Hamilton Blues Lovers: February 2022

Monday, February 28, 2022

Happy Mardi Gras! Videos by Skip Prokop, Derek Miller, Big Smoke Brass

Links: Skip Prokop, More Skip Prokop Stories, Video above courtesy of Canadian Cult Classics

Links: Derek Miller, More Derek Miller Stories, Video above courtesy of Gregoria Willmore

Links: Big Smoke Brass, Video above courtesy of TD Niagara Jazz Festival

More Mardi Gras Videos

Previous (Blues & Roots Radio Song Contest Winners) - - - Next (Juno Nominees)

Saturday, February 26, 2022

CONGRATS! 2022 Blues and Roots Radio International Song Contest Winners

Recently, the winners of the 2022 Blues and Roots Radio International Song Contest were announced. Three incredible Canadian acts won!

The category winners earned $250 and the overall winner won $1000 CAD.

Here's a complete list of winners

Overall Winner: Terra Spencer - Feels Like Home (Nova Scotia)

Links: Terra Spenser, Video above courtesy of Terra Spencer - Topic
1st Place runner up: Rob Lutes - That Bird Has My Wings (Montreal)
2nd Place Runner up: Anders Drerup (formerly from Ottawa) - Two First Kisses
Singer Songwriter (Male): Rob Lutes - That Bird Has My Wings

Links: Rob Lutes, More Rob Lutes Stories, Video above courtesy of Rob Lutes Music

Singer Songwriter (Female): Terra Spencer - Feels Like Home
Duo | Trio | Band: Anders Drerup - Two First Kisses

Links: Anders Drerup, Video above courtesy of Anders Drerup - Topic

More Blues and Roots International Song Contest

Previous (Peter Lafferty Passes) - - - Next (Mardi Gras Videos)

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Local Musician Peter Lafferty Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of local (he grew up in Dundas) musician Peter Lafferty, who passed away on February 22, 2022 after a brave battle with cancer. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

He was a solo artist and also toured with bands such as California, The Mike Lehman Show and many more. Peter was also a product manager for Boss at Roland Canada.

Social Media Reaction

Mark Volkov (Cootes Paradise)

RIP Peter Lafferty, who died peacefully at home with his loved ones at approximately 2:22pm. on 22/2/22

Peter was a friend of mine for more than 50 years, since our time at Parkside High School. We played in our first professional band together, "Spittin' Image" in 1977. We shared an apartment on Gilmour Avenue in Toronto in 1977-1978 while we were on the road with different bands. He was a talented, versatile and passionate musician, a good loyal friend, and a really fine person. He had a terrific sense of humour and was kind, thoughtful, and generous. I last played with Peter, along with Darryl Campbell at a St. Patrick's Day gig at The Shores of Port Credit about 4 years ago. Condolences to all family members and loved ones. He will be greatly missed by many.

Until we meet again, my friend!

Videos above courtesy of Pete Lafferty 'Solo Entertainer'

Previous (David Carte Passes) - - - Next (Blues & Roots Radio Song Contest Winners)

Monday, February 21, 2022

Hamilton Musician David Carte Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton musician David Carte aka The Sideman on February 17, 2022. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

The family's announcement:

It is with heavy hearts and great difficulty we are writing this post on the passing of our dear brother, brother-in-law, and uncle David Carte earlier this morning. He was always the first to make people laugh, you always knew he was around by his bird calls, and always entertained by strumming a tune on his guitar that he just made-up in the moment. The family chain is broken and nothing seems the same but as God takes us one-by-one that chain will link again. Rest in perfect peace David. Love Chuck, Carol, and Aaron xoxoxxo

Visitation for David will be at the Bay Gardens Funeral Home on Rymal Rd. Thursday, February 24th, 5-9pm. In lieu of sending flowers you can send donations to the Arthritis Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

His son also Allen has a special request: If anyone has jammed in the past or has have done has any recordings with Dave, please send any footage / recordings to allenmichaelcarte@gmail.com - I'm trying to consolidate everything in one place on the DavidCarteMusic youtube channel. Thanks in advance.

Social Media Reaction

George CW Douglas

I met David a few months ago at the Casbah in Hamilton. We were both there for the Dundas Music Club's return to a live stage. We talked after our sets and exchanged emails.
Next week we ended up at another jam in Hamilton and Dave worked my name and hometown into his songs a few times, it was funny and it worked.
A week after that we were back at The Casbah and we sat at a table in the corner and made plans to jam and play together…when things got better.
I paused my outings in December due to the variant but was looking forward to getting together with David.
I’m sorry we never got to jam but I’m so glad we met. My deepest condolences to his friends and family, I enjoyed our brief time together.

