GOOD LUCK! Local Maple Blues Awards Nominees (incl complete nominees list)

The 2020 Maple Blues Awards nominee list is jam packed with local artists. Hopefully, a number of them will bring home the hardware at the ceremony on February 3, 2020 at Koerner Hall in Toronto.

You can help them out by voting online  - open from November 1st, 2019 at 12:01am through December 1st, 2019 at 11:59pm. Click here to vote.

From Hamilton we have both Harrison Kennedy and Steve Strongman vying for Male Vocalist of the Year. Jack de Keyzer is up for Electric Act of the Year and Guitarist of the Year. Jack's bandmate Richard Thornton is in the running for Horn Player of the Year as is Loretta Hale of the Andre Bisson Band. Jesse O’Brien is another Steeltown hopeful (Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year). Also of note is the Matt Andersen album - Halfway Home By Morning which was released by Waterdown's True North Records.



Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Canal Bank Shuflle



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer

Other area nominees include Downchild Blues Band (including remembers from Brantford and Niagara) for Entertainer of the Year as well as group member Gary Kendall for Bassist of the Year . Matchedash Parish (featuring Kitchener's Matt Weidinger and local bassman Mark McIntyre) are up for New Artist of the Year. Tom Bona (from Waterloo band Soulstack) is in the running for drummer of the Year.



Links: Downchild Blues Band, More Downchild Stories, Video above courtesy of Downchild Blues Band



Links: Matchedash Parish, Video above courtesy of Montreal Blues Society

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Other Maple Blues Awards stories

• FYI Music News
• Hamilton Spectator

Here's a complete list of nominees. Local musicians are bolded.

Entertainer 

• Downchild Blues Band
• Dawn Tyler Watson
• Miss Emily
• Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar
• Sue Foley

Male Vocalist

• Harrison Kennedy
• Steve Strongman
• Harpdog Brown
• Matt Andersen
• Steve Marriner

Electric Act

• Jack de Keyzer
• Colin James
• Paul DesLauriers Band
• Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar
• Sue Foley

New Artist

• Matchedash Parish (ft Kitchener's Matt Weidinger and Mark McIntyre)
• Bywater Call
• Durham County Poets
• Miss Emily
• Robert Connely Farr

Guitarist

• Jack de Keyzer
• Anthony Gomes
• Garrett Mason
• Paul DesLauriers
• Sue Foley

Piano/Keyboard

• Jesse O’Brien
• David Vest
• Duane Blackburn
• Jenie Thai
• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

Horn Player

• Loretta Hale (Andre Bisson Band)
• Richard Thornton (Jack de Keyzer Band)
• Chris Whiteley
• Kaven Jalbert (Ben Racine Band)
• Mat “Moose” Mousseau (Ben Racine Band)

Drummer

• Tom Bona (Sue Foley)
• Chris Nordquist (Steve Kozak, Cannery Row)
• Gary Craig (Colin Linden, Steve Dawson)
• Lindsay Beaver
• Sam Harrisson (Paul DesLauriers Band)

Bassist

• Gary Kendall (Downchild, Mighty Duck Blues Band)
• Alec Fraser
• Alec McElcheran (Paul DesLauriers Band)
• Keith Picot
• Leigh-Anne Stanton (Wicked Grin)

Recording/(Producer)

• Matchedash Parish - Saturday Night (Lance Anderson)
• Matt Andersen - Halfway Home By Morning released by Waterdown's True North Records (Steve Dawson)
• Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson - Amour (Colin Linden)
• Dawn Tyler Watson - Mad Love (François Thiffault and Dawn Tyler Watson)
• Harpdog Brown - For Love and Money (Steve Dawson)

Acoustic Act

• Big Dave McLean
• Harry Manx
• Manx Marriner Mainline
• Matt Andersen
• Michael Jerome Browne

Female Vocalist

• Angel Forrest
• Dawn Tyler Watson
• Miss Emily
• Samantha Martin
• Shakura S'Aida

International Artist

• Buddy Guy
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Ghost Town Blues Band
• Larkin Poe
• Mavis Staples

Songwriter

• Big Dave McLean
• Colin Linden
• Dawn Tyler Watson
• Robert Connely Farr
• Sue Foley

