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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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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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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Steve Strongman Wins Guitarist of the Year at Maple Blues Awards

Congratulations to Hamilton's Steve Strongman, who won the Guitarist of the Year award at the 15th annual Maple Blues Awards. They were handed out January 16, 2012. Other winners inlcuded MonkeyJunk (3 awards), Matt Andersen (3 awards), Suzie Vinnick (2 awards), and more.

Here are the talented winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR

MonkeyJunk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

To Behold, MonkeyJunk

BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)

Paul James

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Gregg Allman

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Steve Strongman

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Carlos del Junco

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chris Whiteley

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Matt Sobb ( MonkeyJunk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR

Alec Fraser

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR

Liz Sykes

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Strongman, Kennedy, Chiarelli and de Keyzer Among 2011 Maple Blues Award Nominess

Congratulations to all of the local talent that was nominated for the Maple Blues Awards. Hamilton Blues legend, Harrison Kennedy and hometown girl, Rita Chiarelli (who won the lifetime achievement trophy last year) received 3 nods each. Also Jack de Keyzer and Steve Strongman are up for best guitarist.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on January 16, 2012 at Koerner Hall in Toronto.

Good luck!

Below is a list of the nominees:

Entertainer Of The Year

• Jim Byrnes
• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
• Matt Andersen
• MonkeyJunk
• Shakura S'Aida

Electric Act Of The Year

• Bill Johnson
• David Gogo
• Keith Hallett & Garrett Mason
• MonkeyJunk
• Rita Chiarelli

Acoustic Act Of The Year

• Harrison Kennedy
• Harry Manx
• Matt Andersen
• Suzie Vinnick
• Tim Williams

Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Harrison Kennedy
• Jim Byrnes
• John Mays (Fathead)
• Matt Andersen
• Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Rita Chiarelli
• Robin Bank$
• Shakura S'Aida
• Suzie Vinnick
• Treasa Levasseur

New Artist Or Group Of The Year

• The 24th Street Wailers
• Douglas Watson R&B Revue
• Kat Danser
• Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce
• Tim Vaughn

Recording Of The Year

• Suzie Vinnick - Me 'n' Mabel
• Rita Chiarelli - Music From The Big House
• Bill Johnson - Still Blue
• Harry Manx & Kevin Breit - Strictly Whatever
• MonkeyJunk - To Behold

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement)

• Alec Fraser
• Danny Brooks
• Ellen McIlwaine
• Joe Murphy
• Ken Whiteley
• Michael Fonfara
• Paul James
• Stephen Barry
• Tom Lavin

B.B. King International Artist Of The Year

• Bettye LaVette
• Duke Robillard
• Greg Allman
• JJ Grey & Mofro
• Tedeschi Trucks Band

Guitar Player Of The Year

• David Gogo
• Garrett Mason
• Jack de Keyzer
• Kevin Breit
• Steve Strongman

Harmonica Player Of The Year

• Carlos del Junco
• David "Hurricane" Hoerl (The Twisters)
• David Rotundo
• Roly Platt
• Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year

• Curley Bridges
• David Vest
• John Lee Sanders
• Julian Fauth
• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

Horn Player Of The Year

• Al Lerman (Fathead)
• Chris Murphy
• Chris Whiteley
• Pat Carey (Downchild)
• Neil Braithwaite (Blackburn)

Drummer Of The Year

• Al Cross (Jerome Godboo)
• Bucky Berger (Fathead)
• Geoff Arsenault (Morgan Davis)
• Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
• Vince Maccarone (Johnny Max)

Bassist Of The Year

• Alan Duffy (Jack de Keyzer)
• Alec Fraser (Fraser/Daley)
• Gary Kendall (Downchild)
• Keith Picot (The Twisters)
• Omar Tunnoch (Fathead)

Songwriter Of The Year

• Bill Johnson
• Diteodoro/Marriner/Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
• Harrison Kennedy
• Harry Manx
• Suzie Vinnick

Rita Chiarelli and King Biscuit Boy Honoured at Maple Blues Awards

Local musician Rita Chiarelli and Hamilton's own late, great King Biscuit Boy were honoured for their entire body of work at the Maple Blues Awards on January 17, 2011. Both received lifetime achievement awards for their legendary careers. Congratulations.

Ottawa's Monkey Junk, who played last year's Blues With a Feeling gala, were the big winners with 3 awards (electric act, harmonica, drums).

Milton's Shrimp Daddy also won best new artist.

Frequent Hamilton visitor, John Mays (Fathead) received the best male vocalist award.

Legendary Canadian Blues band, Downchild (featuring another frequent guest to the city, Chuck Jackson) won Best Recording for their CD, I Need a Hat.

See below for the full list of winners.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Monkey Junk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

John Mays (Fathead)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Shakura S’Aida

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Shrimp Daddy

RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Downchild / I Need A Hat / Linus
Producer – Don Walsh

BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)
Rita Chiarelli

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Garrett Mason

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Steve Marriner (Monkey Junk)

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Julian Fauth

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chris Whiteley

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Matt Sobb (Monkey Junk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR Keith Picot

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Paul Reddick & Colin Linden

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR
Gord MacAulay
SPECIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
King Biscuit Boy

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King Biscuit Boy to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

When the Maple Blues Awards are handed out on January 17, 2011, local blues legend Richard Newell, aka King Biscuit Boy, will be recognized for his body of work.

