Our Final Performer of the Week: Harrison Kennedy

To finish up our series of Performers of the Week, we have decided to end it off with a legend, Harrison Kennedy.

This local bluesman started his musical career with the million-selling pop/soul group, the Chairmen of the Board in the late 60s. Harrison was with the band when they recorded their huge hit, Give Me Just a Little More Time.

When he went solo, Harrison changed his style from soul to blues. There's still a major element of soul in his music but now it's mixed in with Harrison's amazing country blues sound.

He released his first solo CD, Sweet Taste in 2003 and now has 3 other discs as well, including the recent smash, One Dog Barking.

His wonderful work has been nominated for Junos, Maple Blues Awards, and Hamilton Music Awards (he has won an HMA).





Links: His Site - Stream One of His Concerts From the CBC Site - More Harrison Kennedy Stories
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A message from the blogger:

Originally, the Performer of the Week series was started as a way to showcase artists that hadn't had much exposure on the blog.

Since then, the amount of live performance videos have increased and the number of artists getting noticed has gotten bigger as well.

I have decided to concentrate more on the live performances from now on.

Click here to check out all our past Performers of the Week

Performer of the Week: Dave Pomfret

Hamilton singer/songwriter Dave Pomfret has been performing some great music for years. In the mid-eighties he fronted the Munday Nuns with Mike Trebilcock (Killjoys). This incredible band won the Q107 Homegrown Contest in 1988.

A while back, Dave released his first solo CD, No Rush. He was joined by Trebilcock, Mary Simon, Aaron Goldstein and many others.

His personal music is an amalgam of folk, roots, rock and pop. Dave has a flair for catchy hooks and softer moments as well.

Currently, he runs a weekly Thursday night jam session at Rebel's Rock and plays in the area quite a bit. He's definitely worth checking out if you get a chance.

Links: Main Site - More Dave Pomfret Stories

Performer of the Week: Snow-Heel Slim

Hamilton's Snow-Heel Slim is definitely unique. With his incredible band, the Boogie Infection, he plays rockabilly and blues but with more of a raw/almost punk edge. If you're looking for something different, you should check him out.

Slim's also the guitar player for Ginger St. James' band, the Grinders.

There isn't much about Slim online but he let's his music do the talking.



Links: Boogie Infection MySpace - Snow-Heel Slim MySpace - Reverbnation - YouTube - More Snow-Heel Slim Stories

Performer of the Week: Shawn Brush

Despite his nickname (the Krooked Cowboy), local singer/songwriter Shawn Brush, is more than just country. This talented musician fuses country, folk, bluegrass and more. Combine this with passionate songwriting and skillful, expressive vocals and you have a unique performer.

You can hear his incredible songs on his many, many CD's or experience them at his occasional live shows.

At 14, he started playing the guitar at local jams. Since then, Shawn has won two Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards and teamed up with Fred J. Eaglesmith, Natalie MacMaster, Ray Materick and many others.



Links: Main Site - My Space (Shawn Brush) - MySpace (Krooked Cowboy) - More Shawn Brush Stories

Performer of the Week: JP Riemens

Local singer/songwriter JP Riemens is currently on break from live performing right now because he's preparing to unleash another great CD to the public (working title is Dirty Sunsets). It should be another in a long line of amazing albums.

Currently, the talented musician has 7 discs on sale at his web site, including a recent re-release of Songs From Mom's Kitchen, which was previously only available as a cassette (this should tell you how long it's been since the original pressing).

The sound on these albums and at his live shows consist mainly of folk/roots country with a lot of catchy rock and roll rhythms as well (He calls it "Acid Country"). Whatever you name it, JP's music can be soulful, tender, rocking, and much more. JP is a wonderful lyricist and storyteller as well.

He used those skills to good use with Tobacco Troubador, a unique production that combines his live performance with a theatre show.

On top of everything else, he's also a highly sought after producer and owner of Grant Avenue Studio.



Links - Main Site - MySpace - Facebook - More JP Riemens Stories

Performer of the Week: Tiny Bill Cody

Hamilton's Tiny Bill Cody (real name Tor Lukasik-Foss) is a musician whose music defies description. Jazz, Cabaret, Roots, Folk, Country and more have all found a home in his songs. Tor's wonderful, peculiar, humourous lyrics are also very unique and engaging.

He's been playing since the early 90's and has released 4 incredible CDs.

Music isn't his only talent as Tor is also a writer and visual artist.

