Donnie Walsh is recognized as the father of Canadian blues music. This co-founder and leader of The Legendary Downchild Blues Band has been an instrumental figure on the national blues scene for over half a century. His music has inspired generations of acts, including international pop culture icons the Blues Brothers.
Mike Stevens is a virtuoso harmonica player, composer and author. For more than 40 years, he has entertained audiences nationally and abroad and won acclaim at the world-famous Grand Old Opry in Nashville. His music tours in Canada’s North are the subject of three documentaries that showcase his philanthropy and prodigious musical gifts.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ray Harrison (known as Rabbit to close friends) , a legendary musician who was a member of Crowbar and the Cameo Blues Band. We do not have any details at this time but we will post it on this page when we learn more. Our condolences to his family, friends and and fans.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ray quite a few times mostly through Crowbar and the Cameo Blues Band. He was extremely talented and friendly. I will miss him greatly.
One of the highlights of my life was playing with Ray and the guys at the Hotel Isabella. Many great years with Cameo and so many great memories of this Giant of a Man.
Ray Harrison was a goliath of a player, and among my musical heroes in Crowbar. I always cherished getting to hear him play. I'll never forget him letting me use his rig when I opened for them, a true honour. Ray was the best boogie-woogie player I ever heard. A true Rock N' Roller.
I just heard the sad news that Ray Harrison has passed away. Not only was "Rabbit" Ray a fantastic pianist and organ player, he was a larger than life character who leaves behind a huge void. He had a great ear and he knew how to rock and roll. He was one of those guys that never seemed to practice, yet he was absolutely killer on his instrument. We'd been on countless gigs together and the hang between sets was always as much fun as the playing... perhaps even more. Endless stories full of laughs!
When I lived in Toronto, he would often show up at my place unannounced and say "let's go". We'd get into his van, grab some beer and drive around for hours while he showed me old haunts from his past in Toronto's Mount Dennis neighbourhood. He had some scary biker friends. He knew the best greasy spoons all over the city. He'd make that Jackie Gleason/Ralph Kramden bulging eyes expression which always made me laugh. He'd collect old things and give them to friends he knew would appreciate them, like when he gave me an old Roy Rogers harmonica. We laughed a lot.
When I mentioned to him last year that so many friends our age were passing away, he said, "Yeah, they're plowing our row". He'd often comment on my FB posts with one word, "Whoosh".... a private joke. Whoosh, now you're gone. You will be missed, but something tells me the stories and anecdotes will go on and on. Rest in peace my friend.
My fondest memory of Ray Harrison ... I had played with him for a bit on and off on different shows. This time we were at the Shipdeck Stage at Harbourfront. The band was all set up and we got a rain call and had to relocate inside. Everyone dashed off with their gear except for Ray and I. Ray's gear was being moved by the crew and gone and Ray stood by me, telling me not to move anything, that the crew would move it all and for me not to move a thing. (I would have moved it all myself without Ray) I always felt good when Ray was on the gig. He always made you laugh and he always put his heart into everything he played.
On another occasion, I had a band called The Panthers....Ray found an old tv light, it was a panther light...and then he found a second panther light. I was thrilled. Ray knew I loved bulldogs, pugs and any dogs like them. He came over with a beautiful white French bulldog milk dispenser that matched my cookie jar perfectly (he had no idea)...then he brought over a pug cookie jar. I treasure these items, as I have with Ray's friendship. Sure gonna miss you Ray. I'm leaving the light on for you. RIP
In early March 2025, Brantford Bluesman Chuck Jackson was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his support of Canadian Arts. The former Downchild singer and Southside Shuffle founder has worked tirelessly to support music and arts throughout this country.
According to the Canadian government website, It's for those who have have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Niagara musician Dave Curry on December 30, 2023. He was a founding member of the Mighty Mighty Duck Blues Band and played with many other musicians in the area. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Social Media Reaction
His wife Denise
My life is forever changed. Yesterday I lost my Best Friend & The Love of My Life to a heart attack. This year we celebrated 50 Years Together. Dave was getting ready to due what he loved to do on a Saturday afternoon: play music with The Mighty Duck Blues Band Gary, Jimmy, Lorraine & Frank on sound. He suddenly had severe chest pains I immediately called 911 for an ambulance & within an hour or so he was gone. Music was Dave's life he was a kind & amazing man, husband, friend & musician who loved playing his tele. I will always remember his kind smile & loving heart. I never said goodbye Dave because you will always be by my side. Your loving wife, Denise.
Today we lost Dave Curry, the leader and founder of The Mighty Duck Blues Band. I met Dave over 20 years ago playing with Mojo Willie & Bluesafire at Arizona's in Thorold ON. At first he was the guy who sat in with the band every week. Before long he was the lead guitar player and on the payroll.
When that band fizzled Dave and his wife/life partner Denise accepted an offer from The Golden Pheasant (The Duck) in St. Catharines ON to set up a Saturday afternoon blues series. The plan was to feature a house band with special guests. Dave got the first gig, named the band and along with Denise made sure we always had a venue to play in. Eventually that led us to Jo Blos Rock & Wok, the current home base. He didn`t care about touring or even playing other gigs, his passion was The Mighty Duck Blues Band, the special guests and a good house gig.
Dave Curry was a really good musician, a really good guitar player and a good friend. Being a good friend was one of his many talents. When the band first started half the audience was made up of personal friends of Denise and Dave. We never had to build a crowd, they brought it.
Jim, Lorraine, Francis and I are going to miss him terribly. We`re in a state of shock and will do what we can to rally around Denise, from day one, she`s been the band`s guiding light. When the time is right we`ll organize a musical tribute to Dave Curry. For now we`ll have to get used to him not taking his seat stage right, strapping on the Tele, flashing the smile and letting us know he was ready to play. Sail on brother, see you on the other side..
Today we lost one of the best people I know. An amazing musician, a great friend, a kind and generous soul and a loving husband to Denise. The Mighty Ducks are gutted. I will long for those sly looks that we would share when someone else on stage made a mistake and we both knew it, those pregnant pauses before counting off the opening song while he was wiping his guitar neck or sticking his pick on his finger, the starting the solo in the third bar because his head was down and didn’t realize it was his turn, the candies at the end of the gig. But most of all, his joy when we played together. I think it’s been more than 20 years that we’ve been playing together on Saturday afternoons.
I will always see you when I look to my right.
Sleep well, Dave. We love you.
Below is the final song he played with the Mighty Duck Blues Band
The music world is reeling after the loss of superstar Robbie Robertson who passed away on August 9, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Robbie was best known as the guitarist and main songwriter with The Band. He also worked with Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorcese, local guitarist Bill Dillon and many others. Originally from Six Nations and Brantford, Robbie gained worldwide fame through The Band and his incredible solo work.
Robbie's family released this statement:
Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Centre.
Bill Dillon (Hamilton guitarist who recorded and performed with Robbie)
It's not that I'm at a loss for words
That would be ridiculous, but I have to find some or even one word.
I was born in Toronto in the early 50s and into the 60s so there's the awareness of his guitar playing, it's not about that.
Leaving the Hawk for Bob Dylan, it's not about that
The emerging Band and each of their unbelievable albums, it's not about that.
All the records and TV shows and huge concerts in Europe we did together, the movie soundtracks, the Native records, it's not about that.
I'm crawling out of an abyss I've never had to before with so much difficulty.
Soo many friends gone and artists gone it's been rough enough to say the least.
Dan Lanois gave me the opportunity to experience something I'd only dreamed of all through my formative years, Dan is my friend and I love him dearly.
Robbie Robertson gave me the opportunity to realize my dreams, he's my friend and I love him dearly
So what is it that's so difficult to comprehend for me?
Through the shock and emotional collapse of this loss, while trying to come to grips with the reality, it took my best friend Barb to say the magic words "he trusted you".
That's what this is about, Trust.
These friendships were forged on trust, through every endeavor and every challenge together every success there was that one magic word, trust.
To look into each others eyes and know without saying anything at all, friendship and trust spoke volumes enough to proceed with anything at hand and it Had to come from the heart, That is friendship, that is trust.
No amount of money or success can buy this
No amount of gratitude can convey this
No amount of memories can replace this
That's what I will miss about Robbie: looking him in the eyes and experiencing his trust,in me.
It's humbling, it's devastating, and I find it difficult to trust anybody who doesn't know those two words in their heart.
Robbie Robertson: It's difficult to accept the passing of members of a generation that changed music and in some ways the world along with it. I first heard his name as a teenage musician in Fort William Ontario when I was starting my journey into the world of blues and R&B. It was 1966. No social media then, all word of mouth. Guitar players I would meet spoke of Toronto heroes Domenic Troiano, Robbie Robertson and others in the terms of legend. The word was out, Robbie was the best, a master of the Telecaster. He`d been with Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan and story was that he and the Hawks were hiding out somewhere in the U.S. preparing to break out with their own music. And then Music From Big Pink and all the great records that followed.
Personally I was wrapped up in schooling myself, learning my craft in the blues, a landscape I knew The Band had already passed through. My record collection, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters and The Band. I`ve always been a fan, the 2nd album, The Band (the brown one) was a wedding present in 1969 and I was fortunate to see three live Band shows before the original lineup wrapped up in 1976. We`re all very fortunate to have lived during an era when Robbie Robertson created music. He gave us a lot to be thankful for.
We all have different and sometimes very unique points of entry or connection with artists. With Robbie Robertson of course I was around when he was playing with Dylan. I bought ‘Big Pink’ the year it was released. I followed The Band’s career arc - as well as much of Robertson’s solo work. But my most felt connection with him was when he collaborated with another one of my most deeply admired musicians, film composer Alex North. North composed the scores for the groundbreaking ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, plus ‘Spartacus’, Liz Taylor's ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and the immortal ‘’Unchained Melody’ among many others. Robbie Robertson and Alex North worked together on the music for 1980’s ‘Carny’.
I used to go with my friend John to the Horseshoe Tavern almost every year to see Colin Linden. He would always bring Rick Danko and Garth Hudson as his guests.
One year the Band was being inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame so Colin did one of his annual shows with Rick and Garth.
John and I were at the front as close as we could get to the stage as usual. I think I was about 18 or 19.
Rumors had been going around that Robbie was going to play. Suddenly, out he stepped onto the Horseshoe stage. Robbie Robertson. With Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. Right in front of my eyes.
I grabbed the 35 mm camera that I snuck in and snapped a couple of quick photos. I’m going to find the negatives one of these days. They did two songs together and it was glorious.
Earlier in the night, Ronnie Hawkins had come out and sang a few songs with them as well.
“Just like the old days in Port Dover, eh Ricky?” I overheard Ronnie say to Rick Danko.
For this teenager, it was a life-changing evening.
Through over 50 years of live musical performance, and serving as a founder and Director of the Southside Shuffle for 25 years, Chuck Jackson’s contributions to the Canadian Blues Collective meet the strict mandate to be acknowledged with the distinction of “Blues Legend”. With the distinction, Jackson will receive a physical representation of his “Blues Legend” status, and full authority to recognize up to two musicians with the “Blues Legacy” distinction. In keeping with the two-tiered, musician-led formula, Jackson has selected the artists to be acknowledged with the Blues Legacy Distinction:
In response to being the first recipient of the “Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction”, Jackson shared his thoughts about the initiative:
“To be the first recipient, I’m very honoured. I’m looking forward to seeing this continue to grow – Canada has a rich resource of Blues musicians who deserve to be recognized, and this is a really good way to do it. There are so many artists in Canada who have made an impact, who haven’t been recognized through programs that are out there, and this is something different. To be able to name Hock Walsh and Jane Vasey is also something I am very happy to do - both of them have made great contributions through music, and this is recognition they should have had a long time ago. There are a lot of artists who have passed, who are deserving, and this is a way for people to have an opportunity to learn about their musical contributions. Like I said, this is something I’m looking forward to seeing grow, and I’m very honoured to be the first recipient and name Hock and Jane as two of the people who deserve this recognition too.”
Jackson is scheduled to be presented with a physical award acknowledging the distinction on Thursday August 17th, 2023 as part of the 25th annual Southside Shuffle’s opening event, The Beggars Blues Banquet. The event takes place at the Port Credit Legion in Port Credit, Ontario.
The “Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction” is a new initiative that strives to acknowledge the musicians who have made an impact within the Canadian Blues Collective. Founded and funded by Canadian Blues artist Erin McCallum, the distinction is two-tiered; musicians who are recognized as “Blues Legends” (they must meet a strict mandate to be eligible) are automatically given the opportunity to acknowledge up to two musicians (who also meet the outlined criteria) to be given the distinction of “Blues Legacy”.
In addition to “Blues Legends” being acknowledged with a physical recognition, all musicians who are acknowledged via the “Erin McCallum Blues Legend & Legacy Distinction” will receive a written acknowledgement. Each written acknowledgement will be published with the intention of creating an accessible resource for people worldwide to learn about the notable Blues musicians who have made an impact within the Canadian Blues music Collective.
Blues and Roots Radio Canada will be the official online platform for people to access information about this initiative, and the artists who receive the Blues Legend and Blues Legacy distinctions.
Blues Blast Magazine recently unveiled the nominees for their 2022 awards and a few local acts are in the running. People are encouraged to click here to vote. Deadline is August 19th, 2022.
Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are bolded.
Today (November 29, 2021), the Hamilton Blues Lovers turns lucky 13 years old! We're now in our teenage years!
With COVID-19 starting to get better (fingers crossed), this year was a major improvement from the previous one now that venues are having live music again. Hopefully, many of you are able to check out some amazing, in-person music now.
Bootleg, the explosive debut album from the now-legendary Downchild Blues Band turns 50 this year (2021). Their original lineup included Hamilton bassist Jim Milne.
When I heard Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby in the 70's I was hooked. He was one of the best. Good eye for talent as well, I mean he hired Ray Charles.
Need an injection of joy to get over the lockdown Blues? Look no further than Four Hot Tracks, the latest EP from Toronto's The Swingin' Blackjacks. This short but sweet rockabilly collection will give ya a dose of boogie and have you stompin' your feet.
Featuring Niagara's Gary Kendall (Kendall Wall Band, Downchild) on bass/vocals, the trio is rounded out by Matt Allenon lead vocals/guitar plus Adam David on drums. Every one of them are firing on all cylinders and serving up world-class rock.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of the legendary, Fort-Erie born keyboardist Michael Fonfara. We do not have many details but we will will post it here as we know more. Our condolences to this family, friends and fans.
It is with heavy hearts that we sadly announce the passing of our dear friend and longtime bandmate, Michael Fonfara. He was an incredible musician, a gentle soul and we were honoured to share the stage with him every time we performed. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. There will be a celebration of life once we are all safely able to get together.
I've heard Donnie Walsh say many times "He's the best musician I've ever worked with". I echo those words. Yesterday we lost a brother, a band mate, a co-writer and a dear friend. His important role away from the music business was as a husband, father and grandfather. If you met him, you loved him. A creative genius and a band leader's worst nightmare. I was very fortunate to share space with him in recording studios, big stages, small stages, vans, cars, planes, hotels and restaurants. Fonf has left us but we'll continue to play music that he wrote, arranged or just made better by his presence. Thanks for the memories, see you on the other side.
Musical genius, bandmate, innovator, wild man, loyal friend and sweet sweet soul. From the very first time I worked with him 15 or so years ago, he instantly became one of my biggest supporters and encouragers. It was never a handshake with Fonf, always a hug. We played a ton of gigs together on some huge stages and also tiny clubs, recorded together many times, misbehaved together once in a while and laughed our asses off more times than I can remember, and through it all I was always amazed by his playing, which really was out of this world. No matter his preparation or more often lack thereof, HE was the one who moved the crowd. Always. He was a star and our world is a little dimmer tonight because of this massive loss.
Fonf was a true genius. Every time I played with him he would amaze me. I would often look at Gary Kendall or Mike Fitzpatrick and they were amazed too. I would ask guys who played with him a lot more than I did and they said the same thing. You don't see too many musicians who could play like Fonf.
I only got to know him in the last 10 years or so. He was always smiling and laughing. He was just a sweet guy.
He always had time to say hello. When he talked to you he was intense and focused.
I was so fortunate to get to play and hang out with Mike. His musical gifts will be missed by so many. His sweet personality will be missed even more.
Fonf's enthusiasm and joy for playing was infectious!! Whether there were 2 people or thousands he always gave 110%. I always looked forward to playing with him when I knew he was on the gig. RIP Fonf love you !!
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