Throwback Thursday: Blues With A Feeling 2009 Overview

Original Posts: June 1-8, 2009

Combined post: November 13, 2009

2009 featured the very first Blues With A Feeling event that HBL covered. BWF is done in honour of the late, legendary Hamilton Bluesman King Biscuit Boy.

The first part was a Blues showcase at the Corktown on June 5.

Here are the videos we took from that show: 

Links: More TNT Bluesmen Stories, More Big Joe Rhodes Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

• TNT Bluesman with Big Joe Rhodes
• Wayne Janus Band
• TNT Bluesmen
• Hammertones
• More TNT Bluesmen
• Jabu Jabu
• Post Downpour Squalling
• King Clancy

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This was followed by a fabulous show at the Leander Boat Club on June 6.

Videos:

Links: More Crowbar Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

• Crowbar
• Danny Lockwood Band
• Stingrays with Jesse O'Brien
• Chris Chambers Band
• More Stingrays
• Jesse O'Brien
• Crowbar with John Dickie

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Finishing up the festivities was the inaugural BWF Blues Cruise (June 7) featuring Trickbag and many wonderful guests. To top everything off Crowbar frontman Kelly Jay got married to Tammi G Rose on the boat! Unfortunately, both have since passed.

Videos (all ft Trickbag):

Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

• Kelly Jay & Tammi G Rose Wedding
• Corrina Corrina (ft Kelly Jay)
• Jonky Tonk Women
• Let the Good Times Roll (ft Sonny Del Rio)
• The Shape I'm In
• I Used to Be a Bad Boy (ft Kelly Jay)
• Reach Out

More Blues With a Feeling Stories

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Previous (Remembrance Day Videos) - - - Next (Canadian Grammy Nominations)

Hamilton's Shawn O'Halloran Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of the talented Hamilton musician, Shawn O'Halloran. He passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 . Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Click here for his obituary.

Shawn was a veteran of the area music scene and had played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, the Stingrays, Neon Moon, and was a celebrated solo act as well.

A word from Lou, our blogger

I was lucky enough to meet Shawn on a number of occasions and considered him a good friend. He was extremely friendly and humble plus had immense musical talent. I will miss him terribly.

There was lots of social media reaction to his passing. Here are a few examples. We will add more as we discover them.

Michael Hickey

I was glad to have played with him in Trickbag all those years ago...the original Trickbag. Paul and Donna...Larry and Lindsey Shawn and me....The last show I played with Shawn was a CD release show for his last recording...included in that band our friend Carl Horton....also not with us any more. So sad. My pal Michael J. Birthelmer had been working on a new CD of Shawn's...he was a good songwriter...that CD is almost done...so I'm told...you know something? sometimes life seems so unfair...mostly we font get a chance to say goodbye...but we do get to remember the music....rest Shawn...God Bless....

Bill Dillon

We'd just finished an album that he sang some backgrounds for, he did a beautiful job, what a gorgeous voice, such a lovely guy,, and I was to play on a track for Shawn's yet to be finished and mixed record.

A lifelong member of Hamilton's music community and dear close friend to so many left in shock today, we just turn around and they're gone. 

Thank you Shawn for your friendship, your fine example, and your gift to all.

There's a special place for you now, our hearts.

George Bakhuis (Neon Moon)

A sad day for NEON MOONERS. Shawn O'Halloran who was our bass player for a few years in NEON MOON passed away. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our condolences to Shawn's family and friends.

 James Anthony

He was the bass player in my Father in law Ernie Vargas band years ago and I played with him a few times also. Great guy. I wish I knew him better. I took him up to Gravenhurst once for a weeks gig.

Links: Shawn O'Halloran, More Shawn O'Halloran Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Blast from the Past: Shawn's Jumpin' the Gun on Mardis Grad Album Review

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The Stingrays with Lance Kiernan@Coach and Lantern (January 14, 2012)

The Stingrays singer/harp player Willie Leigh was under the weather that night so Lance Kiernan ably filled in (guitar, left)





More Bob Dylan Covers/Stories





Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories
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Previous (New Stingrays CD) - - - Next (Etta James Passes)

The Stingrays Debut CD: Hoodoo Man

Good rockin' Blues with no muss, no fuss is the best way to describe Hoodoo Man, the debut CD from local boys, the Stingrays.

The band tear into such timeless classics as My Babe, I Can't Be Satisfied, Key to the Highway, Dust My Broom, and many more. They have the energy and skills to do justice to these tantalizing tunes.

It's no wonder the guys can do an amazing job - members of the group have played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, and the Platters. You can hear all that experience throughout the disc (which is expertly produced by local veteran Michael J. Birthelmer)

You can pick up a copy at their live shows (they play the Coach and Lantern every Saturday afternoon).

Below is a video of one of the tracks from the CD. Check this blog for some live footage later on.



Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories

Stingrays @ Coach and Lantern (January 16, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.







Links: Stingrays - More Stingrays Stories

Drummer John "Babe" Myles Passes (Update)

Local drummer John "Babe" Myles passed away on Thursday, June 25th. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

He played many years with King Biscuit Boy, the Capris, the Chessman and the Stingrays.

Former bandmate, John LaRocca (Stingrays), said he was "one of the best blues drummers around"

NEW! Click here for Jamilton's in depth piece on Babe.