CONGRATS! Local Artists on CBC's Best 50 Canadian Albums of 2015 List

CBC recently released their picks for the Best 50 Canadian Albums of 2015.  Four local luminaries were on this prestigious list!

St. Catharines' City and Colour even made the Top 10 (number 9) with his latest album, If I Should Go Before You.  Three Hamilton artists followed soon after: Ben Caplan's Birds With Broken Wings (12), Terra Lightfoot's Every Time My Mind Runs Wild (33) and Whitehorse's Leave No Bridge Unburned (46)

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Links: City and Colour, More City and Colour Stories, Video above courtesy of City and Colour



Links: Terra Lightfoot, More Terra Lightfoot Stories, Video above courtesy of The VergeOnline



Links: Whitehorse, More Whitehorse Stories, Video above courtesy of Six Shooter Records 

Here is the Top 10:

1. We Are the City: Above Club
2. Justin Bieber: Purpose
3. Alessia Cara: Know-It-All
4. Grimes: Art Angels
5. Kardinal: Kardi Gras Vol. 1
6. Half Moon Run: Sun Leads Me On
7. Majical Cloudz: Are You Alone?
8. Corb Lund: Things That Can't Be Undone
9. City and Colour: If I Should Go Before You
10. Dralms: Shook

Blast from the Past: CBC's Top Canadian Songs Ever

Links: CBC, More CBC Lists

---

Previous (2015 in Review) - - - Next (News Roundup: Gillian Nicola, Wicked Grin, Blues Time)

2015: Year in Review

2015 was an amazing year for local music.  Hamilton received official designation as the Blues Capital of Canada.  The Hamilton Blues Lovers Blog also won it's first Hamilton Music industry Award.  This was also the year that we introduced Trebleclef, our music-lovin' mascot. His travels took him across the region as he met wonderful musicians and supporters of live music.

On a sad note, we lost a number of local luminaries such as John Hess (harmonica player), Billy Berman (Rick and the Krickets bassist), Bill Powell (Festival of Friends founder), Tony Rush, Steve Tom (Daddy Long Legs bassist), Hamilton music supporter Bill Kerr and pianist Harry McDade.  Canadian musicians Ron Hynes, Buddy "The Bear" Armstrong and Peter "Sab" Sabourin passed away in 2015 as well.

On the international front, one of the biggest Blues men of all time, BB King died. Others losses included Cory Wells (Three Dog Night), Smokin' Joe Kubek, Ornette Coleman, Clark Terry , and Kim Fowler (Producer/Writer/Musician).

Most Popular Blog Posts

• Steve Toms (Daddy Long Legs) Passes
• Hamilton Music Award Nominations
• New Roly Platt Album w Steve Strongman and Jordan John
• Hamilton Music Industry Award Nominees
• Hamilton Music Industry Award Winners

Other Highlights of the Year

• Local Juno Winners
• Local Artists on Blind Lemon's Top 20
• City and Colour teams up with P!nk on You+Me
• First Annual Hammer Blues Awards
• Charity Brown Wins Mel Brown Award
• Troy Harmer Wins Randy Bachman Guitar Solo Contest
• Area Musicians Win CMAO Awards
• City and Colour plus Tim Hicks win SOCAN Awards

Our Top 3 Reviews

• Roly Platt Album w Steve Strongman and Jordan John
• Hailee Rose EP
• New Scott Merritt CD

Our Top 3 Videos 

Spencer Mackenzie, Jack de Keyzer, Neil Nickafor, Steve Barnes & Bill Holinaty cover Dylan
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Sunday, November 1, 2015

Links: Spencer MacKenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Jude Johnson and Friends: Jingle Bells @ Hamilton Hometown Christmas at Bay City Music Hall #HamOntMusic #HamOnt Carl Horton, Paul Panchezak, Wayne Krawchuk, Sonny Del-Rio, Lily Sazz - Musician, Mark Volkov, Mike Malone
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Saturday, December 19, 2015

Links: Jude Johnson, More Jude Johnson Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Shawn Brush covers Daniel Lanois's The Maker w Mark Foley and Harry White #BurlOnMusic #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Links: Shawn Brush, More Shawn Brush Stories, More Daniel Lanois Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Here's to an ever better 2016!!!!

Blast from the Past: 2014 in Review

---

Previous (Christmas Pics w Trebleclef) - - - Next (Local Artists on CBC's Top 50 Canadian Albums of 2015 List)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From Trebleclef and the HBL Family!

Click here for more Holiday Pics with Trebleclef

---

Previous (Hamilton Hometown Christmas, Part 2) - - - Next (2015: Year in Review)

Hamilton Hometown Christmas! Part 2!

