilson), More Lee Harvey Osmond Stories, q on CBC, More q Stories, Video above courtesy of q on CBC

Spectator Stories

• Walk Off the Earth keyboardist passes
• Burlington music industry giant Lyman Potts passes
• Jann Arden's mother passes
• CBC Reinstates 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'
• Chaka Khan returns

Look Back at 2018

• Notable Hamiltonians we lost in 2018
• Most underrated albums of 2018
• 2018 albums of the year

Passings

• Ray Sawyer (Dr. Hook)

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Adventure of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef is resting from New Years Eve. He'll be back soon

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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2018: Year in Review

2018 was an eventful year for the Hamilton Blues Lovers. We turned 10 years old and had an incredible celebration to commemorate it. This was also a mixed year for the music industry.

Local musicians who passed: 

• Mike Taylor (Walk Off the Earth)
• Molly Kurvink (Tamarack)
• Barry Smallbone (guitarist)
• Don Hayter (Hamilton Folk Club)
• Mike Northcott (Banned from Heaven)
• Peter McFaland (Groove Corporation)
• Bob Payne (Payne Music)
• Dave Pearson (Elysium Dream)
• Peter Shaw
• Ronnie Lodge (Ronnie and the Rockets)
• Karl Slick (Slick Brothers)
• Jim Milne (founding Downchild bassist)
• Fred Purser
• Mike James
• Michael Keys
• Brian Wice
• Jeannie Ingrassia (Hamilton's Guitar Clinic)
• Fraser Loveman
• John Dutton (Neon Moon drummer)
• Anglea McKay

Canadian musicians who passed (highlights):

• Rick Bissell (Simply Saucer manager)
• Bev Munro
• Victoria Bluesman Jason Buie
• Ronnie Prophet
• Johnny Cowell
• Tommy Banks
• Robert Lowrey

International musicians who passed (highlights):

• Nancy Wilson
• Roy Clark
• Otis Rush
• Inspiration for Buddy Holly's Peggy Sue
• Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane)
• Lazy Lester
• Ed King (ex-Skynyrd Guitarist)
• Aretha Franklin
• Alan Longmuir (Bay City Rollers Bassist)
• Vinnie Paul (Pantera drummer)
• Joe Jackson (Jacksons Dad)
• Matt Guitar Murphy
• DJ Fontana (Elvis drummer)
• Danny Kirwan (ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist)
• Clarence Fountain (Blind Boys of Alabama)
• Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater (Chicago Bluesman)
• Randy Scruggs (guitarist, producer)
• Peter "Mars" Cowlings (Pat Travers bassist)
• Barbara Alston (Crystals singer)
• Pat Torpey (Mr. Big drummer)
• Craig MacGregor (Foghat bassist)
• Dennis Edwards (Temptations Singer)
• Dave Holland (ex-Judas Priest Drummer)
• Eddie Shaw (Blues Sax Legend)
• Jim Rodford (Kinks, Zombies, Argent bassist)
• Rick Hall (father of Muscle Shoals music)
• Danny Woods (Chairmen of the Board - Harrison Kennedy's Former Band)
• Fast Eddie Clarke (Motorhead guitarist)
• Dolores O'Riordan (Cranberries singer)

Most Popular Blog Posts

1. Ronnie Lodge Passes
2. Founding Downchild Bassist Milne Passes
3. Angela McKay Passes
4. Mike Northcott Passes
5. Fraser Loveman Passes

Other Highlights of the Year

• Lou, Our Blogger Nominated for Maggie Award
• Canadian Country Music Awards
• Nelson Mandela's 100th Birthday
• Pearl Bailey's 100th Birthday
• Local Juno Winners
• Elmore James' 100th Birthday

Our Top 3 Reviews

1. Judy Brown
2. Spencer Mackenzie
3. Cootes Paradise

Our Top 3 Videos 



Links: Cootes Paradise, More Cootes Paradise Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous



Links: Crowbar, More Crowbar Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B.Lous



Links: More Angela McKay Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Here's to an ever better 2019!!!!

Blast from the Past: 2017 in Review

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