12 Videos of Christmas (5-8)

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Diamondav, Read our review of this CD



Links: Doug Feaver, More Doug Feaver Stories, Video above courtesy of Doug Feaver



Links: Brenda Lewis, More Brenda Lewis Stories, Gayle Ackroyd, Video above courtesy of Brenda Lewis



Links: Colin James, More Colin James Stories, Video above courtesy of Diamondav

Check out our other Christmas videos

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Previous (News Roundup w Trickbag, Ray Price, Jeremy Fisher, Passings, Cartoons) - - - Next (New Episodes of Ensemble Online)

News Roundup (Gavin O'Sullivan, Tom Finochio, Joe Mavety)

Local

• Heart's Ann Wilson says RitaChiarelli is one of her favourite female singers
• Silhouette story on Danielle Beaudin
• Spec story on Alex MacDougall
• Podcast interview with GavinO'Sullivan



Links: Gavin O'Sullivan, Video courtesy of Kevin's Barbershop Podcast

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Canada 

• Joe Mavety passes (pictured)
• Via Rail lets musicians trade songs for travel
• New Colin James Blues stream on CBC

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Funny/Weird Stuff

• Music related Duplex comic strip

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Blasts From the Past

• 2009: Stephen Harper Sings the Beatles
• 2010: Videos-Paperboys/Deacons Reunion@Plough & Harrow
• 2011: Videos: Mo Kauffey and Mojo Willie@Woolwich Arrow
• 2012: Videos: Russel deCarle (Prairie Oyster)@Pine Street

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Featured Videos



Links: Tom Finochio, Video courtesy of Maggie Ciere



Links: Joe Mavety, Video courtesy of TheSusanmca

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Previous (New Smoke Wagon Blues Band Live CD) - - - Next (Jethro Tull Videos)

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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Previous (News Roundup w/Edgar Breau, Michelle Titian, Troggs)

Steve Strongman Wins Big at Maple Blues Awards

Hamilton's own Steve Strongman has proven that he's just as much of an award winner for his acoustic work as he is for his electric sound.  He took home three Maple Blues Awards on January  21, 2013 (Recording, Guitar Player and Songwriter). CONGRATULATIONS!

Click here for the Spectator article.

Video below courtesy of RandallStaffordCook



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

Other big winners included MonkeyJunk (Electric Act, Harmonica, Drummer) and Suzie Vinnick (Acoustic Act, Female Vocalist).

Below is a complete list.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Colin James

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR
MonkeyJunk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Suzie Vinnick

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Matt Andersen

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Suzie Vinnick

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Steve Kozak

RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“A Natural Fact" Steve Strongman

BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)
Matt Minglewood

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Tedeschi Trucks Band

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve Strongman

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Vest

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jon Wong

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR
Gary Kendall (Downchild)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Steve Strongman

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR
John Valenteyn

Click here for more about the Maple Blues Awards

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Previous (News Roundup+Videos) - - - Next (Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse)

News Roundup (X-Mas Singles, City and the Sea, Robin Banks)

Local

• Download the Acoustics' new X-Mas single and help "Out of the Cold"
• Download new Smoke Wagon X-Mas single and help Make a Wish
• The Hamiltonian interview with Joshua Weresch
• Tomi Swick will be moving to Ireland this week. We wish him luck!
• We'd like CHCH to play more local music (Facebook page)

Canada

• Colin James, Colin Linden and Dave McLean list their fave Canadian guitarists

World

• Podcasts: Nothing But the Blues 219, Blues Time 174, Roadhouse 404

 Blasts From the Past

• 2009: Blues News Bites and Videos by Pete Sisk, Pappy Johns & Jacob Moon
• 2010: Hamilton Music Award Videos
• 2011: Kelly Jay & Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse

Featured Videos  




Links: City and the Sea,  More City and the Sea stories, Video courtesy of the band's YouTube page



Links: Robin Banks, More Robin Banks stories, Video courtesy of 25Musical

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Previous (Wendell Ferguson & James Anthony Band@Black Swan) - - - Next (Hamilton Guitar Association@Winking Judge)

Daniel Lanois and Luke Doucet on CBC's Top 25 Canadian Guitarists List

To celebrate guitar month (November) over at CBC Music, they selected the top 25 Canadian guitarists of all time.  Two deserving, talented, local musicians made the cut: Daniel Lanois (13) and Luke Doucet (10). They are certainly in good company as the list boasts Neil Young, Randy Bachman, David Wilcox, Bruce Cockburn, Colin James and many other legends.  Alex Lifeson of Rush took the top spot.