Blues with a Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)

• Alec Fraser
• Brent Parkin
• Danny Brooks
• Joe Murphy
• Ken Whiteley
• Michael Fonfara
• Michael Jerome Browne
• Tom Lavin

Harmonica Player

• Al Lerman
• Harpdog Brown
• Jim Zeller
• Roly Platt
• Steve Marriner

Blast from the Past: Last Years's Winners

Links: Maple Blues Awards, More Maple Blues Awards Stories

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Happy World Sax Day ft Videos by Gordon Aeichele

Links: Official Blues Brothers Revue,  More Blues Brothers Stories, Video above courtesy of  Gordon Aeichele



Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, Video above courtesy of Andre Bisson



Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Angelo NotoCampanella



Links: Gordon Aeichele, More Gordon Aeichele Stories, Video above courtesy of  Gordon Aeichele, More Sax Day Videos

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Debut Album from Hamilton's Matty Simpson is a Hard Rockin', Powerful, Musical Statement

Strange Weather,  the debut full-length album from Hamilton's Matty Simpson will grab you, shake you, and take you on a wild ride you'll never forget.  From its opening salvo of classic rock meets alternative (Come Upstairs) to the rootsy beauty of the closing number (Headlights on the Horizon), each song demand your attention.

Matty's made quite the opening statement to kick off his recording career. The guitar wails and the vocals punch through to make themselves known. Most of the tunes are hard rockin', infectious and powerful. The slower tunes also show off his incredible versatility.

Justine Fischer (bass, keys) and Matt Burns (drums, percussion) round out the trio that made that deliver this musical manifesto. They do an amazing job of adding to the incredible sound of the piece. All three produced the disc as well, along with Jeff Ciraolo and Andrew Aldridge.

The album can be picked up at Matty's explosive shows, as well as at his website, Amazon Music, Picks N Sticks and Dr. Disc.







Blast from the Past: Matty's Teaser EP

Links: Matty Simpson, More Matty Simpson Stories, More Releases, Videos above courtesy of Matty Simpson - Topic

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Happy Halloween! Videos by Harrison Kennedy, Aengus Finnan, Loretta Lynn

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Harrison Kennedy - Topic



Links: Aengus Finnan, Video above courtesy of Aengus Finnan - Topic



Links: Loretta Lynn, More Loretta Lynn Stories, Video above courtesy of lorettafan1

Click here for more Halloween videos

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The Music of Van Morrison ft Matt Weidinger and His 7-Piece Band

Links: Matt Weidinger, More Matt Weidinger Stories, More Van Morrison Covers/Stories, Videos above courtesy of Matt Weidiger

Blast from the Past: More Matt Weidinger Videos,

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News Roundup (Alex Whorms, Alex Bird, Havens, Fern Viola Passes)

Off the Mark

More Musical Toons

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News

Local

• CHCH Video: Alex Whorms, Alex Bird, Havens
• Hamilton Spectator: Fern Viola "The Voice of Hamilton" passes,
  
  
  
  Links: Fern Viola, More Fern Viola Stories, Video above courtesy of Fern Viola - Topic
  
  
• Our vacation photos (and videos) from Cuba
• Exclaim: Rodeo Kings sign recording deal with Warner
• Thorold News: Canal Bank Blues Shuffle highlights
• Dallas Harms Passes

Canada

• FYI Music News: Music industry vet Arnold Gosewich passes

World

• Art Blakey's 100th Birthday

Passings

• Larry Junstrom (38 Special, Skynyrd guitarist)
• Larry Willis (Blood, Sweat and Tears keyboardist)
• George "Pops" Chambers (Chamber Brothers)

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Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef made his very first visit to the incredible Canal Bank Blues Shuffle in Thorold. He was thoroughly impressed!

Click here for more pictures from the event: Friday, Saturday

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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Hamilton's Shawn O'Halloran Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of the talented Hamilton musician, Shawn O'Halloran. He passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 . Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Click here for his obituary.

Shawn was a veteran of the area music scene and had played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, the Stingrays, Neon Moon, and was a celebrated solo act as well.

