Sunday, May 31, 2015

New Album From Port Dover's Tia McGraff Packed with Excitement and Wonder


Possessing one of the most expressive voices in Country Music, Tia McGraff is at her peak on her newest album, Crazy Beautiful.  With songs that blur the lines between Pop-Folk and Alt-Country, it wonderfully mixes both into a beautiful sound.

It contains a well-balanced collection of rockin' hooks, mid-tempo foot tappers and tender ballads.  The excitement and wonder just oozes out of the speakers.

A few local and international musicians join in. Tommy Parham, Dave Sanger of Asleep At The Wheel, Tommy Harden, Dave Labruyere.Andrew Aldridge, Alfonso Spoto of the Acoustics, Mary-Jane Russell and Jonathan Edwards are all out in full force.  It's all engineers by the legendary Nick Blagona.

The CD is available at cdbaby (also as a download) or through her website.





 Videos above courtesy of WhisperingBobTV
EXTRA MINI-REVIEW!

Some albums escape our radar, so occasionally we'll be catching up with some mini-reviews!


2010's Diversity boats a number of amazing storytelling songs enhanced by her distinct vocals.  Lyrically, it veers from politics, love, motivation and all points in between.  This is a wonderful album!

You can download it via cdbaby, iTunes or through her website.



Video above courtesy of Tia McGraff
Blast from the Past: Tia's Break These Chains Album

Links: Tia McGraff,  More Tia McGraff Stories, More Releases
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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Four New Episodes of Ensemble! Online


The third season of Ensemble! is in full swing at Cable 14 Hamilton and the first four episodes are online for your listening and viewing pleasure.  This season, the format was changed to a half hour show with two musicians.

The links are no longer working, we're trying to see if it can be fixed.
Show 1: Dan Medakovic, Chris Altmann



Click here for photos from the taping
Show 2: Duane Rutter, Sharon Washington


Show 3: JP Riemens, Deeps

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Friday, May 29, 2015

CONGRATS! Recipients of the 1st Debbie Clause Recording Fund


Recording an album can be a costly endeavor and the recently founded Debbie Clause Recording Fund wants to help local musicians with creating their art. On Saturday, May 23rd, The Pearl Company hosted the first ever Gracenotes Showcase where three Hamilton performers were awarded funds to assist with their amazing projects.

The $4,000 grand prize winner (picked at random by Debbie's daughter, Hanna) was Soul/R&B artist Jennifer Budd.



Links: More Jennifer Budd Stories, Video above courtesy of Jennifer Budd

Frank Koren and Josh Lamothe were also awarded $1,000 each.



 Links: Frank Koren, More Frank Koren Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers, Photos from this Doctors Without Borders Fundraiser, Donate to DWB



Video above courtesy of Josh Lamothe

CONGRATS EVERYBODY!

The fund, which is managed by Hamilton singer/songwriter Christopher Clause (it's named after his late, beloved sister) will continue to support local musicians. Application forms for the 2016 awards will be available in August at www.gracenoteshamilton.com (website will be up and running in July 2015)
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Thursday, May 28, 2015

News Roundup (Steve Sinnicks, HMA Photos, Maureen Brown, Mike Daley)


Hamilton Music Awards Photos: Main Gala, Industry Awards 

News

Trebleclef was busy for the Hamilton Music Awards weekend at the Theatre Aquarius

 First there was the Thursday Kick-Off party.
 

 Click here for more pictures

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 On Saturday, he was on hand to help accept our Hamilton Music Industry Award and hobnob a little.
 

 Click here for more pictures

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 Lastly, there was the Sunday night gala event with some more schmoozing!
 

 Click here for more pictures
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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Hamilton's Will Gillespie Takes You From the Barroom to the Ballroom with 'Chasing Shadows'


Chasing Shadows, the newest EP from Hamilton's Will Gillespie, is not your average Folk recording.  He can go fast and furious on some tunes and then switch gears to sweet, beautiful ballads.  All the while, Will and the gang keeps a European flair in the background.

Elements of jazz, Americana, folk, world music and more intertwine to transport the listener to the country, the barroom and the ballroom.  What a sweet trip it is!

Will enlists some wonderful local music makers to take us along the journey.  There's Dave Gould (Drums, Percussion), Orange McFarland (Bass), Geoff Ball of Euphonic (Cello), Matt Coleman (Violin) and Sarah Beatty (Vocal Harmonies).

You can pick up a physical copy of the CD at the James North General Store or download it using Bandcamp, eMusic, iTunes or cdbaby





Videos above courtesy of Will Gilespie
EXTRA MINI-REVIEW!

Some albums escape our radar, so occasionally we'll be catching up with some mini-reviews!


