#hblgigs #OntMusic #HamOnt #HamOntMusic
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Music Listings: April 29-May 2, 2024
#hblgigs #OntMusic #HamOnt #HamOntMusic
Buy Holiday Smile Cookies This Week to Help Local Charities
This week (April 29-May 5) all sales from Tim Hortons' Smile Cookies will go towards local charities, A tasty way to give.
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, April 25, 2024
Brantford Music Promoter Victor 'Big Vic' Mirco Passes
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Brantford music promotor, Victor 'Big Vic' Mirco. Unfortunately, we do not know the details but we will post them here when we know them.
A word from Lou, our blogger:
I got to know Big Vic well through promoting shows in Brantford. He was always fun to be around and knew a ton about music. I will miss his friendship. RIP Vic.
Social Media Reaction
Bruce Hall, founder of the Grand River Blues Society
So sorry to hear this news of the passing of a good friend. Really enjoyed working with Big Vic on all his shows. He knew how to pack rooms with top notch entertainment. Will miss sparring with him on music trivia for he knew his stuff. Rest in Peace Victor.
Jeanna Jackson
So so sad to hear this, I knew Vic for the 25 years. I owned Brantford Minuteman Press Printing, he always printed the posters and tickets for the show.Vic would sit for hours at the office, talking , laughing crazy jokes i never got....hahaha, Last time I saw him was when he dropped off the coconut heads (from his parents) he had when he was cleaning the house. I have them still hanging on the wall. I will miss him always. xo. And I still have the files for all the old posters he would order. I am sure most are still on the old hard drive. Having some hanging up would be sweet memories of the loss of an amazing person.
Susan J Neziol
R.I.P. Vic Mirco aka "Big Vic"...my dear friend ...you were a big part of our teenage years working at Records on Wheels and organizing bus trips...in particular, for me, the Police Picnic bus! I have been lucky enough to have had you as a life long friend and attend many concerts with you....you will be dearly missed....xo
Rose Devereux
Been missing you at the blues for a while! He used to "pay me" in merch to start up the dance floor not that I needed to be persuaded. I miss harassing you at your table 🤣 I know I have a million more photos like these somewhere and I’ll forever cherish them! The shows are so insanely huge these days im never the first person on the dance floor but it’s probably because we paved the way lol! Rest easy my friend you finally get to meet some of the greats that paved the way! Thank you for always making me feel so special ❤️
Brad Grose
Vic has left a lasting legacy of creating great times and a real celebration of music. A real Community Champion and a dear friend. Godspeed Vic.
You will be missed.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends 🧡
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Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Ensemble! Nominated for 2 Cable 14 Impact Awards
It's with pride that we announce that the Ensemble! TV show was nominated for 2 Cable 14 Impact Awards: Outstanding Entertainment Series & Outstanding Social Media Promotion. The program, created and produced by HBL's own marketer, Linda Fraser, has been showcasing local singer/songwriters for over a decade now.
There's a lot of hard work that goes into each episode of the show. Dave Rave does an incredible, high-energy job as the host of the proceedings. Eric Bower and Gary Greenland handle the sound wonderfully. The staff and volunteers of Cable 14 are also an integral part of the success of Ensemble!
A big thank you the Clifford Brewing Company for inviting the show to film at their fabulous venue.
Of course, the show couldn't exist without all the talented local musicians who volunteered their time to perform on the show. Thanks everyone!
We'll all be keeping our fingers crossed for Ensemble! at the awards ceremony on May 28, 2024 at the Westdale Theatre. GOOD LUCK!
Unfortunately, we do not know who the nominees are for any of the categories but if we find out, we'll be posting them here.