Click here for more pictures from the event (including lots with our little monkey)

On December 6, 2015. Sonny Del-Rio's 15th Annual Hamilton Hometown Rock and Roll Christmas Show came to the Bay City Music Hall.  Some of the best musical talents from the Hammer were on hand to  help raise money for charity.

Click here for Part 1 of the videos.

Here are some videos from that amazing show!

Cootes Paradise: Unnecessarily Mercenary @ Hamilton Hometown Christmas, Bay City Music Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic Sue Leonard Lily Sazz Wayne Krawchuk Amy Di Nino Mark Volkov and Ian Taylor
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Sunday, December 20, 2015

Cootes Paradise is a local supergroup featuring Sue Leonard (solo, Leonard Burns and Dell), Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation, Trailblazers), Wayne Krawchuk (aslo, ex Banned from Heaven), Amy DiNino (Cindy Dell Band), Mark Volkov and Ian Taylor.  This was their live debut!

Links: Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Jude Johnson, Sonny Del-Rio, Mike Malone, Paul Panchezak, Carl Horton: Silver Bells @ Hamilton Hometown Christmas, Bay City Music Hall #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Sunday, December 20, 2015

Links: Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Jude Johnson, More Jude Johnson Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lou

If you like these videos, please click below to donate to Spec Kids Charities

---

Previous (Hamilton Hometown Christmas Videos, Part 1) - - - Next (Christmas Pics w Trebleclef)

Hamilton Hometown Christmas! Part 1!

Click here for more pictures from the event (including lots with our little monkey)

On December 6, 2015. Sonny Del-Rio's 15th Annual Hamilton Hometown Rock and Roll Christmas Show came to the Bay City Music Hall.  Some of the best musical talents from the Hammer were on hand to  help raise money for charity.

Here are some videos from that amazing show!

The Smoke Wagon Blues Band: Candy Cane Swing Bay City Music Hall for the Hometown R&R Christmas #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Thursday, December 17, 2015

Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Sonny Del-Rio and the 5 Star Revue: Fat Ass Blues @ Hamilton Hometown R&R Christmas Bay City Music Hall #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Friday, December 18, 2015

Links: Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Jude Johnson and Friends: Jingle Bells @ Hamilton Hometown Christmas at Bay City Music Hall #HamOntMusic #HamOnt Carl Horton, Paul Panchezak, Wayne Krawchuk, Sonny Del-Rio, Lily Sazz - Musician, Mark Volkov, Mike Malone
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Saturday, December 19, 2015

Links: Jude Johnson, More Jude Johnson Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

Cootes Paradise: Hamilton Hometown Rock and Roll Christmas @ Bay City Music Hall #HamOnt #HamOntMusic Sue Leonard Lily Sazz Wayne Krawchuk Amy Di Nino Mark Volkov and Ian Taylor
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Saturday, December 19, 2015

Cootes Paradise is a local supergroup featuring Sue Leonard (solo, Leonard Burns and Dell), Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation, Trailblazers), Wayne Krawchuk (aslo, ex Banned from Heaven), Amy DiNino (Cindy Dell Band), Mark Volkov and Ian Taylor.  This was their live debut!

Links: Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

If you like these videos, please click below to donate to An Instrument for Every Child!

---

Previous (News Roundup: Bill Dillon, Joel Johnson Band, Dwayne LaForme) - - - Next (Hamilton Hometown Christmas, Part 2)

News Roundup (Bill Dillon, Joel Johnson Band, Dwayne LaForme)

News Roundup will be on Christmas break.  It'll return Jan 7, 2016!

Merry Christmas, click above for a bonus Christmas video by Trickbag

---

News

Local

• Barbershop Podcast w Bill Dillon
  
  
  
  Links: More Bill Dillon Stories, Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
• New Hamilton Regional Songwriters Group 
• Reviews: MonkeyJunk, Ben Caplan
• Hamilton Harmonica Master John Hess Passes

Canada

• Dec 2015 Issue of Maple Blues

World

• Blues Music Award Nominations

---

The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef checked out his good friends Trickbag at Brando's in Brantford.

Click here for more pictures of this event

-------------------

He made another visit to Hamilton's Jet Hall to catch the Joel Johnson Band w special guest Dwayne LaForme.

