Friday, July 1, 2022
Today's Listings
Happy Canada Day! Videos by the RHLI, Ludgates, Walk Off the Earth, Michael Mitchell
Links: John and Sheila Ludgate, More John and Sheila Stories, Video above courtesy of saxondale2
Links: Walk Off The Earth, More WOTE Stories, Video above courtesy of Walk Off the Earth
Links: Michael Mitchell, Video above courtesy of Michael Mitchell
More Canada Day Videos!
Previous (Global Beatles Day)
Sunday, June 26, 2022
Please Support Local Charities
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Happy World Beatles Day! Covers by Jacob Moon, Christopher Clause, Freedom Train, Hailee Rose w Dave Rave
Links: Christopher Clause, More Christopher Clause Stories, Video above courtesy of Shotgun Jilly
Links: Freedom Train, More Freedom Train Stories, Video above courtesy of Freedom Train
Links: Dave Rave, More Dave Rave Stories, Hailee Rose, More Hailee Rose Stories, Video above courtesy of WillerMusicVideo
Links: Beatles, More Beatles Covers/Stories
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
CONGRATS! Local 2022 Maple Blues Award Winners
The 2022 Maple Blues Awards were handed out on June 20, 2022 at a wonderful ceremony at the Koerner Hall in Toronto,
Here's a complete list of winners:
Local artists are bolded.
- Acoustic Act: David Gogo & Steve Marriner (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- Electric Act: Colin James (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- Entertainer: Sue Foley (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- Guitarist: Sue Foley (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- Harmonica Player: Steve Marinner (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- Male Vocalist: Colin James (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- New Artist: Lowdown Dirty Mojos (Hamilton)
Links: The Lowdown Dirty Mojos, More Mojos Stories, Video above courtesy of THE LOWDOWN DIRTY MOJOS - Recording/Producer: Steve Marriner - Hope Dies Last (from Waterdown's Stony Plain Records) (Steve Marriner, Producer)
- Songwriter: Steve Marinner (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
- Blues Booster: Claude Cloutier & Terry Parsons (tie)
- Blues with a Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award): Shakura S’Aida
- Piano/Keyboard : David Vest
- Horn Player: Alison Young
- Bassist: Keith Picot
- Drummer: Lindsay Beaver
- Female Vocalist : Miss Emily
- International Artist: Bonnie Raitt
Monday, June 20, 2022
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day & First Day of Summer! Videos by Lee Harvey Osmond, Shane Yellowbird, Pura Fé
Previous (Father's Day Videos) - - - Next (2022 Maple Blues Award Winners)
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Please Support Local Charities

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.
Happy Father's Day! Caretakers, Ludgates, Craig Cardiff, Donald McGeoch
Links: Caretakers, More Caretakers Stories, Video above courtesy of TheCaretakers Project
Links: John and Sheila Ludgate, More John and Sheila Stories, Video above courtesy of saxondale2
Links: Craig Cardiff, More Craig Cardiff Stories, Video above courtesy of Latent Image Studios
More Father's Day Videos
Previous (Big Rude Jake Passes) - - - Next (Indigenous Peoples Day/Summer Songs)
Friday, June 17, 2022
Big Rude Jake Had a Heart of Gold and a Sharp Wit - R.I.P.
I was lucky enough to see Jake quite a number of times and he was constantly full of life and had a smile on his face. You could see Jake loved what he did and was go great it. His lyrics were sharp and witty and his guitar skills were always world-class. I will miss him terribly.
He was very kind to me and invited me into his home when he first moved to Hamilton. I was very lucky and honored to play with such an amazing talent. He was in a league of players of their own. My heart goes out to the family and the family of musicians and fans he affected. Rest well my friend.
Dear Big Rude Jake: I'd say I have no words but there are plenty. Until I can muster a sentence up without crying i can peep out that I love you, respect you and will always remember you. Maybe that'll do for now. Every lightning strike and thunder crash I'll know that its you and your pals gettin' the band warmed up in heaven - taunting us earthly folks of the party that awaits. I'll be on my best behavior (mostly) so I can meet you up there one day . the good Lord raised His hand and has taken you home. We can find comfort in knowing you are at rest. Ladies and Gentleman Big Rude Jake. Whatta guy!
Jake dreamed big and rode a wave that inspired many of us who loved swing, jump, early jazz and blues to make Toronto a home for our music.
JakeFest in his honour last week was filled with love for the man and his tunes that uplifted us all.
