Cool YouTube Videos (Mike Almas, Blues River Man, Sheesham and Lotus))

Above video courtesy of 1swtgl.





Above two videos courtesy of Blues River Man.





Above two videos courtesy of WoodyPoint69

Links: Mike Almas, Blues River Man, Sheesham and Lotus

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New Melissa Bel EP: Distance

Local singer/songwriter Melissa Bel recently launched her latest EP, Distance. This astounding collection includes a remixed version of the title track (the original is from her last album, Brave) and five unreleased songs.

Melissa shows all sides of herself in this EP. She goes from blues rocker to smooth soul singer with ease. Throughout the trip, there's pop, jazz, funk and much more. You can also check out her sweet rendition of the classic Ain't No Sunshine.

The EP is available at her live shows and also as a download on iTunes and eMusic.

Below are a few live versions of songs from the EP.







All videos courtesy of Melissa Bel

Links: Melissa Bel More Melissa Bel Stories

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Banned From Heaven@Coach and Lantern (November 26, 2011)

Carol Greene guest vocals on Son of a Preacher Man



More Dusty Springfield covers/stories



More David Wilcox Covers/Stories









More Elvis Covers/Stories

Links: Banned From Heaven - More Banned From Heaven Stories

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Previous (Ian Thomas Videos) - - - Next (New Melissa Bel EP)

Ian Thomas YouTube Videos

Above two videos courtesy of Quadrillium



Video courtesy of Mr. Murray Pound







Above three videos courtesy of Mojo Filter 02

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Previous (Sonny Del-Rio, Kelly Jay & Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse) - - - Next (Banned From Heaven@Coach and Lantern)

Sonny Del Rio, Kelly Jay and Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse (November 19, 2011)

More from this show:

• Part 1: Trickbag
• Part 2: Kelly Jay with Trickbag
• Photos

Links: Kelly Jay, More Crowbar Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, More King Biscuit Boy Covers/Stories

Kelly Jay and Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse (November 19, 2011)

More from this show:

• Part 1: Trickbag
• Part 3: Sonny Del-Rio, Kelly Jay and Trickbag
• Photos

Links: Kelly Jay, More Crowbar Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, More King Biscuit Boy Covers/Stories

Phil Kott (Powerhouse) Passes

It is with sadness that we inform you that Powerhouse guitarist Phil Kott (second from left in picture) passed away on Monday, November 21, 2011. He will be missed.

From the Powerhouse web site.

"It is with our deepest regret that the Powerhouse band would like to confirm the passing of our friend, our brother, our guitarist, Phil Kott. One of the founding members of the band, he has been battling advanced lung cancer since early spring, and surrounded by family and friends, Phil passed away peacefully on the evening of November 21, 2011."

Our condolences to his friends and family.

Links: Powerhouse, More Powerhouse Stories

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Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse (November 19, 2011)

More from this show:

• Part 2: Kelly Jay with Trickbag
• Part 3: Sonny Del-Rio, Kelly Jay and Trickbag
• Photos

Links: Trickbag - More Trickbag Stories

Hamilton Music Award Winners

The Hamilton Music Awards were handed out on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Big winners included the Dinner Belles (New Artist, Alt-Country, Piano - Greg Brisco), Rita Chiarelli (Female Artist, Blues), and Jeremy Fisher (Male Artist, Songwriter) Congratulations to everyone.

Female Artist of the Year: Rita Chiarelli

Male Artist of the Year: Jeremy Fisher

Local Group of the Year (People’s Choice): Live How You Live

New Artist of the Year: Dinner Belles

Roots Recording: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Kings & Queens

Alternative Country Recording: Dinner Belles, West Simcoe County

Folk Recording: Scott Orr, Where I Live And What I Lived For

Blues: Rita Chiarelli, Music From The Big House

R&B/Soul: Chris Jackson, Action

Religious: Jamie Barnes, Wilderness

Songwriter: Jeremy Fisher, Flood

Female Vocalist: Rosanna Riverso

Male Vocalist: Jon Harvey, Monster Truck

Piano/Keyboard: Greg Brisco, Dinner Belles

Special Instrumentalist: Yiannis Kapoulas

Guitarist: Luke Doucet, Whitehorse

Drummer: Chris Sindrey, Aerith

Bassist: Sean McNab, Creepshow

Canadian Recording of the Year (People’s Choice): Finger Eleven, Life Turns Electric

Record of the Year: Jeremy Fisher, Flood

Lifetime Achievement: Ian Thomas

Lifetime Achievement (Industry): Kim Cooke

Alternative Indie Rock: Dark Mean, Dark Mean

Rock Recording: Monster Truck, The Brown EP

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Previous (Chris Cracknell/Steve Didemus/Dave Gould@Winking Judge) - - - Next (Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse) 

Chris Cracknell, Steve Didemus and Dave Gould@Winking Judge (November 17, 2011)

This was part of the Steve Didemus Fundraiser.

Monica Knott on backing vocals on first two videos.









