2013 Hamilton Music Award Winners

The 2013 Hamilton  Music Awards were handed out on Saturday, November 16 (Industry) and Sunday, November 17 (main).  As always, it was an incredible celebration of the best music this city has to offer.  There was amazing music throughout the Hammer!

The big winners were Harrison Kennedy, who took home four trophies as well as a lifetime achievement award and hard rock band Monster Truck, who won seven awards.

Click here for the Spectator story

Here's a sampling of the winners!

• Blues Recording: Harrison Kennedy - Soulscape
  
  
  Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video courtesy of PhotogAtTheSpec

• Folk/Traditional Recording: Dawn and Marra – Teaspoons and Tablespoons
• Roots Recording: Lee Harvey Osmond – The Folk Sinner
• Alt/Country Recording: JP Riemens & the Fabulous Barflies – No Filter
• Adult Alternative Recording: Cowlick – Night Vision
• Adult Contemporary Recording: Ian Thomas – Little Dreams
• Ethnic/World Recording of the Year: Yiannis Kapoulas – Mystic Journey
• Jazz Recording: Diana Panton
• Female Artist: Buckshot Bebee
• Male Artist: Harrison Kennedy
• New Artist/Group: Allotrope
• Mohawk College Artist Lifetime Achievement Award: Harrison Kennedy
• Instrumental Recording: Brad Cheeseman Group – Brad Cheesman Group
• Songwriter: Harrison Kennedy
• Female Vocalist: Diana Panton
• Male Vocalist: Harrison Kennedy
• Record: Monster Truck - Furiosity
  
  
  Links: Monster Truck, More Monster Truck Stories, Video courtesy of Monster Truck
  

Rising Star Winner: Ash to Ember

Industry Awards

• Artist Website: www.ilovemonstertruck.com
• Video of the Year: Saint Alvia - Mother’s Day
  
  
  Links: Saint Alvia, Video courtesy of Saint Alvia

• Best Album Artwork: Lee Harvey Osmond (The Folk Sinner)
• Record Label: Sonic Unyon Recording Company (Terra Lightfoot, Young Rival, Threat Signal)
• Music Retailer: Dr. Disc
• Major Concert Venue: Gage Park
• Live Club of the Year: This Ain’t Hollywood
• Musical Event (People’s Choice): Supercrawl
• Theatre: Pearl Company
• Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year: Jesse O’Brien (Smoke Wagon Blues Band/Andre Bisson)
• Special Instrumentalist: Yiannis Kapoulas
• Guitarist: Jeremy Widerman (Monster Truck)
• Drummer: Steve Kiely (Monster Truck)
• Bassist: Jon Harvey (Monster Truck)
• Local Group (People’s Choice): John Mamone
• Canadian Recording (People’s Choice): Monster Truck 

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Click here for more about the Hamilton Music Awards 

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Previous (New Andre Bisson CD)

New JP Riemens and the Fabulous Barflies CD: No Filter

No Filter is an apt name for the new album from JP Riemens and the Fabulous Barflies.  Recorded live in Barry Mac's living room, the no-nonsense, warm, organic feel is evident from the very first note.

The local singer/songwriter's phenomenal storytelling shines in this immediate state.  The heartbreak, joy, love and sadness in the songs stand out when they are laid bare.

The Fabulous Barflies (Brian Griffith on guitar, Carrie Ashworth on bass, and Danny Lockwood on drums) do a stupendous job of eaving a mix of jazz, blues, county and folk to JP's emotional tales.

This must-have collection is available for download on eMusic and iTunes. Physical copies can be picked up at JP's magnificent live shows.

Check out the video below



Blast From the Past: JP Riemens CD - Dirty Sunset

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories, More CD Releases

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Previous (Videos: Rick Taylor, Mo Kauffey and Sean Pinchin@Mississippi John Hurt Workshop) - - - Next (Halloween Videos)

News Roundup (Danny Buzanko, Sean le Sage, Podcasts)

Local

• Kevin Barber Shop Podcast w/Steve Negus
• Cactus Fest in limbo as debate continues
• Work Begins for Niagara Music Awards
• Hamilton's Monster Truck wins Radio Music Award
• Loud City Podcast # 6
• Hamilton Musician article on JP Riemens

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Canada 

• 2013 Indie Award Winners

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World

• Podcasts: Blues N da Blood 162, Nothing Bit the Blues 234, 235, 236, SA Blues 181

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Blasts From the Past

• 2009: Performer of the Week: Paul Coombs
• 2010: Blues News Bites (Leonard Cohen, John M Crawford, Hailey Gillis)
• 2011: Sarah Harmer - iTunes Sessions EP
• 2012: Judi Rideout@Moonshine Cafe

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Featured Videos 



Links: Overplayers (Danny's band), More Overplayers Stories, Video courtesy of Danny Buzanko



Links: Sean Le Sage, More Sean Le Sage stories, Video courtesy of Homegrown Hamilton
 

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Episodes of Ensemble Music TV Show on YouTube

Ensemble is a music-based TV show on Cable 14 Hamilton that features four singer/songwriters per episode.

The show runs on Saturdays at 10pm and Sundays at 9pm.  There is a new episode each month or so.  You can also watch the program online with their live feed if you are a Cogeco, Shaw, or Source Cable subscriber.

