Sunday, May 4, 2025

National Cartoonist Day

Update of 2012 Post






Click here for more of our Cartoons

Local Cartoonists:
Please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com if you know of any other cartoonists that should be on our list.

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World Laughter Day Videos by Jackie Washington, The Frantics, Sons of Butcher

Links: Jackie Washington, More Jackie Washington Stories, Video above courtesy of Jackie Washington - Topic

Links: The Frantics, Video above courtesy of The Frantics

Links: Sons of Butcher, More Sons of Butcher Stories, Video above courtesy of Sons of Butcher

More Laughter Day Videos


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Friday, May 2, 2025

Living Blues Award Nominees Including Local & Canadian Artists (Vote - Deadline is June 15)

Living Blues Magazine recently announced their 2025 award nominees. Former Burlington resident Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne got the nod for two awards. Canadians Sue Foley and the Blackburn Brothers are also in the running for 3 and 1 awards respectively. A number of artists signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records are on the list as well.

The public can vote here. You can also write in nominees if you'd like. Deadline to vote is June 15, 2025)

Below is a list of nominees. Canadian Artists are bolded.

* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)

  • Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington) *
  • Roosevelt Purifoy
  • Victor Wainwright
  • Eden Brent
  • Marcia Ball
  • Anthony Geraci
  • Ben Levin
  • Mitch Woods
  • Dave Keyes
  • Bruce Katz

Best Blues Album of 2024 (New Recordings)

  • Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington): Ooh Yeah!*
  • Sue Foley (Ottawa): One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar *
  • Eric Bibb: In the Real World *
  • Rick Estrin and the Nightcats: The Hits Keep Coming
  • Shemekia Copeland: Blame It on Eve
  • John Primer & Bob Corritore: Crawlin' Kingsnake
  • Cedric Burnside: Hill Country Love
  • Benny Turner: BT
  • The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra Featuring Willy Jordan: What Are You Waiting For?
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks: Blues in My DNA
  • Jerron Paxton: Things Done Changed
  • Chris O'Leary: The Hard Line
  • Jontavious Willis: West Georgia Blues
  • Zac Harmon: Floreada's Boy
  • Guy Davis: The Legend of Sugarbelly
  • Toronzo Cannon: Shut Up & Play!
  • Sugaray Rayford: Human Decency
  • Tinsley Ellis: Alligator Records

Blues Artist of the Year (Female)

  • Sue Foley (Ottawa) *
  • Rory Block*
  • Shemekia Copeland
  • Irma Thomas
  • Kat Riggins
  • Rhiannon Giddens
  • Candice Ivory
  • Anne Harris
  • Anna Popović
  • Vanessa Collier

Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)

Blues Band of the Year

  • The Blackburn Brothers (Toronto)
  • Southern Avenue
  • The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
  • Altered Five Blues Band
  • Chicago Blues Lifters
  • Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band
  • The Phantom Blues Band
  • Mississippi Heat
  • The Bo-Keys
  • The Nighthawks

Blues Artist of the Year (Male)

  • Eric Bibb*
  • Taj Mahal*
  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
  • Bobby Rush
  • Mr. Sipp
  • Bob Corritore
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks
  • John Primer
  • Cedric Burnside
  • Rick Estrin

Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)

Most Outstanding Blues Singer

  • Shemekia Copeland
  • Valerie June
  • Sugaray Rayford
  • Mavis Staples
  • Diunna Greenleaf
  • Oscar Wilson
  • John Németh
  • Alabama Mike
  • William Bell
  • Jerron Paxton

Best Live Performer

  • Bobby Rush
  • Shemekia Copeland
  • Rick Estrin
  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
  • Cedric Burnside
  • John Primer
  • Mr. Sipp
  • Southern Avenue
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks
  • Anne Harris

Best Blues Album of 2024 (Reissue Recordings)

  • Pat Hare: I'm Gonna Murder My Baby: In Session, 1952–1960
  • B.B. King: Live in Japan
  • John Lee Hooker: Burning Hell
  • Various Artists: I'm Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958–1981
  • Various Artists: Home of the Blues (Don't Stop Lovin' Me): The Lost Masters Vol. 1, 1960–1962
  • Roy Brown: Rocks
  • T-Bone Walker: T-Bone Blues
  • Skip James: Today!
  • Albert King: Live Wire / Blues Power
  • Ray Charles: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Community Votes Hamilton 2025 - Deadline is May 18


From April 16 to May 18, citizens of the Hammer can cast a ballot in Community Votes Hamilton 2025.

Below are the music-related nominees.

Local Band

Live Entertainment

We'd also appreciate a vote for one of our incredible sponsors, Judy Marsales Real Estate


Previous (Throwback Thursday: Mel Brown Passes) - - - Next (Living Blues Award Nominees)

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Throwback Thursday: Mel Brown 1939-2009 R.I.P.

Original Post: March 23, 2009

Updated Post: May 1, 2025



Canadian Blues legend, Mel Brown passed away on March 20, 2009.

Click here for the CBC news story

He  received an honourable mention at a recent session of the House of Commons.

Harold Albrecht member of parliment for Kitchener/Waterloo - Conestoga discussed Mel's influence on the local music scene and his incredible work.

Here is the transcript:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who played a key role in developing Waterloo region's music scene.

In the late 1980s, Mel Brown relocated to Kitchener, Ontario after a long career playing guitar for some of the biggest names in music. Willie Nelson, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Bobby Bland and Waylon Jennings are just a few.

Mel's arrival put our community on the music map. It was common for blues greats like B.B. King to show up unannounced just to share a stage with Mel.

When blues great Buddy Guy last played in Kitchener, he said, “It's just you, me and B.B. left now”. At the annual Kitchener Blues Festival, talent from around the world looked forward to the private event where Mel played for the musicians and volunteers.

Mel Brown died in St. Mary's Hospital on March 20. He leaves behind his wife and musical partner, Miss Angel, two children, seven grandchildren and tens of thousands of fans.

Today we mourn the loss of Mel Brown, even as we celebrate his life and legacy. To those who loved him, our hearts are extended.

Links: Mel Brown, More Mel Brown Stories, Video above courtesy of Dimitris Koutsiaftis

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Thursday, April 24, 2025

Community Votes Burlington 2024 Winners

Earlier this year, Community Votes Burlington announced their 2024 winners, which were voted on by the citizens of the city.

Below are the music-related winner. Click here for the full list.

Local Band

Live Entertainment


Previous (Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman - Blues in Colour) - - - Next (Jazz Day Videos)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman: Blues in Colour

Original Post: March 23, 2009
Updated Post: April 24, 2025


Update: the album was later re-released by Stony Plain Records

Local blues musician, Steve Strongman has released his latest album, Blues In Colour. The recording  includes Alec Fraser on bass and Dave King on Drums. It features catchy hooks, acoustic ballads and a cover of Freddie King's Woman Across the River.

"I am really proud of this CD and can't wait for you to hear it," Strongman said.

You can stream the album below