Today (November 29, 2023), the Hamilton Blues Lovers turns 15 years old!
Links: Depeche Mode, Video above courtesy of Depeche Mode
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Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 15 Years Old Today!
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Monday, November 27, 2023
2024 Ameripolitan Award Nominees! Including Local & Canadian Nominees! Vote!
Stacey Lee Guse, the singer for the Waterloo band, the Western Swing Authority has been nominated in the Western Swing Female category in the 2024 Ameripolitan Awards. Alberta's Stefanie Joyce is up for Outlaw Female as well. You can help them by clicking here to vote.
The awards will be handed out the weekend of February 16-18, 2024, in Austin, Texas
Western Swing Female
- Stacey Lee Guse (Western Swing Authority - Waterloo)
Links: Western Swing Authority, More WSA Stories, Video above courtesy of The WSAmusic - Brennen Leigh
- Sweet Megg
- Melissa Carper
Outlaw Female
- Stefanie Joyce (Alberta)
Video above courtesy of Stefanie Joyce - Kat Hasty
- Kelsey Waldon
- Taylor Hunnicutt
DJ Of The Year
- Ashli Dansby on KMHT RADIO 103.9 - Marshall, TX
- Del Villareal on WCBN FM - Ann Arbor, MI
- The Morning Crew on KCWM 1460 - Hondo, TX
- Tracy Pitcox on KNEL RADIO - Brady, TX
Festival Of The Year
- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - San Francisco, CA
- SYMCO Weekender - Symco, WI
- Outlaw Country Cruise
- Western Swingout - Tehachapi, CA
Founders of the Sound Honorees
- Original Members of The Texas Tornados: Augie Meyers / Flaco Jimenez
Honky Tonk Female
- Cristina Vane
- Emily Nenni
- Hannah Juanita
- Kaitlin Butts
Honky Tonk Group
- Teddy & the Rough Riders
- The Deslondes
- The Golden Roses
- The Shootouts
Honky Tonk Male
- Dylan Earl
- Gabe Lee
- Johnny Falstaff
- Sterling Drake
- Theo Lawrence
Master Award Honoree
- Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)
Musician Of The Year
- Eleanor Whitmore (Tha Mastersons)- Fiddle
- Floyd Domino - Piano
- Jason D Williams - Piano
- Kullen Fox - Multi Instrumentalist: Horn, Piano, Accordion
- Lisa Pankratz - Percussion
Outlaw Group
- Banditos
- Kyle Nix & the 38’s
- Reckless Kelly
- The Supersuckers
Outlaw Male
- Billy Don Burns
- Dallas Burrow
- Jason Boland
- Willy Tea Taylor
Rockabilly Female
- Angie Monroy
- Gizzelle Becerra DeAnda
- Mozzy Dee
- Svetlana "Zombierella" Nagaeva
Rockabilly Group
- Black Kat Boppers
- Messer Chups
- Televisionaries
- The McCharmlys
Rockabilly Male
- Eddie Clendening
- Les Greene
- Oleg "Guitaracula" Fomchenkov (aka Oleg Gitarkin)
- Omar Romero
Venue Of The Year
- American Legion Post 82 - Nashville TN
- Gruene Hall - New Braunfels, TX
- Skinny Dennis - Brooklyn, NY
- Southgate House revival - Newport, KY
Western Swing Group
- Carolyn Sills Combo
- Lovesick Duo
- Sad Daddy
- The Cowpokes
Western Swing Male
- Cory Grinder
- Kevin Mauzy Martin
- Kyle Eldridge
- Mitch Polzak
Links: Ameripolitan Music Awards, More Ameripolitan Music Awards Stories
Previous (National Electric Guitar Day Videos) - - - Next (Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 15)
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Happy National Electric Guitar Day ft Bill Dillon
Update of 2018 Post
For National Electric Guitar Day we'd like to feature Hamilton guitarist extraordinaire Bill Dillon. Click here for a bio.
Links: Ronnie Hawkins, More Ronnie Hawkins Stories, More Stories/Covers of the Band, More CHCH Videos, Video above courtesy of Bill King
Links: The Boomers, More Boomers Stories, Video above courtesy of Riley Lake Productions
Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Barb Pitre
Click here for more Bill Dillon Stories
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Friday, November 24, 2023
2023 Blues Blast Award Winners Including Local & Canadian Artists
On September 23, 2023 the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards were handed out at the 3300 Event Centre in Peoria, Illinois. A few Canadian artists picked up some hardware including Burlington's Kenny “Blues Boss" Wayne and artists signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records.