Links: Main Site - MySpace - His Visual Art - More Tiny Bill Cody Stories

Performer of the Week: Ronnie and the Rockets

For over 17 years, Ronnie and the Rockets have supplied Southern Ontario with good old fashioned rock from the 50s and 60s. Their repertoire includes such classics as Only the Lonely, The Twist, One Fine Day, Great Balls of Fire and many more.

This amazing five-piece band, which includes Hamilton music legend Sonny Del Rio, are all talented music veterans. You can check them out soon as they'll be playing the Wellington Tavern on Jun 18-19.

If you go to any of their shows be sure to pick up their CD for only $10. They sold out of their first 45 rpm record in 1989 and their cassette in 1992. Get it before it's too late!



Links: Main Site - Their Tripod site - YouTube - More Ronnie and the Rockets Stories

Performer of the Week: Chris and Christa

Hamilton 's own Chris and Christa are a duo with a bright future ahead of them. The combination of Chris' incredible acoustic guitar work and Christa's amazing vocal range make for a wonderful musical experience.

Together, these two can handle rockers, ballads, folk tunes, and much more with style. Also, the lyrics behind the couple's originals are very poetic and beautiful, enhancing the quality of their work.

Currently, their only solo recording available is a sweet Christmas song from the latest Design Hope CD. Here's hoping there'll be a full length album release soon!

Links: MySpace - You Tube - More Chris and Christa Stories

Performer of the Week: King Biscuit Boy

In celebrate the Blues With a Feeling Fundraiser done in his honour (which runs this weekend), we are making the late, great King Biscuit Boy (Richard Newell) our performer of the week.

According to his Wikipedia entry, KBB reportedly started his career by stealing a harmonica from a Hamilton Mountain store. His love of music led him to play with many bands in the early 60s.

He performed with Ronnie Hawkins who fired the entire band, including KBB. This group came together to form Canadian music legends, Crowbar. After recording just one album, Official Music, he went solo.

His career included deals with Epic records, Juno nominations plus playing with Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker, and more. KBB was also the first Canadian Blues artist on the Billboard hot 100 charts, Rolling Stone Magazine called him "legendary" and his fans included Keith Richards and Paul McCartney.

Sadly, Richard passed away in January of 2003. Since then, the Friends of King Biscuit Boy organization have held a yearly Blues With a Feeling fundraiser in his honour. Proceeds go to a music scholarship fund at Mohawk College.

This great musician has left a legacy in both local, Canadian and international circles but at heart, he was just a Hamilton boy.

Links: Tribute Site - Wikipedia Entry - More King Biscuit Boy Stories

Performer of the Week: Max Wray

Hamilton singer/songwriter, Max Wray is an incredible performer who can add many modern elements to his folky music but still has one foot firmly planted in traditional sounds. His amazing voice, guitar work, and wonderful lyrics create a unique musical experience.

He studied as a jazz drummer at Mohawk College. After graduating, Max performed with numerous bands to gain experience and then began writing his own songs. His tunes are now front and centre at his great solo shows (which can also include cool cover tunes as well).

Max also follows more pop/rock path with his band, Follow the Fleet.

Links: MySpace - Facebook Fan Page - More Max Wray Stories

Perfomer of the Week: Lisa Winn

Hamilton born singer/songwriter Lisa Winn has one of the most beautiful voices around.

Her haunting vocals and incredible guitar work blend to make an amazing musical experience that encompasses folk, a little country, pop and rock.

Not only does she have a few CD's of great solo stuff but she's in high demand as a backup vocalist. Lisa has worked with local musicians such as Jacob Moon, Melissa McClelland, Jamie Oakes, Mike Trebilcock, Mary Simon and more. She has even recorded with the legendary Gordon Lightfoot.

Lisa and Melissa McClelland are also part of the Ladybird Sideshow, a group of four talented woman who released their debut CD, Live at the Orange Lounge in 2004. They currently tour across North America.

Links: Main Site - MySpace - Her CDs on CDBaby - More Lisa Winn Stories

Performer of the Week: Chris Chambers

Singer/Guitarist Chris Chambers is a young, energetic Hamilton performer with a lot of musical power.

He's opened for and played with Steve Earle, Crowbar, Trooper, Jack deKeyzer and more. Chris is also a festival mainstay in the Ontario area.

His sound is incredibly diverse. He can get funky, rock out, play great acoustic tunes, and sing soulfully when needed. On top of that, the guy even incorporates bits of jazz, delta blues and more.

According to Chris' web site, a new CD is in the works for this year. His 2007 self-titled release was incredible so this one should be amazing as well.



Links: Chris Chambers - More Chris Chambers Stories

Performer of the Week: Kevin Maclean Band

Local musician, Kevin Maclean has been rocking with his group the Kevin Maclean Band for a number of years now but they've recently added another success story to their impressive history.

