View Magazine Reader's Choice Award Winners 2013

Readers of Hamilton's View Magazine have had their say!  The mag's Reader's Choice Awards for 2013 have been unveiled.

All the votes are tallied and the Hammer has chosen their local favourites: From the best music, to the best place to break up (Gore Park, by the way) to the finest shops in the land.

Musically, the big winners are rock group Monster Truck with 3 wins and This Ain't Hollywood with 4 (co-owner Lou Molinaro landed an additional two)

You can click here for the full list. 

Below are all the music-related categories.

Congrats to everybody!

Local Female Artist

• Gold: Terra Lightfoot
• Silver: Robin Benedict
• Ginger St. James

Links: Terra Lightfoot, More Terra Lightfoot Stories, Video courtesy of Mel Olds

Local Male Artist

• Gold: Steve Strongman
• Silver: Tomi Swick

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories, Video courtesy of M2B67

Local Band

• Gold: Monster Truck
• Silver: Arkells

Local Cover Band

• Gold: The Undercovers
• Silver: Freedom Train

Local Band Most Likely to Make it Big

• Gold: Monster Truck

Local Band Name

• Gold: Monster Truck
• Silver: Blind Mule

Local Album Artwork

• Gold: Blind Mule EP
• Silver: Jonny Debt: Prince of The Golden Horseshoe

Open Jam

• Gold: Carrigan Arms
• Silver: This Ain’t Hollywood

Open Stage

• Gold: The Baltimore House  
• Silver: This Ain’t Hollywood

Local Festival

• Gold: Festival Of Friends
• Silver: Super Crawl
• It’s Your Festival

Local Radio Station

• Gold: Y108
• Silver: Funny 820
• CFMU

Local Radio Personality

• Gold: Ric Taylor (CFMU)
• Silver: Lou Molinaro (CFMU)

Local Show Promoter

• Gold: Lou Molinaro
• Silver: Ken Inouye

Local Independent Record Label

• Gold: Sonic Unyon
• Silver: Hidden Pony Records

Coolest Instrument to Play

• Gold: Guitar
• Silver: Drums

Local Recording Studio

• Gold: Grant Avenue Studio
• Silver: Catherine North Studios
• Jukasa Studios

Local Rehersal Space

• Gold: Rock Parlour
• Silver: The Jam Zone
• SoundCheck

Lounge

• Gold: The Casbah Lounge
• Silver: The Baltimore

Live Venue

• Gold: Stonewalls
• Silver: This Ain’t Hollywood
• The Casbah

Country Bar

• Gold: Dirty Dog Saloon
• Silver: Galley Pump

Jazz & Blues Venue

• Gold: The Masque
• Silver: Cat ‘N’ Fiddle

Pub

• Gold: Slainte
• Silver: Rebel’s Rock
• Snooty Fox

Vibe

• Gold: Gallagher’s
• Silver: Sarcoa
• Lazy Flamingo

Dive

• Gold: This Ain’t Hollywood
• Silver: Prince Edward Tavern
• Galley Pump

Musical Instrument Store

• Gold: Long & McQuade
• Silver: Mountain Music
• Musical Equipment Sales

Store to Buy New Music

• Gold: HMV
• Silver: Cheapies
• Dr. Disc

Store to Buy Old Music

• Gold: Cheapies
• Silver: Dr. Disc
• Where Heads Meet

Blast from the Past: The 2012 Winners

Links: View Magazine, More from the View's Reader's Choice Awards

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Previous (Jethro Tull Videos) - - - Next (Videos from a Private Show w/Crucial Groove, Michael Maguire, Donna Ceighton, Don McGeoch)

Alex MacDougall (Groove Corporation) Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing (on July 19) of Groove Corporation guitarist, Alex MacDougall. During his storied career, he worked with Crowbar, Harrison Kennedy, the Trailblazers, Ray Materick and many others.  He was also an accomplished painter.  Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Here is some of the online reaction:

His Groove Corporation bandmate, Lily Sazz

Due to the unexpected illness and death (on July 19th) of our long-time guitarist and friend, Alex MacDougall, we are taking a break from performing for a little while. We know that Alex would want us to continue with our band, and we plan for "the show to go on" as soon as we are able.

We thank you for your continued support for Groove Corporation, and the noteworthy career of Alex. His work as a producer, engineer, guitarist, and composer, touched the lives of many people.

