Winners of the 2024 City of Hamilton Arts Awards

Hamilton's wonderful artistic community was on display on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the Westinghouse HQ. This was the site of the 2024 City of Hamilton Arts Arts Awards.

Below is the compete winners.

Arts Champions

• Ken Wallis (BluesSource, Escarpment Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Links: Escarpment Blues Society, More EBS Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
  
  
• Light Lounge
• Melanin Market
• Noelle Allen (Wolsak and Wynn, publishers)

Creator

• Ben Bowen aka Mr. Ben (musician)
  
  
  
  Links: Mr. Ben, , More Mr. Ben Stories, Video above courtesy of MrBensMusic
  
  
• Lesley Loksi Chan (Filmmaker)
• Steacy Easton (Writer, Artist)
• Birdie Gerhl (Visual Arts)
• Gordon Leverton (Architecture)
• Alex Jacobs-Blum (Visual Arts)
• Kyle Joedickie (Visual Arts)
• Aeris Korper Contemporary Dance
• Monday Press

Lifetime Achievement

• Astrid Hepner (Hamilton Music Collective)

Links: Hamilton Arts Awards, More Hamilton Arts Awards Stories

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King Biscuit Boy's 'Good 'Uns' Turns 50 This Year

This year (2022), Good 'Uns the second album from the legendary Hamilton Bluesman, King Biscuit Boy turns 50 years old.

Details: 

• Released early 1972
• Originally on Daffodil label, currently on Unidisc
• Guests: John Gibbard (guitar) , Kelly Jay (piano), Rick Bell (piano), Larry Atamaniuk (drums), Sonnie Bernardi (drums) Roly Greenway (bass), Rheal Lanthier (guitar), Flower Power Harmonica Band, Steve Kennedy (Lighthouse, Dr. Music) on horns
  

We asked various members of the local music scene for their thoughts on the album. Here are their responses:

Ian Andrews

It's a hearty blues stew with remarkable flavors of sound; seasoned with tales of reckless living, rambunctious Cajun grooves, and a 'mouth of steel' charisma that impacts every listener and puts them in the heart of contentful chaos that resolves in grace. A great musical influence gone but not forgotten.

Ken Wallis (BluesSource Canada)

King Biscuit Boy’s album was the only album I ever owned that came wrapped in burlap. I think that was because inside the music was so hot that it needed a sturdy cover to stop the music from leaking out. The album is filled with classic King Biscuit Boy. His harmonica soars into the blues stratosphere. Just listen to Boom Boom Out Goes The Light. It is classic King Biscuit Boy and this was always the last song he’d play to close out a live gig. Hamilton was lucky to have witnessed such a talent.

Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Videos above courtesy of King Biscuit Boys - Topic,  More Album 50th Anniversaries

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Howard Ross and the Full Count Blues Band Rocked Hamilton

Video above courtesy of Phil Connor

Links: Video above courtesy of libnerp



Video above courtesy of hburger5



Video above courtesy of Pickeringonline

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Andre Bisson Videos

Blast from the Past: Andre Bisson Beatles Cover Videos

Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, Videos above courtesy of Andre Bisson

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BluesSource Entertainment Presents Andre Bisson: A Blues Salute to the Beatles This Saturday!

It will be an unforgettable night on Saturday, December 3rd when Andre Bisson and his amazing band hit the stage at the Spice Factory in Hamilton (courtesy of our friends at BluesSource Entertainment! The evening will be filled with Blues covers of classic Beatles songs.  Andre and the gang played at a Beatles festival in Liverpool itself a while back so you know they really know how to rock the Fab Four tunes!.

Check out some of their amazing Beatles covers.

