Podcasts about maple blues awards

One of the true pleasures of a lifetime in music and broadcasting is connecting with artists at the very beginning of their careers. If the connection is a strong friendship, emotionally you get to go along for the ride. On the downside,  you must be prepared to lose those friends along the way through attrition, lifestyle and medical issues. I'm pleased to say Colin James has given all of us a great ride. 8 Junos, 31 Maple Blues Awards, Induction into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, Order of BC and turning 60 years old with 21 studio albums under his belt. Colin has played his way through an amazing collection of audiences.  Starting with Stevie Ray style  Texas blues, then blues rock, big band swing, roots, Americana and all the way back to blues. What a Ride!! Following a stellar concert at Massey Hall, Colin is on a Canadian tour now and he's heading our way.  With the wonderful Terra Lightfoot! Feb 26 -Grey Eagle   Calgary Feb 27 – N Jubilee Edmonton March 1 – Orpheum Vancouver March 3 – Royal Theatre  Victoria March 4 & 5 – Port Theatre Nanaimo Colin is a master storyteller. This time he has tales of recovering from a road accident on his scooter in the USA. Damage to his foot and fret hand slowed him down considerably. He has stories of becoming what he dreamed of as an 8-year-old and the biography he's almost finished writing. The complete interview can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and the terrydavidmulligan YouTube Channel.  

We meet  Blue Moon Marquee - Al Cardinal and Jasmine Colette - on the stage at the Osbourne Bay Pub in Crofton, Vancouver Island. That stage was the first place they met and then played together many times as Blue Moon Marquee. They've come a long way since that stage.  Juno Winners, sweeping the  2023 Maple Blues Awards and still winning awards  including this week. After a decade of stages and touring comes the 5th album New Orleans Sessions. Recorded in New Orleans in two days - Four hours each day. One track Trickster Coyote was a first take. Recorded with some of the very best New Orleans players. Lots of stories and new music. Also news of the next two projects they intend to present. They start their next tour October 26th at Festival Place, Sherwood Park.  October dates in Lloydminster, Daysland and Athabaska. - and April 5 at the Arden (complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast) We start the Mulligan Stew Podcast  Stew remembering  and celebrating the life and music of the late Kris Kristofferson.   From the Mulligan Stew archives we replay the Kris Kristofferson interview we did  2006 backstage at Calgary Folk Festival. Answering media questions, including my own: Kris talks about Johnny Cash, Willie and his sons, Hank Williams, movies, performing solo, the Nashville Underground,  songwriters these days John Prine, Todd Snider, Shooter Jennings, and how nervous he gets singing for 12,000 people. Please enjoy…honoured to bring you both artists!!  

Send us a Text Message.Three time Blues Foundation Traditional Female Artist award winner, Sue Foley's new album 'One Guitar Woman' is a heartfelt tribute to the female pioneers of the guitar - including Memphis Minnie, Lydia Mendoza, Maybelle Carter, Ida Presti, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The album showcases the dexterity of Foley's acoustic nylon string guitar skills as she expands on her blues playing into other genres like Piedmont fingerpicking, traditional country, flamenco and classical.“These are the women who were expressing themselves through the instrument as far back as the 1920's, at the inception of radio and recorded music. They are the trailblazers and visionaries whose footsteps I walk in,” says Foley.In May 2023, Foley was awarded the Blues Music Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist (the Koko Taylor Award) in Memphis TN for the third time. She was also honored with Guitarist of the Year and Blues Act of the Year at the 2023 Austin Music Awards, and Guitarist of the Year at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards. Her last studio album, Pinky's Blues took home Best Traditional Blues Album at the 2022 Blues Music Awards, and her latest live album Sue Foley Live In Austin Vol. 1 has spent 12 weeks at number 1 on the Roots Music Chart and has been on a number of blues Best Of 2023 lists. Learn more about Sue Foley at https://suefoley.comHost Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group  and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released on Spectra Records 10/2023 on all major outlets! Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.comSupport the Show.If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePassMy Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

Screamin' guitar, soul infused blues based rockin' trio! Meet The Angelina Hunter Trio. This Ottawa based trio bring the musical heat with soaring guitar solos and crushing vocals. Come along as Dawg and Gus get to know the band a little better..... from how they met and formed to being nominated and playing at the Maple Blues Awards. All questions are answered and more! As always , support your local venues and artists when you can, show them some love on all the streaming sites and download their music and tell your friends about these amazing artistsž Much love and respect , Dawg and Gus

Krispy Kreme is coming to Hamilton! Is this going to work or will the new location only be here for a short while? Guest: Joanne McNeish, Associate Professor of Marketing with Toronto Metropolitan University - McMaster University is facing a class action lawsuit over anti-Semitism on campus and alleged inaction towards addressing it. Guest: Sandra Zisckind, Lawyer representing the group suing McMaster - Multi-award winning, chart-topping, and multi-Platinum selling guitarist Colin James' career spans more than 30 years, is rich in highlights, including 20 studio albums, 8 JUNO Awards, 29 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales. He'll be performing on January 25 at Fallsview Casino! Guest: Colin James, Award-Winning Canadian Musician

Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth Interview with Colin James, Guitarist & Singer/Songwriter About Harvey's guests: Today's guest, Colin James, is a brilliant guitarist and singer-songwriter who's been entertaining music lovers for over 30 years with his unique fusion of rock, swing and blues.   He's released 20 highly acclaimed albums, with multi-platinum record sales featuring hit singles including “Voodoo Thing”, “Five Long Years”, “Just Came Back”, “Keep On Loving Me Baby”, “Stay”, “Freedom”, “Saviour”, “Riding in the Moonlight”, and my personal favourite, his beautiful rendition of the Van Morrison classic, “Into the Mystic”.    He is widely credited with launching the swing revival, thanks to his immensely popular “Little Big Band”, which has released 4 successful albums and brought us some great hit songs like “Cadillac Baby”, “Surely I Love You”, “Breaking Up the House”, and “If You Need Me”.  And the “Little Big Band Christmas Album” should be a staple in everyone's Christmas music collection.   Our guest has worked with some of the greatest and most influential artists, including Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Lenny Kravitz, Mavis Staples, John Hammond Jr., Carlos Santana, Jeff Healey, and Buddy Guy.   And his music has been recorded by artists as diverse as Maria Muldaur, Johnny Hallyday and Lucinda Williams.  His concert tours across North America are always sold out.   He's won 8 Juno Awards and 30 Maple Blues Awards, and in 2013 he was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. For more interviews and podcasts go to: https://www.harveybrownstoneinterviews.com/ To see more about Colin James, go to:http://www.colinjames.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colin-James/44515161571https://www.instagram.com/colinjamesmusic/ http://www.twitter.com/ColinJamesMusichttps://www.youtube.com/user/ColinJamesMusic #ColinJames    #harveybrownstoneinterviews

