GOOD LUCK! Vote for Local Artists in the 2018 Music Express Awards!

The popular Canadian digital music magazine, the Music Express is currently doing a poll for their 2018 Awards. A few local artists are in the running so we encourage you to vote.  We're not quite sure when the deadline is so please vote soon.

Hamilton Bluesman Jack de Kezyer is up for two categories (Top Blues Artist and Top Blues Album).



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of ArleighELuckett

Blue Rodeo, which now has Hamilton's Colin Cripps in its lineup is nominated for Top Live Act - Concert Hall/Club Venue.



Links: Blue Rodeo, More Blue Rodeo Stories, Video above courtesy of Blue Rodeo

Downchild (who have members from Brantford and Niagara) is also nominated in both Blues categories.



Links: Downchild Blues Band, More Downchild Stories, Video above courtesy of The Best Playlists Ever

St. Catharines Country superstar Tim Hicks is also competing for Top Country Artist - Male.



Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, Video above courtesy of CBC Music

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!

Here's a complete list of nominees

Blues Artist or Group

• Jack de Kezyer
• Downchild 
• Colin James
• Matt Minglewood Band
• The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer

Blues Album

• Downchild: Something I've Done
• Jack de Kezyer: Best of Jack de Keyzer Vol.1
• Jeff Healey: Holding On
• Matt Minglewood Band: Fly Like Desperados
• The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer: Cursed

Live Act - Concert Hall/Club Venue

• Blue Rodeo
• One Bad Son
• The Washboard Union
• Alan Doyle
• Glorious Sons

Country Artist (Male)

• Tim Hicks 
• Dallas Smith
• Brett Kissel
• Dean Brody
• Aaron Goodvin

Country Group

• The Road Hammers
• James Barker Band
• The Washboard Union
• Cold Creek County
• High Valley

Country Artist (Female)

• Meghan Patrick
• Shania Twain
• Jess Moskaluke
• Lindsay Ell
• Madeline Merlo

Country Album

• The Road Hammers: The Squeeze
• Shania Twain: Now
• Jess Moskaluke: Past The Pass
• Dallas Smith: Side Effects
• Brett Kissel: We Were That Song

Recording Artist (Female)

• Alessia Cara
• Meghan Patrick
• Shania Twain
• Lights
• Serena Ryder

Recording Artist (Male)

• Shawn Mendes
• Neil Young
• Drake
• Alan Doyle
• Johnny Reid

Recording Group

• Arcade Fire
• Nickelback
• Hedley
• Simple Plan
• Big Wreck

Album

• Big Wreck: Grace Street
• Nickelback: Feed The Machine
• Arcade Fire: Everything Now
• Shania Twain: Now
• Hedley: Cageless

New Artist or Group

• Ascot Royals
• J.J. Shiplett
• Ruth B.
• Fast Romantics
• Scenic Route to Alaska

Comeback Artist or Group

• The Sadies
• Broken Social Scene
• Boulevard
• Barney Bentall
• 54-40

Live Act - Arena/Festival

• Shawn Mendes
• Hedley
• Simple Plan
• Nickelback
• Arcade Fire

 RnB Artist or Group

• Drake
• The Weeknd
• Party Next Door
• Neon Dreams
• Kardinal Offishall

RnB Album

• Drake: More Life
• The Weeknd: Starboy
• Party Next Door: Seven Days
• Marjid Jordan: The Space Between
• Neon Dreams: Wolf, Princess and Me

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Music Express, More Music Express Stories

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CONGRATS! 2017 Canadian Music Week Award Winners

Awards have always been a big part of Canadian Music Week.  This year, there were four exciting ceremonies honouring this country's amazing music industry. The Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards had a few local winners as well.

Roots Rockers, the Strumbellas were big winners with 5 awards for the week.

Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Award Winners

• Program Director (Secondary) Sarah Cummings – K-Lite (Hamilton)/105.7 EZ Rock (St. Catharines)
• On Air (Secondary): Biggs and Barr – HTZ-FM (St. Catharines)
• Casino/Specialty Venue: Fallsview Casino Resort (Niagara Falls)
• Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award: Rush
• Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductees: Jann Arden, 54•40, Arthur Fogel (Live Nation)
  
  
  
  Links: More 54-40 Stories, Video above courtesy of Canadian Music
  
  
• Allan Waters Broadcast Lifetime Achievement Award: Marilyn Denis
• Music Director (Major): Chris Lynch – X929 (Calgary)/Wayne Webster – Boom 97.3 (Toronto)
• Music Director (Secondary): Barry Stewart – Live 105/Hot Country 103.5 (Halifax)
• Music Director (Small): Scott McGregor – 98.1 The Bridge (Lethbridge)
• On Air Major: Garner Andrews – Sonic 102.9 (Edmonton)
• Program Director (Major): Christian Hall – X929 (Calgary)
• Program Director (Small): Jenn Dalen – Real Country 95.5 (Red Deer)
• Promotion: May The Best Friends Win – Indie 88 (Toronto)
• Station (Small): 99.9 Sun FM (Kelowna)
• Station (Country): BX93 (London)
• Station (Contemporary Hit Radio): 99.9 Virgin Radio (Toronto)
• Station (Adult Contemporary): 98.1 CHFI (Toronto)
• Station (Rock): Indie 88 (Toronto)
• Station (Classic Gold): Boom 97.3 (Toronto)
• Station (Multicultural): CHIN (Toronto)
• Station (News Talk Sports): 680 News (Toronto)
• Station (Medium): 104.9 The Wolf (Regina)
• Performing Arts Centre (Over 1500): Massey Hall (Toronto)
• Performing Arts Centre (Under 1500): Vogue Theatre (Vancouver)
• Major Facility (Over 8000): Air Canada Centre (Toronto)
• Major Facility (Under 8000): Echo Beach (Toronto)
• Management Company: Bruce Allen Talent
• Booking Agency: The Feldman Agency
• Promoter Of The Year: Live Nation
• Mass Merchant/Retail Chain: iTunes
• Independent Record Store: Sonic Boom (Toronto)
• Digital Music Streaming Service: Spotify
• Recording Studio: Revolution Recording (Toronto)
• Independent Label: Dine Alone Records
• Independent Distributor: Fontana North
• Music Publisher: Warner Chappell Music
• Major Label: Universal Music Canada
• Music Journalist/Critic: Ben Rayner (Toronto Star)
• Music School: Fanshawe College (London)
• Publicist: Steve Waxman (Warner Music Canada)

Independent Music Awards

• Single: The Strumbellas - We Don't Know
  
  
  
  Links: More Strumbellas Stories, Video above courtesy of TheStrumbellasVEVO
  
  
• Songwriter: The Strumbellas (Spirits, We Don't Know)
• Singer-Songwriter Artist/Group: Lisa LeBlanc
• Album: A Tribe Called Red (Six Nations) - We Are Halluci Nation
• Group: July Talk
• Artist: Kaytranada
• Alternative Artist: Weaves
• Electronic/Dance Geoup/Arist: Zed's Dead
• Francophone Artist: Koriass
• Indigenous Artist: Amanda Rheaume
• Pop Artist: Repartee
• RAP/RnB Artist: Clairmone the Second
• Rock Artist: Pup
• International Artist: Chance the Rapper

Canadian Radio Music Award Winners

• New Group Or Solo Artist (Mainstream Rock): The Strumbellas - Spirits
• New Group Or Solo Artist (Modern Rock): The Strumbellas - Spirits
• Breakthrough Artist: The Strumbellas
• New Group Or Solo Artist (Contemporary Hit Radio): Ruth B - Lost Boy
• New Group Or Solo Artist (Country): James Barker Band - Lawn Chair Lazy
  
  
  
  Links: More James Barker Stories, Video above courtesy of JamesBarkerBandVEVO
  
  
• New Group Or Solo Artist (Hot Adult Contemporary): Ruth B - Lost Boy
• New Group Or Solo Artist (Mainstream Adult Contemporary): Alessia Cara - Here
• Fans’ Choice: Alessia Cara
• New Group Or Solo Artist (Dance/Urban/Rhythmic): Neon Dreams - Marching Bands
• Song Of The Year: Justin Bieber - Love Yourself
• Charttopper Award: Justin Bieber 

