Winners of the 2026 Forest City London Music Awards

The 2026 Forest City London Music Awards were handed out as part of London Music Week - June 6 to 14.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners. Click the name to see the award announcement.

• PRODUCER/ENGINEER:  Iain McNally, Producer/Engineer: Chris Strei (Brantford) - One Day at a Time
  
  
  
  Links: Chris Strei, More Chris Strei Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris Strei
  
  
• LONDON MUSIC HALL OF FAME: Teddy Leonard (of Niagara's Mighty Duck Blues Band, Hogtown AllStars, Fathead)
• AFRO CARIBIANNA: King Willie
• BLUES: Smokes Like Lightning
• CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (GROUP): Brass Roots New Horizons Band
• CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO): Yanet Campbell-Secades, Violin
• CLASSICAL VOCAL (SOLO): Felix Stueckmann
• CLASSICAL VOCAL (CHOIR OR GROUP): London Gospel Collective
• CLUB DJ: DJ Calderon
• CONTEMPORARY SINGER SONGWRITER: Anne Moniz
• CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Bailkowski (Community Builder)
• COUNTRY: Tyler DeLargie
• COVER BAND: The Strands
• ELECTRONIC: Mat Lunnen
• FAN FAVOURITE: Lindsey & The Lonelies
• FANTASY BAND: Vocals – Amanda Movio, Bass – Ryan Spong, Guitar – Randy Hicks, Drums – Cameron Hand, Horns – Alexa Brown, Strings – Tara Dunphy, Keyboards – Nathan Nykor
• FOLK ROOTS: Jesse Grandmont & Brian Barber
• HIPHOP: Cronica
• JAZZ VOCAL (SOLO or GROUP): Nicole Tan
• JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO or GROUP): Seth McNall Sextet
• LATIN: Sofi R
• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Jones Family, Fred Smith
• LIVE MUSIC VENUE: The Bunker Performance Lounge (Stratford)
• METAL: Crowning Kings
• MUSIC VIDEO: Sophia Korz - Pretty People
  
  
  
  Links: Sophia Korz, Video above courtesy of Sophia Korz
  
  
• ONTARIO INDIE RECORDING ARTIST: Lorraine Klaasen
• POP: Justin Maki
• PUNK: Full Throttle
• ROCK: Texas King
• SUPER FAN: Brenda Heywood
• TRIBUTE ARTIST: AXL/DC: Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC
• WORLD MUSIC: Rachel McGarry
• YOUTH AWARD: Can’t Drive Yet - H.B. Beal Secondary School

Links: London Music Awards, More London Music Awards Stories

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International Cat Day Videos by Trevor Strong & the Arrogant Worms

Links: Arrogant Worms, More Arrogant Worms Stories, Video above courtesy of Arrogant Worms - Topic

Links: Trevor Strong, Album above courtesy of Trevor Strong - Topic

More Cat Day Videos

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Rob Lamothe's Unforgettable Voice & Inspired Songwriting Take Centre Stage on New Live Album

Mini-Review: I've you've had the pleasure of listening to the incredible local singer/songwriter Rob Lamothe, you know about his unforgettable voice and inspired songwriting. His recent album, Live at St. Pancras Old Church lays everything bare. With mainly his voice and an acoustic guitar, Rob's vocals and lyrics take centre stage and have room to breathe. His daughter Rose Lamothe also lends her equally unique voice to two tracks. 

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music

Links: Album above courtesy of Bandcamp, More Releases

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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, More Releases

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Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

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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Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

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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Please Support the Hamilton Blues Lovers

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Please Support the Hamilton Blues Lovers

We are a not for profit organization (but not a registered charity) . Thank you for your tip.

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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, More Releases

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