Follow @thebuzzrnet Release Date: 27/01/23 Location: Canada, The Maple Blues Band ‘At The Corner' Let's Go Album Highlight About the Music The Maple Blues Band is a world-class, ten-member group that includes some of Canada's most respected Blues musicians. Individually, band members have accumulated over 40 Maple Blues Awards, 90 Maple Blues Award nominations, 3...

A native of Vancouver but currently residing in Nashville, where he works as a solo artist, sideman, and record producer,  Steve has forged an impressive career full of highlights and awards, including:  7 Juno Awards as artist/producer, 18 times nominated 3 times named "Producer Of The Year" at Western Canadian Music Awards 4 times named "Producer Of The Year" at Canadian Folk Music Awards Recipient of many other awards including Maple Blues Awards, Grand Prix De Jazz De Montreal, Blues Blast Awards, and many Western Canadian Music Awards and Canadian Folk Awards as an artist and producer Steve's multi-faceted career has brought him to countless international festivals, working on the stage and in the studio with an extensive cast of musicians, including John Hammond, Sonny Landreth, Van Dyke Parks, David Hidalgo, Colin James, Jim Byrnes, Jill Barber, Dave Alvin, Joe Henry, Tim O'Brien, Fats Kaplin, Colin James, The McCrary Sisters, Matt Chamberlain, Del Rey, Birds of Chicago, Allison Russell, Long John Baldry, Bruce Cockburn, Kelly Joe Phelps, Linda McRae, CR Avery, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Geoff Muldaur, Scott Amendola, Danny Barnes, The Deep Dark Woods, Colin Linden, Big Dave McLean, and many others. Steve's studio, The Henhouse, located in Nashville (and previously in Vancouver)  has hosted countless artists and been the home to over 80 releases. With a beautifully warm and organic setting to stay and record, it promises to become a destination for many more to come. His groundbreaking work with Jesse Zubot in Zubot and Dawson kicked things off in 1998, leading to 2 albums with Toronto jazz stalwarts Andrew Downing and Kevin Turcotte in the award-winning Great Uncles of the Revolution. Steve's solo recording output started with 2001's award-winning acoustic “Bug Parade”, he next explored blues and Hawaiian influences in depth with “We Belong To The Gold Coast” in 2005. 2008 saw the release of 2 albums – “Telescope” which was the culmination of studies with Greg Leisz and featured music written for the pedal steel guitar, and “Waiting For The Lights To Come Up”, a collection of new songs. He followed that with 2011's acclaimed "Nightshade", which Acoustic Guitar magazine named to it's Top-10 guitar albums of the year. 2014's “Rattlesnake Cage” – was an award-winning exploration of solo acoustic and slide guitar. Dawson's 2018 release “Lucky Hand” is a mesmerizing collection of original fingerstyle and slide guitar instrumentals, 5 of which feature Dawson reuniting with his old cohort Jesse Zubot, who arranged incredible string quartet parts to flow with the music. Recorded live off the floor it brings together the American Primitive style Steve has often explored and cutting-edge strings to create music unlike anything you've heard before. Birds of Chicago, Allison Russell, Matt Anderson, etc.  Steve is also host and producer of the podcast Music Makers and Soul Shakers. 135 episodes in 6 years. Steven has worked with artists from all over the world, and continues to work as a side-person and freelance musician both on stage and in the studio. Steve is also the creator of the well-loved Music Makers and Soul Shakers podcast, which has been going for over 6 years and 135 episodes. He spent the last few years pre-pandemic on the road playing guitar, steel and dobro with Allison Russell's band Birds of Chicago, and Canadian powerhouse Matt Andersen. He has produced, engineered and mixed over 100 albums for many artists from all over the world, and continues to work as a side-person and freelance musician both on stage and in the studio. Steve is also the creator of the well-loved Music Makers and Soul Shakers podca In 2022/2023, Steve released 3 albums throughout the year - “Gone, Long Gone” is the first. From gentle fingerstyle folk tunes to blazing, funky Americana grooves, to Hawaiian-style slide guitar instrumentals, this album covers a lot of sonic territory. The second album, “Phantom Threshold” came out on August 12, 2022 and is an all-instrumental sonic trip featuring the Telescope Three - Jay Bellerose on drums, Jeremy Holmes on bass, and Chris Gestrin on keyboards. All driven by the melodies and improvisations of Steve's pedal steel guitar. Now comes the promised third album Eyes Closed, Dreaming.  It's filled with Albertan friend  Matt Patershuk co-writes and well chosen covers. Bobby Charles Small Town Talk, Ian Tyson's  Long time to get old, Cowboy Jack Clements Guess things happen that way and the classic Singing the Blues. Lots to talk about with long time friend Steve Dawson. Steve's current tour dates April 20  Dream Cafe  Penticton April 21 Rogue Folk Club Vancouver April 22 Bozzini's Chilliwack April 28  First Church of Christ Scientist Victoria May 3 The Basement Saskatoon May 4 The Aviary Edmonton May 5 Festival Hall Calgary

We sit down with Jazz from Blue Moon Marquee to chat before the duo hits the road for a tour of Australia! BMM just cleaned up at the Maple Blues Awards a few weeks ago, and are quickly becoming trailblazers in the blues and roots genres. Listen to Revolution Radio: revolutionradio.live Find Canadian AF and TONS of other fantastic podcasts at: https://crier.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Volume IV finale, Greg is joined by the incomparable ERIC ALPER!Eric Alper is a Canadian music correspondent, blogger, radio host and former director of media relations, at eOne Music Canada. His enthusiasm, encyclopedic knowledge of the past and present have made him the go-to for music in Canada. He is also host of one of the top-rated SiriusXM shows “ThatEricAlper”. With over one million followers, friends and connections across his social media platforms, it's clear to understand why Eric Alper has been named a “must follow” by Billboard, Paste and National Post among others. Eric has been a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week, and has worked 19 JUNO Award, 35 Canadian Folk Music Award, and 60 Maple Blues Award-winning albums, and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time including Ringo Starr, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Merle Haggard, John Prine, Ringo Starr, Slash, The Wiggles,, Steve Earle, Snoop Dogg, The Smashing Pumpkins, , Little Steven, Sinead O'Connor, Sesame Street among hundreds others.Eric Alper on: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTubeSUPPORT THIS SHOW

