Saturday, October 1, 2016

Area Bassist Mark Potter Passes


Lester and the B Flats promo pic from early '90s
(left to right) Mark Potter, Bobby Hill , Paul Coombs and Lester Smith

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of area bassist Mark Potter.  Unfortunately, we do not have the details of his passing yet.  Years ago, he played with numerous local acts such as Lester and the B Flats (featuring Les Smith and Paul Coombs), Mike Branton and many others.  Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

We requested some comments from his former musical parteners:

Mike Branton: I have so many great memories of Mark. He was my right hand man for a number of years. He was a genuine soul with zero time for b.s., a gigantic heart and a sound that came directly from the source. He was as real as they come & I wish I could go back in time and play one more night w/ him,Bobby Hill on drums & Lester blowing harp. RIP Mr. Potter. I love you man.

Les Smith: Sad news...Mark Potter , a good friend and fantastic bass player has passed away. RIP Mark.

Paul Panchezak (Trickbag): Mark was a great bass player and an even greater human being.

Here is a band bio from the 1994 Mariposa Program Guide

Thursday, September 29, 2016

News Roundup (Jack de Keyzer, Andy Griffiths, John Marlatt, Buckwheat Zydeco)

Click pic for video

News

Local
Canada
World

                The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

                Trebleclef had his first visit to the wonderful Moonshine Cafe in Oakville.  It was a double birthday bash featuring Andy Griffiths and his band along with the bar owner, John Marlatt opening.


                Left to right: Lawrie Ingles, Lucio Agostini, birthday boy Andy Griffiths, Scott Apted, Justine Fischer


                Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous


                Treble at the front of the Moonshine with owner (and birthday boy) John Marlatt


                Links: John Marlatt, More John Marlatt Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

                  Previous (Niagara Music Award Winners)  - - - Next (Area Bassist Mark Potter Passes)

                  Wednesday, September 28, 2016

                  CONGRATS! 2016 Niagara Music Award Winners!

                  Cory Cruise's 4 Niagara Music Award  Trophies
                  Thorold Singer/Songwriter Cory Cruise was the big winner at the 9th Annual Niagara Music Awards.  He took home four trophies at the ceremony on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Battlefield Centre (United Church).

                  He had this to say on his Facebook Page: "I am SO honoured to have received 4 Niagara Music Awards tonight! Thank You my Friends! I feel truly blessed! I'm excited for you to hear my new songs!"



                  Links: Cory Cruise, More Cory Cruise Stories, Video above courtesy of CoryCruise

                  Other multiple winners include rockers Avenue Inn (3) and punk band The Maysides (2).

                  CONGRATS EVERYONE!

                  Click here for the Niagara Fall Review story

                  Here's a complete list of winners.
                  Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

                  Links: Niagara Music Awards, More NMA Stories

                  Previous (Harrison Kennedy Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Pennsylvania Blues Festival) - - - Next (News Roundup: Jack de Keyzer, Andy Griffiths, John Marlatt, Buckwheat Zydeco)

                  Tuesday, September 27, 2016

                  CONGRATS! Harrison Kennedy Receives Pennsylvania Blues Festival Lifetime Achievement Award

                  Pennsylvania Blues Festival
                  Howlin' Wolf caricature, symbol of the  Pennsylvania Blues Festival
                  Hamilton Blues Legend Harrison Kennedy has always had an amazing worldwide reputation.  Now, he was recently recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pennsylvania Blues Festival, where he performed September 17-18, 2016!

                  Hamilton commented on the win on his Facebook Page: "I'm happy to be able to do what I do, and my gratitude for this award is boundless ... USA ... USA ... hoo..Hoo!!

                  He also said, "Over the moon, getting the Lifetime Achievement Award from the good folks of the Pennsylvania Blues Festival ...felt like home!!!!"

                  CONGRATS HARRISON!

                  Blast from the Past: Harrison European Blues Award


                  Previous (Local Canadian Folk Music Award Nominees) - - - Next (Niagara Music Award Winners)

                  Monday, September 26, 2016

                  GOOD LUCK! Local Canadian Folk Music Award Nominees!



                  When the 12th Annual Canadian Folk Music Awards come to Toronto in December 2016, there'll be some local artists up for some trophies.

                  There are quite a few Hamiltonians (both old and new) nominated this year.  Ben Caplan (New/Emerging Artist), Whitehorse (Pushing the Boundaires, Ensemble), Matthew Barber and Jill Barber (Producers), Corin Raymond (Contemporary Album) and David Gillis (Producer - for his work with Corin). Waterloo's Danny Michel is up for the English Songwriter and Contemporary Singer categories as well.



                  Links: Matthew Barber and Jill Barber, More Jill Barber Music, More Matthew Barber Stories, Video above courtesy of Outside Music

                  Here's a complete list of nominees.

                  New/Emerging Artist
                  Young Performer
                  French Songwriter(s)
                  Aboriginal Songwriter(s)
                  World Group
                  World Solo Artist
                  Traditional Album
                  Traditional Singer
                  Instrumental Group
                  Instrumental Solo Artist

                    Previous (Logan Staats Wins Native American Music Award) - - - Next (Harrison Kennedy Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Pennsylvania Blues Festival) 

                    Saturday, September 24, 2016

                    CONGRATS! Brantford's Logan Staats Wins Native American Music Award!