Links: Ensemble!, More Ensemble! Stories, More Impact Award Stories
Previous (Earth Day Videos) - - - Next (Promotor Victor 'Big Vic' Mirco Passes)
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Happy Earth Day - Videos by Sultans of String ft Duke Redbird, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn
Links: Neil Young, More Neil Young Stories, Video above courtesy of TheMusicExtener
Links: Bruce Cockburn, More Bruce Cockburn Stories, Video above courtesy of BruceCockburnVevo
More Earth Day Videos
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Friday, April 19, 2024
Hamilton's Andre Bisson Reaches New Heights on Latest Album
- Jesse O’Brien (Piano, Organ)
- Mike Rowell (Bass)
- Keagan Early (Drums)
- Pat Carey (Sax)
- Shawn Moody (Trumpet)
- Loretta Hale (Trumpet, Cello)
- Rob Somerville (Trombone)
- Paul Barna (Violin/Viola)
- Quisha Wint (Vocals)
- Selena Evangeline (Vocals)
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Thursday, April 18, 2024
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Happy Harmonica Day! Videos by Sweet Sammy D, Harpdog Brown, Michael Pickett
Links: Sweet Sammy D, More Sweet Sammy D Stories, Tim Gibbons, More Tim Gibbons Stories, Video above courtesy of Pauline De Rosa
Links: Harpdog Brown, More Harpdog Brown Stories, Video above courtesy of thelointavern
Links: Michael Pickett, More Michael Pickett Stories, Video above courtesy of leeoskarharmonicas
More Harmonica Day Videos
Previous (Hamilton Arts Awards Short List) - - - Next (New Andre Bisson Album)
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
2024 City of Hamilton Arts Awards Short List (including Linda, our Marketing Maven)
The Hamilton Blues Lovers are beaming with pride as Linda, our very own marketing maven, has been placed on the 2024 City of Hamilton Arts Arts Awards Short List! She's up for an Arts Champion Award for her dedicated, tireless support of the local music scene.
The winners will receive the awards at a ceremony in June 2024 (details TBA)
We're all rooting for you! CONGRATS!
Below is the compete Short List.
Arts Champion
- Linda Fraser (Hamilton Blues Lovers, Ensemble! TV Show on Cable 14, Escarpment Blues Society)
- Ken Wallis (BluesSource, Escarpment Blues Society)
- Ashley Reaume (Events)
- Hamilton City Magazine
- Katie Sadie (Visual Arts)
- Light Lounge
- Mary Flynn (Back Alley Gallery)
- Melanin Market
- Noelle Allen (Wolsak and Wynn, publishers)
- Aeris Korper Contemporary Dance
- Bawaadan Collective
- Ben Bowen (musician)
- Birdie Gerhl (Visual Arts)
- Chasing Shadows Productions (Theatre)
- Cine-Psych Fim Making Team
- Clear Eyes Collective
- Dawn Grant (Visual Arts)
- Delio Delgado (Visual Arts)
- Gordon Leverton (Architecture)
- Hitoko Okada (Visual Arts)
- Ian Ross Pettigrew (Photography)
- Jae Cabrera (Musician)
- Jennifer Budd (Musician)
- Julie "Fazooli" Marquis (Visual Arts)
- Kayla Whitney (Visual Arts)
- Kyle Joedickie (Visual Arts)
- Lesley Loksi Chan (Filmmaker)
- Lyla Miklos (Multi-Discipline)
- Marta Hewson (Photography)
- Mayumou (Visual Arts)
- Monday Press
- Ravinder Ruprai (Visual Arts)
- Rob Raeside (Glass Blowing)
- Same Boat Theatre
- Simon Orpana (Writer, Artist)
- Steacy Easton (Writer, Artist)
- Tania Denyer (Visual Arts)
- Astrid Hepner (Hamilton Music Collective)
- Gary Smith (Journalist)
- John Balogh (Big Time Productions)
- Jovaune "Big Joe" Rhodes (musician, promoter)
- Melissa Murray-Mutch (Actor, Producer, Playwright)
Monday, April 15, 2024
Local Blues Supporter Doug Gilmore Passes