A word from Lou, our blogger

I was lucky enough to meet Shawn on a number of occasions and considered him a good friend. He was extremely friendly and humble plus had immense musical talent. I will miss him terribly.

There was lots of social media reaction to his passing. Here are a few examples. We will add more as we discover them.

Michael Hickey

I was glad to have played with him in Trickbag all those years ago...the original Trickbag. Paul and Donna...Larry and Lindsey Shawn and me....The last show I played with Shawn was a CD release show for his last recording...included in that band our friend Carl Horton....also not with us any more. So sad. My pal Michael J. Birthelmer had been working on a new CD of Shawn's...he was a good songwriter...that CD is almost done...so I'm told...you know something? sometimes life seems so unfair...mostly we font get a chance to say goodbye...but we do get to remember the music....rest Shawn...God Bless....

Bill Dillon

We'd just finished an album that he sang some backgrounds for, he did a beautiful job, what a gorgeous voice, such a lovely guy,, and I was to play on a track for Shawn's yet to be finished and mixed record.

A lifelong member of Hamilton's music community and dear close friend to so many left in shock today, we just turn around and they're gone. 

Thank you Shawn for your friendship, your fine example, and your gift to all.

There's a special place for you now, our hearts.

George Bakhuis (Neon Moon)

A sad day for NEON MOONERS. Shawn O'Halloran who was our bass player for a few years in NEON MOON passed away. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our condolences to Shawn's family and friends.

 James Anthony

He was the bass player in my Father in law Ernie Vargas band years ago and I played with him a few times also. Great guy. I wish I knew him better. I took him up to Gravenhurst once for a weeks gig.

Links: Shawn O'Halloran, More Shawn O'Halloran Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Blast from the Past: Shawn's Jumpin' the Gun on Mardis Grad Album Review

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Videos: Cootes Paradise, Smoke Wagon, Big John, Bucket List)

On Saturday, October 26, Hamilton's Stonewalls Restaurant will be rocking to a good cause. From 12-6pm, a number of incredible steeltown artists will be performing to help help raise money for the Bob Pedler Memorial Fund. It's only $10 and you'll be guaranteed a great time!

From the event's press release:

It (the fund) raises money for the Local’s BOB PEDLER FUND which financially
aids Hamilton musicians who are unable to perform due to injury or ongoing health issues. The fund is named for the late BOB PEDLER, a popular musician and music store owner in the city and a former member of the executive board of the Hamilton Musicians’ Guild. Bob is also the father of the well- known Hamilton based drummer Jack Pedler (Teenage Head).

Also, during the event, the George R Robinson Award will be handed out to our friend and sponsor Judy Marsales and Dr. John Chong of the Hamilton Musicians’ Clinic. The award is given every year to individuals who have helped support local live music.

Here are few videos from the performers.



Links: Cootes Paradise, More Cootes Paradise Stories, Video above courtesy of Montreal Blues Society



Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories, Video above courtesy of Corey Lueck



Links: Big John and the Night Trippers, More Big John Stories, More Sam and Dave Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Big John and the Night Trippers



Links: Bucket List, More Bucket List Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton's Bucket List Band - Topic

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Jack de Keyzer Videos

More Elmore James Stories/Covers



More Willie Dixon Covers/Stories



More Otis Rush Stories/Covers



More Howlin' Wolf Covers/Stories

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Videos above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer

Blast from the Past: Jack de Keyzer Band Videos

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News Roundup (Rocket and the Renegades, Dwayne Gretzky, Ginger Baker Passes, more)

Bizarro

More Musical Toons

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News

Local

• Ginger St. James w Snowheel Slim and FOG Blues and Brass Band to represent area in the International Blues Challenge
• CHCH Video: Rocket and the Renegades
• Spectator story on Dwayne Gretzky
  
  
  
  Links: Dwayne Gretzsky, Video above courtesy of Dwayne Gretzky

Canada

• Oct 2019 issue of Maple Blues

Passings

• Ginger Baker (Cream drummer)
  
  
  
  Links: Ginger Baker, More Cream Stories, Video above courtesy of theeshrimpking
  
  
• Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead lyricist)

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Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef was part of the filming of Steve Strongman's Paid My Dues video shoot at the West Town.

Click here for more pictures from the event

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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