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.

Links: Maple Blues AwardsMore Maple Blues Awards Stories

Monday, June 20, 2022

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day & First Day of Summer! Videos by Lee Harvey Osmond, Shane Yellowbird, Pura Fé

Update of 2021 post!


Since Indigenous Peoples Day and the 1st day of summer on the same day this year, here are three summer songs by Indigenous Canadian artists.




Links: Shane YellowbirdVideo above courtesy of APTN


Links: Pura Fé, Video above courtesy of jotaene75


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Friday, June 17, 2022

Big Rude Jake Had a Heart of Gold and a Sharp Wit - R.I.P.


It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Jake Hiebert aka Big Rude Juke. He unfortunatey passed away on June 16, 2022 after a brave battle with cancer. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Jake had an amazing, long career which took him around the world, melding the styles of jazz, rock, punk and blues. He was a true original.

A word from Lou, our blogger:
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. 
Social Media Reaction

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.

Ginger St. James

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! 

Raoul Bhaneja

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 JakeMore Big Rude Jake StoriesVideo above courtesy of Big Rude Jake


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Thursday, June 16, 2022

Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust with Amazing Local Covers & More!


Today (June 16, 2022) The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, David Bowie's classic album turns 50 years old.

Trivia:
Below are a few local covers of songs from the album.




Links: StardustVideo above courtesy of Robert Manley

Stardust had this to say about the incredible album: 
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.
And now a song from the main man himself:

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 NewsSold on HamiltonMore 'Sold on Hamilton' Stories

Video above courtesy of Erin Bree Pierce


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Friday, June 10, 2022

Celebrate Judy Garland's 100th Birthday with Local Covers and More!

Today (June 10, 2022) would have been American singer/actress Judy Garland's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights
  • 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)
Below are covers of her songs by Beamsville songstress Melissa-Marie Shriner





We asked Melissa-Marie for her thoughts on Judy:
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.

Here is local musicologist Mike Daley with a question and answer session about the legendary lady.



Now a song from the lady herself . . . 



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Happy Portugal Day! Videos by Paulo Filipe, Brian Melo, Luis Ferraz, Madredeus

Update of 2020 post


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


Links: Luis Ferraz, More Luis Ferraz StoriesVideo above courtesy of luis ferraz

One of our blogger, Lou's favourite bands from Portugal



Links: Madredeus, Video above courtesy of Madredeus

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