Rest in Peace Doug Gilmore (GORFIT) 5-Mar-1953 - 7-Apr-2024Doug was a long time supporter and a member of The Grand River Blues Society and worked behind the scenes helping transition the former Blues Blast into the weekly GRBS Blues Buzz. He also designed and formatted the Grand River Blues Bi-Monthly Newsletter. In the early years of the Grand River Blues Society, Doug provided assistance with research and music selections for the former Poor Folks Radio Blues Show on CKMS Univ. of Waterloo hosted by DJ Bruce Hall.Doug peacefully passed in his 72nd year, surrounded by the love of his family. Son of the late Samuel and Janet Gilmore. Forever cherished and loved by his wife Catherine. Dearly loved father of Jason (Paola) HALL , Erin, Brandon (Amy), and Shaughna (Geoff). Adored Poppa of Madisyn, Brooke and Cole. Doug will be dearly missed by many treasured family members and friends. Survived by his loving sister Shirley (Bruce). He will be fondly remembered by his first wife Maureen Hall-Gilmore. Doug will be missed dearly by his beloved puppy Jake. A celebration of Doug’s life will be held at Toll Funeral Home, 55 Charing Cross St Brantford on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 from 10am – 11am. Eulogies will be shared in the Chapel at 11am. In Lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Brant County SPCA.
Previous (Videos: Steve Strongman, Brant Parker, Carlos Del Junco) - - - Next (Hamilton Arts Awards Short List)
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Enter to Win 2 Tix to 2024 Blues With A Feeling!
Juno winner Steve Strongman will be headlining the incredible show. Brant Parker will bring his recently reunited Bay City Blues Band to join in the fun. Special guest Carlos Del Junco is gonna be showing off his harmonica virtuosity too. All this for only $30. Click here to buy tickets.
- Email blueshamilton@gmail.com with the BWAF in the subject
- Like and share this Facebook post
- Like and RT this X (formerly Twitter) post
Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Mario Toneguzzi
Links: Brant Parker, More Brant Parker Stories, Video above courtesy of Angelo NotoCampanella
Links: Carlos Del Junco, More Carlos Del Junco Stories, Video above courtesy of Stray Music Tracks From DavoRobbo
Previous (Blues Legend & Legacy Distinctions) - - - Next (Local Blues Supporter Doug Gilmore Passes)
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Saturday, April 13, 2024
2024 Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinctions
From the news release,
The Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction has just announced the next musician to be recognized with the distinction of “Blues Legend”.
Upon receiving an official letter detailing the structure and initiative of the Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction, and how his contributions meet the strict criteria, Morgan Davis has accepted the distinction of Blues Legend.
For over 50 years of musical contributions dedicated strictly to the Blues, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Morgan Davis is recognized with the distinction of Blues Legend.
Links: Morgan Davis, More Morgan Davis Stories, Video above courtesy of Morgan Davis - Topic
In addition to being officially recognized as a “Blues Legend” by title and a physical acknowledgement, Davis has also received full entitlement to recognize up to two eligible musicians of his choice for the “Blues Legacy” distinction.
Each musician recognized with the Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction will be recognized for their contributions to the Canadian Blues Collective on the globally accessible platform, The Sound Café.
Morgan Davis has elected to select two artists to be acknowledged with the “Blues Legend” distinction. Back Alley John (John Carl David Wilson) and Fraser Finlayson are set to be officially recognized alongside Davis on The Sound Café website this spring. A customized physical representation of the Blues Legacy Distinction will also be awarded to Davis this spring.
Links: Back Alley John, Video above courtesy of Greg Partyka
Links: Fraser Finlayson, Video above courtesy of Cam Hildebrandt
The Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction recognizes Blues musicians who have made an impact through their contributions to the Canadian Blues Collective. The self-funded, criteria based, and musician-led initiative strives to educate people about the musicians who have been acknowledged via this distinction, serving as its own contribution to the Canadian Blues Collective.
