“The Green Room” Hamilton Hometown Christmas 6

With 16 different bands performing, in 9 hours of continuous music, the “Green Room” is a very exciting, very unique, very special place to be!! 

You can’t help but be caught up in the excitement.  Look around…..there’s Bob Bratina surrounded by a number of musicians with odd looking guitars and two lovely ladies, working on their harmonies. That would be The Balkan Strings.  I think they are on stage next.
Over in the corner is a group of about 8 guys from various bands, who no doubt have worked together in the past; they are seated  around a small coffee table covered with drinks and a tray of veggies & dip, laughing and telling road stories that get wilder each time they are told. 
All around this large, comfortable club room there are musicians coming and going, instrument cases both open and closed are scattered everywhere.  Jack de Keyzer is over by the bar, doing a television interview with Cable 14, wishing all the folks in his hometown a very Merry Christmas and looking every inch the sophisticated, Juno Award winning, Canadian blues icon, that he is.  
Cueball is handing out a few more drink tickets.  Rob Kirkham and the boys from Neon Rain have just come off the stage, sweating and flush from their performance; they accept the accolades of their peers, with contagious smiles and bright eyes, you can see they are feeling the spirit of Christmas giving. 
All of these talented artists, who are performing for free here today, will take home memories that will last a lifetime. 
Meanwhile, out in the main ballroom of The Leander Boat Club, Santa has arrived and is giving out presents to gleeful children, while their proud parents look on and Jude Johnson is belting out Christmas songs with Carl Horton accompanying on the piano.
This is a wonderful feeling; to be a part of all this.  I will cherish this moment.
Thank you Hamilton for helping me to do this each year!!  And even though the first major snow storm of the season limited us to a smaller crowd, we had a terrific time and raised a little money for two very worthwhile charities; The Hamilton Spectator Summer Camp for Kids and 900CHML/Y108 Christmas Tree of Hope.

Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth, Good Will to all.
Sonny

Sonnydelrio.com

(Photos from top: Sonny and Jude Johnson, rockin' with Ray Materick. Mike Holler's children having a blast at the party)