Blast from the Past: Andre Bisson's Amazing Covers CD

Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, Videos above courtesy of Andre Bisson, Beatles, More Beatles Covers/Stories

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Previous (Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 8) - - - Next (News Roundup: Folk Sinners, James Anthony w Wendell Ferguson, The Band)

News Roundup (Kryptkeeper, Donovan Woods, Awards, Michael Keys)

Donovan Woods Wins SOCAN Music #1 Song Award for What Kind of Love is That

Links: Donovan Woods, More Donovan Woods, Video above courtesy of Donovan Woods

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News

Local

• Barber Shop Podcast w Kryptkeeper
  
  
  
  
  Links: Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
  
  
• CHCH Video: Dylan Hennessy
• Elliott and the Audio Kings Debut Album
• Local Maple Blues Award Nominees

Canada

• Rogue Folk Club Founder Steve Edge Earns Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award
• Corb Lund Wins SESAC in Nashville

World

• Passings: Eddy Harsch (ex-Black Crowes keyboardist)

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef checked out BluesSource Entertainment's season debut: The Jack de Keyzer Band @ the Spice Factory in Hamilton.

Click here for more photos from the event.

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Featured Video

Links: Michael Keys, More Michael Keys Stories, Video above courtesy of Rob Stonehewer

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Previous (Videos: Ginger St. James, Sugar Brown, Raoul Bhaneja & Vaudevillian) - - - Next (Remembrance Day Videos: Benjamin Dakota Rogers, Chris Hawley, Trews, Dean Brody)

Jack De Keyzer Band Videos

More Robert Johnson Stories/Covers





More Rolling Stones Cover/Stories

Blast from the Past: Jack de Keyzer and Chris Strei Videos

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Videos above courtesy of randallstaffordcook

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News Roundup (Hamilton Music Scene Documentary, Mike Lynch, Rob Lamothe)

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Bernie Worrell of P-Funk Passes

Click pic for video

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News

Local

• Hamilton Music Scene Documentary
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Canadaguitar
  
  
• CHCH Video: Rob Graham
• Judi Rideout Debut CD
• Arts Waterloo Award Winners
• This Beat Goes/Switchin' to Glide from Oakville's The Kings Earns SOCAN Award

World

• Global Music Award Winners
• Bill Ham (ZZ Top Manager), Wayne Jackson (Memphis Horns)

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef had a ton of fun at the final Saturday Night Blues show of the season.  Ottawa's Wicked Grin once again had an amazing show! The wonderful Andre Bisson joined in the fun for a few numbers too! 

Click here for more pictures of the event

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Featured Videos

Links: Mike Lynch, More Mike Lynch Stories, Video above courtesy of The Boneyard



Links: Rob Lamothe, More Rob Lamothe Stories, , Video above courtesy Sound Still Production

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News Roundup (Sinburn, Chris Antonik, Ed Bertoli, More)

Courtesy of Waynovision

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News

Local

• Barber Shop Podcast w Sinburn
  
  
  
  Links: Sinburn, Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
  
  
• Busted Flat Records Signs Tanya Philipovich
• Homegrown Hamilton Getting New Location
• CHCH Video: Rosedale
• Hamilton Music Award Winners
• HMA Gala Award Winners
• Erin McCallum Receives First BluesSource/BluesBlast 'Album of the Year' Award

World

• Slim Harpo Music Award Winners

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef rocked out to Chris Antonik and his band at Saturday Nite Blues in Hamilton!

Click here for more pictures from the event

Links: Chris Antonik, More Chris Antonik Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B Lous

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He was also at a lot of the Hamilton Music Awards festivities

Click here for pictures of the HMA Gala Awards

Click here for pictures of the Hamilton Music Awards

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Recently Added

Main List of Sites

• HAVN (Hamilton Record Label)

Our Performer List

• Ed Bertoli
  
  
  
  Links: More Bob Dylan Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Ed Bertoli
  
  
• The Red Electric
• 2 Fab

Open Mics, Jams and Open Stages

• Sundays, 6pm: Open Mic w The Waist Band @ Maple Leaf Tavern (Niagara)

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Birthdays

Thu June 2

• James DesRoches

Sat June 4

• Bucky Berger (Fathead)
• Ben Caplan

Sun June 5

• Tom Shea

Mon June 6

• Raoul Bhaneja
• Jesse O'Brien

Tue June 7

• William Schwendiman (Casbah)

Wed June 8

• John Ludgate
• Lee Anne Wesseling

Thu June 9

• Tonya Horoky Cooper (Rattlesnake Point)
• Luke Doucet (Whitehorse)
• Carl Horton
• Roger Marin
• Tom Wilson

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Previous (Erin McCalum Wins 1st BluesSource/BluesBlast Album of the Year Award) - - - Next (Sim Bansal Wins First Brian Lee Griffith Bursary)

CONGRATS! Erin McCallum Receives 1st BluesSource/Blues Blast Album of the Year Award!