Mike Cotton

Wow. I am absolutely gutted to hear about the passing of David Carte. I've known Dave most of my life since he was a long time friend of my dad's and was always amazing to me. Such a nice person who had such a passion for life. Even yesterday he was posting about about going to see some live music tonight. He was a great musician and super creative guy in general and was always supportive of me and music. He even powered through an an insane snowstorm to come to my hometown hockey gig a few years ago. I feel so bad for his wife Kelly and son Allan. Just awful. I bet he's already up there jamming and having a beer with my dad

Videos above courtesy of DavidCarteMusic

Previous (Family Day Videos) - - - Next (Peter Lafferty Passes)

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Happy Family Day! Videos by TrebleTones, Laura & Ron Cole, Freedom Train & Sarah Jennings

Links: TrebleTones (singer/guitarist & bassist are married), Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Links: Laura Cole (daughter, vocals), More Laura Cole Stories, More Ron Cole (father, keys) Stories, Video above courtesy of The Basement Sessions

Links: Freedom Train featuring brothers Tim (drums) & Carl Jennings (bass) Carl's daughter Sarah on vocals, More Freedom Train Stories, Video above courtesy of Freedom Train

Click here for more Family Day videos.

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Friday, February 18, 2022

GOOD LUCK! Artists from Waterdown's Stony Plain Records Up for 2022 Blues Music Awards

Waterdown music label Stony Plain Records is a major player in the global Blues scene. As a result, three of their artists are up for 2022 Blues Music Awards. On May 5, 2022 in Memphis, the winners will be announced.

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!

Below is a complete list of nominees.

Album

Pinky’s Blues, Sue Foley (released by Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Links: Sue Foley, More Sue Foley Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues
Holler If You Hear Me, Altered Five Blues Band
Not In My Lifetime, Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
Raisin’ Cain, Chris Cain
Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town, Tommy Castro

Traditional Blues Album

Pinky’s Blues, Sue Foley (released by Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
Be Ready When I Call You, Guy Davis
Bob Corritore & Friends: Spider In My Stew, Bob Corritore
Boogie w/ R.L. Boyce (Live), R.L. Boyce
Little Black Flies, Eddie 9V

Acoustic Blues Album

Let’s Get Happy Together, Maria Muldaur with Tuba Skinny (released by Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Links: Maria Muldaur, More Maria Muldaur Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues

Dear America, Eric Bibb
Land of the Sky, Catfish Keith
Let Loose Those Chains, Hector Anchondo
The Trio Sessions, EG Kight

Traditional Blues Female Artist

Sue Foley (currently signed with Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
Rory Block (currently signed with Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)

Links: Rory Block, More Rory Block Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues
Rhiannon Giddens
Diunna Greenleaf
EG Kight

Entertainer

Tommy Castro
Eric Gales
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
J.P. Soars
Sugaray Rayford

Band

Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
J.P. Soars and the Red Hots
Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
Sugaray Rayford Band
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

Song

“Fragile Peace and Certain War”, written and performed by Carolyn Wonderland
“Holler If You Hear Me”, written by Jeff Schroedl & Mark Solveson (performed by Altered Five Blues Band)
“I’d Climb Mountains”, written and performed by Selwyn Birchwood
“Real Good Lie”, written by Christine Vitale, Larry Batiste, & Anthony Paule (performed by Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra)
“Somewhere”, written by Tommy Castro & Tom Hambridge (performed by Tommy Castro)

Emerging Artist Album

GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor: Try It… You Might Like It!, GA-20
Just Say The Word, Gabe Stillman
Live On Beale Street: A Tribute To Bobby “Blue” Bland, Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band
Welcome To The Land, Memphissippi Sounds
You Ain’t Unlucky, Veronica Lewis

Blues Rock Album

Alafia Moon, Damon Fowler
Dance Songs For Hard Times, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Resurrection, Mike Zito
Tinfoil Hat, Popa Chubby
Unemployed Highly Annoyed, Jeremiah Johnson

Contemporary Blues Album

662, Kingfish
Damage Control, Curtis Salgado
Holler If You Hear Me, Altered Five Blues Band
Raisin’ Cain, Chris Cain
Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town, Tommy Castro

Soul Blues Album

Let’s Have A Party, Gerald McClendon
Long As I Got My Guitar, Zac Harmon
Not In My Lifetime, Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
You Get What You Give: Duets, Dave Keller
You Gotta Have It, Tia Carroll

Acoustic Blues Artist

Eric Bibb
Kevin Burt
Guy Davis
Doug MacLeod
Keb’ Mo’

Blues Rock Artist

Albert Castiglia
Tommy Castro
Tinsley Ellis
Ana Popovic
Joanne Shaw Taylor

Contemporary Blues Female Artist

Vanessa Collier
Thornetta Davis
Ruthie Foster
Danielle Nicole
Carolyn Wonderland

Contemporary Blues Male Artist

Selwyn Birchwood
Chris Cain
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Kenny Neal
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)