Below is the complete list:

25 & 24. Dallas & Travis Good (Sadies)
23. Kevin Breit (Sisters Euclid)
22. Ian Blurton (ex-Change of Heart, C'mon)
21. David Wilcox
20. Liona Boyd
19. Rob Baker (Tragically Hip)
18. Don Ross
17. Keith Scott (Bryan Adams)
16. Brian Connelly (Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet)
15. Patrick Pentland (Sloan)
14. Kim Mitchell
13. Daniel Lanois
12. Ed Bickert
11. Colin James
10. Luke Doucet (Whitehorse)
9. Randy Bachman  (Guess Who, BTO)
8. Lenny Breau
7. Joni Mitchell
6. Rik Emmett (Triumph)
5. Neil Young
4. Bruce Cockburn
3. Robbie Robertson (The Band)
2. Jeff Healey
1. Alex Lifeson  (Rush)

Click here for full story

Check out these videos:



Links: Luke Doucet, More Luke Doucet Stories, Video courtesy of Six Shooter Records



Links: Daniel Lanois, More Daniel Lanois Stories


Blast From the Past: Daniel Lanois & Others@Harvest Picnic

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Previous (News Roundup+Videos) - - - Next (New Pete Van Dyk EP)

Steve Strongman and Harrison Kennedy Among Those Nominated for Maple Blues Awards

Two talented Hamilton players have a great chance at bringing some award hardware home. Local soul/blues legend Harrison Kennedy and  bluesman Steve Strongman have been nominated for the 16th annual Maple Blues Awards .

Strongman has the distinction of having the most (six) nominations for this year. Kennedy will be up for two awards.

The Maple Blues Awards are taking place at Koerner Hall (Toronto) on January 21, 2013. Voting  runs October 27-December 8, 2012. Click here to register to vote.

Entertainer Of The Year

• Colin James
• Matt Andersen
• MonkeyJunk
• Shakura S'Aida
• Steve Strongman

Electric Act Of The Year

• Anthony Gomes
• JW-Jones
• MonkeyJunk
• Paul Reddick
• Steve Strongman

Acoustic Act Of The Year

• Harrison Kennedy
• Michael Jerome Browne
• Ray Bonneville
• Steve Strongman
• Suzie Vinnick

Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Chuck Jackson
• Harrison Kennedy
• Matt Andersen
• Paul Reddick
• Steve Marriner

Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Dawn Tyler Watson
• Nanette Workman
• Shakura S'Aida
• Suzie Vinnick
• Treasa Levasseur

New Artist Or Group Of The Year

• Ben Racine
• Boogie Patrol
• Conor Gains Band
• Steve Kozak
• The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer

BB King International Artist Of The Year

• Tedeschi Trucks Band
• Michael Burks
• Dr. John
• Curtis Salgado
• Joe Louis Walker

Recording Of The Year

• Steve Strongman: A Natural Fact 
• The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer: Checkered Past (Independent)
• Shakura S'Aida: Time
• Treasa Levasseur: Broad
• Paul Reddick: Wishbone

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)

• Alec Fraser
• Michael Jerome Browne
• Danny Brooks
• Ellen McIlwaine
• Joe Murphy
• Ken Whiteley
• Michael Fonfara
• Stephen Barry
• Tom Lavin
• Matt Minglewood
• Brent Parkin
• Bob Walsh
• Jim Zeller
• Nannette Workman
• Theresa Malenfant
• John Dickie

Guitar Player Of The Year

• David Gogo
• Garrett Mason
• Kevin Breit
• Steve Strongman
• Teddy Leonard (Fathead)

Harmonica Player Of The Year

• Carlos del Junco
• David Hoerl (The Twisters)
• Guy Bélanger
• Paul Reddick
• Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year

