Local Musicians Nominated for Junos

Hamilton has once again had a strong showing at the Juno nominations, which just goes to prove how much world-class music is in the area.

Both Jack de Keyzer and Steve Strongman will be going head to head for Blues Album of the Year of the year along with Colin James (whose nominated disc includes songwriting from Hamilton's own Tom Wilson), Steve Hill, and Shakura S'Aida (her nominated CD features a performance from local blues legend Harrison Kennedy).



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories,  Video courtesy of The Capital Voice



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories, Video courtesy of Brian Blain

Local singer/songwriter, Kathleen Edwards is up for two awards (Songwriter and Adult Alternative Album).



Links: Kathleen Edwards, More Kathleen Edwards Stories, Video courtesy of CBC Music 

Other area musicians up for Junos include Monster Truck, Diana Panton, Walk Off the Earth, and  The Arkells.

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for everybody on the April 21 ceremony in Regina.

Click here for the Spectator Story

Click here for more of our Juno stories

Blast from the Past: De Keyzer and the Arkells Bring Home the Junos in 2010

Below are a few nomination highlights.

Blues Album

• Colin James, FIFTEEN
• Jack de Keyzer, Electric Love
• Shakura S'Aida, Time
• Steve Hill, Solo Recordings Volume One
• Steve Strongman, A Natural Fact

Roots & Traditional Album (Solo)

• Amelia Curran, Spectators
• Annabelle Chvostek, Rise
• Corb Lund, Cabin Fever
• Old Man Luedecke, Tender Is The Night
• Rose Cousins, We Have Made A Spark

Roots & Traditional Album (Group)

• Elliott BROOD, Days Into Years
• Great Lake Swimmers, New Wild Everywhere
• Le Vent du Nord, Tromper le temps
• The Strumbellas, My Father and The Hunter
• The Wooden Sky, Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun

Songwriter

• Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas)
• Arkells
• Hannah Georgas
• Kathleen Edwards
• Leonard Cohen

Country Album

• Chad Brownlee, Love Me Or Leave Me
• Dallas Smith, Jumped Right In
• Dean Brody, Dirt
• Emerson Drive, Roll
• Johnny Reid, Fire It Up

Adult Alternative Album

• Bahamas, Barchords
• Kathleen Edwards, Voyageur
• Royal Wood, We Were Born to Glory
• Serena Ryder, Harmony
• The Barr Brothers, The Barr Brothers

Juno Fan Choice Award

• Carly Rae Jepsen
• Céline Dion
• Drake
• Hedley
• Justin Bieber
• Leonard Cohen
• Marianas Trench
• Metric
• Michael Bublé
• Nickelback

Single

• Billy Talent, "Viking Death March"
• Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe"
• Hedley, "Kiss You Inside Out"
• Serena Ryder, "Stompa"
• The Sheepdogs, "The Way It Is"

International Album

• Maroon 5, Overexposed
• Mumford & Sons, Babel
• One Direction, Up All Night
• Rod Stewart, Merry Christmas, Baby
• Taylor Swift, Red

Album

• Carly Rae Jepsen, Kiss
• Céline Dion, Sans Attendre
• Hedley, Storms
• Justin Bieber, Believe
• Marianas Trench, Ever After

Artist

• Carly Rae Jepsen
• Deadmau5
• Johnny Reid
• Justin Bieber
• Leonard Cohen

Group

• Billy Talent
• Marianas Trench
• Metric
• Rush
• The Sheepdogs

Breakthrough Group

• Hey Ocean!
• Monster Truck
• The Pack a.d.
• Walk Off the Earth
• Yukon Blonde

Rock Album

• Big Wreck, Albatross
• Billy Talent, Dead Silence
• Rush, Clockwork Angels
• The Sheepdogs, The Sheepdogs
• The Tragically Hip, Now For Plan A

Vocal Jazz Album

• Carol Welsman, Journey
• Diana Krall, Glad Rag Doll
• Diana Panton, Christmas Kiss
• Elizabeth Shepherd, Rewind
• Emilie-Claire Barlow, Seule ce Soir

Aboriginal Album

• BURNT-Project 1, The Black List
• Crystal Shawanda, Just Like You
• Don Amero, Heart On My Sleeve
• Donny Parenteau, Bring It On
• Janet Panic, Samples

Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee

• k.d. Lang

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Levon Helm Passes + Local Reaction

It is with sadness that we report on the passing of Levon Helm, the drummer and singer for The Band. He passed away on April 19, 2012 after a brave battle with cancer. He will be missed.