Below is a complete list of winner. Local/Canadian acts are bolded.
* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records
- Keyboard Player Of The Year: Kenny “Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington)*
Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, More Willie Dixon Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic - Acoustic Guitarist Of The Year: Rory Block*
- Contemporary Blues Album: Taj Mahal – Savoy *
- Male Blues Artist: Taj Mahal*
- Soul Blues Album: Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers (Montreal) – Good Trouble
- Acoustic Blues Album: Charlie Musselwhite – Mississippi Son
- Bass Guitarist Of The Year: Bob Stroger
- Blues Band Of The Year: Cash Box Kings
- Blues Video Of The Year: Jimmy Hall – Jump for Joy
Video above courtesy of Jimmy Hall Official - Electric Guitarist Of The Year: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
- Female Blues Artist: Shemekia Copeland
- Harmonica Player Of The Year: Charlie Musselwhite
- Historical Or Vintage Recording: Bob Corritore & Friends – High Rise Blues
- Horn Player Of The Year: Vanessa Collier
- Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients: Bob Stroger / Bob Margolin / John Primer
- Live Blues Album: John Primer – Teardrops for Magic Slim
- New Artist Debut Album: Lady J Huston – Groove Me Baby
- Percussionist Of The Year: Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
- Producer Of The Year: Mike Zito
- Rising Star Award: Dylan Triplett
- Rock Blues Album: Mike Zito / Albert Castiglia – Blood Brothers
- Slide Guitarist Of The Year: Sonny Landreth
- Traditional Blues Album: John Primer – Hard Times
- Vocalist Of The Year: Shemekia Copeland
Thursday, November 23, 2023
2024 Local & Canadian Grammy Award Nominees
On November 10, 2023 the Grammys announced their 2024 nominees. As always, a number of our fellow Canadian were on the esteemed list, including area artist Deadmau5 from Niagara Falls.
Hopefully, a number of them will bring some awards home when the 2024 GRAMMYs air live on Sunday, February 4,2023 on CBS and Paramount+.
Here's a complete list of Canadian nominees:
- Best Dance/Electronic Music Album: Kx5 ft Deadmau5 (Niagara Falls) & Kaskade – Kx5
Video above courtesy of Kx5
- Album of the Year: GUTS – Olivia Rodrigo / Midnights – Taylor Swift (Mixed by Serban Ghenea - Montreal)
- Best Alternative Music Performance: Alvvays (PEI) – Belinda Says
- Best Americana Album: Allison Russell (Montreal) – The Returner
- Best Americana Performance: Allison Russell (Montreal) – The Returner
- Best American Roots Performance: Allison Russell (Montreal) - Eve Was Black
Links: Allison Russel, More Allison Russel Stories, Video above courtesy of Allison Russell - Best Americana Roots Song: Allison Russell (Montreal) – The Returner
- Best American Roots Song: Billy Strings ft Willie Nelson – California Sober (co-written by Aaron Allen - Chatham)
- Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella: Hilario Duran (Toronto) and his Latin Jazz Big Band: I Remember Mingus
- Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording: William Shatner (Montreal): Boldly Go: Reflections On A Life Of Awe And Wonder
- Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Ben Wendel (Vancouver) – All One
- Best Dance/Electronic Recording: Cirkut (Toronto) - Higher Than Ever Before
- Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Feist - Multitudes (Engineered by Robbie Lackritz - Toronto)
- Best Folk Album: Rufus Wainwright (Montreal) – Folkocracy / Joni Mitchell (Alberta) at Newport [Live]
- Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Darcy James Argue’s (Vancouver) Secret Society – ‘Dynamic Maximum Tension
- Best Melodic Rap Performance: Drake & 21 Savage – Spin Bout U
- Best Metal Performance: Spiritbox (Victoria) – Jaded
- Best Opera Recording: Blanchard: Champion – Yannick Nézet-Séguin (Montreal), conductor
- Best Orchestral Performance: Price: Symphony No. 4; Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony – Yannick Nézet-Séguin (Montreal), conductor
- Best Pop Dance Recording: Baby Don’t Hurt Me – David Guetta, Anne-Marie & Coi Leray / One In A Million – Bebe Rexha and David Guetta (Mixed by Serban Ghenea - Montreal)
- Best Rap Album: Drake - Her Loss
- Best Rap Performance: Drake & 21 Savage - Rich Flex
- Best Rap Song: Drake & 21 Savage - Rich Flex
- Best Remixed Recording: BADBADNOTGOOD (Toronto) – Alien Love Call
- Record of the Year: Worship – Jon Batiste / Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo / Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift (Mixed by Serban Ghenea - Montreal)
Links: Grammy, More Grammy Stories
Previous (St. Catharines Arts Award Winners) - - - Next (Blues Blast Music Award Winners)
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
2023 St. Catharines Arts Award Winners
The 2023 St. Catharines Arts Awards winners were announced at a wonderful ceremony at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (Robertson Theatre) on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
Below is a complete list.
