Hey Hey The Blues Is Alright!

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that the Canal Bank Shuffle  group had sponsored Fathead at the 24th International Blues Challenge 2008.  They didn't win but they had a great time and now are getting air play for there new CD all over the States.  The winners in the Best Band Categories were
1st Place -- Trampled Under Foot (Kansas City Blues Society)
2nd Place -- Shakura S'Aida (Toronto Blues Society)
3rd Place -- Lil' Ray Neal Band (Baton Rouge Blues Society)

Way to go Shakura who I've been able to see and enjoy in Niagara several times over the last year or so, don't miss her act if she's in your town..

To find out more about the competition and this years and previous years winners go to
http://tinyurl.com/3axksq  or  http://www.blues.org/

Wow!  Lots of Hammer representation at this years Juno Awards.  As I said hey hey the Blues is alright!
He may not live here now and he may have been born elsewhere but all his formative years of listening and playing happened right here in the Hammer, Jack De Keyser is up for a Juno again (he won in 2003 with "Six String Lover")for his new CD, "Blues Thing" where he gets all jazzed up. I caught Jack a couple of times out here beyond the borders of the H last year and he's added great new jazz techniques to his already flawless blues rock guitar style.  And the Hammer's Chairman of the Board, Harrison Kennedy is on the list for his new CD, "High Country Blues". I've caught Harrison out and about in Niagara playin' the blues festivals and blues joints.  They're up against two of my favourite bands that I caught live last year last year, Fathead for "Building Full Of Blues" and the Johnny Max Band or "A Lesson I've Learned", two more top flight Canadian blues bands that make it to Niagara on a regular basis.  And in this mix check out the country blues singin' Little Miss Higgins'  "Junction   City", could be the wild card. Look out Roxanne!

And the Hammer is represented in the instrumental album category by Bob Lanois' amazing SNAKE ROAD. Bob created this his first solo album with his legendary producer brother Daniel.  I saw Bob back up Tom Wilson on harmonica at the former Readers Cafe, now Flyers, in Dunnville when they were promoting the "Shack Recordings" CD, he blew so cool.  Go Bob Go!

Check out all the nominees in all categories at www.junoawards.ca/08_nominees.php
And it's somewhere on the air on Sunday April 6.  Russell Peters! Russell Peters!

Oh yeah, the Canal Bank Spring Shuffle is coming, April 25th & 26th. Plan to get on down to

Thorold, you never know who is going to show up at the Shuffle. And it’s all for charity.

Oh oh! I missed Biscuit's birthday again, March 9...so don't forget it's King Biscuit month...take a little Biscuit with your tea...I said hey hey...