Levon had ties to Hamilton and the area. He played here often as part of Ronnie Hawkins' band in his early career. Later on, he'd gain world-wide fame as a founding member of The Band and then move on to a solo career.

As always, online reaction was swift after the news of his death. Here are a few comments from our local musicians:

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings: "Today, we lost our dear Levon Helm. We are deeply saddened and stunned by this loss. His music and spirit embody everything that’s great about music. Everything that’s great about spending your life as a musician, or a music lover. Levon never made you feel anything less than special- whether you were a friend, a fellow musician, a guest at his house or a member of his audience. The honour he felt in the blessing of being a musician was humbling and touching and uncompromising. And the joy and hilarity he found in life and shared in his music will go on and on. Our hearts go out to our great friend and queen, Amy Helm and to Levon’s wife Sandy, and all of the family and close friends who are hurting so much now. We will always do our best bring honour to his memory."

Steve Strongman: "Levon was one of the greatest ever. A true original. A sad day for music lovers everywhere."

Dock Holliday: "Levon Helm, truly one of the greatest voices not only in Rock and Roll, but the entire world. Thanks for all of the great music and inspiration you gave."

Jacob Moon: "RIP Levon Helm. For me, he was the heartbeat of The Band and a vital force for good music right to the end."

Arkells: "Sad to hear about Levon. He was a huge inspiration for us and so many young musicians. Thank you for all that you offered to us, Levon."

Jesse O'Brien: "Levon-your gift of music to the world will never be forgotten-and what a sweet kind soul...I remember this day from when I was 16 and and we first played music as one of the most incredible days-and to share it with my dad made it all the more special...so many memories... RIP"

We would like to extend our condolences to his friends and family.



Video courtesy of DirtFarmerMusic

More covers and stories by the Band

Arkells and David Braid Win at the Junos

Hamilton rockers the Arkells (Group of the Year) and local jazz musician David Braid (Traditional Jazz) walked away with Juno Awards this past weekend, making Hamilton proud. Also, St. Catharines born Dallas Green (City and Colour) won as Songwriter of the Year.

Other awards of note include:

Dan Managan - New Artist of the Year & Alternative Album

Bruce Cockburn - Roots Solo

The Wailin' Jennys - Roots Group

MonkeyJunk - Blues

Click here for the full list of Winners

Click here for the Spectator story

Blasts From the Pasts: This year's nominations, 2009 Juno Award Winners, Jack DeKeyzer Wins 2010 Juno, Daniel Lanois Wins 2011 Juno, All of our Juno Stories

Harrison Kennedy Nominated for Juno

Hamilton Blues legend Harrison Kennedy has received a nomination for the upcoming 2012 Juno Awards. His latest CD, Shame the Devil is up for the Blues album of the year.

Harrison is up against David Gogo, Bill Johnson, MonkeyJunk and Suzie Vinnick. We wish him luck!

For the Roots category, we have Bruce Cockburn, Craig Cardiff, Dave Gunning, David Francey, and Lindi Ortega vying for the Best Solo CD. The Good Lovelies, The Deep Dark Woods, The Once, The Wailin' Jennys, and Twilight Hotel are up for best Roots Group CD.

Other Hamilton-area nominees include the Arkells (Group, Rock CD), David Braid (Traditional Jazz), Diana Panton (Jazz Vocal), Junior Boys (Electronic).

The award ceremony will be broadcast live from Ottawa on April 1 on CTV.

Click here for the complete list of nominees

Click here for the Spectator article

Blasts from the Past: Our review of Shame the Devil, 2009 Juno Award Winners, Jack DeKeyzer Wins 2010 Juno, Daniel Lanois Wins 2011 Juno, All of our Juno Stories

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories

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Links: Sarah Harmer, More Sarah Harmer Stories, Arkells, Video courtesy of GordsGal73



Links: Ginger St. James, More Ginger St. James Stories, Video courtesy of djmimage, More Elvis Covers/Stories



Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, Video courtesy of Andre and the J-Tones, Buy His Christmas CD



Links: Mike Trebilcock, More Mike Trebilcock Stories, Video courtesy of Mike Trebilcock

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