Throwback Thursday - Hamilton's Jack de Keyzer on Harmonica Shah Album

Original post: July 15, 2009

Updated Post: April 23, 2026

Talented bluesman Harmonica Shah may be from Detroit but he knows exactly where to find great blues players.

Hamilton's own Jack deKeyzer plays guitar on his latest album, If All You Have is a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail through Electro-Fi Records

Joining Shah and DeKeyzer are Canadians Alec Fraser (bass) and Al Cross (drums). Juno award winner, Julian Fauth also lends occasional piano to the disc.

If All You Have . . . is good old fashioned Blues in the style of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters with a bit of soul. DeKeyzer's guitar prowess is evident on all tracks. There's booty shaking boogie and some amazing slower numbers too.

Available through: Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Apple Music

Stream the album below

Links: Harmonica Shah, More Harmonica Shah Stories,  Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories, More Releases, Album above courtesy of Harmonica Shah - Topic

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Earth Day Videos by Richard Garvey, Steve Goldberger, Rush

Update of 2021 post

Links: Richard Garvey, More Richard Garvey Stories, Video above courtesy of Richard Garvey

Links: Steve Goldberger, More Steve Goldberger Stories, Video above courtesy of Steve Goldberger

Links: Rush, More Rush Stories, Video above courtesy of Rush

More Earth Day Songs

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Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

From their website: At the Kemp Care Network, our goal is to provide individuals and families living with a life-threatening illness excellence in care, whether that be at home, in hospital, a long-term care facility or our very own residential hospice. Hospice is about celebrating life and quality of living. All services, including our residential program, are provided at no cost to our clients or their families.

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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Winners of the 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards

The 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out in Calgary during a April 9-12 event.

Below is a complete list of winners

• Album Artwork of the Year: Ru Rose - Revival 
• Children’s Album of the Year: Ginalina - All the Earth Speaks
• Contemporary Album of the Year: AHI - The Light Behind The Sun
• Contemporary Singer of the Year: Julian Taylor
• English Songwriter(s) of the Year: Terra Spencer
• Ensemble of the Year: Cassie and Maggie - Gold and Coal
• French Songwriter(s) of the Year: Guillaume Arsenault
• Global Roots Album of the Year: Kazdoura - Ghoyoum (Clouds)
• Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year (tie): Aysanabee / PIQSIQ
• Instrumental Composer(s) of the Year: Schmaltz & Pepper
• Instrumental Group of the Year: The Fretless
• Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year: Rachel Therrien
• New Artist(s) of the Year: Claire Morrison
• Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries: Oktoecho
• Producer(s) of the Year: Ben Plotnick (Loud in the Pines - Every Colour Left)
• Single of the Year: Human Kind - AHI
  
  
  
  Links: AHI, More AHI Stories, Video above courtesy of AHI
  
  
• Solo Artist of the Year: Lennie Gallant
• Stan Rogers Traditional Singer of the Year: Matthew Byrne - Stealing Time
• Traditional Album of the Year: Matthew Byrne - Stealing Time
• Vocal Group of the Year: PIQSIQ 
• Young Performer(s) of the Year: Max Francis

Video performances from the event:

• Songs & Stories
• Folk Forward
• Traditional & Global Roots
• Folk for Families

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories

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Local Nominees at 2026 Forest City London Music Awards! Vote (Deadline May 8)

There a few local connections among the nominees for the 2026 Forest City London Music Awards.

• Former Hamiltonian Paul Langille is up for the Blues category
• The Lowdown Dirty Mojos features band members who are currently living in Hamilton/Oakville gor the nod for Ontario Independent Recording Artist of the Year
• Tribute artist nomiee Disgusteen, cover tunes from Hamilton punk veterans Teenage Head

People can vote for their favourites untl May 8, 2026 by clicking here

Winners will be revealed in two events: June 7, 2026 at Aeolian Hall and June 14, 2026 at London Music Hall as part of London Music Week - June 6 to 14.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of nominees

BLUES

• Paul Langille (formerly from Hamilton)
  
  
  
  Links: Paul Langille, More Paul Langille Stories, Video above courtesy of Paul Langille - Topic
  