One of the best nights of music I’ve experienced in Toronto. A fitting evening to honour an important member of our musical family.
Richard Underhill (Shuffle Demons)
A loving farewell to Big Rude Jake Hiebert, an erudite and dapper man with a heart of gold and a wit sharper than a Bowery barber's razor. Thank for the impossibly witty lyrics, the soulful singing and the meaningful music that touched everyone in the bar and let them dream that they too were living the bohemian life of a crooning troubadour. I'm so lucky to have played and chatted, noshed and laughed with such a beautiful man. Sincere and deep condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fans. We've lost a great one and somehow we'll have to soldier on without him. He'd want you to Live Large and follow your dreams. And damn the barricades!
Video above courtesy of Big Rude Jake
Video above courtesy of Big Rude Jake
Links: Big Rude Jake, More Big Rude Jake Stories, Video above courtesy of Big Rude Jake
Previous (50th Anniversary of Ziggy Stardust) - - - Next (Father's Day Videos)
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust with Amazing Local Covers & More!
- Release date: June 16, 1972 on RCA Records
- Produced by David Bowie & Ken Scott
- Guests: Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Mick Woodmansey, Rick Wakeman, Dana Gillespie
Sure Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was in my opinion and probably in all of our opinions one of the greatest albums ever.
It didn’t leave my tape deck for a year. It’s mesmerizing from start to finish: the production is beautiful and warm, it’s lyrically amazing, it’s one of the best album I’ve ever heard to this day.
Personally it inspired me the way I write music the limitless boundaries of creativity: no fences, no genre - phenomenal.
Monday, June 13, 2022
June 2022 Episode of 'Sold on Hamilton with Judy Marsales' featuring Theatre Ancaster
On June 4, 2022 CHML 900AM in Hamilton aired another fabulous episode of the 'Sold On Hamilton with Judy Marsales' radio show.
This wonderful show is generally broadcast on the first Saturday on the month between 11am and 12pm. It is hosted by Judy Marsales, owner of Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd (a proud HBL sponsor) and an amazing local music supporter. The program showcases the best and brightest citizens of the Hammer, including many musicians. Judy also discusses the Hamilton housing market.
The June 4, 2022 show featured Gord Conroy of Theatre Ancaster, Cindy Hawryluk (Westdale BIA & Ancaster BIA) and real estate broker, Catherine Palmer from Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd.
Links: Show above courtesy of Global News, Sold on Hamilton, More 'Sold on Hamilton' Stories
Video above courtesy of Erin Bree Pierce
Previous (Judy Garland's 100th Birthday) - - - Next (50th Anniversary of Ziggy Stardust)
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Support Local Charities
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.
Friday, June 10, 2022
Celebrate Judy Garland's 100th Birthday with Local Covers and More!
- Born Frances Ethel Gumm (June 10, 1922)
- Made film debut in the short The Big Revue (1929)
- Signed with MGM (1935)
- Signed recording contact with Decca Records at 13
- Starred as Dorothy in the movie classic Wizard of Oz (1939)
- Gave birth to daughter Liza Minnelli (March 29, 1946)
- Recorded Miss Show Business, her first solo album.
- Starred in The Judy Garland Show on TV (1961)
- Passed away of an overdose (June 22, 1969)
As I watched the Wizard of Oz as an 8 year old child, and heard Judy Garland singing Over the Rainbow for the first time, I knew right then and there, I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. It was a defining moment in my life - she inspired me to become a singer and performer.
Previous (Portugal Day Videos) - - - Next (Sold on Hamilton June 2022 Show)
Happy Portugal Day! Videos by Paulo Filipe, Brian Melo, Luis Ferraz, Madredeus
Please join us in celebrating our founder/blogger Lou's ethnic background!
Viva música ao vivo (Viva live music)
Here's some live Fado (a Portuguese musical genre) performed in Hamilton.
Links: Paulo Filipe, Video above courtesy of CesarPedro
Brian Melo is a Hamilton singer/songwriter of Portuguese heritage
Links: Brian Melo, Video above courtesy of BrianMeloVEVO
One of our blogger, Lou's favourite bands from Portugal
Links: Madredeus, Video above courtesy of Madredeus
Previous (Black Music Month Videos) - - - Next (Judy Garland's 100th Birthday)
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors
Sunday, June 5, 2022
Please Support Local Charities
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.