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: The Steve Strongman Band's 11th Annual Holiday Show is coming up on Saturday, December 3rd at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre (357 Wilson Street East.) Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy means changes for us and changes for China. The CP Holiday train is returning to Gage Park tomorrow after a three-year hiatus. "Gaslighting" -- behaviour that's mind manipulating, grossly misleading, downright deceitful -- is Merriam-Webster's word of the year. Ontario food banks fear rising demand will outpace supply, decades after they were deemed temporary. Black Friday may have seen smaller crowds than expected in 2022 but what about the online turnout for Cyber Monday, this year? All this & more on Hamilton Today. Guests: Steve Strongman, Canadian blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer; JUNO Award-winner, the Mel Brown Blues Award-winner, International Blues Challenge's Best Guitarist winner, recipient of four Maple Blues Awards. Charles Burton, Senior Fellow with the Centre for Advancing Canada's Interests Abroad at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Salem Woodrow, Manager of Media Relations for Canadian Pacific Rail. Steve Joordens, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. Daniel Perry, Consultant, Summa Strategies. Joanne Santucci, CEO, Hamilton Food Share. Aurel Braun, Professor of International Relations and a Senior Member of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. Bruce Winder, Retail Analyst & Author, ‘Retail Before, During & After COVID-19' Scott Radley, Host of The Scott Radley Show, Columnist with the Hamilton Spectator. Host – Scott Thompson Content Producer – William Erskine Technical/Podcast Producer – Tom McKay Podcast Co-Producer – Ben Straughan News Anchors – Dave Woodard Want to keep up with what happened in Hamilton Today? Subscribe to the podcast! https://megaphone.link/CORU8835115919

Paul Reddick joins me on episode 72.Paul is a singer, songwriter and harmonica player based in Toronto, Canada. He rose to prominence with his band: Paul Reddick and the Sidemen in the 1990s. Paul describes himself as not a typical blues harmonica player, often using his sparse notes with heavy delay, while also making the use of complex patterns to build interesting rhythms. Paul developed his songwriting approach using the structure of poetry, and his insightful and thoughtful blues lyrics have earned him the title of the Poet Laureate of the Blues, including winning the Maple Blues Award for songwriter of the year for his album Sugarbird in 2009. Links:Paul's website:https://paulreddick.ca/Lyrics:https://paulreddick.ca/lyricsStyrmon El Capistan delay pedal:https://www.strymon.net/product/elcapistan/Videos:Blue Eventide (Official Music Video):https://youtu.be/GpYU91lmS2YMourning Dove:https://youtu.be/eOrFt-aCbXULuna Moth and Butterfly:https://youtu.be/HwrF_cd38aYPaul Reddick & The Gamblers - One More Day:https://youtu.be/V1QF8LMeXT4Podcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

A conversation with Juno nominated, Maple Blues Award winner, Singer/Songwriter - Miss Emily - https://themissemily.com/

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Chris AntonikFrom the release of his debut album in 2011 (leading to his Best New Artist nomination at Canada's Maple Blues Awards), Chris Antonik has become one of Canada's fastest-rising and heralded blues artists. Blending innovative, thoughtful songwriting with stunning blues guitar work, music critics have drawn comparisons to Gary Clark Jr, Derek Trucks, Gary Moore, and Eric Clapton.

The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Russia is allegedly working to create a “new G8” in response to its ruptured economic ties with the United States and western allies such as Canada. Elliot Tepper, PoliSci at Carleton University, joins Scott to discuss the geopolitical implications. Yesterday, after nearly three years, 138 hearing days, 198 witness reports and more than 1,000 exhibits, the B.C. government releases the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia. Scott speaks with Sam Cooper, investigative journalist for Global News who has been getting the scoop on this development for years. The Strongman Blues Remedy – a new blues musical collective featuring Steve Strongman, Harrison Kennedy, Dawn Tyler Watson, Steve Marriner, Crystal Shawanda – is set to release a new album with some tracks already available on Spotify. Scott speaks with Steve. Scott also brings Carmi Levy on to speak about issues surrounding social media… and a bit of tech support for Scott's Facebook account. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast. Guests: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University. Steve Strongman, Canadian blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer; Winner of JUNO Award-winner, the Mel Brown Blues Award-winner, International Blues Challenge's Best Guitarist winner, recipient of four Maple Blues Awards. Jeffrey Dvorkin, Senior Fellow at Massey College, Former Director of Journalism at the University of Toronto-Scarborough and author of Trusting the News in a Digital Age. Sam Cooper, National investigative Global News, author of Wilful Blindness: How a Criminal network of narcos, tycoons and CCP agents infiltrated the West. Caryma Sa'd, Lawyer & Notary Public Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for AffordableEnergy, Former Liberal MP. Cary Wu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at York University. Carmi Levy Technology Analyst & Journalist. Coralee Allaert, Open Water Marathon Swimmer, advocate for youth mental health. Host - Scott Thompson Content Producer –William Erskine Technical/Podcast Producer - William Webber Podcast Co-Producer –Ben Straughan News Anchors –Diana Weeks, David Woodard Want to keep up with what happened in Hamilton Today? Subscribe to the podcast! https://omny.fm/shows/scott-thompson-show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award winning & renowned guitarist JW-Jones joins the DTP to take us behind the HOROJO Trio, & their smooth new debut album ‘Set The Record'!   With each member individually accomplished musicians, HOROJO Trio are drummer Jamie Holmes, singer/keyboardist Jeff Rogers, and guitarist JW Jones who has as a solo artist reached Top 10 on the Billboard Blues Charts, received multiple JUNO and Maple Blues Award nominations.   The result of a chance jam session that was so inspired it left both the audience and trio wanting more, they've since won ‘Best Band' at the 2020 International Blues Challenge and performed at several top blues festivals and venues — as well as a recent nomination for ‘Music Group of the Year' at the 2022 Ottawa Awards.   We also discuss how the HOROJO Trio came together, filming the music video for ‘Hard As I Can', The International Blues Challenge, and much more!   Watch the video version:     Connect with JW & the HOROJO Trio! - - - - -       HOROJO Trio YouTube:   HOROJO Trio Spotify:   JW-Jones Spotify:   HOROJO Trio Apple Music  JW-Jones Apple Music:       - - - - -   Support Colton Gee and Desert Tiger ----- Check out our webstore @ Follow Colton Gee and Desert Tiger   -----