Below are two performances from Dave's solo set

More footage from this Fundraiser

• Pip
• Tiny Bill Cody
• Photos

Links: Chris Cracknell, Dave Gould, Steve Didemus, More Chris Cracknell Stories, More Steve Didemus Stories, More Dave Gould Stories

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Tiny Bill Cody@Winking Judge (November 17, 2011)

This was part of the Steve Didemus Fundraiser. More footage to come.

More footage from this Fundraiser

• Pip
• Steve Didemus, Chris Cracknell & Dave Gould
• Photos

Links: Tiny Bill Cody - More Tiny Bill Cody Stories

Pip@Winking Judge (November 17, 2011)

This was part of the steve Didemus Fundraiser. More footage to come.

More footage from this Fundraiser

• Tiny Bill Cody
• Steve Didemus, Chris Cracknell & Dave Gould
• Photos

Click here for Pip's site

Michelle Titian and Friends@Corktown (November 14, 2011)

Michelle Titian (vocals, guitar), Mary Simon (Mandolin), Tone Valcic (drums)









More Temptations Covers/Stories



Click here for Mary Simon's set

Links: Michelle Titian - More Michelle Titian Stories

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Mary Simon and Tone Valcic@Corktown (November 14, 2011)

This was the first of the weekly Americana Mondays series.













Click here for Michelle Titian's set (w both Mary and Tone)

Links: Mary Simon, Tone Valcic, More Mary Simon Stories, More Tone Valcic Stories

Cool YouTube Videos (Rae Billing, Acoustics, City and the Sea)

Above two videos courtesy of Rae Billing





Above two videos courtesy of ImageGallery205



Above video courtesy of Ange3rd

Links: Rae Billing, Acoustics, City and the Sea

Steelworker's Waltz CD Release Party@This Ain't Hollywood (Nov 7, 2011)

Last video courtesy of steingberg321.

Click here for a CD Review and more videos from the show

Links: Steve Sinnicks, Al Barubek, Tim Gibbons, EdgarBreau, Martin Verall

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New Steelworker's Waltz Fundraising CD is Pure Hamilton

The new compilation disc, Steelworker's Waltz, is as hardcore Hamilton as it comes. It has amazing Hamilton musicians singing songs about blue collar work on a CD in support of striking steelworkers. This album just bleeds steel.

There are 15 unreleased and/or recently recorded songs from the talented performers in our beloved steeltown. There's poetry, rap, folk, country, blues and much more in this collection - something for everyone!

The CD is available to purchase at Pick N Sticks, Dr. Disc, Cheapies and many other locations across Hamilton. You can also contact boxostudio@gmail.com to request a copy. All monies raised goes towards helping the Local Steelworkers 1005.

Here is the track listing
1. If Not You? - Bill Mahoney
2. 10,000 Degrees - Martin Verall w/Mike Williams (bass)
3. 1005 Anthem - Tim Gibbons
4. Pretty Good Life - Sam Squid
5. Melting Pot - Ray Materick
6. Tougher Now - "Busker" Al Barubek
7. Strength - Brad Hails (Killin' Time Band)
8. All Together Now - Mac-N-Awe
9. Rustbelt Lullaby - Stephen Foster (Crawlin' Kingsnakes)(Simply Saucer)
10. Angles With Bloody Knees - Lori Yates w/Shawn Brush (pedal steel)
11. The Debt - Steve Sinnicks
12. Blue-Green - Kevin Barber
13. Old Steeltown - Edgar Breau (Simply Saucer) with Les Smith (Trickbag)(harmonica)
14. The Colour of Steel - Shawn Brush
15. Oh Hamilton - The Hamilton Kid w/Brendan Russell (keyboards)

Below are a few videos from the CD release party. We'll be posting more footage of that soon.









Last video courtesy of steinberg321

Click here for more footage of the event

Links: Steve Sinnicks, Al Barubek, Tim Gibbons, Edgar Breau, Martin Verall

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JP Riemens@Brantford Station House (October 30, 2011) Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

JP Riemens@Brantford Station House (October 30, 2011) Part 1

Click here for Part 2

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

Hamilton Music Award Nominations

The Hamilton Music Award Nominations were recently released. Below is a list of the nominees. Good luck everyone. The awards will be given on Sunday November 20 at the McIntyre Theatre.

Female Artist of the Year

• Amberley B.
• Sarah Blackwood
• Rita Chiarelli
• Nicole Christian
• Sharon Musgrave

Male Artist of the Year

• Jeremy Fisher
• James Hoffman
• Brian Melo
• Matt Paxton
• Alfie Smith

New Artist/Group of the Year

• Dawn & Marra
• Dinner Belles
• James Hoffman
• Brandon Pacheco
• Riddim Riders

Pop Recording of the Year

• Andrew Victoria – Andrew Victoria
• Robin Benedict – Ride Of My Life
• Andrea Godin – Andrea
• Brian Melo – The Truth
• Brandon Pacheco – Broke Up