As per Alex's wishes, no funeral service will take place. However, there are plans to have a musical tribute/memorial/celebration of life for and with the musical community, probably late summer or early fall.

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From Paul Panchezak (Trickbag)

Rest in peace my old and dear friend Alex MacDougall. Together with our band mates Kelly Jay, Richard Newell, Sonny Del Rio and Rick Waite, we spent something like five years together crossing the continent from Newfoundland to Vancouver and south to New Orleans. We shared many great musical adventures. It many ways it was the time of our lives with many memories that time will never erase.

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From, Lou, HBL Blogger

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to go from being a longtime fan of Alex to becoming a friend.  I will cherish his music, his art and my memories of him.

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Blast From the Past: Perfomer of the Week: Alex MacDougall




Video above courtesy of Shotjun Jilly

Links: Alex MacDougall, More Groove Corporation Stories

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Previous (Local Musicians on 1st Half of CBC's Best Canadian Albums List) - - - Next (4 New Episodes of Ensemble on YouTube)

News Roundup (Edgar Breau, Michelle Titian, Dave Clark 5)

Local

• Kevin's Barbershop Podcast w/Edgar Breau

World

• Blues Grammys 2013
• Dave Clark 5 bassist Rick Huxley passes
• Podcasts: Blues Time 179, Nothing But the Blues 230 

Blasts From the Past:

• 2009: Jacob Moon Gets Rush's Recognition for Cover Song
• 2010: Corktown Blues & Roots Fest w/TNT Bluesmen, Tony Rush, Midnight Jon & Post-Downpour Squalling
• 2011: Big Rude Jake@Private Show
• 2012: Harrison Kennedy Nominated for Juno

Featured Videos



Links: Michelle Titian,  More Michelle Titian Stories, More Johnny Cash Covers/Stories, Video courtesy of UrbanHeroMag



Links: Edgar Breau, More Edgar Breau Stories, Video courtesy of Kevin Barber



Links: Dave Clark 5, Video courtesy of Transatlantic Moments

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Previous (Valentine's Day Videos w/Mark Reeves, Trickbag, Jon Brooks, Sonny Del-Rio) - - - Next (Local Musicians Nominated for Junos)

News Roundup (Martin Verall, Jeff Healey, Jim Marshall)

Local

• Hamilton Musician's Guild Website
• Cool local Music Biz Bits blog
• Review of Guitar Mikey's CD Release show

Canada

• Neil Young May Be Building a better MP3
• April Edition of Maple Blues Magazine

World

• Freddie King & Don Kirchner to be Inducted into Rock Hall of Fame
• Nothing But the Blues Podcast #186
• Jim Marshall Passes
• Dylan's Blood on the Tracks album to become movie

Weird/Funny Stuff

• Rodeo Kings of Oz

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: Jerry Johnson: Performer of the Week
• 2010: Jesse O'Brien & Friends@Corktown
• 2011: Danny & Jimmy of the Overplayers@Artword Artbar

Featured Videos

Links: Jeff Healey, More Jeff Healy Stories, Video courtesy of Gitar Carl



Links: Martin Verall, More Martin Verall Stories, Video courtesy of Steinberg321

News Roundup (Earl Scruggs, Max Wray, Ariana Gillis)

Local

• Spider Costello (VooDoo Chicken singer and drummer for a few local bands) will be moving to the US this month. Hamilton will miss him!
• Daniel Lanois videos from the Great Hall
• View Magazine article on Robin Benedict

World

• New Blues releases for April
• Jerry "Boogie" McCain passes
• Podcast: Nothing but the Blues #185
• Earl Scruggs Passes

Weird/Funny Stuff

• Saddest and happiest songs according to science
• Man makes guitar amps out of rotary phone, Ouija boards, and Chess Boards
• Hilarious pics: Guitar restroom, A Yummy Drum, The Last Supper
• Music related Bizarro cartoon
• Go the Blues cartoon

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: Hamilton Place Ranked as #1 Venue in Canada
• 2010: Ginger St. James@Augusta House
• 2011: Mark Vanderheyden@Pheasant Plucker

Featured Videos


Links: Max Wray, More Max Wray Stories, Video courtesy of B-TV



Links: Ariana Gillis, More Ariana Gillis Stories , Video courtesy of Ariana Gillis

New Whitehorse (Melissa McClelland/Luke Doucet) CD

Local singer/songwriters Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet have not only decided to merge their lives (they're married) but they've now chosen to intertwine their music.