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors
Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors
Mondays: 8-10pm: Blues Source Vault w Ken Wallis @ BluesandRootsRadio.com
Tuesdays: 4-5pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM & 5-6pm: Blues Source International w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM
Wednesdays: 9-11pm: Blues Source Vault w Ken Wallis @ BluesandRootsRadio.com
Thursdays: 8-10pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ BluesandRootsRadio.com
Fridays: 6-7pm: Blues Source International w Ken Wallis @ BluesandRootsRadio.com
Saturdays: 2-3pm: Blues Source International w Ken Wallis @ .BluesandRootsRadio.com
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Remembering the Legendary Ronnie Hawkins
The music world lost a titan on May 29, 2022 when Canadian icon Ronnie Hawkins passed away. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Ronnie was born in Arkansas but moved to Ontario early in his career due to the great reception he received here. He's also responsible for helping launch the careers of many musicians such as the Band, Crowbar and many more.
Media Links
Social Media Reaction
My heart sank when I heard “The Hawk” just flew into the sunset.
The story of The Band began with Ronnie Hawkins. He was our mentor. He taught us the rules of the road.
Ronnie Hawkins brought me down from Canada to the Mississippi delta when I was 16. He recorded two songs I’d written and thought I might be talented. He tried me out on guitar and bass the only problem was; I’m too young to play in the clubs they toured, I was too inexperienced, not a good enough musician yet, and there are NO Canadians in southern rock and roll bands. But I practiced until my fingers were bleeding and he ended up hiring me against all odds.
Ron prided himself in always having top notch players in his group. Levon Helm his drummer in the Hawks and I talked Ron into hiring Rick Danko on bass and vocals, Richard Manuel on piano and vocals and Garth Hudson on organ and sax. Along with Levon and me this became the magic combination.
Ronnie was the godfather. The one who made this all happen.
He had us rehearsing constantly into the wee hours. We balked about it, but we got better and better. Our goal whether we knew it or not.
After the Hawks left Ron and went out on our own, we joined up with Bob Dylan. Next the Hawks became The Band and the rest is history, as they say.
All starting out with Ronnie Hawkins.
He was not only a great artist, a tremendous performer and bandleader, but had a style of humor unequaled. Fall down funny and completely unique. Yep, God only made one of those. And he will live in our hearts forever.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Bless his soul.
This is a tough one. RIP Ronnie Hawkins, a brilliant, hilarious, once in a lifetime entertainer and family friend. My first stint as a Hawk was in the summer at 15 years old before going back to school. Thanks Ronnie for so many laughs and lessons, a musical education like no other, and thanks for letting a young kid wear your hat.
Such a generous man, he was a father to me, I joined at age 19, but he told everyone I was 16 lol. Ronnie Hawkins introduced me to the real rock and roll lifestyle. We played everywhere from concert halls to biker bars, to supper clubs to strip joints. Through Ronnie, I met BB King and Johnny Rivers and Roy Buchanan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley and Ian and Sylvia. We played with Levon Helm and Dr John and had a great band with King Biscuit Boy, John Till, Mike Short, Stan Szeleste, Carl Mathers, Rob Johnston and Wayne King to name a few who are all lifelong friends. An amazing legacy of great entertainment; humour and music. RIP Ronnie Hawkins.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Ronnie “The Hawk” Hawkins today.
While I was plying my trade as a young musician living in Toronto in the 1980’s, I always looked up to Ronnie Hawkins. He was the “king” of the local “Rock’n’Roll” scene while I was just starting out. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to catch his live act on numerous occasions and eventually got to meet the man...more than once.
It turned out “The Hawk” was a boxing fan, just like me. We’d run into each other at boxing matches, whether it was a live event featuring Canadian Olympian Shawn O’Sullivan, or a closed circuit match featuring Oscar De La Hoya, Ronnie Hawkins was always there. “The Hawk” was a true “man of the people” who loved to talk about music, boxing, and was always quick with a one-liner.
As I reflect today on this “larger-than-life” character, it’s clear “The Hawk” had a huge influence on my own music career. We both loved “Rockabilly” music, playing with a high-energy, talented band of musicians, and putting on a show. Thanks Ronnie!!
RIP “THE HAWK”
He will never be forgotten.
I got to meet Ronnie Hawkins at his home in March. Gary Lucas invited Wendell Ferguson, Mike McCurlie and myself to come play a few BAND songs with accordion, guitar and mando. He loved it. Even said I had a bit of Garth Hudson going on in my playing which was a big compliment for me. Woo, the stories. LOL! Great to have met The Legend, The Hawk and sad to see him go.