                    Brantford singer/songwriter Logan Staats made his hometown of Brantford proud when he won the Debut Artist category at the 2016 Native American Music Awards. He recieved the trophy at the September 17, 2016 ceremony hosted by the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino Event Center in Salamanca, NY.



                    Links: Logan Staats, More Logan Staats Stories, Video above courtesy of januaryrogers

                    Alberta's Fawn Wood (who took home the Female Vocalist prize) was the only other Canadian winner (15 were nominated).



                    Links: Fawn Wood, Video above courtesy of Donnzz Noah

                    CONGRATS EVERYONE!

                    Here is a complete list of winners

                    Thursday, September 22, 2016

                    News Roundup (Max Hillier, Darin Martin, Shananigans, Petric)

                    LewisMerenstein.jpg

                    Van Morrison Producer Lewis Merenstein Passes

                    News

                    Local
                    World

                                The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

                                Trebleclef is resting up from all those wonderful festivals.  He'll be back in shape next week!

                                Featured Videos


                                Links: Max Hillier, More Max Hillier/Gatorbait Stories, Video above Courtesy of Max Hillier Trio


                                Links: Darin Martin, More Darin Martin Stories, Video above courtesy of Latent Image Studios


                                Links: Shananigans. More Shananigans Stories, Video above courtesy of ShananigansBand

                                  Previous (Local Toronto Independent Music Award Nominees)

                                  Wednesday, September 21, 2016

                                  GOOD LUCK! Tons of Local Nominees at 2016 Toronto Independent Music Awards


                                  There are quite a few local nominees at 2016's Toronto Independent Music Awards! They'll be up for some major hardware on Friday, September 30 at the Revival Bar in T.O.

                                  In the jazz categories, both Hamilton jazz sensation Brad Cheeseman Group and Erin Jazzman Monty Greig are up for Best Jazz Instrumental  and Best Jazz Vocal respectively.



                                  Links: Monty Greig, More Monty Greig Stories, Video above courtesy of Monty Greig

                                  Country music is also well represented with nods for Emma Elena Grace (Waterdown), Tianna Woods (Burlington), and Anthony Tullo (Oakville).  Emma's also in the running for Best Singer Songwriter.



                                  Video above courtesy of Anthony Tullo

                                  Other nominees include Hidden Roots Collective (ft Hamilton's Annie Sumi), Oakville's Ivy James, St. Catharine's indie band, Limestone Chorus, Rockwood singer/songwriter Wes Mason, Waterloo Flamenco guitarist Juneyt (2 nominations) and Port Colbourne duo Extreme Flute (2 nominations).



                                  Links: Hidden Roots Collective, More Annie Sumi Stories, Video above courtesy of Sudbury.com

                                  GOOD LUCK!

                                  Here's a complete list of nominees.

                                  Folk or Roots:
                                  Country:
                                  Jazz Instrumental:
                                  World:
                                  Music Video (Long List):

                                    International:
                                    • Gov
                                    • Caritos Plaza
                                    • Napkin
                                    • Holy Bouncer
                                    • The Recipe
                                      Adult Contemporary:


                                      Previous (Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Award Nominees) - - - Next (News Roundup: Max Hillier, Darin Martin, Shananigans, Petric)

                                      Tuesday, September 20, 2016

                                      GOOD LUCK! Vote in the 2016 Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Awards


                                      2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Awards. As always there are a number of musicians nominated in the Local Musician Band category and there are many other music-related  categories as well.  You can have your voice heard by voting! Deadline is Spetember 26, 2016 at 11:30pm.

                                      Here are the nominees for the Local Musician Band category:
                                      Other music related categories include Concert Venue, Festival, Live Entertainment Facility, Live Jazz Club, Live Music Bar/Lounge, Musical Instrument Store, Music Instructor, Music School, Radio Station, Record/CD Store New and Record/CD Store Used

                                      One of our wonderful sponsors Urban Hamilton Artists is also in the running for Print & Imaging Services

                                      We'd also appreciate a vote for our Blogger's workplace, the St. Charles Adult Education Centre in the Adult Education and Learning Centre categories.

                                      GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

                                      Click here for the results

                                      Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

                                      Links: Readers' Choice Awards, More Spec Readers' Choice Awards Stories

                                      Previous (Niagara Music Award Nominations) - - - Next (Local Toronto Independent Music Award Nominees)

                                      Sunday, September 18, 2016

                                      GOOD LUCK! 2016 Niagara Music Award Nominations


                                      Tuesday, September 27, 2016 will be a big night for the Niagara region.  The 9th Annual Niagara Music Awards takes place at Battlefield Centre (United Church) and there'll be a huge celebration of the local music scenes.

                                      Nominations were release a while back and the top nominee was Thorold singer/songwriter Cory Cruise with 8 nods.  St Catharines Rockers Savour The Moment are second with 7 nominations.


                                      Folk Artist:
                                      Country Artist:
                                      Adult Contemporary Artist:
                                      Female Vocalist:
                                      Male Vocalist:
                                      Original Song:
                                      Instrumental:
                                      Producer Of The Year:
                                      Engineer:
                                      Progressive Rock:
                                      Electronic Dance Music:
                                      Hip Hop Artist:
                                      Heavy Metal Artist:
                                      Punk Artist:
                                      Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

                                      Links: Niagara Music Awards, More NMA Stories

                                      Previous  (Country Music Videos: Cutler Boyd, Thomas St. Clair, Shine, Grand River Ramblers) - - - Next (Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Award Nominees)