  
• Galea & the Galvanizers
• The Heartless Saints
• The Black Tops
• Bill Durst
• Smokes Like Lightning
• Joel Dupuis Band

ONTARIO INDEPENDENT RECORDING ARTIST

• Lowdown Dirty Mojos (members from Hamilton/Oakville)
  
  
  
  Links: The Lowdown Dirty Mojos, More Mojos Stories, Video above courtesy of LOWDOWN DIRTY MOJOS
  
  
• Lorraine Klassen
• Nostalgic Brightlights
• Tell It to Sweeney
• Dayna Manning
• Danny Miles
• The Truth Untold

TRIBUTE ARTIST

• Disgusteen: Teenage Head (covers legndary Hamilton group)
  
  
  
  Links: More Teenage Head Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Shoveling In the Hammer & Surrounding Areas
  
  
• Full Petty Fever: Tom Petty
• Sweetwood Mac: Fleetwood Mac
• Coop’s Troops: Alice Cooper
• ZED: Led Zeppelin
• Ozzy Forever: Ozzy Osbourne
• AXL/DC: Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC

AFRO CARIBIANNA

• Jaghuligin
• Solo YT
• King Willie
• Callel
• V Merchant
• Patron
• Divice Hydera

CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (GROUP)

• Brass Roots New Horizons Band
• Encore: The Concert Band
• Vintera String Quartet
• Forte Piano Trio
• London Concert Band
• London Community Orchestra

CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO)

• Peixuan He, Piano
• Jeffrey Komar, Viola
• Sarah Cupit, Cello
• Iris Leck, Double Bass
• Yanet Campbell-Secades, Violin
• Kennedy Kimber-Johnson, Pipe Organ
• Gillian Derer, Flute

CLASSICAL VOCAL (SOLO)

• Julia LoRusso
• Nicholas Gryniewski
• Madeline Berman
• Hannah Cole
• Angelique Croteau
• Hannah Pinhorn
• Felix Stueckmann

CLASSICAL VOCAL (CHOIR OR GROUP)

• London Gospel Collective
• Chor Amica
• Karen Schuessler Singers
• London Pro Musica
• Kammerchor London
• The London Singers
• The Metropolitan Choir

CLUB DJ

• DJ Joze
• DJ Wickham
• DJ Matt Royal
• DJ Ph!lo
• DJ Calderon
• DJ Deon
• DJ Shoray

CONTEMPORARY SINGER SONGWRITER

• Brent Jones
• Anne Moniz
• Aidan Hough
• Steve Sinclair
• Marty Kolls
• John Fellner
• Laura Gagnon

CONTRIBUTOR

• Paul Latorre (Community Supporter)
• Vinnie Vincenzo (Community Builder)
• James O’Rourke (Community Supporter)
• Leanne Mayer (Community Builder)
• Seth McNall (Community Builder)
• Allison Oosterman (Community Builder)
• Dario Novoa (Community Builder)
• Jeff Bailkowski (Community Builder)
• Daubian Oliviera (Community Builder)
• Saidat (Community Builder)

COUNTRY

• Maddy McKenzie
• Genevieve Fisher
• Tom Dunphy
• Tyler DeLargie
• Brothers Wilde
• Greg Williams
• Amanda Keeles

COVER BAND

• The Strands
• The Last Call
• Grunge Cantina
• Down N Dirty Band
• KJ & the Motones
• Betamaxx
• Big Shiny Toons

ELECTRONIC

• K-VIII
• apaull
• DJ Dave. Foxx
• Incredible Melting Man
• Patio G
• Mat Lunnen
• Stirling

FAN FAVOURITE

• The Regal Beagles
• Amanda Movio
• Pepper Jones & the Rockits
• Myrtle Earl
• Pop Rockets
• The Do-Overs
• Aimee & Aaron Allen
• Lindsey & The Lonelies
• Red Banzino
• Twin Fin

FOLK ROOTS

• Maggie’s Wake
• The Pairs
• The Marrieds
• The Bookends
• Jesse Grandmont & Brian Barber
• Willow Switch
• Pete Denomme

HIPHOP

• Jack Craven
• Kai Banks
• Cameron James
• Trizzy
• 2 Divine
• Insyst
• Cronica

JAZZ VOCAL (SOLO or GROUP)