It's Time, the latest recording from Toronto area Blueswoman, Erin McCallum has received the very first award from Hamilton's BluesSource/BluesBlast (Album of the Year - 2015).  The talented lady recently gave explosive performance at Jet Hall (Hamilton) and the Golden Pheasant (St. Catharines).  It was at the latter show that Blues Blast host (and BluesSource head honcho) Ken Wallis handed her the well-deserved trophy himself!.

"Erin McCallum’s voice could fill Rome’s Coliseum, " Ken remarked.

Hamilton Bluesmaster Jack de Keyzer produced the amazing CD!

CONGRATS

Video above courtesy of Erin Blues



Video above courtesy of MRa MD

Blast from the Past: Video of Erin McCallum and Other BluesSource Performers

Links: Erin McCallum, More Erin McCallum Stories

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Previous (Videos: Spencer Mackenzie, Jesse O'Brien & Chris Caddell, Andre Bisson, Fathead) - - - Next (News Roundup: Sinburn, Chris Antonik, Ed Bertoli, More)

More Hot Music Coming to Saturday Nite Blues in Hamilton (Chris Antonik, Bill Durst, Wicked Grin)

BluesSource Entertainment continues to bring in the hottest acts for their Saturday Nite Blues shows at the Jet Hall in Hamilton.  They'll be taking a break at the end of June but not before rocking the Hammer with three musical giants.

Check them out below



Links: Chris Antonik, More Chris Antonik Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris Antonik



Links: Bill Durst, More Bill Durst Stories,  Video above courtesy of BelAxeBluesFlames



Links: Wicked Grin, More Wicked Grin Stories, Video above courtesy of Rick Arbuckle

More BluesSource Shows

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Saturday Night Blues Continues to Bring You the Best (Pappy Johns Band, Joel Johnson, Erin McCallum, Dwayne LaForme)

Our friends at BluesSource Entertainment have been bringing some of the best artists around to the Jet Hall in Hamilton as part of their Saturday Night Blues series.  The next few weeks are no exception.  Every explosive show starts at 8pm.  Tickets are $10 advanced and $15 at the door.

Check out a few videos from some of the amazing upcoming performers.

April 16, 2016: Pappy Johns Band



Links:  More Pappy Johns Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Various Artists - Topic

April 23, 2016: Joel Johnson Live CD Recording



Links: More Joel Johnson Stories, Video above courtesy of Blues Johnson

April 30, 2016: Erin McCallum Band



Links: More Erin McCallum Stories, Video above courtesy of MyOwnLove

May 14, 2016: Dwayne LaForme



Links: More Dwayne LaForme Stories, Video above courtesy of Daragent2

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News Roundup (Hello Harvard. Stringray Chart, Bucket List, Trickbag)

John R Bellone of Bellone's Music in London, ON passes

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News

Local

• Barber Shop Podcast w Hello Harvard
  
  
  
  Links: Hello Harvard, Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
  
  
• Hamilton Community News Readers' Choice Award Nominations
• Rockin' Rich of Rich and the Poor Boys Passes
• Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award Winners
• Jack de Keyzer on New Harmonica Shah CD

Top February 2016 Albums from Stingray Music - Blues

1. Andre Bisson: Left With The Blues
2. Jordan Officer: Blue Skies
3. Lee Palmer: Like Elway
4. The 24th Street Wailers: Where Evil Grows
5. The Bros. Landreth: Let It Lie
6. David Owen: Livin' Life (Produced by Gary Kendall)
7. Dione Taylor: Born Free
8. Ben Racine Band: A Grand New Brew
9. Blackburn: Brothers In This World
10. Harmonica Shah: If You Live To Get Old, You Will Understand (ft Jack de Keyzer) 

25. MonkeyJunk: Moon Turn Red (produced by Colin Cripps)
72. Crissinger: Blues Expression (recorded in Hamilton)

World

• Americana Show podcast w Nigel Hall

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef enjoyed the Bucket List Blues Band at Saturday Nite Blues in Hamilton.

