Original Post: December 25, 2009
Updated Post: December 25, 2025
Links: Jude Johnson, More Jude Johnson Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Jacob Moon, More Jacob Moon stories, Video above courtesy of Philip Bast
Showing posts with label Les Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Les Smith. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Throwback Thursday: Christmas Videos 2009 ft Jude Johnson, Jacob Moon, Trickbag, Jackie Washington
Links: Jude Johnson, More Jude Johnson Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Jacob Moon, More Jacob Moon stories, Video above courtesy of Philip Bast
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Valentine's Day Videos by Les Smith, Darren Hancock, Dan Medakovic
Update of 2016 Post
Links: Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Darren Hancock, More Darren Hancock Stories, Video above courtesy of Darren Hancock
Links: Dan Medakovic, More Dan Medakovic Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan Medakovic
Click here for more Valentine's videos
Previous (Throwback Thursday: James Anthony Acoustic CD) - - - Next (50th Anniversary of Rush's Fly by Night)
Monday, December 23, 2024
Merry Christmas: Videos by Trickbag, Ian Thomas, Steve Strongman, Suzie Vinnick
Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, More Chuck Berry Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Ian Thomas, More Ian Thomas Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, More Freddie King Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Happy Valentine's Day! Videos by John Ellison, Tewlips, Trickbag
Update of 2010 Post
Links: Tewlips, More Tewlips Stories, Video above courtesy of The Tewlips - Topic
Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Mark Benvemete
Previous (Maple Blues Award Winners) - - - Next (Treble's Birthday)
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Happy Mothers Day! Lester Smith, Saint Alvia, Jerome Godboo
Updated Post from 2018
Links: Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Video above courtesy of Lester Smith
Links: Saint Alvia, More Saint Alvia Stories, Video above courtesy of Saint Alvia
Links: Jerome Godboo, More Jerome Godboo Stories, Video above courtesy of dymondav
More Mother's Day Music
Previous (Videos: Steve Strongman, MonkeyJunk, Hogtown Allstars) - - - Next (Sue Foley Wins Blues Music Award)
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Throwback Thursday! Trickbag 35th Anniversary Edition
This is part of our recurring series of 'Throwback Thursday' posts where we celebrate the wonderful past of the local music scene (specifically pre-2000). If you know of any videos, old posters, trivia bites, etc that would be perfect for this, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com
Local Blues legends, Trickbag will be turning 35 this year so we're celebrating along with them. Their official 35th anniversary celebration will be Sunday, February 26, 3-6pm at Stonewalls. They'll be joined by Smoke Wagon Blues Band.
| Pictures courtesy of Trickbag |
Biographical Bits
- Started as the backing band for King Biscuit Boy
- Drummer Paul Panchezak and late singer Shawn O'Halloran were part of Crowbar before joining the band.
- Guitarist Larry Feudo, singer Donna Panchezak and drummer Paul Panchezak have been with the band since the beginning.
- Former singer and frequent guest member Lester Smith is currently with Crowbar.
- The great Steve Beach is their current lead singer/keyboard player
- Other former members include Michael Hickey, Rick Miles, Pendulum Pete and Lindsay Harnett
- Opened up for Downchild, Colin James and Big Sugar
- Trickbag songs have been used in the TV shows: Community, Swamp Thing, Heart of Dixie, One Tree Hill, New Girl and more.
Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Michael Hickey, More Footage from this show
Monday, February 20, 2023
Trickbag, Lester Smith & Smoke Wagon Blues Band Videos
Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Links: Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Song courtesy of Lester Smith with Trickbag
Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Corey Lueck
Previous (Mardi Gras Videos) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: Trickbag Edition)
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Sonny Del Rio's Hamilton Hometown Christmas (December 11)
The Holiday season wouldn't be complete without Sonny Del Rio's Hamilton Hometown Christmas Show! This amazing festive event will rock the Leander Boat Club on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 7pm. Tickets are only $20. Proceeds will go to the Bob Pedler Fund and the venue will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Good Shepherd Food Bank.
