Glenn Marais to Represent the Grand River Blues Society in the International Blues Challenge

Newmarket's Glenn Marais is going to Memphis to represent the Grand River Blues Society, He won the Road to Memphis Competition (Solo/Duo category) on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at the Brantford Polish Hall. His group, the Mojo Train went to Memphis last year to compete in the Band contest.

Links: Glenn Marais More Glenn Marais Stories, Video above courtesy of Bruce Hall

There was some fierce competition. Below are videos of the performances from that event.

Danny Boy Phelan

Madison Galloway

McKenna Moonah Blues Duo

Frank Cosentino

The Two Timers

Tim Bastmeyer

Links: International Blues Challenge, More IBC Stories

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Kitchener's Sean Pinchin on New Tim Bastmeyer CD

Kitchener's Sean Pinchin plays wonderful slide guitar as part of Tim Bastmeyer's All Star Blues Band on the latest incredible album.  This recording has an amazing, earthy vibe from start to finish.

Tim's enlisted quite an impressive group for this cool recording. Along with Sean, there's Julian Fauth (keys), Paul Reddick (harmonica), James Thomson (bass) and Cam de Laat (drums). 

Together, they've managed to mix in boogie and funk in to their marvelous Country Blues sound. Not surprising, considering the top-notch talent involved.

If you catch any of the groups live shows, be sure to pick up a CD.  You can also download it via iTunes.







Blast from the Past: Sean's CD - Rustbucket

Links: Tim Bastmeyer, More Tim Bastmeyer Stories, Sean Pinchin, More Sean Pinchin Stories, More CD Releases, Videos above courtesy of randallstaffordcook

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CONGRATS! Canada's Best Celebrated at Maple Blues Awards

The Best of Canadian Blues was on display for all to hear at  the Koerner Hall in Toronto on Monday, January 18, 2016. The 19th Annual Maple Blues Awards gala celebrated the immense talent this country has to offer.

Tom Bona of Kitchener band Soulstack and Toronto's Raoul and the Big Time  won the Drummer of the Year award.  Cambridge Bluesman Conor Gains received the coveted  $1000 Cobalt Prize for his song Leave it on the Line.

Links: Raoul and the Big Time, More R&TBT Stories,  Video above courtesy of RapChop2



Links: Conor Gains, More Conor Gains Stories, Video above courtesy of mYears100

The big winner of the night was Montreal's Steve Hill who took home 3 awards (Entertainer, Electric Act, Guitarist).  Blackie and the Rodeo Kings member Colin Linden earned two (Producer, Songwriter) as well.

Links: Steve Hill, More Steve Hill Stories, Video above courtesy of T-Bar

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Here's a complete list of winners:

• Drummer: Tom Bona (Soulstack, Raoul and the Big Time)
• Cobalt Prize ($1000): Conor Gains (runners up Cecile Doo-Kingue and Tim Bastmeyer)
• Entertainer: Steve Hill
• Acoustic Act: Big Dave McLean
• Male Vocalist: Matt Andersen
• Female Vocalist: Angel Forrest
• Piano or Keyboard Player: David Vest
• Horn Player: Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
• Bassist: Leigh-Anne Stanton (Wicked Grin)
• Songwriter: Colin Linden
• Recording/Producer: Colin Linden: Rich In Love/Producers: Colin Linden, John Dymond and Gary Craig
• Electric Act: Steve Hill
• New Artist or Group: Kirby Sewell Band
• International Artist: Buddy Guy
• Guitarist: Steve Hill
• Harmonica Player: Harpdog Brown
• Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement): Theresa Malenfant
• Blues Booster: Larry Kurtz

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Maple Blues Awards, More Maple Blues Awards Stories

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CONGRATS! Area Artists Shine in Blind Lemon Radio's Top 20 List

For the Canadian Blues community, Blind Lemon Blues Radio's Annual Top 20 Album List is a highlight of the year.  In January 2015, the results of public online voting were tallied and the favourites from 2014 were unveiled.

As always, many talented Blues musicians from our area were honoured.  Hamiltonians Andre Bisson (5), Jack de Keyzer (9) and Steve Strongman (15) all make appearances on the list.  Oshweken's Joel Johnson and Downchild (with members from the Niagara and Brant regions) earned the 17th and 18th spots respectively.

