Sunday, May 4, 2014

2014 City of Hamilton Arts Awards Nominees

Recently, the nominees for the 2014 City of Hamilton Arts Awards were unveiled.  Many deserving local artists (divided into Established and Emerging sections) are up for these prestigious accolades.  Winners will be announced at a FREE ceremony at Theatre Aquarius on May 29, 2014.

Of course, the music category would be of main interest to our readers and there are some amazing local musicians listed:

Established
Emerging
The Arts Administration category is also jam packed with nominees involved in the local music industry.

Established
Emerging
Click here for a full listing of the nominees. 

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Links: Hamilton Arts Awards, More Hamilton Arts Awards Stories

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Saturday, May 3, 2014

New James Anthony CD: Some People Get It

http://www.jamesanthony.ca/
Underneath the wonderfully retro cover of Burlington Bluesman James Anthony's latest CD, Some People Get It lies a great, vintage-style album.  Recorded analog to digital, it will take you back and rock you at the same time.

There's the classic boogie woogie of Who's Doing Who, to bop of Rockabilly Walk, the soulful tenderness of If You Love Me, the jazzy Date with the Blues and the acoustic stylings of Travelling in my Mind.  James and his co-horts do them all with class.

The veteran musician enlisted a great collection  of talented artists such as Les Smith (Trickbag), Bucky Berger, James Rasmussen, Bill Speer, Mike Doyle, Hailee Rose, Dan Munro and Bizzaro Donini.

You can pick up the CD at any of James's wonderful live shows.

Blast from the Past: James Anthony CD - On The Edge



Links: James Anthony, More James Anthony Stories, More Releases,  Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Previous (News Roundup w/Famous Framus, Barbarosa, Matt Storch, Ron Copple) - - - Next (Hamilton Arts Awards Nominees)

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

New Zilis CD: Sketches II

http://thezilismusic.bandcamp.com/album/sketches-ii
Searching for music that's a little off the beaten path?  Then check out Sketches II, the newest offering from Hamilton Rock band The Zilis.

The sound is unmistakably indie but beneath the modern exterior lies a heart of folk and blues.  The band manages to mix it all up into a wonderful, unique concoction.

Katie Bulley (vocals) and Parag Chakravarti (alto sax) lend the Zilis a hand with their amazing experiment.  The CD's also engineered by Carm Milioto of Live How You Live.

You can pick up this superb disc at their live shows or purchase it (as well as download) though the Zilis bandcamp page.

Videos below courtesy of the Zilis.







Links: The Zilis, More Zilies Stories, More Releases

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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Videos: James Street@Artword Artbar (April 27, 2014)

Written and directed by Ronald Weihs

Featuring Music by Mark McNeil and Ron Weihs

Performers: Charly Chiarelli, Jeremy Shand, Paula Grove, Valeri Kay, Gordon Odegaard, Ryan Sero

Click here if you can't see the videos









Blast from the Past: Mark McNeil CD: Shiny Things

Links: Mark McNeil, More Mark McNeil stories

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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Michael Keys Recognized by Blues Hall of Fame

Burlington piano man Michael Keys  was recently recognized as a Great Blues Artist from Canada by the Blues Hall of Fame.  He was also inducted as part of Toronto's Danny B Blues Band in the Master Blues Band category.

Other well-deserving members of the band (who also got individual distinction) include Mister Pentti "Whitey" Glan (drums), Brian Gauci (guitar) and Uli Bohnet (bass).

Congratulations to everyone!

Click here for the Burlington Post story.



Video above courtesy of Michael Keys



Video above courtesy of Donna Lee's Camera



Video above courtesy of Donna Lee's Camera

Blast from the Past: Michael Keys and Friends@Good Friday Jam 2010

Links: Michael Keys, More Michael Keys Stories

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Saturday, April 26, 2014

New Knife the Wolf Self-Titled EP (FREE DOWNLOAD)

http://knifethewolf.bandcamp.com/
St. Catharines band Knife the Wolf describe their sound as Folk, Punk and Blues in a Rock and Roll blender! Their incredible self-titled EP is certainly all that and more.

It has an unmistakable indie rock feel but the soul of the songs are clearly rooted in the singer/songwriter tradition.  Mandolins, banjos, lap steels, resonators and more team up electric guitar to create an eclectic but wonderfully cohesive sound.

This amazing band includes Everet Luciow, Cody Linthicum, Fergie Duncan, and Mark Hoerdt. Oakville's Jordan Rutledge and Arih Struger-Kalkman (who also recorded and mixed the EP) lend their impressive talents to the project as well.

You can download this great recording for FREE at their Bandcamp page.



Links: Knife the Wolf, More Releases, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Previous (News Roundup w James Cotton, Tia McGraff, Ryan Langdon, Blues River Man) - - - Next (Michael Keys Recognized by Blues Hall of Fame)

Thursday, April 24, 2014

News Roundup (Tia McGraff, Blues River Man, More)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u27-9llXY0w
Click picture for video

Local

Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Award Nominations

Local nominees:
  • Music Director Of The Year: Secondary Market: Paul Morris – HTZ-FM (St. Catharines)
  • On-Air Talent Of The Year: Secondary Market: Rick Hodge & Lori Love – 105.7 EZ Rock (St. Catharines)
  • Program Director Of The Year: Secondary Market: Wendy Duff – CHYM FM (Kitchener)
  • Station Of The Year: Country: Country 106.7 (Kitchener)
  • Station Of The Year: Medium Market: CHYM FM (Kitchener)/Country 106.7 (Kitchener)/HTZ-FM (St Catharines)
  • Station Of The Year: Mainstream AC: CHYM FM (Kitchener)/102.9 K-Lite (Hamilton)
  • Casino/Specialty Venue Of The Year: Niagara Fallsview Casino
  • Independent Distributor Of The Year: Sonic Unyon (Hamilton)

Featured Videos

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

New Billy J White EP: Damn Fool Thing to Do

http://www.emusic.com/album/billy-j-white/damn-fool-thing-to-do/14751100/
Burlington country boy, Billy J. White's  recent EP, Damn Fool Thing to Do is a damn fine recording.  Packed with no-nonsense, powerful country rock - it'll get your up off your chair and onto the dance floor.

This is working man's music at its best.  There's a good time, party vibe throughout the EP.  Billy and the gang do slow it down a bit for the lovely ballad, What Heart Can Do. After that, it ends off with a bang thanks to the closer, Saturday Night - the most rockin' of the  bunch.

Billy's assembled quite a team to work on the tunes: Jerry Adolphe, Dennis Marcenko, Darren Savard, Tom McKillip, Mike Sanyshyn, John Ellis, Darryl Havers and Gord Maxwell.

So go ahead and grab a disc by going to his online store or download it though eMusic or iTunes

Videos below courtesy of Billy J White







Links: Billy J. White, More Releases

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