Hamilton's Bucket List Band rock it out at Saturday Nite Blues @ The Jet Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic John Staley, David Dalgleish, Russell McAllister, Glen Brown, Dave Baldry, John Godek, Carl Korody
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Sunday, February 28, 2016

Links: Bucket List, More Bucket List Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Click here for more pictures from this event

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He also popped in to see his friends Trickbag rocking Buddy's Roadhouse.

Trickbag cover Respect Yourself at Buddy's Roadhouse #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Monday, February 29, 2016

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Click here for more pictures from this event

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Our little monkey got the chance to meet the great Canadian comedian Sean Cullen at the Burlington Comedy Festival!

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Recently Added

Our Performer List

• The Chasers
• Wayne Cheddie
• Kick 'n Strings
• Mountain Soul
• The Reel Celts ft Nonie
• Neva Tasolin

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Birthdays

Fri Mar 4

• Mike Almas

Sat Mar 5

• Scotty Bakalar

Mon Mar 7

• Rob Cutting

Wed Mar 9

• Joshua David
• Harrison Kennedy
• Steve Wood (Pedal Steel)

Thu Mar 10

• Tiffany Thompson

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Previous (Jack de Keyzer on New Harmonica Shah Album) - - - Next (John McKinley Band Debut Album)

News Roundup (Sarah Beatty, Matty Simpson, Mighty Duck Blues Band, Al Lerman)

Waynovision by Wayno

Free Range by Bill Whitehead

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News

Local

• Barbershop Podcasts: Sarah Beatty, Matty Simpson
  
  
  
  Links: Sarah Beatty, More Sarah Beatty Stories, Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
  
  
  
  Links: Matty Simpson, More Matty Simpson Stories, Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
  
  
• Spec story on Blue Rodeo
• New Stoney Lonesome Album

Videos

• Mighty Duck Blues Band: Bassist Gary Kendall on Vocals, Al Lerman (Fathead) on Vocals, Drummer Jim Casson on Vocals
• Our Blogger's Debut as an Extra on Cable 14 (1990's)

World

• BB King to be Honoured at 2016
• Banjo toon
• Passings: Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire, Dan Hicks (of the Hot Licks)

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef checked out Winterfest at the Hamilton Waterfront and got to see the cult-classic Strange Brew! Take off, eh!

Click here for more photos from the event

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He also went to see the Mighty Duck Blues Band with Al Lerman of Fathead

Video: Al Lerman of Fathead w the Mighty Duck Blues Band at The Jet Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic #hblvids Gary Kendall Dave Curry Jim Casson David Torosian
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

More Videos from the show - Bassist Gary Kendall on Vocals, Drummer Jim Casson on Vocals

Links: Mighty Duck Blues Band, More MDBB Stories, Al Lerman, More Fathead Stories,  Video above courtesy of Hamilton B Lous

Click here for more photos from the event

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Recently Added

Main List of Sites

• Americana Music Show (Podcast) 

Our Performer List

• Blues Hammer
• Dan Edmonds (ex-Harlan Pepper) 

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Birthdays

Thu Feb 11

• Tracie (Tracie's Place)

Fri Feb 12

• Michelle Titian

Sun Feb 14

• Rachel Heart
• Orange McFarland

Mon Feb 15

• Claude DesRoches (Shakers)
• Michael Maguire
• Liam McGlashon
• Trebleclef

Feb 16

• Ed Roth

Feb 17

• Lou Campanella

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Previous (Videos of Upcoming Sat Blues Nite Performers) - - - Next (Valentine's Day Videos)

Hamilton Blues Greats to Shake and Groove at the Jet Hall!

For the past few months, our friends at BluesSource Entertainment have been supplying the Jet Hall in Hamilton with some incredible Blues bands. Frank Cosentino, Wicked Grin, Joel Johnson, Soulstack, Irene Torres, the Mighty Duck Blues Band and others have been shakin' and groovin' the venue.

For the next little while, Hammertown Bluesmakers will be hitting the Jet Hall stage and rockin' their hometown.

Here are few videos of these upcoming Hamilton performers.  Be sure to check them out - you won't regret it.  There'll be dancing, wonderful drinks, tasty food and explosive music!

Links: Bucket List, More Bucket List Stories, More Robert Johnson Stories/Covers, Video above courtesy of the Bucket List Band

Links: Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Video above courtesy of Barb Pitre



Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, More Beatles Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Andre Bisson



Links: Tim Gibbons, More Tim Gibbons Stories, Video above courtesy of Pauline DeRosa

Blast from the Past: Videos from Previous Jet Hall Performers

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Previous (Videos from Mo' Kauffey Fundraiser Performers) - - - Next (News Roundup: Sarah Beatty, Matty Simpson, Mighty Duck Blues Band, Al Lerman)

Check out the AMAZING Blues shows at the Jet Hall in Hamilton!

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Previous (News Roundup: Mo' Kauffey, Lori Yates, Mike Saracino, Evan Champagne) - - - Next (Ben Caplan Earns 3 East Coast Music Award Nominations)

News Roundup (Gillian Nicola, Wicked Grin, Blues Time)

Orangeville's Larry Kurtz to Receive Blues Booster of the Year Award at Maple Blues Awards

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News

Local

• Barbershop Podcast w Gillian Nicola
  
  
  
  Links: Gillian Nicola,  More Gillian Nicola Stories,  Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
• Kitchener Record story on Ginger St. James
• New Brian Griffith Guitar Bursary
• Local Artists on CBC's Top 50 Canadian Album List

Canada

• Orangeville's Larry Kurtz to receive Blues Booster of the Year Award at Maple Blues Awards
• CBC's Top 10 Canadian Jazz Albums
• Sarnia Harmonica Virtuoso Mike Stevens To Receive Governor General’s Award

World

• Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple and Steve Miller joining the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Passings: Long John Hunter (Texas Bluesman), Natalie Cole, Stevie Wright (Easybeats), Carson Van Osten (Ex-Todd Rundgren Sideman), Robert Stigwood (Cream manager)

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Our little monkey was very busy late last year, here's a quick rundown:

Trebleclef rocked out to Wicked Grin at Jet Hall in Hamilton

Click here for more pictures of this event

Wicked Grin (and the audience) play Just Your Fool at The Jet Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Links: Wicked Grin, More Wicked Grin Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous, More Videos: Video 2, Dan Doiron w Wicked Grin

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He made a visit to Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton

Click here for more photos of the event

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Trebleclef returned to the Jet Hall to check out Blues Time (featuring Frank Cosentino)

Click here for more photos of the event

Blues Time cover Voodoo Child at Jet Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic Frank Cosentino, Alishan Hagopian, Davin Goudie
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Friday, January 1, 2016

Links: Frank Cosentino, More Frank Cosentino Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous, More Jimi Hendrix Covers/Stories, Bonus Video (Blues Time Goes Unplugged)

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He also bumped into Frank again that night at the Trickbag show at Buddy's!

Check out our video of Frank performing with Trickbag

Click here for more photos of the event

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Recently Added

Main List of Sites

• Coalition Music (Toronto Record Label) (Ben Caplan, Finger 11)

Our Performer List

• Adam Bowman (drums)

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Birthdays

Thu Jan 7

• Rick Taylor

Sat Jan 9

• Paul Panchezak (Trickbag)

Sun Jan 10

• Matthew Barber
• Justin Dunlop

Tue Jan 12

• John Atlee
• Rita Chiarelli
• Matt Coleman (Fry Truck)
• Robbie Hancock

Wed Jan 13

• Gayle Ackroyd
• Tia McGraff
• Jessie Treneer
• Paul R K Wheeler Jr (Ronnie and the Rockets)

Thu Jan 14

• Daniel Krawhuck (Toadhouse)
• Mark Crissinger
• Jenny Whiteley
• Mark Wilson

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