The Smoke Wagon Blues Band
Very sad to hear of the passing of the legendary Ronnie Hawkins. Even though Ronnie was originally American his finger prints are all over Canadian Rock'n'roll & Blues history. Especially here in the Hammer and Ontario you'd be hard pressed to find a Rock or Blues group that wasn't touched or directly influenced in some way by the Hawk.
The Smoke Wagon Blues Band is no different: We got our big break opening for the Hawk back in 2003 at The Burlington Sound of Music Festival. Ronnie had been fighting cancer and hadn't played for some years so 50,000 folks packed into Spencer Smith Park for the show. At that time we were still holding residency in the small cubs of Hamilton's Hess Village when the Hawk requested a local blues band open for him. We felt so out of our element walking out on that big stage, we couldn't see where the crowd ended gulp! Ronnie was so gracious with us, offering lots of liquid courage back in his trailer as encouragement haha. After the show he invited us back to his trailer for lots of party favors, and to give us shit for covering the same song in our set list (Born in Chicago) haha When he realized my mom was trying to talk to me through the back gates he said get your mom in here whom was dying to meet him.
We most definitely got the full Ronnie experience that evening. I met Ronnie a few times over the years but I'll always remember that first moment. Its pretty damn cool to get the chance to share the stage with one of your idols and he sure made it special. Long live the Hawk in our musical memories.
Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Duane Allman, Video above courtesy of Deep Track Zach
Video above courtesy of Classic Music Videos & Pictures 1960s
Links: The Band, More Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of plimfec
Links: Ronnie Hawkins, More Ronnie Hawkins Stories,
Previous ('Grand River Blues Society' Solo Blues Challange Rep Chosen)
Monday, May 30, 2022
CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK! Brooke Blackburn to Represent the Grand River Blues Society at the 2023 International Blues Challenge
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Support Local Charities
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.
CONGRATS! 2022 Hamilton Arts Awards Recipients
Recently, the 2022 Hamilton Arts Awards recipients were unveiled. They'll all be honoured at a celebration on June 9, 2022 as part of Hamilton Arts Week in association with the Hamilton Arts Council.
Here's the complete winners list. Music-related nominees are bolded:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Harrison Kennedy
Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Paul Mill
Arts Champion: Jamie (Gunner) Smith (Steel City Music), Art to Go Podcast (Nancy Benoy, Cornelia Peckart), David BeresfordPrevious (New Les Smith with Trickbag CD) - - - Next ('Grand River Blues Society' Solo Blues Challange Rep Chosen)
Friday, May 27, 2022
Fiery New Album from Lester Smith & Trickbag
Ancaster singer/songwriter Lester Smith has teamed with his good pals in Trickbag to forge a fiery new album, Another Day in Paradise. Together, they've created a wonderful melding of Blues, Roots and a little Country.
As always, Les is a skilled songwriter and storyteller. He touches on themes of love, hope, disaster, survival and more. The tracks can be touching, fun, inspiring, intimate and poignant. Above all - it will move you. Les and Trickbag can also groove with the best of them.
You can pick up this unforgettable album at the CD Release on at Stonewalls (Hamilton) on May 28th at 8pm or at any of his other live shows. Picks and Sticks (Hamilton) and Looney Tunes (Burlington) have copies on hand as well. Also, it can be download via Bandcamp soon
Previous (Chairmen of the Board's 'Bittersweet' Turns 50) - - - Next (Hamilton Arts Awards Winners)
Monday, May 23, 2022
'Bittersweet' by Chairmen of the Board (featuring Hamilton's Harrison Kennedy) Turns 50
This year (1972), Bittersweet, the incredible album from the unforgettable soul group, The Chairmen of the Board, turns 50 years old. At the time, Hamilton Blues legend, Harrison Kennedy was a member of the popular trio. This Invictus Records release would end up being Harrison's final album with the ensemble.
Harrison had this say about this classic album:
My first blues tune on any COB’s releases was Weary Traveller.
Men are Getting Scarce was in protest of the war.
This release was my favorite because of the Country Blues feel. I played harp on Elmo James.
Video above courtesy of Missing Oldies
Video above courtesy of Anthony Rosano
Video above courtesy of uk70singles
Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Chairmen of the Board, More Chairmen of the Board Stories, More 50th Anniversary Albums
Previous (Victoria Day Videos) - - - Next (New Les Smith with Trickbag CD)