- Arts in Education Award: Alice Burke (dance)
Video above courtesy of Thetwinkletowz - Emerging Artist Award: Vik Mudge (dance)
Video above courtesy of Vik Mudge - Established Artist Award: Sandy Middleton (photography)
Video above courtesy of KateTaylorArt - Jury's Pick: Matter of Black (not-for-profit organization)
Video above courtesy of EA Public Relations - Making A Difference Award: Todd Green - Tomorrow’s Voices Foundation (choir program)
Video above courtesy of Tomorrow's Voices Foundation
Monday, November 20, 2023
Hamilton Folk Club Founder Al Lindsay Passes
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton Folk Club founder and musician, Al Lindsay. He was also a long-time member and organizer of the Brantford Open Stage (formerly the Brantford Folk Club). Al passed on November 19, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friend and fans.
A word from Lou, our blogger:
I had the pleasure of meeting Al quite a few times through the Folk clubs. I enjoyed his sharp wit and incredible talent and considered him a friend. I'll miss him dearly.
Social Media Reaction
(comments from the Brantford Open Stage announcement)
So sorry to hear about Al’s passing. I’ll always remember him with his fiddle or penny whistle or singing funny songs like “Piddlin’ Pete.” He was the one who started it all with the Hamilton Folk Club that led to the Brantford and Caledonia Folk Clubs and later the BOS which is carrying on the tradition of all three. We owe Al a lot for helping to bring music into our lives. He will be missed.
Ann Gorman McKinney
Such a witty and genuine guy. We really enjoyed his fiddle and whistle music and singing at the Hamilton Irish Arts sessions. God speed Al - we shall not forget you. Will raise a wee dram in your honour 🥃🏴🎻🪈🇮🇪🎶. May he RIP
Dolores Dugdale
So very sad to hear Al is no longer with us. He was a true gentleman and everyone enjoyed his music and songs. He is with Don (McGeoch), and they will be missed but never forgotten, The music will continue in the Heavens.God rest his soul and May he RIP.
Links: More John Harris Stories, Video above courtesy of saxondale2
Links: More Al Lindsay Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Previous (Stephen Hogg Passes) - - - Next (St. Catharines Arts Award Winners)
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Consumate Musician Stephen Hogg Passes
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of local musician Stephen Hogg. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Video above courtesy of Stephen Hogg - Topic
Video above courtesy of Stephen Hogg - Topic
Links: Stephen Hogg, More Stephen Hogg Stories, Video above courtesy of Stephen Hogg - Topic
Previous (Videos: Glenn Marais, Patrick Focker, Trainwrecks) - - - Next (Al Lindsay Passes)
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The Road to Memphis Fundraiser
A few months before hitting the Road to Memphis, three incredible acts will be rocking hamilton's Stonewalls on November 26 (2-5pm) to help fund a trip to represent the Grand River Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in 2024!
Glenn Marais & the Mojo Train plus Patrick Fockler will be competing in the Group and Solo/Duo categories respectively. The Trainwrecks, winners of the 2023 Kitchener Blues Festival Youth Legacy Showcase, will also be on hand to give the event some extra juice.
For only $15 in advance or $20 at the door (if it isn't sold out!) you can check out all of these incredible artists and help pay for them to show the world what our area has to offer to the world of Blues!