This year's incredible lineup includes
- Sonny Del-Rio
Links: Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers - The Shakers
- Trickbag
Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous - The Smoke Wagon Blues Band
- Tim Gibbons and the Swampbusters
- Green Harbour
Video above courtesy of Green Harbour - Cootes Paradise
Previous (2022 Waterloo Region Arts Awards Winners) - - - Next (Charles M. Schulz's 100th Birthday)
Monday, May 30, 2022
CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK! Brooke Blackburn to Represent the Grand River Blues Society at the 2023 International Blues Challenge
Toronto musician Brooke Blackburn was chosen to represent the Grand River Blues Society for the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. On May 29, 2022, after a hard-fought musical battle at Bobby O'Brien's in Kitchener, judges picked him to make us proud next year when he gets up on the international stage. He also gets a spot on the prestigious Kitchener Blues Festival.
Here's the announcement and acceptance speech.
Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous
Here's a performance of one the songs that helped him get the win.
CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK NEXY YEAR BROOKE!
Below are links to videos of performances from the other amazing contestants:
Friday, May 27, 2022
Fiery New Album from Lester Smith & Trickbag
Ancaster singer/songwriter Lester Smith has teamed with his good pals in Trickbag to forge a fiery new album, Another Day in Paradise. Together, they've created a wonderful melding of Blues, Roots and a little Country.
As always, Les is a skilled songwriter and storyteller. He touches on themes of love, hope, disaster, survival and more. The tracks can be touching, fun, inspiring, intimate and poignant. Above all - it will move you. Les and Trickbag can also groove with the best of them.
You can pick up this unforgettable album at the CD Release on at Stonewalls (Hamilton) on May 28th at 8pm or at any of his other live shows. Picks and Sticks (Hamilton) and Looney Tunes (Burlington) have copies on hand as well. Also, it can be download via Bandcamp soon
Links: Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Songs above courtesy of Lester Smith With Trickbag
Previous (Chairmen of the Board's 'Bittersweet' Turns 50) - - - Next (Hamilton Arts Awards Winners)
Monday, May 16, 2022
The Triumphant Return of 'Blues With a Feeling'
The biggest Blues night in the land is back in 2022! After a COVID-caused hiatus, Blues With a Feeling is making a triumphant return. This incredible fundraiser honouring the late Blues giant King Biscuit Boy is always the highlight of the year.
On Saturday, June 4th, 2002 at 8pm, the Leander Boat Club will be rockin' to the sounds of Trickbag (featuring guests Lester Smith & Sonny Del-Rio), Tim Gibbons and the Swampbusters plus the Cameo Blues Band. A great deal for only $25.
Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, More Covers/Stories of The Band, , Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous
Previous (Juno Winners)
Monday, April 5, 2021
Big Walter Horton's 100th Birthday
Today (April 6, 2021) would have been American Blues legend Big Walter Horton's (aka Mumbles and Shakey) 100th birthday.
Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)
- Born in Horn Lake, Mississippi (April 6, 1921 but sources differ)
- First recordings were backing up Little Buddy Doyle (1930's)
- Replaced Junior Wells in the Muddy Waters Band for short period (1953)
- Played harmonica on Mean Mistreater for Johnny Winter's self-titled album (April 1969)
- Performed on Fleetwood Mac's Then Play On album (uncredited) (September 1969) In Chicago (December 1969)
- Backed up John Lee Hooker in the Blues Brothers film (1980).
- Died (December 8, 1981)
- Inducted in to the Blues Hall of Fame (1982)
Comments from local musicians
Sam De Rosa aka Sweet Sammy D
I have been stealing his licks since day one. Big Walter was the author of signature licks we all tried to emulate and still are.
Big Walter had monster tone and power. His solo in Jimmy Rogers Walking by Myself is one of the most iconic and skillful in blues history.
Corey Lueck (Smoke Wagon Blues Band)
To this day, Shakey is one of those essential harp players that well; make your head shake! And your feet stomp! It blows my mind how comfortable and big his sound always was in both first or second position. Not hard not to understand why Willie Dixon always said he was the best harp player ever.
Michael Reed aka Shrimp Daddy
Big Walter “Shakey” Horton... he hated that moniker... Big Walter was the proof that gear like Mics and Amps are not what create great tone. When asked how he gets his sound Walter said “I get my tone from my hands. A true master of the Harmonica Big Walter had the biggest tone and was an amazing player .
Big Walter / Shakey, could channel the sound of a full horn section thru his harmonica. First time I heard him I remember I threw my hands in the air and cheered like I scored a goal, he opened my mind to what you can do with this great little instrument. What a gift to us all he was.
