CONGRATS! Guelph's Dan McKinnon Wins Toronto Blues Society Talent Search

Guelph's own Dan McKinnon beat out five other contestants in the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search on Saturday, June 24, 2017.

Dan had the following to say on his Facebook page:

First and foremost, I have been totally floored by the outpouring of best wishes and love from everyone across social media. It was a privilege to perform at yesterday’s Toronto Blues Society Talent Search! and taking home first place was such an honour. A day later, it still seems surreal. 

Yesterday’s events would not have been possible without the help I have received over the years from family, friends, and a countless number of people in the music community both here and elsewhere. From the musicians I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the bandstand with to the people who have provided me with opportunities to hone my craft and others who have always been supportive of what I do, I don’t think I could express how grateful I truly am. Thank you for being a part of this journey that I can promise is only getting started. 

If there is a lesson I could pass on from this experience, it would be the value of staying persistent. Prior to this year, I had applied to perform in the TBS Talent Search six times. With each ‘no’, I spent more time in the woodshed with the goal of trying to get better so that eventually, I would get my shot. 

Regardless of what you’re chasing, just because it isn’t happening today doesn’t mean it isn’t going to happen someday. Nothing is truly out of reach if you continue to keep at it.

By being crowned the winner, Dan receives

• Showcase at Blues Summit 9 in 2019
• Performance at the 2018 Aurora Winter Blues Festival
• Performance at the 2018 Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
• Mentor sessions with industry professionals
• Graphic design package from Janine Stoll Media
• Postcard print package from Gullons Printing
• 1-Year Standard Bandzoogle Website
• Feature in TBS's Maple Blues Newsletter
• Cash prize and more

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First runner up was Bad Luck Woman and Her Misfortunes and Catriona Sturton was second.

CONGRATS!

Links: Dan McKinnon, More Dan McKinnon Stories, Videos above courtesy of Dan McKinnon

Blast from the Past: Spencer Mackenzie Wins 2016 Talent Search

Links: Toronto Blues Society, More TBS Talent Search Stories

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Exclusive Interview with Sugar Blue

Our lucky Blogger, Lou, got a once in a lifetime chance to chat with blues vet Sugar Blue.

Sugar Blue's a Grammy winning singer and harmonica virtuoso who's played with Louisiana Red, Howlin' Wolf, the Rolling Stones (that's his harp on Miss You!), Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and many others.  On top of all that, he has an amazing solo career packed with unique, amazing, rockin' blues.

He spoke about his new son, his upcoming Blues Explosion show at Hamilton Place (Sept 27), the new live double-CD and much more.

Click here to purchase tickets to this fabulous show

Here are a few choice quotes:

"We came there for a Blues Explosion. We intend to light the fuse and keep it blowing up as long as they let us!"

"At some point, I might even say that I'm a bit of a poet"

"The stuff that we're working on is very different from anything that we've done before"

The interview video is below. Click here if you can't see it.





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Two videos above courtesy of Melodie

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Cool Videos from a Private Show

Link: Whiskey Epiphany



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James Anthony Band and Wendell Ferguson@Black Swan (November 17, 2012)

James Anthony (guitar, left - vocals on Every Day I Got the Blues and Your Mind is on Vacation), Gary Taylor (drums, vocals on Harvest Moon), Wendell Ferguson (guitar, centre), Bill Speers (keys on all except Spooky, vocals on Messin' with the Kid), Brent Bailey (of Rocket 88s)(keys & vocals on Spooky)


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Click here for Wendell Ferguson's portion of the show

Blast from the Past: James Anthony and Others@Burlington Ribfest

Links: James Anthony, More James Anthony Stories

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