JUNO Award-winning Canadian bluesman Steve Strongman is a versatile talent, and a restless one. By constantly pushing himself in new directions, he has kept himself vital. His talent is huge and impossible to miss, and it's matched by his staggering musical ambition — as guitar-slinger, songwriter or vocalist. The same structures and progressions that animate blues and roots music can also choke the air out of it, smothering it in caricature and cliché. But Strongman is a subtle shape-shifter who manages to slip that trap without betraying the music he loves. Throughout, he never sounds an inauthentic note or loses touch with the essence of the blues.The 2019 release of Strongman's 7th studio recording "Tired of Talkin'" is destined to further establish the guitar slinger's reputation as one of the most exciting artists on the International Blues scene. Strongman's impressive resume includes stints opening for guitar legends such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Johnny Winter. The performer's breakthrough 2012 release A Natural Fact was hailed as a standout, earning Maple Blues Awards for Recording, Songwriter, and Guitarist Of The Year as well as a 2013 Juno Award for Blues Recording Of The Year. In 2014 he was thrice-nominated at the Maple Blues Awards (Guitar Player, Electric Act, and Entertainer of the Year) and in 2015 received a second Juno nod for Blues Album of the Year (for Let Me Prove It To You). In 2018, No Time Like Now, was a Juno award nominee for Blues Album of the Year and in 2019, Strongman won Best Guitarist for the Solo Duo Category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. His 2019 release “Tired of Talkin” is earning rave reviews and showcases why Strongman is one of the most exciting performers on the scene today.Beyond Strongman's talent as a songwriter, guitarist and front man is his ability to engage his audience and deliver an outstanding performance at every live show. With his inimitable guitar playing and soulful vocals, Strongman delivers incredible performances with power and passion. Steve Strongman has a way of stirring a crowd that evokes the emotion, maturity and authenticity of classic blues themes. His music speaks for truth and passion, and offers hope for the soul in the face of hard times in a way that leaves audiences craving more. In a musical world of many pretenders, Steve Strongman is as real and authentic as it gets.

The two-time Maple Blues Award songwriting recipient and two-time Edmonton Music Award recipient is an internationally recognized musician known for her soaring vocals, socially conscious lyrics, and outstanding musicianship. With a vintage sound reminiscent of the Roots/Blues style of Stax Records and Muscle Shoals recordings, singles from the album have already found their way onto …

Joining me today is two-time Maple Blues Award songwriting recipient and two-time Edmonton Music Award recipient Ann Vriend, to talk about  her 7th album "Everybody Matters" (February 4th, 2022) and the inspiration her inner city neighborhood played in creating this powerful body of work.Ann Vriend website: https://www.annvriend.com/Everybody Matters Music Video: https://youtu.be/UoaEGqRB4S8Video version of the episode: https://youtu.be/MtxqpDNy-EgRelease Day Website: https://www.releasedayseries.com/"Release Day," an ongoing series where we sit down with Canadian musicians of all genres to discuss their latest releases from singles to albums, and their strategy behind releasing it to the world.https://releasedayseries.com/https://twitter.com/ReleasedaySrshttps://www.instagram.com/releaseday_series/

A conversation with Juno winner and multiple Maple Blues Awards recipient - Steve Hill - https://www.stevehillmusic.com

SAMANTHA MARTIN:Drawing influences from Memphis soul greats such as Aretha Franklin and Brooklyn's Sharon Jones, Samantha Martin has been nominated for thirteen Maple Blues Awards to date, 4 times in 2019 and 3 times in 2020. Her record Run To Me was released on April 28th, 2018. Eleven months after releasing their recording Run to Me, the 11-piece blues/soul band was nominated for a Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year. 

Sue Foley has been putting out music for the last 30 years, issuing a remarkable 16 albums in that time. She hails from Canada, but spent her formative years in Austin, soaking up the scene and playing with a host of legendary artists. She's won a Juno Award, many Maple Blues Awards, and most recently, A Blues Music Award in 2020, garnering the Koko Taylor award in the Traditional Blues Female category. When the pandemic hit, she grabbed her musicians and hunkered down in a Texas recording studio. The result is Pinky's Blues, named after her pink paisley Fender Telecaster, it's some of the rawest, most immediate music she's ever laid down. She's also hitting the road to play the album for the people.She talks about working again with her friend, Jimmie Vaughan, on her song "Hurricane Girl," plus recording several interesting music videos for the new record, and how she's put together some basic, "how to" guitar playing videos on YouTube.

Sue Foley grew up in Ottawa, Ontario surrounded by music and a family of guitar players. After graduating high school, Sue headed West to Vancouver where she spent a couple of years on the coast before transplanting down to Austin, Texas upon the insistence of the legendary Clifford Antone. Since her 1992 debut “Young Girl Blues” on the Antone's label, Sue has recorded for Shanachie, Ruf, Blind Pig, and Stony Plain Records. Sue Foley has been riding a larger wave of success since her 2018 album, The Ice Queen. She won “Best Traditional Female (Koko Taylor Award) at the 2020 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, was nominated for a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy), and she took home the award for Best Guitar Player at the Toronto Maple Blues Awards. The Ice Queen reached #4 on the Billboard Current Blues chart, #1 on RootsMusic Report's Top 50 Canada album chart and was in the Living Blues radio chart for four consecutive months, peaking at #2.Including that win for Best Blues Album in 2001 for Love Comin' Down, Sue is a 4 time Juno Nominee . Foley also holds the record for the most Maple Blues Awards with 18 wins to her credit. Sue's new record, Pinky's Blues was released on October 22. It serves as a raw, electric guitar driven romp through the backroads of Texas, with Foley's signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster, “Pinky” at the wheel. Pinky's Blues is a collection of 12 songs, both original and some of Sue's favourite covers, that demonstrate not only that Sue is one of the world's greatest Blues guitarists, but that the sheer joy of playing can be felt through the recording in an emotional thrill for the listener. A vinyl version of the album in hot pink provides a dream item for fans, audiophiles and collectors. For more on Sue Foley visit: www.suefoley.com