Links: Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train, More Glenn Marais Stories, Video above courtesy of Glenn Marais
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Happy National Drumming Day ft Danny Lockwood
Update of 2019 Post
Links: Brian Griffith, More Brian Griffith Stories, Video above courtesy of Doug Smith
Links: Brad Krauss, More Johnny Cash Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of daragent2
Monday, November 13, 2023
Dorothea Smith of 'Sing Me a River' Passes
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Fergus' Dorothea Smith, a member of the Folk trio, Sing Me a River. Our condolences to her family, friends and fans.
SMITH, Dorothea Jakelski
On the evening of November 9th, surrounded by family in person and virtually, Dorothea Jakelski Smith was ushered into eternity. While this was unexpected, we are filled with peace knowing she is pain free, with her Heavenly Father and “dancing in the cosmos” among dear family and friends who have gone before her.
Born to Gunter and Ilse Jakelski in Sudbury, Ontario, Dorothea had a deep love for Northern Ontario. As a child, she loved enjoying the outdoors, traveling, acting, music and participating in cultural experiences with her parents, younger brother Dave (Beverley) and many treasured friends.
Dorothea met her husband Bruce in the summer of 1974 at Bark Lake, the Ontario Camp Leadership Centre. After a casual invitation from Dorothea’s father to come to Sudbury for a visit anytime, Bruce surprised everyone at the door 3 weeks later! It didn’t take long for them to decide that they wanted to share the rest of their lives together. In the summer of 1976, they were married in the backyard of Dorothea’s childhood home. For 7 years before settling down, they enjoyed adventuring together all over Ontario and parts of the USA and Central America. They have spent a deeply meaningful 47 years together in a relationship that has yielded so much fruit; 4 children, spouses, 6 grandchildren and many shared journeys through life’s ups and downs.
She was a devoted mother to her very core. Everything about her life revolved around cultivating the passions of her kids, Alison (Adrian), Michael (Robin), Emily and Zac and inspiring them to follow their unique callings. She was equally as fabulous a Nana as she was a mother. She spent so much of her time and energy pouring into Maya, Jayden, Liam, Ella, Benjamin and Huxley; lavishing love and attention on them whenever she could.
Dorothea was a beautiful woman in every definition of the word. She made everyone she spent time with feel like they were her closest friend. She was intentional and deeply kind and understanding. She constantly modeled “seeing” people and invested deeply in them. She seemed to know everyone she ran into by name and always stopped to talk and check-in. She lit up every room with her outgoing personality and genuine care. She embodied the definition of hospitality and relationship.
She deeply loved music, writing, theatre, art and all things creative. This was her pulse, her outlet and a gift she shared widely and freely with the community at large. She poured herself out constantly through her many songs and we will all reap the rewards of this for years to come.
Thank you to our family doctor, Stephen Beamish as well as all the doctors and nurses at Groves Memorial Hospital, Guelph General Hospital and the Grand River Cancer Centre for your selfless and humble care over this last season.
Visitations will be held on Friday, November 17th at Graham A. Giddy Funeral home located at 280 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario from 2pm until 4pm and again from 7pm until 9pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Christian Fellowship located at 35 Farley Road, Fergus, Ontario on Sunday, November 19th at 2pm.
Dorothea, Mom, Nana - you have made it and we love you beyond words.
Social Media Reaction
David Lum (Sing me a River)
My heart is broken tonight.
My dear friend Dorothea Jakelski Smith has crossed over and I will miss her terribly. I cherished every moment with her, not just musically in #singmeariver, but her kindness, our shared sense of humour, her laughter and her joyful spirit.
I love you, my friend, always.
Julie McCann (Hazy Maidens)
I feel honoured to have known Dorothea Jakelski Smith through music but she was so much more than that. One of the kindest, warmest & up for fun people I have met. Taken too soon .. my heart goes out to her family, her friends & her bandmates, David Lum & Kathy Lepp
Video above courtesy of Sing Me a River
Video above courtesy of Sing Me a River
Links: Sing Me a River, More Sing Me a River Stories, Video above courtesy of Sing Me a River
Previous (Remembrance Day Videos) - - - Next (National Drumming Day Videos)
Friday, November 10, 2023
Lest We Forget! Videos by Terry Sumsion, Mike Woods and Judi Rideout
Update of 2014 post
Links: Mike Woods, More Mike Woods Stories, More From This Show, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Judi Rideout, More Judi Rideout Stories, Video above courtesy of Judi Rideout
Links: Terry Sumsion, More Terry Sumsion Stories, Video above courtesy of Terry Sumsion
More Remembrance Day Songs
Previous (Word Saxophone Day Videos) - - - Next (Dorothea Smith of 'Sing Me a River' Passes)
Sunday, November 5, 2023
World Saxophone Day! Videos by Sonny Del-Rio, Dean Hunt, Darcy Hepner, Mark Volkov
Update of 2016 Post
Links: Big Phat, , Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Video above courtesy of Jeff M deBruin
Links: Darcy Hepner, More Darcy Hepner Stories, Video above courtesy of Darcy Hepner
Links: Dan Medakovic, More Dan Medakovic Stories, More Mark Volkov Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan Medakovic
Previous (Maple Blues Award Nominations) - - - Next (Remembrance Day Videos)
Thursday, November 2, 2023
2024 Maple Blues Award Nominees
From the news release:
Considered the highest honours on the Canadian blues scene, the nominees for the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards have been announced.