CONGRATULATIONS

Here is the full list as well as the honourable mentions

1. The MacKenzie Blues Band: Slam! Bam!
2. Bill Durst: Hard And Heavy
3. Wicked Grin: Shame On Me
4. Paul DesLauriers Band: Self Titled
5. Andre Bisson: Bad Scene
   
   
   
   Links: More Andre Bisson stories, Video above courtesy of Andre Bisson
   
   
6. Brian Cober: Austin Wired
7. Steve Hill: Solo Recordings Vol 2
8. Carolyn Fe Blues Collective: Bad Taboo
9. Jack de Keyzer: VooDoo Boogie
10. Angel Forrest: My Pleasure - Live Love
11. 24th Street Wailers: Wicked
12. MonkeyJunk: Tiger In Your Tank (Re-Issue)
13. Sunday Wilde: He Digs Me
14. Tim Bastmeyer and Jerome Tucker: Self Titled
15. Steve Strongman: Let Me Prove It To You
    
    
    
    Links: More Steve Strongman stories, Video above courtesy of Tasha Heart
    
16. Johnny Cox: Thin Blue Line
17. Joel Johnson: Blues Joose Vol. 2
18. Downchild: Can You Hear The Music
    
    
    
    Links: Downchild Blues Band, More Downchild Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues Music
    
    
19. Jerome Godboo: Sanctuary City
20. JW Jones: Belmont Boulevard

Honourable Mentions

• Harpdog Brown: What It Is
• Terry Whalen Band: Two Steps Forward
• Highway 125: Off The Floor
• Joe Murphy and The Water Street Blues Band: Testifyin

Blast from the Past: 2013 Winners

Links: Blind Lemon Blues Radio, More Blind Lemon Stories

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Area Musicians on Blues Underground Network's Best of the Year Lists

Local artists were a big part of the Blues Underground Network's best of 2013 lists.  The popular website listed Daddy Long Legs, Soulstack, Dan McKinnon and Andre Bisson as some of their favourites of the year. It also featured works produced by Jack de Keyzer and backed up by Steve Strongman and Mark McIntyre.

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!



Links: Daddy Long Legs, More Daddy Long Legs Stories, Video above courtesy of Dave Sloane



Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, Video above courtesy of Andre Bisson



Links: SoulStack, More Soulstack Stories, Video above courtesy of Soulstack

The complete list is below.

Canadian Blues Albums

1. Marshall Lawrence: House Call
2. Sunday Wilde: He Gave Me A Blue Nightgown
3. Daddy Long Legs: The Devil's In The Details
4. MonkeyJunk: All Frequencies
5. Sean Pinchin: Rust Bucket (featuring Mark McIntyre and Steve Strongman)
6. Holly and Jon: 1929: The Summit Sessions
7. Uncle Wiggly's Hot Shoes Blues Band: Still Burnin It Up
8. Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce: Got My Eye On You
9. Mark "Bird" Stafford: Live At The Delta
10. Al Lerman: Live At The Acoustic Grill

Canadian Blues Rock Albums

1. Chris Antonik: Better For You
2. Plain Dirty Blues Band: Slow Burn
3. Dan McKinnon: As Sharp As Possible (Produced by Jack de Keyzer)
4. Ross Neilsen Band: Resurrection
5. David Gogo: Come On Down
6. James Boraski & Momentary Evolution: Comin' Home (Produced by Jack de Keyzer)
7. Texarillo: Black Satin Blues
8. The Perpetrators: Stick 'Em Up
9. Jake Chisholm: Diamond In A Coalmine
10. Big Crush: Temptation

• Best Debut Album (Artist) (Canada): Dan McKinnon: As Sharp As Possible (Produced by Jack de Keyzer)
• Best Debut Album (Band) (Canada): Plain Dirty Blues Band: Slow Burn
• Best Rhythm & Blues Album:  Andre Bisson: Till The Real Thing Comes Along

USA Blues Albums

1. Studebaker John's Maxwell Street Kings: Kingsville Jukin
2. Granvil Poynter: Another Day Singing The Blues
3. Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King: Road Dog's Life
4. Chris James & Patrick Rynn: Barrelhouse Stomp
5. John Primer and Bob Corritore: Knockin' Around The Blues
6. Andy T - Nick Nixon Band: Drink, Drank, Drunk
7. Tail Dragger: Stop Lyin'
8. Little G Weevil: Moving"
9. Tip Of The Top: From Memphis To Greaseland
10. Matt Baxter and Jake Sampson: Haunted