• David Vest
• Julian Fauth
• Kenny "Blues Boss" WayneLance Anderson (Shakura S'Aida)
• Michael Fonfara (Downchild)

Horn Player Of The Year

• Al Lerman (Fathead)
• Chris Whiteley
• Frank Thiffault (Ben Racine)
• Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
• Pat Carey (Downchild)

Drummer Of The Year

• Bucky Berger (Fathead)
• Chris Nordquist (Jim Byrnes)
• Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
• Sam Harrisson (Paul Deslauriers)
• Tom Bona (Soulstack)

Bassist Of The Year

• Alec Fraser
• Gary Kendall (Downchild, David Vest)
• Omar Tunnoch (Fathead)
• Stephen Barry
• Terry Wilkins (Raoul and the Big Time)

Songwriter Of The Year

• Julian Fauth
• Paul Reddick
• Shakura S'Aida & Donna Grantis
• Steve Strongman
• Treasa Levasseur 

Blues Booster of the Year

• John Valenteyn (Toronto Blues Society)

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Maple Blues Winners

More from the Maple Blues Awards

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Previous (Hamilton Music Award Nominations) - - - Next (Ray Materick@Hamilton Folk Club)

Rita Chiarelli, Alfie Smith and others on Blind Lemon's Top 20

Congratulations to Hamiltonians Alfie Smith and Rita Chiarelli for making the top 20 of the Blind Lemon Blues list of the best Canadian Blues albums of 2011. They were numbers 13 and 9 respectively.

Here are the complete results:

20 - Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll
19 - Bill Durst - The Great Willy Mammoth
18 - Sabrina Weeks - Tales From Lenny's Diner
17 - Bill Johnson - Still Blue
16 - Fathead - Where's The Blues Taking Me?
15 - Al Wood & the Woodsmen - Mood Swingin' Blues
14 - Lou DeAdder - Headlights
13 - Alfie Smith - Sometimes The Rain
12 - Treasa Levasseur - Broad
11 - 24th Street Wailers - Dirty Little Young 'uns
10 - BC Read - 1,000 Miles
09 - Rita Chiarelli - Music from The Big House
08 - David Gogo - Soul Bender
07 - Jesse Roper - The Roper Show
06 - Suzie Vinnick - Me n Mabel
05 - Colin James - Take it from The Top
04 - Matt Andersen - Coal Mining Bues
03 - MonkeyJunk - To Behold
02 - Jeff Healey Band - Live at Grossmans in 1994
01 - Harpdog Brown - Naturally

Tom Wilson and Friends@Corktown (September 23, 2011)(Astrid Young & Ray Farrugia's Stage & Doe, Part 2)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Tom Wilson (guitar, vocals), Colin Cripps (guitar), Thompson Wilson (Harlan Pepper) (bass), Ray Farrugia (drums), Mimi Shaw (vocals on Jackson)





More Johnny Cash Covers/Stories



Click here for Part 1

Bonus Videos:



Above video courtesy of annaLaPointe



Above video courtesy of vrmet

Links: Tom Wilson, More Tom Wilson Stories

Blues News Bites (Barry Mac, Podcasts, Videos)

Local

• View Magazine Interviews: Barry Mac
• Harrison Kennedy Featured on the "In a Blue Mood" Blog

Canada

• Gary Kendall of Downchild Releases Single as Tribute to Military
• Leonard Cohen's Back Injury Delays European tour

World

• 7 Neil Young Albums That Should Have Won a Grammy
• Video Highlights of the Maple Blues Awards
• Podcasts: Simply the Blues 9, Nothing But the Blues #73, Roadhouse#259
• New Facebook Blues Society
• Blind Boys of Alabama to play White House
• MTV Removes "Music Television" from Their Logo

Funny/Weird Stuff

• Music Related Cartoon by Leigh Ruben of Rubes
• List of Dead Teenager Songs (mostly from the 50s and 60s)

Featured Videos

Tom Wilson and Colin James: Freedom


Tiny Bill Cody on CBC


Steve Sinnicks at DRV2WRK campaign