Emily Taylor is a musician and singer songwriter born and raised in Price Edward County Ontario. In 2020 at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto she was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and the Sapphire Canadian Blues Music Award. She has released several albums, and her latest is a live album that was released during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.On this episode we chat about how Emily got into music, the mindset and determination it takes to follow your dreams, life as a working musician, and more.Miss Emily Website

From the Great Northern Plains, Little Miss Higgins struts and serenades her way onto any stage playing music brewed in early country blues, jazz and folk. Playing, touring, collaborating and recording for over 15 years, this musician and mother now navigates her time through performing and parenthood. Her six independently released albums and artwork have received many awards and nominations, including a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for her latest collection of songs, My Home, My Heart (2017) and 2 Juno nominations (Blues Album of the Year for 2008's Junction City & Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Group for Bison Ranch Recording Sessions, the 2014 album with backing band, The Winnipeg Five). Along with Maple Blues Awards nominations, LMH won Outstanding Blues Recording at Western Canadian Music Awards and Favourite Blues Artist/Group or Duo of the Year category of the 8th Annual Indies Awards. LMH has appeared live on many CBC radio shows such as Stuart McLean's Vinyl Café, Michael Enright's Sunday Edition and Rich Terfry's Drive. For more on LMH visit: www.littlemisshiggins.com

Some personal memories of Chick Corea's music, then Omar Sosa's E. African Journey and an extended sample of new music from around the world. A few Canadian songwriters. A nod to the annual Maple Blues Awards, and some scintillating trad from Canada and England

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Miss Emily!In February of 2020 at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto, Miss Emily walked away with Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and the Sapphire Canadian Blues Music Video Award. This national recognition hearkened back to her early days of county fair singing competitions. In 1993 a then 12 year- old Emily Fennell was winning accolades not by emulating Whitney Houston or Celine Dion like her peers but by channeling Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin; belting out song choices that belied her age. Those traditional influences would be the foundation of a career characterized by fearless honesty and a constant connection to the roots of popular music.

HEAD HONCHOS New music from the band entitled Blues Alliance.  I will speak with the father/son duo Rocco Calipari Sr. & Jr. about their journeys and the new music. DICK EARL’S ELECTRIC CIRCUS Dick has performed for over 40 years with many different bands, as well as his own.  He has released a new album, and we will chat about his musical journey. JACK DeKEYZER Jack has released his 12th album, Tribute, and I am looking forward to chatting with this 2x Juno and 7x Maple Blues Award winner. RANDY CASEY – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC Randy returns to The Couch with his new album, Record Time.  We will also check on how his world is going and his next plans.

HEAD HONCHOS New music from the band entitled Blues Alliance.  I will speak with the father/son duo Rocco Calipari Sr. & Jr. about their journeys and the new music. DICK EARL’S ELECTRIC CIRCUS Dick has performed for over 40 years with many different bands, as well as his own.  He has released a new album, and we will chat about his musical journey. JACK DeKEYZER Jack has released his 12th album, Tribute, and I am looking forward to chatting with this 2x Juno and 7x Maple Blues Award winner. RANDY CASEY – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC Randy returns to The Couch with his new album, Record Time.  We will also check on how his world is going and his next plans.

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jack De KeyzerAcclaimed guitarist, singer, song writer, band leader and producer, Jack de Keyzer rarely sits still. For 46 years or roughly a couple million miles , de Keyzer has been hitting the road , air and studio to bring his brand of guitar driven blues around the globe.  With 12 records, 1 DVD , 2 Junos and 7 Maple Blues Awards, de Keyzer delivers the goods wherever, whenever he performs.Jack de Keyzer,Are You Ready?,TRIBUTEJack de Keyzer,Shake What Your Mama Gave You,TRIBUTEmakingascene,Jack De Keyser,Jack de Keyzer,You Turned My World To Blue,TRIBUTEJack de Keyzer,Coming Up,TRIBUTE  

Juno-award winning recording artist Steve Strongman joined us to talk about his take on the blues.  Steve is a multiple Maple Blues Award winner, 2019 International Blues Challenge Best Guitarist (solo/duo). He’s opened for BB King, Buddy Guy, Joe Cocker, Johnny Winter, and toured all over the world.…

Jack de Keyzer – World Class Blues MusicAired Wednesday, 5 June 2019, 12:00 PM EST / 9:00 AM PSTFamous Canadian Blues Musician brings audiences to their feet over and over again!Bob Dylan says “If Jack de Keyzer was from Chicago, New York or LA, he’d be famous” And Jeff Healey shares his admiration with saying “The finest blues guitarist in Canada”.Guitarist, singer, song writer, band leader and producer Jack de Keyzer plays the blues worldwide. His music has taken him from Alert, Nunavut to Puerto Escondido, Mexico; Athens, Greece to Hornby Island, BC and many points in between. A prolific artist and song writer Jack has released 11 CD’s and 1 DVD and played on hundreds of record sessions. An exciting performer, he performs an average of 150 shows per year and has brought audiences to their feet at many major Jazz and Blues Festivals including the Montreal Jazz Fest, Blues Sur Seine (France) The Ottawa Blues Festival and Puerto Blues, (Mexico). One of Canada’s most awarded and in demand blues guitarists, de Keyzer has been nominated for the Juno (Blues Album) 6 X and won the Juno twice in 2003 and 2010. He has also won 7 Maple Blues Awards, (Canada’s national blues awards) placed first in the USA International Song writing Competition and CBC radio’s Great Canadian Blues Award. Always touring with an incredible band of top musicians, de Keyzer will have you rocking to his hot blues, smooth r&b and soul jazz. World class. Jack de KeyzerJoin us today as we enjoy his world class blues music!

 A conversation with five time Maple Blues Award winner for Keyboard player of the year, David Vest - www.davidvest.ca.

