Canadian musicians were in full force at the 29th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The finals were held February 1 and 2, 2013. The world got to see what Canucks are capable of.
Steve Hill, from the Montreal Blues Society won for Self-Produced CD.
Two other Canadians performers were finalists as well: Graham Guest (Edmonton Blues Society) and Suzie Vinnick (Toronto Blues Society)
Congratulations to everybody!
The winner of the solo/duo category was Little G Weevil (Atlanta Blues Society). The Suitcase Brothers (Barcelona Blues Society) took second place
In the Band competition The Selwyn Birchwood Band (Suncoast Blues Society) won top prize with Michael van Merwyk and Bluesoul (German Blues Network) in second place and Dan Treanor's Afrosippi Band w/ Erica Brown (Colorado Blues Society) in third.
Click here for more of our IBC stories.
Links: Steve Hill, Video courtesy of Tommylevesk
Links: Graham Guest, Video courtesy of Raoul and the Big Time
Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories, Video courtesy of CBC Music
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Showing posts with label Suzie Vinnick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suzie Vinnick. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
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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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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Saturday, 27 October 2012
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
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
- Anthony Gomes
- JW-Jones
- MonkeyJunk
- Paul Reddick
- Steve Strongman
- Harrison Kennedy
- Michael Jerome Browne
- Ray Bonneville
- Steve Strongman
- Suzie Vinnick
- Chuck Jackson
- Harrison Kennedy
- Matt Andersen
- Paul Reddick
- Steve Marriner
- Dawn Tyler Watson
- Nanette Workman
- Shakura S'Aida
- Suzie Vinnick
- Treasa Levasseur
- Ben Racine
- Boogie Patrol
- Conor Gains Band
- Steve Kozak
- The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer
- Tedeschi Trucks Band
- Michael Burks
- Dr. John
- Curtis Salgado
- Joe Louis Walker
- Steve Strongman: A Natural Fact
- The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer: Checkered Past (Independent)
- Shakura S'Aida: Time
- Treasa Levasseur: Broad
- Paul Reddick: Wishbone
- 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
- David Gogo
- Garrett Mason
- Kevin Breit
- Steve Strongman
- Teddy Leonard (Fathead)
- Carlos del Junco
- David Hoerl (The Twisters)
- Guy Bélanger
- Paul Reddick
- Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)
- David Vest
- Julian Fauth
- Kenny "Blues Boss" WayneLance Anderson (Shakura S'Aida)
- Michael Fonfara (Downchild)
- Al Lerman (Fathead)
- Chris Whiteley
- Frank Thiffault (Ben Racine)
- Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
- Pat Carey (Downchild)
- Bucky Berger (Fathead)
- Chris Nordquist (Jim Byrnes)
- Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
- Sam Harrisson (Paul Deslauriers)
- Tom Bona (Soulstack)
- Alec Fraser
- Gary Kendall (Downchild, David Vest)
- Omar Tunnoch (Fathead)
- Stephen Barry
- Terry Wilkins (Raoul and the Big Time)
- Julian Fauth
- Paul Reddick
- Shakura S'Aida & Donna Grantis
- Steve Strongman
- Treasa Levasseur
- John Valenteyn (Toronto Blues Society)
Blast from the Past: Last Year's Maple Blues Winners
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Thursday, 21 June 2012
News Roundup (Awards, Wilson Family Forgery, Bill Bourne)
Local
- Hamilton Online Music Hall of Fame
- Susan Wylde earns eWorld Music Award
- New Ontario venues Facebook page
- Groove Corporation's Lily Sazz talks about Toronto Blues Society
- Audio clip of Jackie Washington interview
Canada
- Randy Bachman and Sarah McLachlan inducted into Walk of Fame
- Suzie Vinnick wins Great Canadian Blues Award
World
- Top 10 Jeff Beck Guest Appearances
- Nat Reese passes
- Rick Moore passes
- Podcasts: SA Blues 163, Nothing but the Blues 196, Roadhouse 382
- 10 Songs about dads
- New Legends of Blues Guitar ebook
Funny/Weird Stuff
- Musician Cartoon (Soup to Nutz)
- Johnny Cash cartoon
- 5 Upbeat songs you didn't realize were depressing, part 2
Blasts From the Past
- 2009: Performer of the Week: Famous Framus
- 2010: Willie P. Bennett Inducted into Canadian Country Hall of Fame & More Stories
- 2011: Vibe Songwriter's Circle (Fred D Smith, Kori Pop, Marie Avery)
Featured Videos
Links: Wilson Family Forgery, More Wilson Family Forgery stories, Video courtesy of Wilson Family Forgery
Links: Bill Bourne, More Bill Bourne stories, Video courtesy of LoneyTunes
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Monday, 11 June 2012
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
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
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
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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Wednesday, 1 February 2012
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
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
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
ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR
ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
RECORDING OF THE YEAR
To Behold, MonkeyJunk
BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)
BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Carlos del Junco
PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Matt Sobb ( MonkeyJunk)
BASSIST OF THE YEAR
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR
Liz Sykes
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Monday, 5 December 2011
Canadian Folk Music Awards Winners
The Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Below is a list of the winners. Congratulations everyone!Traditional Album of the Year
- Genticorum - Nagez Rameurs
Contemporary Album of the Year
- Bruce Cockburn - Small Source of Comfort
- Benoît Archambault - Les pourquoi
Contemporary Singer of the Year
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
Instrumental Group of the Year
English Songwriter of the Year
French Songwriter of the Year
Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year
Vocal Group of the Year
Ensemble of the Year
Solo Artist of the Year
World Solo Artist of the Year
World Group of the Year
New/Emerging Artist of the Year
Producer of the Year
- Mark Howard & David Travers-Smith (The Wailin' Jennys)
Young Performer of the Year
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Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Suzie Vinnick and Friends @ Royal Botanical Gardens (August 31, 2011) Part 2
Click here if you can't see the videos.
Roly Platt (harmonica), Suzie Vinnick (guitar, vocals), Victor Bateman (bass)
Click here for Part 1
Bonus videos from the 2010 Concert for Peace in Crystal Beach. Courtesy of LuisPearTree
Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories
Roly Platt (harmonica), Suzie Vinnick (guitar, vocals), Victor Bateman (bass)
Click here for Part 1
Bonus videos from the 2010 Concert for Peace in Crystal Beach. Courtesy of LuisPearTree
Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Suzie Vinnick and Friends @ Royal Botanical Gardens (August 31, 2011) Part 1
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