The incredible Hamilton band Garnetta and Dagroovmasters is heading to the 2023 in Memphis! The gang'll be competing against the best Blues acts from across the globe. They'll be showing the world what the Hammer can offer.
We should also mention that unfortunately Bywater Call, who won the Grand River Blues Society band spot for 2023 can no longer make it to Memphis so Hamilton's Frank Cosentino Band will be going in their place.
October 5, 2020 - The Toronto Blues Society (TBS) is extremely excited to announce that Mike Nagoda and The Spectrum Blues Band is the winner of this year’s edition of the annual Talent Search.
After narrowing the field to six finalists who showcased on Sunday, October 4th, and after careful deliberations, the jury selected Mike Nagoda and The Spectrum Blues Band as the champion, with Josh Ritchie as the first runner-up, and Madison Galloway as the second runner-up.
"Six solid and diverse performers graced the stage at Bar Twelve 16 in Etobicoke but the judges managed to select Mike Nagoda as the deserving talent on this rainy Sunday!", said TBS President Derek Andrews. "The new venue was forced to move the show indoors due to cold weather and a strong TBS team delivered a rare live event for the physically distanced gathering. We look forward to supporting Mike with his package bounty!"
"This year’s 6 finalists of the TBS talent search were all of fine caliber. Each one delivering unique Blues performances that had the fans & judges smiling in delight & tapping their toes. It was not an easy task for the judges to select a winner but their unanimous selection was made", said TBS Vice President Lucie Dufault. "Congratulations to Mike Nagoda & The Spectrum Blues Band, the winner of the 2020 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search."
Mike Nagoda and The Spectrum Blues Band takes home a professional development package that includes:
Finalists will appear in a showcase on Sunday, October 4th between 3-6pm at Bar Twelve 16 (1603 Queensway) in Etobicoke. The event is free and open to public. Seating is required due to COVID-19 and health & safety measures will be in place.
Now in its 25th year, the TBS Talent Search seeks, celebrates, showcases and incubates talented bluesmakers from across the region. The artists vie for a jam-packed professional-development package including festival gigs, mentorship meetings, studio time, graphic design and much more!
“We are very happy, against formidable odds, to be offering a live music experience continuing the legacy of the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search. We hope we can continue to be a springboard for these emerging artists!", says Derek Andrews, President of the Toronto Blues Society.
Toronto Blues Society's annual partner for the Talent Search, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival's Artistic Director Josh Grossman notes, "For the past several years, Toronto Downtown Jazz has been pleased to host the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Finals at the annual TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Although that wasn’t possible this year, we are pleased to continue to support the Finals by offering the winning a band a performance spot at the 2021 TD Toronto Jazz Festival. We look forward to hosting the Finals at the Festival again next year!"
The winning artist will take home a massive professional development package including:
Please Note: The event will take place outdoors. Stage and some parts of the guest seating area is covered. Max seating capacity of the venue is 100 and subject to change regarding the shifting nature of Ontario's social gathering restrictions. Bands will perform on stage, behind a plexiglass. RSVP in advance by phoning 416-251-1216 is highly encouraged. Parking is available and the kitchen of the venue is not yet licensed, but there will be BBQ food on the patio for patrons to purchase.
Adventure of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey Trebleclef always has fun every year at the Blues With a Feeling fundraiser! This year was no exception as he got to check out Trickbag, Mick Hayes, the legendary Crowbarand more.
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.
On Saturday, June 24, 2017, rockin' Guelph singer/songwriter Dan McKinnon will be hitting the stage at this year's Toronto Blues SocietyTalent Search. Part of the Toronto Jazz Festival, the contest happens at the OLG Stage on Cumberland St. from 12-4pm. The winner will earn spots at various Blues festivals, mentoring, marketing help, cash and more!
The big winner was Toronto's Michael Schatte who'll get $1,000, festival performance spots, a professional photo shoot, recording time, rehearsal time, mentorship and more. First runner up was Montreal band, Whisky Legs.
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