Returning to its roots, the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards will take place at The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto), where the awards were held from 2000 to 2006. The not-to-be-missed blues music event of the year will take place on Monday, February 12th. Tickets start at $37.40 and are on sale now at ticketweb.ca
Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are in bold.
* artists is signed with Waterdown's Stony Plain Records
+ artist is signed with Waterdown's True North Records
% artist is signed with Waterdown's Borealis Records)
Acoustic Act of the Year
- Harrison Kennedy (Hamilton)
- Suzie Vinnick (Vineland)
- Michael Jerome Browne %
- Brandon Isaak
- Garrett Mason
Bassist of the Year
- Gary Kendall (Niagara)
- Angelique Francis
- Jasmine Colette
- Nathan Blackburn
- Russell Jackson
Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award
- Cheryl Lescom (Kitchener)
- Sue Foley*
- Alec Fraser
- Bobby Dean Blackburn
- Brent Parkin
- Dalannah Gail Bowen
- Danny Brooks
- Mike McKenna
- Murray Porter
- Tom Lavin
Drummer of the Year
- Jim Casson (Niagara)
- Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk*)
- Chris Nordquist
- Cory Blackburn
- Gary Craig
Harmonica Player of the Year
- Jerome Godboo (Niagara)
- Roly Platt (Simcoe)
- Steve Marriner*
- Guy Belanger
- Joe Murphy
Horn Player of the Year
- Loretta Hale (Hamilton)
- Chris Whiteley %
- Alison Young
- Dan Jancar
- Kaven Jalbert
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Harrison Kennedy (Hamilton)
- Steve Marriner*
- Matt Andersen+
- Brandon Isaak
- Brooke Blackburn
New Artist or Group of the Year
- Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters (Hamilton)
- Angelina Hunter Trio
- Little Magic Sam Band
- Sandra Bouza
- The Sugar Darlings
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
- Jesse O' Brien (Hamilton)
- Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne (Halton)*
- David Vest
- Debra Power
- Duane Blackburn
Songwriter of the Year
- Andre Bisson (Hamilton)
- Crystal Shawanda+
- Matt Andersen+
- Blackburn Brothers
- Brandon Isaak
Electric Act of the Year
- Colin James*
- Sue Foley*
- Matt Andersen+
- Blackburn Brothers
- Bywater Call
Entertainer of the Year
- Matt Andersen+
- Angelique Francis
- Blackburn Brothers
- Blue Moon Marquee
- Bywater Call
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Crystal Shawanda+
- Dawn Tyler Watson
- Meghan Parnell
- Miss Emily
- Shakura S'Aida
Guitarist of the Year
- Sue Foley*
- Tony D (MonkeyJunk*)
- Brooke Blackburn
- Garrett Mason
- Jack Semple
Recording/Producer of the Year
- Matt Anderson: The Big Bottle of Joy (PRODUCER: Matt Andersen)+
- Crystal Shawanda: Midnight Blues (PRODUCER: Dewayne Strobel)+
- Brandon Isaak: One Step Closer (PRODUCER: Brandon Isaak/Conrad Hillis)
- Bywater Call: Remain (PRODUCER: Renan Yildizdogan)
- Blackburn Brothers: SoulFunkn'Blues (PRODUCER: Howard Ayee)
B.B. King International Artist of the Year
- Christone ''Kingfish'' Ingram
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
- Tedeschi Trucks Band
- Thorbjorn Risager and The Black Tornado
- Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule)