Showing posts with label Josh Miller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Josh Miller. Show all posts

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Bassist Al Duffy was Humble, Gracious and Talented (RIP)


It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Toronto bassist Alan "Al" Duffy who recently passed away after a brave fight with cancer. We don't know many details but will post information here once we learn it. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans

Al played with many artists including local acts such as the Brant Parker Band, Pappy Johns Blues Band and Jack de Keyzer.

A word from Lou, our blogger:
I had the pleasure of getting to know Al while seeing him with many bands. He was always funny and friendly and was incredibly talented. I'll miss him

Social Media Reaction

Miles Evans-Branagh (Miles from NowherePappy Johns Blues Band)

Alan Duffy & I carpooled to most gigs with Josh & The Pappy Johns Band. We talked about pretty much every subject there was to talk about. Drove through snow storms overnight, used his TomTom GPS (as he managed to never covert to the cell phone), nearly ran out of gas more times than I can count. He even pulled over in a traffic jam when I was hungover to let me throw up, (non-judgementally). He was a brother, despite us being nearly 45 years apart in age. 

He was humble, gracious, and always made you feel better about what you were doing, both musically and personally. The absolute definition of a musician who plays to serve the music.

I got to see him a couple times at home over the last while and I have to thank his wife Charlotte for being so kind to me while visiting. Al was as passionate as ever when I visited. Visibly weak, but we talked for hours about music, gear, recording and life. We listened together to a mix he did of a Josh show with the Bay City Blues Band. I hope that recording eventually comes out. The last gig we ever played together, he played all 3 sets until his legs gave out in the encore. All in, all the time. "How's it goin', baby??"

An eccentric, hilarious, & real person to the very end. 

Thanks for all you gave us, Al. 

You will be missed.

Jack de Keyzer

Al Duffy was an integral part of the JdK band for over 20 years. We travelled from Paris to Calgary, Montego Bay to Alert and many points in between. 

A great friend and terrific musician with a wonderful sense of humour, Al brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Alan Duffy.

Brant Parker

R.I.P. to my bandmate of 12 years and one of my very best friends Al Duffy . My deepest condolences to Charlotte, Austin and Sam, and all of Al's family, friends and fans .

Joshua Arden Miller (Pappy Johns Blues Band)

Al Duffy could've played bass for whoever he wanted but he chose to make music with us for the last leg of his world tour and I'm forever grateful.  RIP Al.  Love you. 

Links: Brad KraussMore Brad Krauss Stories, Sean O'GradyMore Sean O'Grady StoriesMore Al Duffy StoriesVideo above courtesy of Canal Bank Shuffle


Previous (Jeremy Dutcher Wins Polaris Prize) - - - Next (Fall Videos)

Friday, May 19, 2023

Blues With a Feeling 2023 in Hamilton


Hamilton's premiere Blues Party is back for another glorious year! The annual fundraiser (proceeds go the Bob Pedler Fund) in honour of Blues giant King Biscuit Boy (aka Richard Newell) is always the highlight of the season.

This year's edition (June 3, 2023 at 8pm in the Leander Boat Club in Hamilton) is just mind-blowing! The Blackburn Brothers headline an incredible lineup that also features the Smoke Wagon Blues Band, Josh Miller and the Pappy Johns Band as well as Mark LaForme with special guest. It's an unforgettable night for only $25.





Previous (Sue Foley Wins Blues Music Award) - - - Next (Fiddle Day Videos)

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

CONGRATS! 2022 Native American Music Awards Winners (including many Canadians)


We'd like to acknowledge all the local artists who were nominated for these awards

Below is a complete list of Canadian winners: 

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Here are the rest of the fabulous winners:
  • Artists (Female): Ava Rose
  • Artist (Male): Sten Joddi
  • Blues Recording: Earl Slick and the West Side Social Club - The Roof Is Leaking
  • Blues Video: Blue Mountain Tribe  - Pray For Our Planet
  • Collaboration in a Video: Antoine Edwards ft.Gunner Jules, Spur Pourier - Miracle Patience
  • Contemporary Vocal Video: Shawn Michael Perry - I Will Survive
  • Country Song: Elexa Dawson - Music is Medicine
  • Debut Artist: Charles Wood III 
  • Debut Duo/Group: The Buffalo Weavers
  • Flute Recording: Aaron White - Moonlight Love Songs
  • Folk/Americana Video: Tabitha Fair - Toward The Rising Sun - Te Ata
  • Group: The Ripcords
  • Hall of Fame: Micki Free
  • Hip Hop Recording;  Sten Joddi - It’s A Native Thang
  • Honor/Tribute Song: Hannah Bonez & Leah Shenandoah - I’m Missing You
  • Honorable Mentions: Blanca Iris Acuna / Jack Holland / Just Jamez / Kelly Montijo Fink / Nick Lone / Richelle Darby Garcia / Scott Kalama of Blue Flames / Shibastick / Two Shields
  • Instrumental Recording: Ancient Voices - Under Open Sky
  • Instrumental Video: Connor Chee - Frybread
  • Lifetime Achievement: Rodney A. Grant / Paul LaRoche / Robert Tree Cody
  • Live Performance Video: The Storm - DOC Native featuring Spencer Battiest 
  • Living Legend: Oren Lyons
  • Narrative in a Video: Foreshadow - Protect Your People 
  • Native American Church Recording: Jarvis Hunter - Remembering Our Elders
  • Native Heart: Gera & T.M - Distant Lands
  • R&B Recording: Ramonda Holiday - The Rez Hummingbird
  • Rising Star: Bryant Waupoose III
  • Rock Recording: Blackbird - Who We Are
  • Single: Samantha Crain - Bloomsday
  • Song: G Precious with Macy Gray - Unforgettable
  • Traditional Recording: Spur Pourier - Shining So Bright
  • Traditional Vocal Video: Picadilly Billy - Martin Sisters 
  • Waila Recording: Intertribal - Tribal Harmony

Links: Native American Music AwardsMore NAMA Stories


Previous (Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 14) - - - Next (Ray Materick's 'Side Streets ' Turns 50)

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

CONGRATS! 1st Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award Winners (incl local artists)

On June 12, 2021, the inaugural Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards were handed out at an online ceremony (shown below).

Links: SSIMA, More SSIMA Stories, Video above courtesy of Summer Solstice 

Below is a complete list of winners. Local acts are bolded.


Previous (Hamilton Arts Award Winners) - - - Next (Polaris Prize Long List)

Sunday, May 30, 2021

GOOD LUCK! First Annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award Nominees

Nominees for the the first ever Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards have been unveiled and quite a few local artists are on the list. Hopefully, they'll be honoured at the online ceremony on June 12, 2021.

From the website: 

The SSIMAs will present awards representing a variety of music genres as well as awards for cultural contribution, significance, legacy and social voice. The award show itself will be two hours in length including the presentation of awards to the winners, as well as live performances from finalists throughout the evening.

Below is a complete list of nominees. Local acts are bolded.

Live Musical Performance

Artistic Video

Country Album

Hand Drum-Fiddle-Instrumental Album

International Indigenous Artist-Group Recording 

Inuit Artist-Group

Metis Artist-Group

Music In The Arts

Pop-Alternative-Rock Album

Pow Wow Traditional-Contemporary Album 

Radio Song Single

Rap-Hip Hop-Electronica Album 

Youth Leadership In Music


Previous (SOCAN Music Award Winners) - - - Next (Black Music Month Videos)

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Canal Bank Shuffle Posting Dazzling Blues Every Saturday! Videos by Virgil Scott, Josh Miller, Spencer Mackenzie, Chris Ayries


If missing live Blues music has got you down during the quarantine, the Canal Bank Shuffle YouTube page is here to help. Every Saturday, they'll be posting multiple videos from dazzling past performances as part of the Almost Live series.

Special message from the Shuffle:
If you can tip even a buck or two it will help to keep this series going. All money goes to artists and video team.
You can do that at www.facebook.com/canalbankshufflebluesfestival and press "shop now" or e-transfer brantparkermusic@gmail.com, or click the paypal button at the top of the Canal  Bank Youtube home page. Also non digital option is to drop a tip at Donnelly's Pub. They are open for take-out.
I hope everyone stays safe and we love you. Cheers' and feel free to share the videos folks. Thanks to videographer David Stephen.
Here's a sampling of what's been offered:



Click here for Virgil Scott's site



Links: Josh Miller, More Josh Miller Stories



Links: Spencer MackenzieMore Spencer Mackenzie Stories



Links: Chris Ayries, More Chris Ayries Stories

All videos above courtesy of Canal Bank Shuffle

Previous (Dundas Music Club Videos) - - - Next (Ensemble! Episode w the Dunlop Brothers)

Sunday, March 5, 2017

New Episode of Ensemble! features Dwayne LaForme and Joshua Arden Miller


New episodes of Ensemble! on Cable 14 Hamilton just keep on coming! Two incredible Bluesmen, Dwayne LaForme and Joshua Arden Miller (Pappy Johns Band) will be starring in the next show.