The result is Whitehorse, the couple's new project, who's beautiful self-titled debut was recently released through Six Shooter Records.

These two definitely work well together musically. Both have strong voices but when they join together, the harmonies are wonderful.

Highlights include the infectious Killing Time is Murder and Broken, the powerful Passenger 24, and a wonderful version of Springsteen's I'm On Fire.

The album can be bought online at their site or downloaded through Six Shooter Records or iTunes.



Above video courtesy of LadybirdSanctuary



Video courtesy of InTheWoods



Video courtesy of CBCRadio3

Blast from the Past: The couple (and other musicians) play at a Corktown fundraiser, Part 2 of the same show

Links: Whitehorse, More Melissa McClelland Stories, More Luke Doucet Stories

Ginger St. James YouTube Videos

Above video courtesy of the Tone Bear, More Elvis Covers/Stories



Above video courtesy of TV Cogeco Ontario



More Alice Cooper Covers/Stories





Above videos courtesy of Mama Loves Music 50, More Dolly Parton Covers/Stories

Links: Ginger St. James - More Ginger St. James Stories

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Previous (Matthew de Zoete@Artword Artbar) - - - Next (Shawn Brush@Nines Brick Bar)

Steelworker's Waltz CD Release Party@This Ain't Hollywood (Nov 7, 2011)

Last video courtesy of steingberg321.

Click here for a CD Review and more videos from the show

Links: Steve Sinnicks, Al Barubek, Tim Gibbons, EdgarBreau, Martin Verall

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Previous (New Steelworker's Waltz CD) - - - Next (Videos by Rae Billing, Acoustics, City and the Sea) 

New Steelworker's Waltz Fundraising CD is Pure Hamilton

The new compilation disc, Steelworker's Waltz, is as hardcore Hamilton as it comes. It has amazing Hamilton musicians singing songs about blue collar work on a CD in support of striking steelworkers. This album just bleeds steel.

There are 15 unreleased and/or recently recorded songs from the talented performers in our beloved steeltown. There's poetry, rap, folk, country, blues and much more in this collection - something for everyone!

The CD is available to purchase at Pick N Sticks, Dr. Disc, Cheapies and many other locations across Hamilton. You can also contact boxostudio@gmail.com to request a copy. All monies raised goes towards helping the Local Steelworkers 1005.

Here is the track listing
1. If Not You? - Bill Mahoney
2. 10,000 Degrees - Martin Verall w/Mike Williams (bass)
3. 1005 Anthem - Tim Gibbons
4. Pretty Good Life - Sam Squid
5. Melting Pot - Ray Materick
6. Tougher Now - "Busker" Al Barubek
7. Strength - Brad Hails (Killin' Time Band)
8. All Together Now - Mac-N-Awe
9. Rustbelt Lullaby - Stephen Foster (Crawlin' Kingsnakes)(Simply Saucer)
10. Angles With Bloody Knees - Lori Yates w/Shawn Brush (pedal steel)
11. The Debt - Steve Sinnicks
12. Blue-Green - Kevin Barber
13. Old Steeltown - Edgar Breau (Simply Saucer) with Les Smith (Trickbag)(harmonica)
14. The Colour of Steel - Shawn Brush
15. Oh Hamilton - The Hamilton Kid w/Brendan Russell (keyboards)

Below are a few videos from the CD release party. We'll be posting more footage of that soon.









Last video courtesy of steinberg321

Click here for more footage of the event

Links: Steve Sinnicks, Al Barubek, Tim Gibbons, Edgar Breau, Martin Verall

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Previous (JP Riemens@Station House) - - - Next (More Steelworker's Waltz CD Release Party) 

Fry Truck - Unplugged@This Ain't Hollywood (October 13, 2011) Part 2

All videos courtesy of the Fry Truck YouTube page













Click here for Part 1

Links: Fry Truck, More Fry Truck Stories

Fry Truck - Unplugged@This Ain't Hollywood (October 13, 2011) Part 1

All videos courtesy of the Fry Truck YouTube page

Click here for Part 2

Links: Fry Truck, More Fry Truck Stories

Cool You Tube Videos (Sarah Harmer, Fraser/Daley, Rosei Flores/Lori Yates)

Above video courtesy of Quadrillium



Above video courtesy of neek49



Above video courtesy of tambourini





Above videos courtesy of Quadrillium

Links: Sarah Harmer, Fraser/Daley, Rosie Flores, Lori Yates

Barry Mac and Lena Montecalvo@Upper James Neighbour Block Party (September 17, 2011) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.