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Thursday, April 11, 2024
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Tuesday, April 9, 2024
March 2024 Global Music Awards Winners (including a few Canadians)
March 2024 edition of the Global Music Awards.
Gold Medal Winners
- Best of Show: Janne Fredens and Søren Rastogi - Upheaval (Chamber Music)
- GT Wilkins - Acoustic Talk (Smooth Jazz - Instrumentalist - Producer)
- Ruben Caban - Kangana (Latin Jazz)
- Gili Lopes - Algures (Instrumental - New Release)
- Sophie Tassignon - Khyal (Composer - Female Vocalist)
- Michele Josia - Joachim and the Apocalypse (Original Score)
- Jeff Broadbent - Heroes of Incredible Tales 2 (Game Music - Composer)
- Anita Lerche - Songs from the Kingdom of Denmark (Female Vocalist)
- Hugo Selles - Cyclical (Producer - Album)
- Kluane Takhini (Ottawa): There Are No Winners (Music Video)
Links: Kluane Takhini, Video above courtesy of Kluane Takhini - Monika Gurak (Mississauga) and Jenn Kee (Strathroy, ON): There's Always a First Time (Pop, Lyrics/Songwriter)
Links: Monika Gurak, Jenn Kee, Video above courtesy of Monika Gurak - Ralf Muller (Toronto): 22HERTZ - Wrong (Music Video)
Links: 22 HERTZ, Video above courtesy of 22 HERTZ
Previous (Spencer Mackenzie & Brant Parker Videos) - - - Next (Blues Legend & Legacy Distinctions)
Monday, April 8, 2024
Enter to Win 2 Tix to Spencer Mackenzie Band with Brant Parker in Hamilton
- Email blueshamilton@gmail.com with the work Spencer in the subject
- Like and share this Facebook post
- Like and RT this X (formerly Twitter) post
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Sunday, April 7, 2024
Total Eclipse Videos ft Rush, Rob Lamothe, Bonnie Tyler
Links: Rush, More Rush Stories, Video above courtesy of RushLyricsOnScreen
Links: Rob Lamothe, More Rob Lamothe Stories, Video above courtesy of Rob Lamothe - Topic
Links: Bonnie Tyler, Video above courtesy of Bonnie Tyler
Previous (Banjo Day) - - - Next (Spencer Mackenzie & Brant Parker Videos)
Happy National Banjo Day! Videos by Tim Gibbons and the Driftin' Drawers
Links: Tim Gibbons, More Tim Gibbons Stories, Videos above courtesy of Mark Foley
Previous (Canadian Folk Music Award Winners - Day 2) - - - Next (Eclipse Videos)
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2024 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners (Day 2) including Hamilton's Jill Barber
The second night of the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards was on on Sunday, April 7, 2024 during a ceremony at The Majestic Theatre in St. John's Newfoundland.
Here's the event:
Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards
Below is a complete list of winners. Local acts are bolded.
- Producer(s) of the Year (Tie):
1. Jill Barber (Hamilton) and Erik P. H. Nielsen - Jill Barber: Homemaker
Links: Jill Barber, More Jill Barber Stories, Video above courtesy of Jill Barber
2. Drew Jurecka and Dan Rosenberg - Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango (Payadora Tango Ensemble) - Contemporary Album of the Year: William Prince - Stand in the Joy
- English Songwriter(s) of the Year: Jacob Brodovsky - I Love You and I'm Sorry
- Ensemble of the Year: Genticorum - Au coeur de l'aube
- French Songwriter(s) of the Year: Aleksi Campagne - For The Giving / Sans rien donner
- Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year: Kaeley Jade - Turpentine
- Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year: Aaron Collis - Before Daylight in the Morning
- Solo Artist of the Year: William Prince - Stand in the Joy
- Traditional Album of the Year: Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira - All It Brings
- Young Performer(s) of the Year: Mia Kelly - Garden Through the War
Click here for the winners of Day 1.
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