Video above courtesy of MyMoppet52
Video above courtesy of Iago Israel
Video above courtesy of Walter Horton - Topic
Links: Big Walter Horton, More 100th Birthdays
Previous (Easter Videos) - - - Next (Banjo Day Videos)
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Happy National Drumming Day! Videos of Paul Panchezak
Picture courtesy of Ivan Sorensen
Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories, Video above courtesy of Michael J Birthelmer - Topic
Links: Shawn O'Halloran, More Shawn O'Halloran Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Check Out a Few Incredible Les Smith Videos
Lester "Les" Smith is a veteran of the Hamilton music scene. This wonderful singer/songwriter is at home with the Blues as well as Folk and Americana. His varied musical history includes playing with Blues mainstays, Trickbag and performing as a current member of the legendary Crowbar. He also runs the Hamilton Regional Songwriters Group.
Les is currently working on a new solo album and we are looking forward to it here at HBL.
Here's some samples of his work.
Les wrote a beautiful song about HBL members Lou and Linda for their 10th anniversary as a couple.
Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous
Here is a full online show he did recently.
Blast from the Past: COVID-19 videos from Les and others
Links: Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Last 3 Videos above courtesy of Lester Smith
Previous (Cable 14 Impact Awards Winners) - - - Next (Nick Cordero Passes)
Friday, April 3, 2020
Virus/Isolation Videos by Lester Smith, Dan Medakovic, JP Cormier, Troy Harmer, James Anthony
We hope everyone out there is safe and healthy as we go through this unprecedented time in our history. Please remember to STAY HOME as much as possible and reach out (through phone or computer) to those who may be alone. We are in this together!
Thank you to all the people who are still out there working to keep our essential services going.
Just a reminder that this is a perfect opportunity to go online to discover new local musical artists. You can support them by purchasing their music and tipping when they have streaming concerts.
Links: Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Video above courtesy of Lester Smith
Links: Danny Medakovic, More Dan Medakovic Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan Medakovic
Links: JP Cormier, More JP Cormier Stories, Video above courtesy of J.P. Cormier
Links: Troy Harmer, More Troy Harmer Stories, More Neil Diamond Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Troy Harmer Live In Concert At Your Place
Links: James Anthony, More James Anthony Stories, Video above courtesy of James Anthony
Any local artist have a virus/isolation song? Please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com
Links: More COVID-19 Videos, Guide to Helping Musicians during COVID-19
Previous (Trebleclef and Erin McGean Join KISS) - - - Next (Canadian Folk Music Award Winners)
Monday, December 23, 2019
Hamilton's Danny Medakovic Has Something for Everyone on New CD
Very few songwriters around can match Danny Medakovic's skill and diversity. His latest album, The Years offers a variety of tastes for the discerning Folk/Americana connoisseur. From country drinking songs, political commentary, historical tales, soulful emotional laments and beyond, Dan has something for everyone. He even throws in some touches of reggae, blues and more to spice things up.
Dan's lyrical storytelling is second to none as the songs veer from poetic to whimsical to impassioned and more. Each tune tells a wonderfully-told tale and has its own unique spirit.
Aiding Dan is great group of musicians, including Alan Hinckley (bass), Michael Scott (drums), Chris Altmann (pedal steel), Denis Keldie (keyboard), Geoff Ball (cello), Mark Volkov of Cootes Paradise (sax), Les Smith (harmonica) and Mike Trebilcock (background vocals).
CDs,Vinyl and downloads are available at his live shows at through his Bandcamp page. As an amazing bonus, the recording also includes a songbook with lyrics, chords and comments.
You can stream the album below.
Blast from the Past: Danny's previous album
Previous (Winter Videos) - - - Next (Christmas Videos)
Saturday, September 28, 2019
News Roundup (Hachey the MouthPEACE, LTtheMonk, Duane Rutter & Les Smith, more)
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| Loose Parts |
| More Musical Toons |
News
Local
Local
- Sold on Hamilton radio show ft Hachey the MouthPEACE
Links: Hachey, More Hachey Stories, Sold on Hamilton, More Sold on Hamilton Episodes
- CHCH Video: LTtheMonk, Andy Kim, Chilliwack and Cowboy Junkies to be inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame
- Talkin' Blues Podcast w Ed Sculthorpe of Birchway Sound
- Rick Ocasek (Cars)
- Eddie Money
- Larry Wallis (original Motorhead guitarist)
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He also popped by the Hamilton Regional Songwriters Group meeting at Birchway Sound for the first time. Their special guest was Duane Rutter (backed up by the wonderful Les Smith), who put on an incredible show.