Please go and listen to part one of this episode first to get the full story!  Kevin Breit is a humble Canadian treasure. And a hell of a unique guitar player. And a nice feller. I’ve known Kevin for about 20 years at this point, although I haven’t seen him much over the last 10, sadly. When I first got to know him, he was at the tail end of a run in Norah Jones’ live band, and had played on most of her recordings as well. He was bowing out of that gig to be able to spend some more time with his young family, but was already a seasoned vet in the studio, having played on records for folks like Rosanne Cash, k.d. Lang, Hugh Laurie, Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole, Jane Siberry, Serena Ryder, Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas and countless others. As impressive as that list is, it was his quirkier solo records that I found most interesting. His guitar playing had a big influence on me, particularly his unusual voic eon slide guitar. His string of under-the-radar albums that he seemed to be churning out almost for his own amusement were some of the coolest music I knew of. From the slide guitar based “Empty” to the mandolin orchestra of “Maybelle” and the reckless abandon of “Folk Alarm”, not to mention the inventive “Supergenrous”, I loved all of it. Kevin is well known in his native Canada, but also well-respected internationally, as his session track record suggests. With multiple awards including a Maple Blues Award, Gemini Award, National Jazz Award, Canadian Folk Music Award and two Juno Awards for his recordings, as well as for his work on albums that have a collective 10 Grammy Awards, Breit’s unparalleled creativity is infinite. Breit’s latest release, the 11-track instrumental “Johnny Goldtooth and The Chevy Casanovas” features his interpretations of a mythical character in a twang world. Enjoy my conversation with Kevin Breit, and please subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes!

Kevin Breit is a humble Canadian treasure. And a hell of a unique guitar player. And a nice feller. I’ve known Kevin for about 20 years at this point, although I haven’t seen him much over the last 10, sadly. When I first got to know him, he was at the tail end of a run in Norah Jones’ live band, and had played on most of her recordings as well. He was bowing out of that gig to be able to spend some more time with his young family, but was already a seasoned vet in the studio, having played on records for folks like Rosanne Cash, k.d. Lang, Hugh Laurie, Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole, Jane Siberry, Serena Ryder, Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas and countless others. As impressive as that list is, it was his quirkier solo records that I found most interesting. His guitar playing had a big influence on me, particularly his unusual voic eon slide guitar. His string of under-the-radar albums that he seemed to be churning out almost for his own amusement were some of the coolest music I knew of. From the slide guitar based “Empty” to the mandolin orchestra of “Maybelle” and the reckless abandon of “Folk Alarm”, not to mention the inventive “Supergenrous”, I loved all of it. Kevin is well known in his native Canada, but also well-respected internationally, as his session track record suggests. With multiple awards including a Maple Blues Award, Gemini Award, National Jazz Award, Canadian Folk Music Award and two Juno Awards for his recordings, as well as for his work on albums that have a collective 10 Grammy Awards, Breit’s unparalleled creativity is infinite. Breit’s latest release, the 11-track instrumental “Johnny Goldtooth and The Chevy Casanovas” features his interpretations of a mythical character in a twang world. Enjoy my conversation with Kevin Breit, and please subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes!

ANN ARBOR BLUES FESTIVAL James Partridge came by to talk about the 2018 Festival and the incredible lineup he has put together this year.  We’ll also touch base about next year, the 50th Anniversary! WEB SITE       FACEBOOK PAGE   ARTUR MENEZES – Segment Begins At The 13:50 Mark Hot off 3rd place at the 2018 International Blues Challenge, while winning the Gibson/Albert King Award” for best guitarist, Artur brings us Keep Pushing. He and I spoke about his journey from Brazil to Chicago and back and now to LA KEESHEA PRATT – Segment Begins At The 45:15 Mark Keesha and her band took first place at this year’s International Blues Challenge and they have released Believe, a wonderful collection of 12 originals.  Keeshea has an amazing story and we discussed it while listening to the tunes DEB RYDER – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC Segment Begins At The 1:31:15 Mark Deb returned to talk about all that has been going on in her world and to bring us through the new album, Enjoy The Ride, just released on the Vizztone label.  DAVID VEST – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC Segment Begins At The 2:18:25 Mark David has released his latest album, simply titled David Vest. The multiple Maple Blues Award winner returned to The Couch and we had a rousing discussion that ranged through a number of subjects.

She has toured and shared the stage with blues icons BB King, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Jimmy Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Rogers, Albert Collins, Van Morrison, Nina Simone, Ronnie Earl, Roy Buchanan, Charlie Sexton and more. She’s toured the world and won more Maple Blues Awards (17) than any other artist - ever... The youngest of 5 children and originally from Canada, Sue started her professional career at 16… and by 21 she was living in Austin, TX and playing as part of the house band for Antone’s. Shortly after that she recorded her first album, also on Antone’s record label. Sue talks about her new album, The Ice Queen… relationships… why playing a slow blues is FAR more difficult than most people think… weed-smoking hippies… the biggest obstacle she’s had to overcome in this business… the most critical and costly mistake most artists make (and how to fix it)... her 1987 Fender Telecaster that she’s the original owner of, and more. This is a GREAT conversation with a really candid person and incredibly soulful blues player...   Subscribe https://www.EveryoneLovesGuitar.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EveryoneLovesGuitar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everyonelovesguitar/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELovesGuitar

TAS CRU – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC WORLD PREMIER Tas joins me to premier his new album, Memphis Song.  Coming off his BMA nomination, this album goes deep into the Blues. Hear it here first!   ALLY VENABLE Ally has released Puppet Show, her second release on Connor Ray Music.  The album is a collection of 10 originals with Ally showing off her songwriting and guitar creds.  We’ll talk about her journey and what she is looking forward to in the future.   DANA FUCHS Dana recorded her 7th album in Memphis and it is 13-songs strong, entitled Love Lives On. I look forward to speaking with this amazing artist about her music, her acting and the album which she says is about ‘hope and redemption’.   SAMANTHA MARTIN – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC Samantha and Delta Sugar have released Run To Me, a collection of 10 new songs from the band whose debut album garnered them 5 Maple Blues Awards.  Lots to talk about with Samantha while we listen to the tuneage.  

Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning musician and one of the finest blues and roots artists working today.  The only female member of the famed “Jungle Show,” featuring Billy Gibbons, Jimmie Vaughan, Mike Flanigin and Chris Layton, she  has been working professionally since the age of 16 and by the age of 21, Foley had relocated to Austin, Texas, and began recording for Antone’s, thefamous blues label and historic nightclub that helped launch the career of Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others. In the two decades that have followed, Sue Foley toured and recorded with her signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster, won the  Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) and the most Maple Blues Awards in Canada, plus three Trophees de Blues de France. She has also garnered several nominations at the Blues Music Awards from The Blues Foundation.  She is set to release her label debut CD, The Ice Queen, on March 2, 2018. 

Steve Kozak is one of Canada’s finest blues artists has been turning heads of blues fans in Canada for over thirty years since he first broke onto the Vancouver scene in the mid-eighties. When it comes to tasty West coast blues guitar, Kozak’s name is at the top of the list in this nation - just ask greats like Duke Robillard and James Harman who have shared the stage with this gifted bandleader, instrumentalist, writer and singer. Gaining national recognition in 2012, Steve Kozak won a prestigious Maple Blues Award for New Artist or Group of the Year. Steve was also awarded The Ambassador of the Blues Award for 2012 by the Blues Underground Network. Steve Kozak has just released his new album ‘It’s Time’ Website: https://stevekozakband.com/ As always, recorded LIVE at Guilt & Company Visit Guilt & Company online via www.guiltandcompany.com - or in person at 1 Alexander Street in Historic Gastown, Vancouver, BC.  Follow Us on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/guiltandcompany Twitter: www.twitter.com/guiltandcompany Youtube: www.youtube.com/guiltandcompany Instagram: www.instagram.com/guiltandco Presented By: James Calvin Thompson Recorded By: Trevor Tews Edited By: Aaron Johnson

05/15/17 - SHOW #373 HECTOR ANCHONDO  Hector and his band have appeared at the IBC twice in the last 3 years, making the final stage in 2016. Their new album is entitled Roll The Dice and Hector joined me to talk about his journey, the new music and what is to come. CHRIS ANTONIK – Segment Begins At The 48:30 Mark Chrisis out of Toronto and in 2011 earned a Maple Blues Award for his debut album.  He just released his third album, Monarch, and Chris joined me to share his story while we listened to the new music. BRODY BUSTER  - Segment Begins At The 1:35:00 Mark Brodyrepresented the Kansas City Blues Society at the 2017 IBC and walked off the stage on Saturday earning second place in the Solo/Duo Challenge while also earning the Lee Oskar Harmonica Player Award. Brody took a seat to discuss his winding journey from child prodigy to wild teen to fatherhood to full-time musician, while we listened to tunes from One Man Band. JOHN GINTY – COUCH KID NEW MUSIC Segment Begins At The 2:18:00 Mark John returned for his third visit, this time to talk about his new album Rockers.  The album features vocalist Aster Pheonyx and is 12 songs strong.  It’s always a blast to have John on to talk about his incredible schedule, his love of the B-3 and more.  John and I also talked about what is in his future.

October 2, 2015 We're not actually in the coffeeshop this week, we're on Skype with David Vest who after he left Portland for Victoria, B.C. became the best Blues pianist in Canada, winning the coveted Maple Blues Award in that category two out of the past three years. Before he moved to Canada, and even after, he was the piano player in Paul deLay’s band. David is not only a Blues and boogie woogie player, he can play just about anything including Sun Ra and Thelonious Monk. In fact he did an all Monk show in Canada not long ago. He’s a political writer too. Most of the time, when we talk, the subect is baseball, but not today. He’s working on a new album…we’ll find out what we can about that. So now from all points south, including Alabama, where he was born, and Houston, where he spent many years, here’s the king of the Blues piano in Canada and probably the whole world….David Vest

An interview with multiple award winner, bassist for Downchild, and musical director of the Maple Blues Awards (just to name a few things he does), Gary Kendall - www.garykendall.com.  This is part one of two of my interview with Gary.  

An interview with multiple award winner, bassist for Downchild, and musical director of the Maple Blues Awards (just to name a few things he does), Gary Kendall - www.garykendall.com.  This is part two of two of my interview with Gary.

Show #364 Brody Buster stops by to talk about his IBC experience. Adam Karch received a Maple Blues Award nomination for Acoustic Act in 2014 after the release of Blueprints.  He has released Moving Forward and Adam and I will explore his journey while we listen to tunes. Joanna Connor has been thrilling audiences with her guitar prowess, vocal stylings and song writing skills.  Her latest album is entitled Six String Stories and Joanna will join me to discuss her career and the new music. Eight O’Five Jive finally take their seat on the Monday Couch. They just competed their second IBC for the Nashville Blues Society, and received a Blues Blast Award nomination last year. They’ve just released their sophomore effort, Swing Set, and we’ll talk with the band about the music and where they are heading. Cee Cee James returns to The Couch to talk about her newest release Stripped Down & Surrendered, which brings Cee Cee’s rawness to the surface once again.  She and Rob “Slideboy” Andrews continue to evolve and create some sensational Tuneage. We’ll talk about it all and where they are heading next.  

JL Fulks picked up a guitar at the age of 13 and has not looked back since.  Playing in South Carolina and then Florida, where he gained experience performing on stages across the states. JL and his band won the South Florida Regional Blues Challenge and made it to the semi-finals at the 2016 IBC.  His debut EP Down The Road has brought him even more notice and JL and I will discuss it all. Colin James has won 6 Juno Awards and 17 Maple Blues Awards and on his new album, Blue Highways, he pays tribute to some of James’ Blues idols including Jimmy Reed, Freddie King Jr, Buddy Guy and more.  I am excited to speak with this talented musician, songwriter and producer and find out more about his journey. Austin Young first sat on The Couch in May of 2011 and then on February 25, 2013 I was honored to WORLD PREMIER his Blues As Can Be album.  Much has changed for Austin over the last 3 years including the release of his new album, Not So Simple.  Austin and I will discuss the last 3 years and the music on the new album Elam McKnight first sat on The Couch in June of 2011 as a member of Big Black Hand.  Then he returned in June if 2014 to talk about the West Tennessee Blues Society he helped start.  Now he returns with a new band and new music.  We’ll find out what Elam has been doing in West TN with the society, the new music and his new band.