USA Blues Rock Albums

1. Dudley Taft: Deep Deep Blue
2. Samantha Fish: Black Wind Howlin
3. Bobby Messano (Featuring Deanna Bogart): Welcome To Deltaville
4. Sean Chambers: The Rock House Sessions
5. Todd Wolfe Band: Miles To Go
6. Jason Elmore and Hoodoo Witch: Tell You What
7. Nuno Mindelis: Angels and Clowns
8. Mark Robinson: Have Axe - Will Groove
9. Too Slim And The Taildraggers: Blue Heart
10. Aaron Williams And The Hoodoo: Live Loud Harmony

• Best Debut Album (Artist) (USA): Granvil Poynter: Another Day Singing The Blues
• Best Debut Album (Band) (USA): Andy T - Nick Nixon Band: Drink, Drank, Drunk

International Blues Albums

1. Bottleneck John: All Around Man (Sweden)(Best European Album)
2. Hans Theessink: Wishing Well (Austria)
3. Craig Hughes: Losers And Bastards (Best UK album)
4. Laurence Jones: Thunder In The Sky (UK)
5. Bare Bones Boogie Band: Tattered and Torn (UK)(Best UK Blues Rock Album)
6. Danny Bryant: Hurricane (UK)
7. Jock's Juke Joint: Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3 (UK)
8. Crow Black Chicken: Electric Soup (Ireland)
9. Federal Charm: Federal Charm (UK)
10. Stevey Hay's Shades Of Blues (UK)

• Best Australian Blues Album: Mr. Black and Blues w Chris Wilson: Blow These Tracks - Live On The Blues Train
• Best Debut Album (Artist) (Europe): Noam Dayan: A Whole New Land (Isreal)
• Best Debut Album (Band) (Europe) & Best European Blues Rock Album: Pristine: Detoxing (Norway)
• Best Debut Album (Artist) (UK): Laurence Jones: Thunder In The Sky (UK)

Multi Genre Albums

1. Petey Hop: The Levee (USA)
2. John Pippus Band: Howl At The Moon (Canada)
3. Eric Bibb: Jericho Road (USA)
4. Moreland and Arbuckle: 7 Cities (USA)
5. Claude Hay: I Love Hate You (Australia)
6. Toronzo Cannon: John The Conquer Root (USA)
7. Jerome Tucker and Tim Bastmeyer: Jerome Tucker and Tim Bastmeyer (Canada)
8. Soulstack: Five Finger Discount (Canada)
9. The Communal Well: Under A Western Sky (France)
10. The Tilt: Howlin (USA)

• Best Live Blues Album:  Mr. Black and Blues w Chris Wilson: Blow These Tracks - Live On The Blues Train (Australia)
• Best Live Blues Rock Album: Aaron Williams And The Hoodoo: Live Loud Harmony (USA)
• Best Blues Tribute Album: Omar Dykes: Runnin' With The Wolf (USA)
• Best Finger Picking Style Album: Toby Walker: What You See Is What You Get (USA)
• Best Gospel Blues Album (Band): Dusty King James: Bound For Glory (USA)
• Best Blues Compilation Album (Tie): Jock's Juke Joint: Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3 (UK)/Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania: Blues From The Burgh 3 (USA)
• Best Blues/Blues Rock EP: Justin Saladino Band: Sometimes Called The Blues (Canada)
• Best Roots and Blues EP: Steve Hill: Solo Recordings Volume 1 1/2 (Canada)
• Best Roots and Blues Album: Steve Howell And The Mighty Men: Yes, I Believe I Will (USA)
• Best Roots/Rock Album: Don Ray Band: Kickstands Up (USA)
• Best Blues Instrumental Album: Andres Roots Roundabout: Three (Estonia)
• Best Rock Album: Black Angel: Pleasuredome (USA)
• Best Classic Rock Album: Brad Curtis and The SOME x 6 Band: The Devil's In My Pocket (Canada)
• Best Blues CD/DVD Combo: Murali Coryell: Live (USA)

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