Throwback Thursday - The Acoustics 'Forever and a Day' Gets Noticed (2009)

Original post: January 24, 2009

Updated: August 6, 2026

Forever and a Day, the instrumental album by Hamilton folk/roots group, the Acoustics, got a bit of notice in 2009

From their blog entry:

It is with great pride and joy to share the news that The Acoustics have just been nominated for a JPF Music Award for World Album of the year 2009, for our CD, 

JPF (Just Plain Folks Music Organization) is a community of over 51,500 Songwriters, Recording Artists and Music Industry Professionals — and host to the world's largest independent music awards

The Acoustics, the only Canadian artists to be nominated in this category. Not bad, eh!!!

Hoping for the best!

Ciao for now

Alfonso

Update from their Myspace Blog

Unfortunately we did not win the award for World Album of the year. However for what it’s worth we came in 2nd place! Second out of ten nominees is not bad.

Links: Acoustics, More Acoustics Stories, Album above courtesy of The Acoustics - Topic

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The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.

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Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day Videos by the Vaudevillian

Update of 2020 Post 

Every July 31, we celebrate Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day.









Links: The Vaudevillian, More Vaudevillian Stories, Videos above courtesy of The Vaudevillian

Click here for more Uncommon Instrument Videos

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Ken Wallis is an amazing local music supporter. He has a great radio show

Tuesdays: 4-5:30pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM 

Now on-demand at Mixcloud

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From their website: The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The Campaign aims to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.

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Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman in 2009

From March 19, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.

Click above to enlarge

Original posts: January 24, 2009, October 10, 2009

Updated Post: July 23, 2026

Hamilton Bluesman Steve Strongman had a great year in 2009

Here are a few highlights

• Released album, Blues in Color 
• The album Blues in Color was the only Canadian disc to enter Roots Music Report's Top 20 list for the week of July 10, 2026
• Opened for Buddy Guy
• Was the surprise opening act for legend Joe Cocker.
• Up for a Maple Blues Award
• Started recording Live DVD in West Lincoln Barn
• Won a Hamilton Music Award

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

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Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends is a Remarkable Album

Mini-Review: Toronto's Johnny Max surrounds himself with oodles of talented artists from the Hamilton & Niagara areas for his latest remarkable album. Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends, is packed with a Blues sounds:  boogie-woogie, jazz, soul, funk, country-flavours, and more. This is all blended in to Johnny's trademark down to earth stylings and lyrics.

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music

Main Band

• Johnny Max - Lead Vocals, Producer
• Jim Casson - Drums & Percussion, Producer
• Mitch Lewis - Guitars
• Dylan Wickens - Guitars
• Steve Goldberger - Bass
• Bill Evans - Keyboards

Guests

• Neil Chapman - Guitar 
• Jay Burr - Tuba
• Quisha Wint - Vocals
• Suzie Vinnick - Vocals
• Wayne Deadder - Guitars & Vocals
• Russ Boswell - Bass
• Dave Dunlop - Trumpet
• Sabine Casson - Vocals 
• Nan McAneney  - Spoken Voice

Links: Johnny Max, More Johnny Max Stories, Album above courtesy of Bandcamp

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Hamilton's Caissie Levy Earns Tony Award

The was only a bit of Canadian content at the winner's circle for the 2026 Tony Awards ceremony. On Sunday June 7, 2026, Hamilton's Caissie Levy won for her work in the musical, Ragtime. That wonderul show also took home some hardware.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners. 

• Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Caissie Levy from Hamilton (Ragtime)
  
  
  
  Links: Caissie Levy, More Caissie Levy Stories, Video above courtesy of The Tony Awards

• Best Revival of a Musical: Ragtime (ft Hamilton's Caissie Levy)
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Joshua Henry (Ragtime)
• Best Sound Design of a Musical: Kai Harada (Ragtime) 
• Best Book of a Musical: Schmigadoon!
• Best Costume Design of a Musical: Qween Jean (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)  
• Best Musical: Schmigadoon!
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Ali Louis Bourzgui (The Lost Boys)
• Best Sound Design of a Play: Mikaal Sulaiman (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Best Choreography: Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons (Cats: The Jellicle Ball) 
• Best Costume Design of a Play: Jeff Mahshie (Fallen Angels) 
• Best Direction of a Musical: Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)
• Best Direction of a Play: Joe Mantello (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Jen Schriever and Michael Arden (The Lost Boys) 
• Best Lighting Design of a Play: Jack Knowles (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman) 
• Best Orchestrations: Doug Besterman and Mike Morris (Schmigadoon!)
• Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre: Schmigadoon!
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw)
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: John Lithgow (Giant)
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Shoshana Bean (The Lost Boys)
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Laurie Metcalf (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Lesley Manville (Oedipus)
• Best Play: Liberation
• Best Revival of a Play: Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Dane Laffrey (The Lost Boys)
• Best Scenic Design of a Play: Chloe Lamford (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
• Regional Theatre Award: American Players Theatre
• Special Tony Award: League of Resident Theatres (LORT)
• Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre: André Bishop/James Lapine/Jules Fisher
• Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre: 1/52 Project/Jake Bell/Kenn Lubin/Loren Plotkin

Link: The Tony Awards, More Tony Awards Stories

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