Roots Recording of the Year

• Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - Kings and Queens
• Jeremy Fisher – Flood
• Dave Gould – Truck For Sale
• Matt Paxton – How The Land Lies
• Whitehorse – Whitehorse

Alternative Country Recording of the Year

• Dinner Belles – West Simcoe County
• Sarah Blackwood – Wasting Time
• Rachel Heart – Rachel Heart
• JP Riemens & the Barflies – Dirty Sunset
• The Vanishers – Hagersville Dance Party

Folk Recording of the Year

• Amberley B. – Paper Dolls
• Dawn & Marra – Never Ask Me Why
• James Hoffman – The Union
• Brian Meecham – On Blue Water
• Scott Orr – Where I Live And What I Lived For

World Recording of the Year

• Yiannis Kapoulas – Yiannis Kapoulas
• Yitka Karlik – Diplomatic Dream
• Riddim Riders – Riddim Riders

Alternative/Indie Rock Recording of the Year

• 2x The Mono – Art Rock and Science Fiction
• The Creepshow – They All Fall Down
• Dark Mean – Dark Mean
• Justin Sawicki – Nothing For No One
• Martin Verrall – Spears of Fate

Blues Recording of the Year

• Rita Chiarelli – Music From The Big House Soundtrack
• Nicole Christian – Run, Rabbit Run
• Famous Framus Band – On Mortal Love
• Alfie Smith – Sometimes The Rain
• Susan Wylde – In The Light

R&B/Soul Recording of the Year

• Kojo ‘Easy’ Damptey – Songs
• Chris Jackson – Action
• Sharon Musgrave – Outflow

Religious Recording of the Year

• Jamie Barnes – Wilderness
• Eagles – Your Kingdom Come
• Rosanna Riverso – Let There Be Peace

Songwriter of the Year

• Jeremy Fisher
• Jeremy Greenspan/Matt Didemus (Junior Boys)
• James Hoffman
• Brian Melo
• Tom Wilson

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Rita Chiarelli
• Terra Lightfoot
• Melissa McClelland
• Sharon Musgrave
• Rosanna Riverso

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Jon Harvey (Monster Truck)
• Brian Melo
• Mike Rajczak (Riddim Riders)
• Alfie Smith
• Tom Wilson

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year

• Brandon Bliss (Monster Truck)
• Greg Brisco (Dinner Belles)
• Amy King – (Alfie Smith, Dawn & Marra)
• Jesse O’Brien (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Justin Sawicki)
• Christabel Pinto (Rosanna Riverso)

Special Instrumentalist of the Year

• Loretta Hale (Justin Sawicki)
• Yiannis Kapoulas
• Randell Neudorf (2x the Mono)
• Melanie Pothier (Dinner Belles)
• Clint Rice (Martin Verrall)

Guitarist of the Year

• Luke Doucet – Whitehorse
• Brian Griffith (JP Riemens, Sharon Musgrave)
• Yiannis Kapoulas
• Alfie Smith
• Jeremy Widerman (Monster Truck)

Drummer of the Year

• Dave Gould – (solo, Nicole Christian, Famous Framus)
• Peter Grimmer (Sharon Musgrave)
• Steve Kiely (Monster Truck)
• Danny Lockwood (JP Riemens)
• Chris Sindrey (Aerith)

Bassist of the Year

• Carrie Ashworth (JP Riemens)
• Richard Bailey (Riddim Riders)
• Jon Harvey (Monster Truck)
• Sean McNab (The Creepshow)
• Mike Williams – Martin Verrall

Record of the Year

• Blackie and the Rodeo Kings – Kings and Queens
• Dinner Belles – West Simcoe County
• Finger 11 – Life Turns Electric
• Jeremy Fisher – Flood
• Junior Boys – It’s All True

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Lifetime Achievement Award

• Ian Thomas

Rock Recording of the Year

• Finger 11 – Life Turns Electric
• Gruve – Out Of Nowhere
• Live How You Live – Blue Collar Love
• Monster Truck – The Brown EP
• Perennials - Red

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Previous (Sloppy Jalopy/Burnin' Ethyl@West Town) - - - Next (JP Riemens@Station House) 

Sloppy Jalopy/Burnin' Ethyl Halloween Party@West Town (October 29, 2011)

Click here for pictures

Links: Burnin' Ethyl, More Burnin' Ethyl Stories, Sloppy Jalopy, More Sloppy Jalopy Stories

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New Andy Griffiths CD: Looking at a Life . . .

Local singer/songwriter Andy Griffiths manages to take the folk rock sound to modern heights on his latest CD, Looking at a Life . . .

Songs like the title track, Bare Bones, Don't Listen to Me, and many others are incredibly infectious. This high energy never overpowers the solid folk foundation of the tunes.

Andy's also enlisted some amazing local talent. Frank Koren plays guitar on most tracks and Russ Boswell performs bass on quite a few songs as well. Other guests include Ray Farrugia, Astrid Young, and more.

The disc is available at Andy's live shows.

Below is a performance of one of the songs from the album.



Click here for more from this show (including another song from Andy)

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

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