Click here for more photos of the event

Joel Johnson Band (Steve Pelletier & Chris Nemeth) w Dwayne Laforme: Hoochie Coochie Man #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Saturday, December 12, 2015

Dwayne Laforme w the Joel Johnson Band (Steve Pelletier & Chris Nemeth) @ The Jet Hall #HamOntMusic #HamOnt
Posted by Hamilton B. Lous on Sunday, December 13, 2015

Links: Joel Johnson, More Joel Johnson Stories, Dwayne LaForme, More Dwayne LaForme Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

---

Previous (Colin Cripps Produces Track on New MonkeyJunk Album) - - - Next (Hamilton Hometown Christmas Videos, Part 1)

Hamilton's Colin Cripps Produces a Track on Incredible New MonkeyJunk Album!

Ottawa's award-winning blues band, MonkeyJunk looked to the Hammer when choosing a producer for one of the tracks on their incredible new album, Moon Turn Red (released though Stony Plain). Hamilton's Colin Cripps (ex-Junkhouse, ex-Crash Vegas, Blue Rodeo) lent his substantial production talents to one of the hardest rockin' tracks.

The tune in question is MonkeyJunk's thunderous cover of David Wilcox's Hot Hot Papa.  The legendary David Wilcox himself lent his substantial axe skills to the song.

The rest of the album is equally powerful and funky.  These boys can really turn up the juice and make everything all swampy and bluesy.  They also manage to infuse a lot of substance musically and lyrically.  Also, listen for Big Sugar's Gordie Johnson playing the organ on the fabulous Love Attack.

You can pick up this energetic Cd at the band's live shows or via the  Stony Plain online shop.  It's available through iTunes too.








Links: MonkeyJunk, More MonkeyJunk Stories, Videos above courtesy of MonkeyJunk, More Releases

---

Previous  (Local YouTube Videos) - - - Next (News Roundup: Bill Dillon, Joel Johnson Band, Dwayne LaForme)

Videos by Will Gillespie, Andy Griffiths and Shawn Brush

Links: Will Gillespie, More Will Gillespie Stories,  Video above courtesy of Will Gillespie



Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories, Video above courtesy of Andy Griffiths, More Beatles Covers/Stories



Links: Shawn Brush, More Shawn Brush Stories, Video above courtesy of Greg Hayes

---

Previous (New Ben Caplan Album)

New Album from Hamilton's Ben Caplan is Unpredictable and Immensely Enjoyable!

Halifax (but Hamilton-born) singer/songwriter Ben Caplan has sculpted an unpredictable and immensely entertaining album with Birds With Broken Wings (via Coalition Music).  You never know what he'll be hitting the listener with but they'll love it!

It has a mainly a wonderful vaudeville meets gypsy music vibe.  Ben is a man of many vocal style - he growls though a few numbers but then gets smooth and soulful just to prove he can.  Bits of folk, jazz, lounge music, new age and more just float smoothly across these unique songs.

If you're looking for something different, pick up a CD at his live shows or through his online shop (though they are currently out of stock).  You can also download it using iTunes.





Blast from the past: Ben Wins East Coast Music Award

Links: Ben Caplan, More Ben Caplan Stories, Videos above Ben Caplan, More Releases

---

Previous (Hamilton Harmonica Master John Hess Passes) - - - Next (Local YouTube Videos)

Hamilton Harmonica Master John Hess Passes

We are saddened to report that local harmonica player extraordinaire John Hess passes away on December 10, 2015.  He frequently played open stages throughout the Hamilton area and had played with many local musicians.  Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Tom Finochio is planning a jam in his memory on Sunday, December 13 from 3 to 9 at Rebel's Rock in Hamilton.

There were a lot of comments on social media:

Ian Andrews:
John, I thank you for the music we shared and the times we had, the stages we shared as well as the laughs and most ridiculous puns we could come up with. You always supported my music endeavors and came to every jam I've ever had. It hurts the most that I had put my busy schedule before coming to visit you in the hospital and that we never did get a chance to hang out and record - I know damn well there was ample opportunity for it. I'm sorry John, and one day down the road you and I are gonna cut that record we talked about, but for now... Rest in peace my blues brother. Everytime I hear a harp, I'll never forget...

Wayne Janus:

John was a true gentleman and he will remain close to our hearts and thought of often. Blessings to you Dear friend. W.Janus

Troy Harmer:
Hamilton lost another charismatic and dedicated blues musician this week. He was always polite, kind, helpful and positive. Every Sunday up until he got sick, he would be at the open mic I hosted with the Persuaders at the Brown Barrel. Often times he would already be there set up with his amp and harmonicas ready to go before the band arrived. We will miss you my friend.

Song above courtesy of Richard Bone

---

Previous (News Roundup: Pretty Archie, Bonnie Hamilton. Wendy Lynn Snider) - - - Next (New Ben Caplan Album)