Local Acts Nominated for 2014 Maple Blues Awards

Once again, our talented local musicans were honoured with quite a few Maple Blues Award nominations.

Hopefully, some of them will be receieving the kudos on the 17th annual show (run by the Toronto Blues Society) on January 10, 2014.  GOOD LUCK!

Steve Strongman, Harrison Kennedy, and Soulstack garnered two nods each: Strongman for Entertainer & Guitarist; Harrison for Acoustic Act & Male Vocalist; Soulstack for Electric act &  Drummer (Tom Bona).

Other area nominees include: Dave King (Drummer) and Brant Parker Blues Band (New Artist/Group).



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories,Video courtesy of Urban Hero Magazine



Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video courtesy of StellaBlu477



Links: Soulstack , Video courtesy of Jon Knight



Links: Brant Parker Blues Band, More Brant Parker Stories, Video courtesy of Daragent2
 
The largest number of nominations went to Ottawa's MonkeyJunk who were listed in six categories.

Here is the complete list of the 17th Annual Maple Blues Awards nominees:

Entertainer
The 24th Street Wailers
MonkeyJunk
Shakura S'Aida
Steve Strongman
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer

Electric Act
The 24th Street Wailers
Bill Durst
David Gogo
MonkeyJunk
Soulstack

Acoustic Act
Brandon Isaak
Dawn Tyler Watson and Paul Deslauriers
Harrison Kennedy
Little Miss Higgins
Michael Jerome Browne

Male Vocalist
Bob Walsh
Charlie A'Court
Donald Ray Johnson
Harrison Kennedy
Jim Byrnes

Female Vocalist
Angel Forrest
Dawn Tyler Watson
Layla Zoe
Shakura S'Aida
Treasa Levasseur

New Artist or Group
Brant Parker Blues Band    
Declan O'Donovan
Denis Viel
James “Buddy” Rogers
The Mackenzie Blues Band                                         

Recording/Producer
MonkeyJunk - All Frequencies
David Vest - East Meets Vest (co-produced by Gary Kendall)
Julian Fauth - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right
Angel Forrest - Mother Tongue Blues
Ben Racine Band - One of A Kind

B.B. King International Artist
James Cotton
Dr. John
Mavis Staples
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Trampled Under Foot

Guitarist
David Gogo
Kevin Breit
Paul Deslauriers
Steve Strongman
Tony D (MonkeyJunk)

Harmonica
Carlos Del Junco
David Rotundo
Guy Belanger
Shawn Hall (The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer)
Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Piano/Keyboard
David Vest
Graham Guest
Julian Fauth
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Lance Anderson

Horn
Al Lerman  (Fathead)
Chris Whiteley
Frank Thiffault  (Ben Racine)
Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
Shirley Jackson

Drummer
Bucky Berger
Chris Nordquist
Dave King (Steve Strongman)
Sam Harrisson (Paul Deslauriers)
Tom Bona (Soulstack)

Bassist
Alec Fraser
Gary Kendall 
Keith Picot (Brandon Isaak)
Omar Tunnoch (Fathead)
Russell Jackson

Songwriter
Brandon Isaak
Charlie A'Court
Harrison Kennedy
Julian Fauth
MonkeyJunk

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement)
Alec Fraser
Michael Jerome Browne
Danny Brooks
Ellen McIlwaine
Joe Murphy
Ken Whiteley
Michael Fonfara
Stephen Barry
Tom Lavin
Brent Parkin
Bob Walsh
Jim Zeller
Nanette Workman
Theresa Malenfant
John Dickie

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

Click here for more about the Maple Blues Awards

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Videos: 1st Annual Hamilton Blues and Roots Festival

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories



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Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories



Links: Fry Truck, More Fry Truck Stories, Video courtesy of Fry Truck 

Click here for pictures of the festival 

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New Sue Leonard EP: Leonardville

As soon as you hear Sue Leonard's voice on her new EP, Leonardville (from Race Records), you know the lady means business.  This Hamilton-born singer/songwriter can rock you as well as soothe you.

Everything starts with an incredible bang thanks to Bye Baby, the high-energy opening track.  What follows is a wonderful mix of pop, rock and soul.  After Sue is done shaking your body, she soothes your soul with two beautiful lighter tunes (Quietude and Angel).

On most of the tracks, the singer is expertly backed by Bill Dillon on guitars and bass, Dave King on Drums, and Georgie Fab (Ronnie and the Rockets) on guitar.  Jesse O'Brien plays piano on a track as well.  The whole gang do a superb job.

The EP is available to download on her website.

Video of the opening track below.