After recording the impressive song, Gotta Be Dundas, for the town's bid to become this year's Hockeyville, Dundas won the competition! Way to go!

Kevin and the gang mix it up with straight ahead hard rocking, some modern flourishes, pop elements, and much more.

You can check out the band's great sound on 2 of their CD's: All the Good People and Second Chance. The latter has collaborations with Steve Strongman, Harrison Kennedy, and Tom Wilson.

If live music is more your thing, you can see them rock the Pheasant Plucker every Sunday night or check them out at many of their local gigs.



Links - Main Site - My Space - More Kevin Maclean Stories

Perfomer of the Week: Sarah Harmer

Burlington's Sarah Harmer is a singer/songwriter of great renown. She's been nominated for a number of Junos, made Time Magazine's best of year list, and achieved platinum sales. On top of that, Harmer's recorded vocals for Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea, Rheostatics, Bruce Cockburn, and many others. Quite a big list of accomplishments!

In the 80's and 90's she was a member of the Saddletramps and Weeping Tile. Her solo career began in 1998 and she's never looked back.

Harmer's incredible sound is alternative, poppy, folk-rock. Many of her songs also have wonderful touches of country, roots, and more.

Her newest CD, Oh Little Fire, will be unleashed on June 22, 2010 and it will surely be another great addition to her numerous achievements.

Links - Main Site - MySpace - Facebook Fan Page - More Sarah Harmer Stories

Performer of the Week: The Overplayers

Local folk rock group, the Overplayers are all about having a good time. Their songs are peppy, catchy and downright fun.

With an acoustic mix of pop, rock and folk, the Overplayers' music is a perfect alternative to the usual navel-gazing drudge out there. This is not a "joke band" though - the group's musicianship is superb. They perform both originals and covers with zeal.

You'll soon be able to check 'em out in the summer of 2010 as they'll be visiting the Whistling Walrus on a pretty much monthly basis starting on June 11. Check their MySpace page for exact dates.

Links: Main Site - MySpace - YouTube - Facebook

Performer of the Week: Crawlin' Kingsnakes

Legendary local roots rock group, The Crawlin' Kingsnakes, have been around since the mid 80s. The band released two classic studio CDs: Loaded 'N' Rollin and Go All Night.

Their music is good old fashioned hard rock & roll with a southern fried, roots base.

After playing and touring for almost a decade, the boys went their separate ways in 1995.

Luckily for Hamilton music fans, the band got back together in 2004 and recorded a live album: Rockin' the Casbah. The re-energized group now has a new bass player: Duke Foster and are currently recording a new disc entitled The Lost Years.

Links: Main Site - My Space - More Crawlin' Kingsnakes Stories

Our 50th Performer of the Week!: John Ellison

For our 50th Performer of the Week, we've decided to go with a legend: John Ellison.

He is the songwriting genius behind one of the biggest and most recorded soul songs of all time: Some Kind of Wonderful. The classic hit was first performed with his band Soul Brothers Six, where it reached the Billboard Top 100.

Born in Montgomery, West Virginia, Ellison currently resides in the Hamilton area where he still records and performs. He's also been recognized in his new hometown with a Hamilton Music Award nomination.

In addition to his amazing music, the singer spends time as a businessman running the Some Kind of Wonderful Food and Restaurant Companies.

Performer of the Week: David Battrick

There's not a lot about local axe-slinger and vocalist David Battrick online - just a really cool MySpace Page. It's there that you'll find 6 fabulous funky blues tunes.

David and his band, Mother Blue play good old fashioned soul, country and rockin' blues.

We hope he'll have more to share in the future.

Click here for more David Battrick stories.

Performer of the Week: Mary Simon

Hamilton Singer/Songwriter Mary Simon released her 5th CD, No More Maybes in April 2010.

Her version of folk rock is peppered with a lot of pop rhythms, alt-country and more. Mary's voice is amazing and her lyrics are well crafted.

You can pick up No More Maybes or her 4 other discs - including a live Christmas collection at her site.

Links: Mary Simon - MySpace - YouTube - More Mary Simon Stories

Performer of the Week: Kori Pop

Mount Hope Singer/Songwriter Kori Pop will be unleashing her debut CD, From the Outskirts in the spring of 2010.

The disc is sure to display her unique, haunting voice and modern folky sensibilities. Kori's sound incorporates some jazzy grooves and pop elements as well.

Every Tuesday night, you can check her out at the My Dog Joe cafe in Westdale.

Links: Main Site - Facebook - Reverbnation - YouTube




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