Learning How to Let Go, his 2014 album, has more of a singer/songwriter, folky vibe.  Will also gets a little funky and throws in quite a few catchy riffs.

This one can be downloaded through Bandcamp, iTunes or cdbaby.



Video above courtesy of Will Gilespie
Links: Will Gillespie, More Will Gillespie Stories, More Releases
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

CONGRATS! Local Country Artists Bring Some CMAO Awards Home!


Our area country boys (and gals) brought some Country Music Association of Ontario Awards home on Monday, May 25th during the The Markham Theatre ceremony.

Tim Hicks from St. Catharines and Waterloo's The Western Swing Authority took home two trophies that night.  WSA Producer, Jason Barry, also won for his work with the band.


Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, Video above courtesy of Robert Clements



Links: Western Swing Authority , More WSA Stories, Video above courtesy of Western swing Authority

Hamilton radio station CHKX – KX 94.7 FM got the top prize for the Major Market category as well.

The biggest winner of the night was the song,  I Only Smoke When I Drink by Trenton's Small Town Pistols.  It won for Best Songwriters, Single and Video.

CONGRATS EVERYBODY!



Links: Small Town Pistols, Video above courtesy of Small Town Pistols

Here is a full list of winners
Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

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Monday, May 25, 2015

CONGRATS! 2015 Hamilton Music Award Winners


The 2015 Hamilton Music Awards ceremony on May 24, 2015 at Theatre Aquarius was amazing! Host Ian Thomas did a wonderful job and had everybody laughing.  There were heartfelt tributes to Tava Tunes, Brian Griffith and Cpl. Nathan Cirrilo, a visit from mayor Fred Eisenberger and a ton of amazing area music.

As always, the local scene was in the spotlight the whole show and the award winners were announced. Rockers the The Arkells and songstress Laura Cole took home three trophies each that night.  Blues veteran Harrison Kennedy also won a pair well-deserved awards.



Links: Laura Cole, More Laura Cole Stories, Video above courtesy of Richard Crawford



Links:  Arkells: More Arkells Stories, Video above courtesy of Oskar Covers



Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of RandallStaffordCook

Click here for the Spectator story.

Congrats everyone.


Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

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Saturday, May 23, 2015

CONGRATS! 2015 Hamilton Music Industry Award Winners (Including Us!)


The Hamilton Blues Lovers website was only one of the many winners in the 2015 Hamilton Music Industry Awards.  Many deserving members of the local music community were recognized on May 23, 2015 at the Dofasco Centre for the Arts.

Lou, our blogger had this to say: "Thank you to all my fellow nominees who help get the word out about the amazing Hamilton music scene and thanks to all the amazing musicians.  It is an honour to receive this award."

The big winner of the day was classical musician Strat Andriotis, who earned three awards.



Video above courtesy of Dekatria Records

The night was also special because of the late, great Brian Griffith, who won the Guitarist of the Year Award.  His son accepted the award on his behalf.  Many of the speakers paid tribute to this amazing musician.  There were many touching moments.



Links: More Brian Griffith Stories, Video above courtesy of Doug Smith 

 Click here for the CBC Hamilton story

 Click here for pictures of the event

 Click here for picture of our Mascot at the awards

 CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!

Here is a complete list of winners.
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Hamilton's Harrison Kennedy Adds Extra Soul to Eric Bibb's 'Blues People'


Blues superstar Eric Bibb's latest project, Blues People, is more than just a sensational album.  It's a brilliant tribute to the great Dr. Martin Luther King and a historical document of Black History.  This Stony Plain Records release chronicles the struggles of race relations throughout the years.

Eric mobilizes a who's who of the current blues community for this marvelous musical manifesto.  Hamilton Blues Legend Harrison Kennedy teams up with him and Ruthie Foster for the funky, soulful Dream Catchers.  The song is inspiring, powerful and uplifting.

The rest of the guest list is equally impressive: Taj Mahal, Blind Boys of Alabama, Popa Chubby, Guy Davis, JJ Milteau, Glenn Scott, Linda Tillery, Andre De Lange, and Leyla McCalla.

Packed with some of the best acoustic folk blues, moving soul and incredible world music around, the album is a wondrous musical feast.  You can tell all those involved wanted the message to be heard.

You can buy this stirring recording at many physical or Internet stores.  It can be purchased through Eric's  online shop or downloaded using iTunes.



Video above courtesy of Ekkentronbar





2 videos above courtesy of Jez Prance

Blast from the Past: Harrison Guests on the Skakura S'aida Album

Links: Eric Bibb, More Eric Bibb Stories, Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, More Releases
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Thursday, May 21, 2015

News Roundup (Human Orchestra, Lauren Agnelli, Chad Pilon, Ronnie Hawkins)



News

Trebleclef is resting up for the Hamilton Music Awards -  He'll be back next week.
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