Soul Blues Female Artist

Annika Chambers
Trudy Lynn
Terrie Odabi
Kat Riggins
Vaneese Thomas

Soul Blues Male Artist

William Bell
Don Bryant
John Nemeth
Johnny Rawls
Curtis Salgado

Traditional Blues Male Artist

Cedric Burnside
Super Chikan
Taj Mahal
Sugar Ray Norcia
Jontavious Willis

Bass

Willie J. Campbell
Larry Fulcher
Jerry Jemmott
Danielle Nicole
Scot Sutherland

Drums

Danny Banks
June Core
Tom Hambridge
Derrick D’Mar Martin
Chris Peet

Guitar

Harmonica

Billy Branch
Bob Corritore
Jason Ricci
Brandon Santini
Kim Wilson

Horn

Mindi Abair
Jimmy Carpenter
Marc Franklin
Regi Oliver
Nancy Wright

Piano

Eden Brent
Mike Finnigan
Dave Keyes
Veronica Lewis
Jim Pugh

Vocals

Thornetta Davis
Ruthie Foster
John Nemeth
Sugaray Rayford
Curtis Salgado

Links: Blues Music Awards, More Blues Music Awards Stories

Previous (Trebleclef's 7th Birthday) - - - Next (Family Day Videos)

Monday, February 14, 2022

Happy 7th Birthday Trebleclef!

Today (Feb 15, 2022) our little monkey turns 7 years old!

Click here for more of Trebleclef's adventures.

Treble's happy that live music is back in time for his birthday. He's vaxxed, boosted and ready to go out an enjoy some live music!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

Links: Caretakers, More Caretakers Stories, Video above courtesy of Thee Caretakers - Topic

Previous (Valentine's Day Videos) - - - Next (Blues Music Award Nominations)

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Happy Valentine's Day! Videos by Carol Greene & Wayne Krawchuk, James Anthony, Bonnie Hamilton

Links: Wayne Krawchuk, More Wayne Krawchuk Stories, Carol Greene, More Carol Greene Stories, Video above courtesy of Carol Green

Links: James Anthony, More James Anthony Stories, Video above courtesy of James Anthony Band - Topic

Links: Bonnie Hamilton, Video above courtesy of The Cotton Factory, Hamilton

Click here for more Valentine's videos

Previous (World Radio Day Videos) - - - Next (Treble's 7th Birthday)

Happy World Radio Day! Videos by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Age of Mirrors, Colin James

Links: Rodeo Kings, More BARK stories, Video above courtesy of The Rodeo Kings - Topic

Links: Bob Bryden (AOM singer), More Bob Bryden Stories, Video above courtesy of Bob Bryden

Links: Colin James, More Colin James Stories, Video above courtesy of Colin James - Topic

More World Radio Day Videos

Previous (Get Out Your Guitar Day Videos with Sharon Washington & Scotty Bakalar) - - - Next (Valentine's Day Videos)

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Happy Get Out Your Guitar Day! Videos by Sharon Washington & Scotty Bakalar

Links: Sharon Washington, More Sharon Washington Stories, Scotty Bakalar, More Scotty Bakalar Stories, Videos above courtesy of Scotty Bakalar, More 'Get Out Your Guitar Day' Videos

Previous (New Episode of 'Sold on Hamilton' Radio Show) - - - Next (World Radio Day Videos)

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

February 2022 Episode of 'Sold on Hamilton' featuring Soupfest

On Saturday, February 5, 2022, another amazing episode of the 'Sold On Hamilton with Judy Marsales' radio show aired on CHML 900AM in Hamilton.

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 February 2022 show featured Karen Craig, the Program Director for the Living Rock Ministries talking about Soupfest. Other guests included the two top producers at Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd: Steve Roblin and Elizabeth Parker.

Links: Show above courtesy of Global News, Sold on Hamilton, More 'Sold on Hamilton' Stories

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Thursday, February 3, 2022

Celebrating Black History Month! Videos Honouring Lincoln Alexander

This year (2022) on January 21, it would have been the 100th birthday of Hamilton's Lincoln Alexander.

Biographical Highlights

Born (January 21, 1922)
Joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (1942)
Studied Economics and History at McMaster University (1946-1949)
Married Yvonne "Tody" Harrison (1948)
Formed Duncan & Alexander, one the first inter-racial law partnerships in Canada (1950's-Early 60s)
Became first black member of Parliament (1968)
Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1985)
Published his autobiography Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy: The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander: A Memoir (2006)
Died at age 90 (October 19, 2012)
January 21 proclaimed Lincoln Alexander Day in Ontario (2013)

Here are two songs about this legendary man.