Hamilton residents with cable can view the episode on Cable 14. Other Rogers or Cogeco customers (including cell plan subscribers) can see it online at Cable14now

This episode is no longer available.
Here are a few videos that showcase their talents.



More Taj Mahal Covers/Stories



Links: Dwayne LaFormeMore Dwayne LaForme Stories, Videos above courtesy of DSmith Productions

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Videos: Josh Miller, Matt Weidinger, Joel Johnson, Rob Cutting


The Coachmen (ft Chris Wheeler, Colin Lapsley and Dave King) are back in action at the Coach and Lantern Pub in Ancaster! They host a wonderful Saturday Blues matinee (2:30pm) with amazing guests!

Here are a few upcoming guests.

November 26, 2016: Josh Miller (from the Pappy Johns Band)



Links: Pappy Johns BandMore Pappy Johns Band StoriesVideo above courtesy of Six Arrows Media

December 3, 2016: Matt Weidinger



Links: Matt WeidingerMore Matt Weidinger Stories, Video above courtesy of Andrea Cassis

December 10, 2016: Joel Johnson



Links: Joel JohnsonMore Joel Johnson StoriesVideo above courtesy of Andrea Cassis

Here's a bonus video of the Coachmen with Rob Cutting



Video above courtesy of Andrea Cassis

Previous (Lori Yates to Receive Cashbox Canada Legacy Award) - - - Next (New Trickbag Live CD)

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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 StoriesVideo above courtesy of Various Artists - Topic

April 23, 2016: Joel Johnson Live CD Recording



Links: More Joel Johnson StoriesVideo above courtesy of Blues Johnson

April 30, 2016: Erin McCallum Band



Links: More Erin McCallum StoriesVideo above courtesy of MyOwnLove

May 14, 2016: Dwayne LaForme



Links: More Dwayne LaForme StoriesVideo above courtesy of Daragent2

Previous (New Joni NehRita Album) - - - Next (News Roundup: Top Small Music Venues, Neil Cotton, Annette Haas, Meauxx Wilson)

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Matt Weidinger & Pappy Johns Band Going to 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis

Photo by Stefan Myles www.fandyphotography.ca 
Our friends at the Grand River Blues Society have chosen their representatives for the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.  Over 16 local musicians vied for the coveted spots.

Kitchener's Matt Weidinger will compete in the solo/duo category and Oshewken's Pappy Johns Band will duke it out for best group. 

On January 21, the talented musicians will be showing the Blues world just what this area has got to offer.  Good luck guys!

Click here for more stories about the IBC

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners and Finalists



Links: Matt Weidinger, More Matt Weidinger StoriesAbove video courtesy of Andrew Austin



Links: Pappy Johns Band, More Pappy Johns Band Stories, Above video courtesy of Pappy Johns Band 

Previous (Morgan Davis Videos) - - - Next (New Smoke Wagon Blues Band Live CD)

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Cool Visitors to Hamilton/Burlington

We don't have any live footage for this week so here are a few unreleased gems from performers who visited our fair region.

Click here if you can't see the videos.

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Links: Fathead - More footage from this performance

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Links: Pappy Johns Blues Band - More footage from this performance

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Links: Michael Pickett - More footage from this performance

Monday, November 30, 2009

Pappy Johns Blues Band - Waltz (Nov. 28, 2009)

If you can't see the videos below, click here


Shortly after winning the Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for best Blues album, the Pappy Johns Blues Band played Waltz.

First, the opening group, the Retrofit Blues Band, played a few numbers . . .



Joshua Miller (singer/guitarist for Pappy Johns) joined them for a few songs as well.


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Then the main attraction rocked the place . . .


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Keyboardist/singer, John Lee was in a dark bar, wearing black, next to a black background so you may have to take our word for it that he was singing on this song :)


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The band were joined by Rebecca Miller on this Otis Redding tune.