More to come . . .

This performance was a fundraiser for the Neighbour 2 Neighbour Centre, click picture below to donate.


Bonus videos from This Ain't Hollywood courtesy of Deadendly





Links: Barry Mac, More Barry Mac Stories

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Previous (New Dinner Belles CD) - - - Next (Barry Mac@Upper James, Part 2) 

Cool YouTube Videos (32 Gunrack, Mike Woods, Wilson Family Forgery)

Videos courtesy of steinberg321





Videos Courtesy of SubZtantal Entertainment





Videos courtesy of Wilson Family Forgery

Links: 32 Gunrack - Mike Woods - Wilson Family Forgery

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Previous (Jack de Keyzer on Harmonica Shah CD) - - - Next (Shawn Brush YouTube Videos)

Cool You Tube Videos (Ben Somer, Barry Mac, Robin Benedict)

Links: Ben Somer - More Ben Somer Stories

Video courtesy of Southern Souls





Links: Barry Mac - More Barry Mac Stories - More From this Performance

Videos courtesy of Deadendly





Links: Robin Benedict - More Robin Benedict Stories

Videos courtesy of Mama Loves Music

Cool You Tube Videos (The Heartbroken, Fry Truck, Burnin' Ethyl)

Videos courtesy of meejoebee

Links: The Heartbroken - More video from this performance





Videos courtesy of meejoebee

Links: Fry Truck





Videos courtesy of Mama Loves Music

Links: Burnin' Ethyl - More Burnin' Ethyl Stories

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Previous (Dharlings@Moonshine Cafe) - - - Next (Big Rude Jake Private Show)

Design Hope CD Release Party @ This Ain't Hollywood (January 23, 2011) + Bonus Videos

Click here if you can't see the videos.



Links: Carter Lancaster - More Carter Lancaster Stories



Links: Annette Haas - More Annette Haas Stories



Left to right: Frank Koren - Fred Magie - Michael Scott (drums)- Christopher Clause

Click here for more Fred Magie stories

Links: CD Review & more videos - More Design Hope Stories - Donate - View Photos

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Bonus videos

New Design Hope CD: A Place in My Heart

Soul, jazz, folk, funk, pop, blues, instrumentals, slow songs, rockers . . .

There's something for everyone on A Place in My Heart, the 5th Design Hope Compilation CD. Money raised from the sale of the disc goes towards helping the homeless in Hamilton. A great cause an an amazing album.

Performers include City and the Sea, Kensington Prarie, Fred Magie, Annette Haas, Bob Doidge, Frank Koren, Carter Lancaster, Chris White, Karen Corinth, Mark LaForme, Sharon Musgrave, Danny Lockwood, NLX, Chantal Chamberland, Melissa Bel and Buckshot Bebee. Many of these musicians also play on each other's songs.

Christopher Clause and Amy King produce the album as well as back up a number of the main artists. Also helping out are Mark McIntyre, Colin Lapsley, Brian Griffith, Andrew Aldridge, and more.

Like all of the Design Hope collections, it's a great way to hear new songs from some of the best musicians the local scene has to offer. The CD can be purchased online.

Below are a few songs from the CD Release party at This Ain't Hollywood on January 23, 2011. Click here if you can't see the videos.







These last two video are performances of the songs from other shows.




Links: More Videos - More Design Hope Stories - Donate- View Photos

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Previous (Doug Feaver@Moonshine Cafe) - - - Next (More from the Design Hope Release Party)

Eggmen@This Ain't Hollywood (December 29, 2010) Part 3

Click here if you can't see the videos.

The Eggmen are (left to right): Doug Feaver, Rick Andrew (Shakers), Steve Sinnicks (drums), Jonny Kerr.

Guest: Dave Rave (vocals on I'll Be Back)









More from the show: Part 1, Part 2

More Beatles Covers/News Stories

Eggmen@This Ain't Hollywood (December 29, 2010) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

The Eggmen are (left to right): Doug Feaver, Rick Andrew (Shakers), Steve Sinnicks (drums), Jonny Kerr











More Beatles Covers/News Stories