Links: Sue Leonard, More CD Releases 

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Blues With a Feeling 2012@Leander Boat Club (June 9, 2012)

Links: Shrimp Daddy, More Shrimp Daddy Stories





Click here for more of Guitar Mikey's Show, Click here for a CD review and one more video from this show

Links: Guitar Mikey, More Guitar Mikey Stories, More King Biscuit Boy Covers/Stories



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories



Links: Jesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien Stories, More Jerry Lee Lewis Covers/Stories

Our Pictures from the Event, More Pictures

Blast from the Past: More From Past Blues With a Feeling Shows

New Steve Strongman Acoustic CD: A Natural Fact

Steve Strongman is known around the world for his high powered, high energy electric guitar sound.  For his latest CD, A Natural Fact, this Hamilton boy's decided to show that he's equally adept with an acoustic guitar.

This ain't no collection of slow, introspective, ballads though.  The stripped down feel allows his great voice to show off it's energy and power (especially on Haven't Seen It Yet and The Mood).  Plus, the boogie he's always had is still here.

Steve also takes advantage of the acoustic format to explore some older blues vibes on a few numbers (while still maintaining a foot in the present). You can hear this from the quasi-gospel sound of I Forgot, to the jazzy, old-timey Full of You, and the rawness of Just One Thing

Though a few tunes are just Steve and his guitar (as well as harmonica), he had a few musical pals to keep him company:  Jesse O'Brien, Alec Fraser, Rob Szabo (who also produced the CD), Dave King, and Suzie Vinnick (who duets with him on Leaving).

The CD is available at his live shows and as a download on iTunes.

Below are live performances of songs from the CD. Courtesy of IndieEyes





Blast From the Past: Steve Strongman Playing Acoustic at Slainte 

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

Steve Strongman and Friends@CNE Bluesfest (August 28, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.





Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

Bonus Video: Digging Roots live at the same event.



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Steve Strongman and Friends @ Studio at Hamilton Place (April 23, 2010)

Steve Strongman was joined by a number of his friends at the DVD release party for Live at the Barn.

Steve Strongman (vocals, guitar), Dave King (drums), Colin Lapsley (bass), Paul Inston (stand-up bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)

We included additional footage from this show on our review of the DVD - click here to view.

Click here if you can't see the videos.










Steve Strongman and Friends - How Blue Can You Get

Hamilton Blues Lovers | MySpace Video



Click here for more Steve Strongman stories.

New Steve Strongman Band DVD: Live at the Barn

It's not too often that you see a local musician with a live DVD. It's even rarer to experience an amazing intimate show that rocks as hard as any big arena spectacle. Luckily, the Steve Strongman Band recorded such an incredible performance with Live at the Barn.

The DVD features Strongman at his best. He kicks off the show with some sweet solo acoustic songs (Keep It To Yourself, River, Birthday Song, etc) and then brings in the band to rock the joint!

He is joined by Hamiltonians Dave King (drums) and Colin Lapsley (bass) on some barn-shakin' rockers (Lie to You, Honey, Mean to Me, etc), a few superb slower moments (Take My Arms, Soul Searching) and all points in between.

To top it all off, there are some wonderful bonus features where Strongman talks about the creative process for a short bit and then we're treated to some more great music (That's What She Does, Emily)

The DVD is available at his shows and online as well. Plans are underway for an audio version of the concert.

Below are two videos taken directly from the DVD. Click here if you can't see them.





Below are videos from the DVD release party @ the Studio at Hamilton Place. Click here if you can't see them.









Click here for more from this show.

Click here for more Steve Strongman stories.

Blues Guitar Explosion @ McIntyre Theatre - December 4, 2009 (Full Band, Electric)

The main band consisted of: Steve Strongman (guitar), Dave King (drums), Colin Lapsley (bass) and Jesse O'Brien (keyboards)

Click here for Part 1 (Acoustic set)

If you can't see the videos below, click here

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Teddy Leonard (Fathead) joins the band on vocals and guitar



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Paul Deslauriers does the same



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Brian Griffith lends his guitar as Steve Strongman sings



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Everyone joins in for a final, instrumental jam



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More stories: Steve Strongman, Brian Griffith, Colin Lapsley, Jesse O'Brien

New Steve Strongman CD: Blues in Colour

Local blues musician, Steve Strongman has released his latest CD, "Blues In Colour".

The disc includes Alec Fraser on bass and Dave King on Drums. It features catchy hooks, acoustic ballads and a cover of Freddie King's Across the Water.

"I am really proud of this CD and can't wait for you to hear it," Strongman said.

Click here for the View Magazine story.

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories, More CD Releases

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