From the media release:

Toronto, ON (January 11, 2011) – Hamilton blues legend Richard Newell a.k.a King Biscuit Boy is set to receive a special posthumous lifetime achievement award at the upcoming Maple Blues Awards on January 17. Newell, a lifelong resident of Hamilton, Ontario and a pioneer on the blues music scene in Canada was best known for his mastery of the harmonica. A member of Canadian rock icons Crowbar and a two-time Juno nominee, Newell shared the stage with Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker, Etta James, and Ronnie Hawkins, who is credited with discovering him. Each year since his death in 2003, The Friends of Richard Newell have held a benefit concert in his memory, with the money raised going to a music scholarship fund at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in Hamilton, Ontario.

Links: King Biscuit Boy - More KBB Stories

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2010 Maple Blues Award Winners

A number of local musicians were nominated for a Maple Blues Award but unfortunately, none of them walked away with a prize. You are all winners to us!

The awards were handed out January 18, 2010 at Koerner Hall in Toronto.

The big winners that night were Ottawa's Monkey Junk (5 awards) and Chris Whitely (3 awards).

Here are the winners:

Entertainer Of The Year
Monkey Junk

Electric Act Of The Year
Monkey Junk

Acoustic Act Of The Year
Harry Manx

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Steve Marriner (Monkey Junk)

Female Vocalist Of The Year
Suzie Vinnick

New Artist/Group Of The Year
Blackburn

BB King International Artist Of The Year
Taj Mahal

Recording Of The Year
Jeff Healey: Songs From The Road

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Chris Whiteley

Guitarist Of The Year
Tony D (Monkey Junk)

Harmonica Player Of The Year
Steve Marriner (Monkey Junk)

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year
Michael Fonfara (Downchild, Maple Blues Revue)

Horn Player Of The Year
Chris Whiteley (Maple Blues Revue)

Drummer Of The Year
Bucky Berger (Fathead)

Bassist Of The Year
Alec Fraser (Broken Joe, Jeff Healey)

Songwriter Of The Year
Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite

Local Musicians Up for Maple Blues Awards

Local performers Jack DeKeyzer, Harrison Kennedy, and Steve Strongman have been nominated for the 13th Annual Maple Blues Awards. The event will take place January 18, 2010 at Koerner Hall, Toronto.

Voting opens Friday, October 30th at noon (DST) and is open to Sunday, December 13th at noon (EDT). Blues fans cast their votes online, at www.mapleblues.ca.

Congratulations and good luck!

Here are the nominees:

Entertainer Of The Year
Downchild
Jack DeKeyzer
Little Miss Higgins
Monkey Junk
Shakura S’Aida

Electric Act Of The Year
David Gogo
Garrett Mason
Jack DeKeyzer
Monkey Junk
The Twisters

Acoustic Act Of The Year
Big Dave McLean
Braithwaite & Whiteley
Harrison Kennedy
Harry Manx
Julian Fauth

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Harrison Kennedy
Jim Byrnes
John Mays (Fathead, Maple Blues Revue)
Paul Reddick
Steve Marriner (Monkey Junk)

Female Vocalist Of The Year
Jolene “Little Miss” Higgins
Roxanne Potvin
Shakura S'Aida
Suzie Vinnick
Treasa Levasseur

New Artist/Group Of The Year
Blackburn
Blues Delight
Clio & The Blues Highway
Ross Neilsen
Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth

BB King International Artist Of The Year
John Mayall
Maria Muldaur
Taj Mahal
Tommy Castro
Watermelon Slim

Recording Of The Year
Twisters: Come Out Swingin' (NorthernBlues)
Harrison Kennedy: One Dog Barkin' (Electro-Fi)
Jeff Healey: Songs From The Road (Stony Plain)
Paul Reddick: SugarBird (NorthernBlues)
Monkey Junk: Tiger In Your Tank (Beefy)

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Alec Fraser
Chris Whiteley
Danny Brooks
Ellen McIlwaine
Joe Murphy
Ken Whiteley
Michael Fonfara
Paul James
Terry Wilkins
Tom Lavin

Guitarist Of The Year
Garrett Mason
Jack DeKeyzer
Steve Dawson (Jim Byrnes)
Steve Strongman
Tony D (Monkey Junk)

Harmonica Player Of The Year
Carlos Del Junco
David Hoerl (The Twisters)
David Rotundo
Jerome Godboo
Steve Marriner (Monkey Junk)

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year
Bill Stevenson (Easley Stevenson Arsenault)
Julian Fauth
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Lance Anderson
Michael Fonfara (Downchild, Maple Blues Revue)

Horn Player Of The Year
Al Lerman (Fathead, Maple Blues Revue)
Chris Murphy (Maple Blues Revue)
Chris Whiteley (Maple Blues Revue)
Johnny Ferreira
Pat Carey (Downchild, Maple Blues Revue)

Drummer Of The Year
Al Cross
Bucky Berger (Fathead)
Chris Nordquist
Geoff Arsenault (Easley Stevenson Arsenault)
Tom Bona (Raoul & The Big Time, Maple Blues Revue)

Bassist Of The Year
Alan Duffy (Jack DeKeyzer)
Alec Fraser (Broken Joe, Jeff Healey)
Gary Kendall (Downchild, Maple Blues Revue, Gary Kendall Band)
Keith Picot (The Twisters)
Tom Easley (Easley Stevenson Arsenault)

Songwriter Of The Year
Brandon Isaak (The Twisters)
Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite
Harrison Kennedy
Paul Reddick
Treasa Levasse