Links: Duane Rutter, More Duane Rutter Stories, Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous
Click here for more pictures of the event
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Links: Duane Rutter, More Duane Rutter Stories, Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous
Click here for more pictures of the event
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Our little monkey also enjoyed the 2019 Comics Jam Guelph
Click here for more pictures from the event
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| Treble (aka Batmonkey) w Lou, our Blogger and Eric Powell, artist and writer of the popular Goon comic |
Previous (Abbey Road Covers) - - - Next (Ginger St. James and FOG Blues Band to go International Blues Challenge)
Friday, July 26, 2019
News Roundup, Part 1: Kelly Jay Celebration of Life incl videos.
News
CHCH Video: Kelly Jay Celebration of Life
Links: More Kelly Jay Stories, More CHCH Videos, Video above courtesy of CHCH
Hamilton Spectator story: Kelly Jay's celebration of life
CHCH Video: Kelly Jay Celebration of Life
Links: More Kelly Jay Stories, More CHCH Videos, Video above courtesy of CHCH
Hamilton Spectator story: Kelly Jay's celebration of life
Videos from the Celebration
- Trickbag w Lester Smith
- Mark LaForme and Friends
- The Rockets
- The Rockets w Greg Godovitz of Goddo + Ed Pilling of Fludd
- Joshua Arden Miller and Friends
- Dave Rave and Friends
- Crowbar
- Crowbar perform Oh What a Feeling
Links: Crowbar, More Crowbar Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous
- Brant Parker and Friends
Videos courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous and Helen Graham
Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey
Monday, March 11, 2019
Hamilton's Ronnie Copple Passes
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton musician Ronnie Copple, who died on March 6, 2019. Ronnie was a veteran artist who worked with the legendary King Biscuit Boy, Jack de Keyzer and many others. He was a familiar face at the Blues With a Feeling fundraisers where he'd play as people were coming in to the venue. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Check out this wonderful article from his former bandmate Doug Carter!
Links: Ron Copple, More Ron Copple Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
Previous (Bagpipe Day Videos) - - - Next (News Roundup)
Friday, November 9, 2018
News Roundup, Part 1: HBL 10th Anniversary Bash Edition
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| Photo courtesy of Leigh MacDonald |
Our Hamilton Blues Lovers 10th Anniversary Bash was a smashing success. The Corktown was packed and there was lots of amazing music. Thanks to all the performers, the Corktown, sponsors, companies who donated doors prizes and all those who attended. I would like to personally thank my wife, Linda for all her hard work in planning the show and during the event as well. I LOVE YOU LINDA!Also, we'd like to thank:
- Judy Marsales for her sponsorship and having me on her fabulous CHML radio show, Sold on Hamilton
- Graham Rockingham from the Hamilton Spectator for making us one of his best bets.
- snapd Hamilton for covering the event. Click here to see their photos.
- Ken Wallis for covering the event for his blog. Click here for the post.
Our good friend, Helen Graham took quite a few videos from the bash.
Here's a list of them with links:
- Trickbag w John Gibbard (Crowbar)
- Trickbag w Jerome Godboo
- Trickbag, Jerome, John and Sonny Del-Rio
- A look at the crowd
- Trickbag, Les Smith, Corey Lueck (Smoke Wagon Blue Band)
- Cootes Paradise: Video 1, Video 2
Links: Cootes Paradise, More Cootes Paradise Stories
- Trickbag, Jerome, Tim Gibbons
- Trickbag, Jerome, John
- Final Song: Crowbar's Oh What a Feeling w Trickbag, Jerome, John and Les
Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Crowbar, More Crowbar Stories, Jerome Godboo, More Jerome Godboo Stories,
Adventure of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey
Of course, Trebleclef was at the bash and he loved meeting everybody.
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Everyone who attended!
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THANKS!
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