Recently, many of the episodes were placed on Cable 14's YouTube page.

Here's what they have so far . . .



Episode 1: Duane Rutter, Cindy Dell, Brennagh Burns, Les Smith (Trickbag)



 Episode 2: Dan Medakovic, Tiny Bill Cody, Kim Koren, Paul Langille



Episode 3: J.P. Riemens, Sue Sweetman (Barn Katz), Joe Clark, Steve Strongman



Episode 4: Steve Sinnicks, Melissa Bel, Mike Todd, Mo' Kauffey

We will be posting more episodes as they become available. . .

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JP Riemens@Brantford Station Gallery (July 8, 2012)

Blast from the Past: Review and videos from Love is a Dog CD

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

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Previous (Matthew de Zoete CD)

J.P. Riemens and Friends@Cat N Fiddle (April 5, 2012)

JP Riemens (vocals, guitar), Brian Griffith (guitar), Carrie Ashworth (bass)













Blast from the Past: JP with Dan Walsh@This Ain't Hollywood

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

JP Riemens@Brantford Station House (October 30, 2011) Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

JP Riemens@Brantford Station House (October 30, 2011) Part 1

Click here for Part 2

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

Terry Sumsion Passes

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of local singer/songwriter Terry Sumsion. He was 64.

The following was placed on his Facebook page:

"Sadly on March 26th 2011, the world lost an amazing Husband, Father, Friend and Musician. Thank you to all of the angel's who have sent all there thought's and prayer's during this sad time." The Sumsion Family.

Terry's music was known throughout Canada, the US, England, Ireland, Scotland, and more.

Click here for a story from the Country107.3 website.

Reaction from the local music scene has been swift on Facebook. Here are a few quotes:

Duane Rutter: "I just learned we lost our brother and friend Terry Sumsion. RIP Terry! Your passing has left an unfillable void."

JP Riemens: "Just thinking about my buddy Terry Sumsion who passed away last night. He will be missed."

Alfie Smith: "You voice, songs and friendship will be missed by many."

Gary White: ""You will be missed. I dont think I ever had more fun on a stage"

We wish to extend our condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

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New JP Riemens CD: Dirty Sunset

Local singer/songwriter J.P. Riemens recently celebrated his brand new CD: Dirty Sunset. Even after many releases, JP has managed to bring fresh new ideas to his sound.

While still in the country vein, the disc manages to seamlessly incorporate folk, rock, a touch of blues, a bit of jazz and more. On top of everything else, JP's incredible lyrics add depth to whole proceedings.

On this disc, you'll find great toe-tappers (Roosevelt's Dancehall, This Girl Don't Cry) and slow, sweet songs (All Grown Up, Six Feet Under).

The amazing Brian Griffith lends his talented guitar-work to the CD. He's joined by Carrie Ashworth on bass, Danny Lockwood on drums, Eric Bouchet on keys, and Michael Fonfara on Hammond organ.

The disc is currently available at his shows.

To commemorate the new release, JP performed with Brian Griffith at the Cat N Fiddle on September 2, 2010. Below are a few videos - the first is a song from the new album.

Click here if you can't see the videos.









Links: JP Riemens - More JP Riemens Stories

Performer of the Week: JP Riemens

Local singer/songwriter JP Riemens is currently on break from live performing right now because he's preparing to unleash another great CD to the public (working title is Dirty Sunsets). It should be another in a long line of amazing albums.

Currently, the talented musician has 7 discs on sale at his web site, including a recent re-release of Songs From Mom's Kitchen, which was previously only available as a cassette (this should tell you how long it's been since the original pressing).

The sound on these albums and at his live shows consist mainly of folk/roots country with a lot of catchy rock and roll rhythms as well (He calls it "Acid Country"). Whatever you name it, JP's music can be soulful, tender, rocking, and much more. JP is a wonderful lyricist and storyteller as well.

He used those skills to good use with Tobacco Troubador, a unique production that combines his live performance with a theatre show.

On top of everything else, he's also a highly sought after producer and owner of Grant Avenue Studio.



Links - Main Site - MySpace - Facebook - More JP Riemens Stories

Thunderbolt Brothers (JP Riemens & Dan Walsh) @ This Ain't Hollywood (February 4, 2010)

The duo opened up for the Barry Mac CD Release Party. Click here for that show.

Click here if you can't see the videos below.







Links: JP Riemens - More JP Riemens Stories - Dan Walsh

Sue Sweetman and JP Riemens - Artword Artbar (Oct 2, 2009)

Sue Sweetman and JP Riemens were sometimes backed up by Joe Clark (mandolin/guitar/vocals) and Rocky Hill (bass)

JP Riemens & The Fabulous Bar Flies CD Relese Party (July 10, 2009)

Links: JP Riemens - Carolyna Loveless - Joe Clark

All JP Riemens Stories.

New J.P. Riemens CD: Love is a Dog

Hamilton Roots musician J.P. Riemens has released his latest CD, Love is a Dog. This great disc is available at his web site and at the live shows.

Guests on the album include, Danny Lockwood and Carolyna Loveless,

Click here to check out the rockin' title track on MySpace.

More CD Releases

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