Live Music Industry Awards

• Global Creators Award: Paul Shaffer
  
  
  
  Links: More Paul Shaffer Stories, Video above courtesy of Byeong Hee Lim
  
  
• New Touring Artist: July Talk 
• Legends of Live Award: The Tragically Hip
• Major Festival: WayHome Music and Arts Festival (Oro-Medonte) 
• Small Festival (6000 and under): Rifflandia Festival (Victoria) 
• Medium Festival (6001 to 15000): Toronto Urban Roots Festival 
• Family Program: Field Trip Music and Arts Festival (Toronto) 
• Green Operations Festival: Osheaga Festival Musique et Arts (Montreal) 
• Not-for-Profit Festival: RBC Bluesfest (Ottawa) 
• Teamwork in an Arena: Bell Centre (Montreal) 
• Teamwork in a Major Club (1000+ capacity): The Danforth Music Hall (Toronto) 
• Teamwork in a Soft Seat Theatre/Performing Arts Centre: Sony Centre For The Performing Arts (Toronto) 
• Teamwork in a Medium Club (300 to 999 capacity): The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern (Toronto) 
• Teamwork in a Small Club (less than 300 capacity): Carleton Music Bar and Grill (Halifax) 
• A/V Production Company: FMAV 
• 2017 Licensed to Play Award: The Drake Hotel (Toronto) 
• Agent of the Year: Julien Paquin (Paquin Entertainment Industry) 
• Concert/Club Talent Buyer: Mark Russell
• Production Manager (Festivals/Concert): Larry Fitzpatrick 
• Road Warrior (Tour Manager): Dave Gardner 
• Manager: Bernie Breen and Patrick Sambrook 
• Festival Buyer: Paula Perri 
• Brand/Music Program: TD Jazz Festivals 
• Music City of the Year (Canadian): Québec City

Links: More CMBI Award Stories, More CRMA Award Stories, More Indie Award Stories

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Ron Sexsmith and Constantines on CBC's Best Canadian Songs Ever List (75-51)

This month, CBC Music has been revealing parts of their 100 Best Canadian Songs Ever list.  Last week, numbers 100-76 were unveiled.  Now we have 51-75 and two local musicians made it.  St. Catharines singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith (70) and Guelph indie rock band Constantines (60) have tunes on the list.  Congrats!



Links: Ron Sexsmith, More Ron Sexsmith Stories, Video above courtesy of Ron Sexsmith



Video above courtesy of PMacKification

Here's the complete list.

51. Drake: Marvin's Room
52. Martha and the Muffins: Echo Beach
53. Alannah Myles: Black Velvet
54. Gino Vannelli: I Just Wanna Stop
55. Barenaked Ladies: Brian Wilson
56. Wolf Parade: Shine a Light
57. Blue Rodeo: Hasn't Hit Me Yet
58. Sloan: Underwhelmed
59. The Band: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
60. Constantines: Young Lions
61. Japandriods: The House That Heaven Built
62. 54-40: I Go Blind
63. Corey Hart: Sunglasses at Night
64. Diane Dufresne: J'ai rencontré l'homme de ma vie
65. Nelly Furtado: I'm Like a Bird
66. Andy Kim: Rock Me Gently
67. Loverboy: Working for the Weekend
68. Broken Social Scene: 7/4 Shoreline
69. Stars: Your Ex-Lover is Dead
70. Ron Sexsmith: Strawberry Blonde
71. Hank Snow: I'm Moving On
72. Avril Lavigne: Complicated
73: The Weakerthans: Left and Leaving
74: Nickelback: How You Remind Me
75. Dan Mangan: Row of Houses



Links: Dan Mangan, More Dan Mangan Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan Mangan

Click here for more CBC Lists

Blast from the Past: CBC's Top Canadian Singers

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