• Rachelle Courtney
• The Jitterbugs
• Hilary Welch
• Nicole Tan
• The Crooners: Rick Kish & Connor Boa
• Laurraine Sigouin
• Scott Bollert

JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO or GROUP)

• The Jazz Collective
• Seth McNall Sextet
• Mark Swan’s Good Hang
• Juice Joint
• London Jazz Orchestra
• Baddest Big Band
• Aitken l Ladd l Peacock

LATIN

• Ana De México
• Descortés
• J David
• Simple Reflections for Artists
• Sofi R
• Dau Brazil
• Andrés Valencia

LIVE MUSIC VENUE

• Richmond Tavern
• Palasad Social Bowl
• Eastside Bar & Grill
• The Bunker Performance Lounge (Stratford)
• Aeolian Hall
• Pier Side (Port Stanley)
• The Wortley Roadhouse
• FitzRays
• Mustang Sally’s
• Quiet Earth

METAL

• Falls For the Elderly
• Abandoned Souls
• Prosector
• Dead Days
• Quiet Mind
• No Exceptions
• Crowning Kings

POP

• Drives the Common Man
• Addi John
• Tean Dream
• The Sunshine Makers
• Bella Rosa
• Justin Maki
• Lua Sol

PUNK

• Mvll Crimes
• Moore Ave 
• Polluted
• Full Throttle
• Set To Go!
• 4HateU8
• Junko Daydream

ROCK

• Status Non Status
• Pro Wrestling the Band
• No Exceptions
• Thunder Queens
• Wabi Sabis
• Pot is Drugs
• Texas King

WORLD MUSIC

• Brent Jones
• V Merchant
• Mas Aya
• Rachel McGarry
• Anddre Mafra
• Doreño
• Emily Jean Flack

Links: London Music Awards, More London Music Awards Stories

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

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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Throwback Thursday - Drummer John "Babe" Myles Passes

Original Post: July 1, 2009

Updated Post: April 16, 2026

It is with sadness that we announced the passing of local drummer John "Babe" Myles on Thursday, June 26, 2009. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

Below is the obituary from the July 4, 2009 Hamilton Spectator.

He played many years with King Biscuit Boy, the Capris, the Chessman and the Stingrays.

Former bandmate, John LaRocca (Stingrays), said he was "one of the best blues drummers around"

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Previous  (Throwback Thursday: Dave Pomfret's No Rush + Album Release Videos) - - - Next (London Music Award Nominations)

Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

From their website: The Compassion Society responds to the needs of the community by providing food, clothing, everyday household articles and referrals to local resources.

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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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

They sell instruments, do repairs and offer lessons. 

This wonderful store does a lot to help to local music community.

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Throwback Thursday - Dave Pomfret: No Rush + Album Release Videos

Original Post: July 1, 2009

Updated Post: April 9, 2026

Former Munday Nuns member, Dave Pomfret's album, No Rush, is an amazing collection of songs that's hard to pin down stylistically.

Dave goes from catchy, rockin' riffs to mellow melodies. On the way, he touches on folk, rock, and even bits of pop and country thrown in.

Joining Dave in making this great music is former Nuns bandmate (and former member of the Killjoys) Mike Trebilcock on guitar and many other instruments. Mike also produced the disc.

A number of other talented performers aided and abetted the singer/songwriter, including: Mark McIntyre (bass), Aaron Goldstein (pedal steel guitar), Craig Lapsley (drums), Troy Dowding (trumpet), Darcy Hepner (sax, organ), Rosemary Hale (violin), Sarah Honeyford (cello). On background vocals there's Mary Simon, Jean Caffeine, Karen Sturrock, and the Mississippi Kings. Dave's son, Brier Pomfret, plays the piano on it as well.

Available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube

Below are videos from his Album Release (and birthday) party on June 30, 2009. 

Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Dave Pomfret, More Dave Pomfret Stories, More CD Releases, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Sarah Ivanco, came up and sang to start things off. She wowed the crowd.

Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

More Videos From This Show

• Mary Simon
• Not (Punk Band)
• Alfie Smith

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