SHOW # 323 - Live, Uncut & Uncensored Conversations With "Musicians You Should KNow" We begin the show speaking with Françoise Digel, whose exhibit Screaming The Blues debuts at the Blues Hall Of Fame on Friday.  Ms. Digel will chat for a few about the exhibit and how she came upon the subject. Then we spend a few minutes with Randy Knight, the creator of the play Ghost Of The Blues which will have a performance on Friday at the Orpheum Theater.  This edition will feature Mud Morganfield, Biscuit Miller, Stacy Brooks, James Armstrong and Bobby Wilson. Sean Pinchin was nominated for a Maple Blues Award for Artist Of The Year in 2014 after his album Rustbucket was released.  His new album, Monkey Brain dropped the beginning of March and Sean & I will chat about his career and his album, a collection of personal struggle and triumph wrapped in some stellar guitar-work. Guy King grew up in Israel but relocated to the US in his early 20’s.  Since then he has worked continuously to build his skills and fan base playing some 200 shows a day.  His latest release, Truth is his Delmark debut and is a collection of originals and reworkings showing Guy’s guitar and vocal prowess. Finally, Lisa Mann will be calling from the road as she makes her way to Memphis for the BMAs.  Nominated for Instrumentalist-Bass (an award she was honored to receive last year) and is also releasing her new album.  We will get to share the new album and speak with Lisa about everything that has been going on in her world.

Couch Kid News starts the show with Kirby Sewell stopping by to talk about his recent Maple Blues Award. Couch Kid New Music – Angel Forrest returns to The Couch to share her latest release, Angel’s 11 with us and talk about the recording, her time in Memphis during the IBC and much more. Tommy Z is new to Music On The Couch.  The Buffalo-based artist has released his third album, Blizzard Of Blues, and I will talk with Tommy about his life and the music he creates for himself and others and more. Couch Kid New Music – WORLD PREMIER – Tim Langford from Too Slim & The Taildraggers honors Music On The Couch with the World Premier of their new album, Blood Moon.  The album is not available until March 18th, so tune in to hear Tim discuss the album; his continuing recovery and we hear this music for the very first time!  

SHOW #299 - Live, Uncut & Uncensored Conversations With "Musicians You Should Know" In 1970, Al Basile was the first to receive a Master’s Degree from the Brown University Writing Program. He has worked with the Duke Robillard Band as a songwriter and recording member since 1990, appearing on twelve CDs and a DVD. He has nine solo blues and roots CDs out under his own name. He has been nominated four times, in 2010, 2012, 2013, ad 2014, for a Blues Music Award as best horn player. His new album is B’s Expressions and Al and I will chat about his remarkable career and the new music. Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin are an Ottawa based original roots rock/blues band. Their sophomore album, Shame On Me (2013) was released to critical acclaim and wide-spread airplay in North America. In 2014 the band won the Maple Blues Award for New Artist of the Year. Shame On Me was named Best Canadian Blues Rock Album of 2014 by The Blues Underground Network. They have a new album out entitled Stormy Water and I will chat with the band about their music and plans. Dick LeMasters first sat on The Couch back in April of 2015 when we spoke about his career and album One Bird, Two Stones.  Tonight he returns for a Couch Kid New Music Segment to share his new album, Gasoline & Fire. I’ll chat with Dick and find out what his year has been like and about the recording of the new album. Jonn Del Toro Richardson joined me twice in 2013.  The first time from Europe with Sean Carney to talk about their album, and then by himself to discuss his career while we listened to songs from past albums.  Well now, Jonn has a new album, Tengo Blues and he and I will talk about the new music and more.   

Ottawa-based band MonkeyJunk  plays a blend of swamp-rock roots and blues that in the relatively short time has earned them a collective 20 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, a Blues Music Award (USA), and a JUNO Award in 2012.   Monkey Junk is three musicians who individually had established careers prior to forming MonkeyJunk: vocalist, baritone guitarist, harmonica and organ player Steve Marriner, lead guitarist Tony D and drummer/percussionist Matt Sobb.  We are delighted that they will join us on Music FridayLive! this week with their new album, Moon Turn Red. The strands formed in 2011 bring a genre-defying sound they like to call Artisanal.  Thoughtful and provocative lyrics dominate, carried by a piano with a subdued drum and sophisticated guitar grooves.  The result is almost jazz, but not quite – the Strands straddle the line between jazz and pop.  Lead singer Amanda Campbell delivers original material  - much of it written by the band's keyboard and piano artist Susan Ferrari - with a smooth voice, backed by the legendary Richard Green on lead guitar, Ferrari on piano and keys and the founder of the group, Paul, on bass.  Restrained, thoughtful, striking, the Strands stand out and we are glad they are taking the time to talk with us on Music FridayLive!.  

Blues pianist David Vest performs a live session in CKUA’s Studio A.  The Toronto Blues Society recently honoured David with his second Maple Blues Award for Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year. The Victoria-based musician recently entered Alberta on his Western Canadian tour. Grant talks with David about his latest album, his recent award, and his decades-long career in music.

Show # 260 - Live, Uncut & Uncensored Conversations With "Musicians You Should Know"   Angel Forrest originally Sat On The Couch back on December 8th, but technical difficulties wiped out her portion of the show, so she is back to tell her story once again. Angel is a wonderful singer and performer from Canada who has won multiple Maple Blues Awards and is nominated for two more this year.  her career spans 26 years and 8 albums and Angel and I will talk again about her incredible life. Then Chefjimi Patricola will come by with the Blues411 Report and tell us, in more detail and with a clearer mind, his time in Memphis at IBC and also what is coming up in his Blues World. Darren Weale was scheduled for December 22nd, but a Skype issue kept us apart.  The issue has been resolved and Darren, and Paul Lamb will tell us about the project Darren has taken on entitled The British Blues Exhibition.  Since we had planned to talk, some more great news has been developed and Darren will fill us in. Then, Couch Kid, Holly Long will return to The Couch.  Holly originally sat with me back in January of 2011.  She has a new project entitled Bullyheart. It is home for her rebel-heart which pulses with intense ambivalence about living life as a complex woman along with David Boucher and Kevin Harp. Totally different than the Holly who sat with us in 2011!