Stony Plain Records artist: The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Struck Down, by The Fabulous Thunderbirds and it's one of their best. Opening with Struck Down By The Blues, Kim Wilson has the mic singing lead vocals on this BB King style track. Johnny Moeller and Steve Strongman handle the gripping guitar lead with Bob Welsh on piano, Rudy Albin Petschauer on drums and Steven Kirsty on drums. Excellent opener. Classic ZZ Top style, one line bass, drives Payback Time features Wilson and Billy Gibbons on lead vocals with great harmonica overtones by Wilson and featuring Gibbons on guitar. Very cool. Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo and Taj Mahal share the mic on Nothing But Rambling, an easy shuffle with strong harmonica work by Wilson and Keb Mo on slide. Wilson back up front on romping shuffle, Whatcha Do To Me. Elvin Bishop lends his guitar work on his track giving it a nice kick and Wilson's harmonica work turns up the heat with his own spice. I really like Moeller's guitar work on stomping, I've Got Eyes with Wilson's harmonica creating great tension. Wrapping the release is soulful ballad, Sideline, with warm backing vocals by Chris Ayries, a clean sax solo by Kirsty and a strong piano bottom by Welsh. Strong closer for a real nice release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Spencer Mackenzie - Preach To My Soul - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Preach To My Soul, by Spencer Mackenzie, and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Baptized By Cold Water, Spencer Mackenzie on guitar and lead vocal hits the road running with a solid composition, strong vocals and cool riffs. Backed by Miles Evans on keys, Steve Pelletier on bass, Adam Cannon on drums, this is a real nice opener. Title track, Preach To My Soul, is a soulful radio oriented track with warm Hammond backing and a catchy melody by Mackenzie. Up tempo driving rocker, Test Drive, definitely has a lot of radio flash with cool vocals, prominent rhythm guitar and Evans contributing heavily on Hammond. R&B drenched, Your Turn To Cry, is one of my favorites on the release with a great melody and perfect horn support by Julian Nalli on sax and Stephan Dyte on trumpet. Ballad, Two Doves is a definite radio track showcasing Mackenzie's vocal skills and featuring Ross Hayes Citrullo on guitar. Wrapping the release is Battle from Within, another track with definite radio appeal with a great melody, harmonies and nice guitar phrasing on the closing guitar solo. This is a strong release with a lot of commercial potential. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Stony Plain Records artist: The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1, from The Strongman Blues Remedy and it's chocked full of foot tapping blues. Opening with blues rocker, Hard Luck, leader Steve Strongman adds great slide riffs, bass and harmonica to his solid lead vocal efforts for a super radio track. Joined by Dave King on drums and Jesse O'Brien on keys this is a great opener. Dawn Tyler Watson has the mic on Fine Young Man, a solid radio track with country and blues roots. Slick slide work by Strongman and with O'Brien on keys and King on drums, another fine track. Slow blues, White Lightnin' is my favorite track on the release with Strongman's best vocals on the release and strong, soulful, fluid guitar lead, backed by Alec Fraser on bass. Excellent! Crystal Shawanda has the mic on Tell Me I'm Wrong and her vocals are sassy and powerful against the bluesy riffs of Strongman. Wrapping the release is Love Comin' In with it's poppy shuffle feel. Strongman is back up front on vocal and his guitar work is bluesy and slick. With grinding rhythm work and a driving bottom, this is a solid closer for a cool release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Steve Strongman - Tired of Talkin' - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tired of Talkin', from Steve Strongman and it's his best release yet! Opening with title track, Tired of Talkin' with a wicked blues fused, southern rocker feel Strongman up front on lead vocal and guitar shows swagger. Backed by Dave King on drums, James Haggerty on bass, Jesse O'Brian on piano, Pat Sansone on on keys, and with Audrey Freed on guitars, excellent opener. Laid back, Still Crazy 'Bout You, is really cool with it's JJ Cale or Levon Helm texture. Strongman's dobro work complimenting his vocal work is the key. Funky, Just Ain't Right, is really fun with some strong slide work by Strongman, and tight bass/drum work by Haggerty and King and heavy organ by Sansone. Excellent! Hi octane blues rocker, Can't Have It All with Strongman on harmonica and guitar and snappy drumming by King really moves. Highway Man falls back into a more pure delta sound with dobro and vocal. This is stripped down and fluid. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Al Green's Let's Stay Together in it's original R&B format. Strongman does a real nice job on this track vocally and his added fusion style guitar soloing is tight. Solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 

Sonic Unyon Records artist: Steve Strongman - No Time Like Now - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Time Like Now, by Steve Strongman and he shows a lot of contemporary approaches. Opening with title track, No Time Like Now, Strongman, joined by Rob Szabo on bass and Adam Warner on drums presents a happy, dance style track with heavy tom tom work and a bubbly vocal line. Bring The Hammer Down has a solid lumbering feel with a solid blues format and traces of Billy Gibbons. I particularly like Strongman's  guitar work on this track accented by Szabo on keys.  Very cool. Another high energy, Money In The Bank, features Dave King on drums with a snappy feel and full vocal backing leading to a tight guitar solo. On BTO's You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, Strongman changes things up a bit with a less driven cover and featuring Randy Bachman on guitar. Gospel inspired, Love, Love, Love has a great guitar riff, solid lead vocals and nice backing vocals with Alec Fraser on bass, Jesse O'Brien on keys and a cool harp feature (think refined Leon).  Funky, I'm A Man has a lot of the audible signals of a Prince track with loose jangly guitar riffs, falsetto vocals, and a slick guitar solo. Good Times is a modern blues with long suspended guitar tone, simple guitar rhythms and stripped vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is The Day They Carry Me Away, a simple but strong, ballad. This is the definite radio track from the release and well written. With it's somber mood, clean vocals and bluesy, gripping guitar solo this is my favorite on the release and a great closer for a solid release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Angel Forrest - Angel's 11 - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Angel's 11, from Angel Forrest and it's got a special feel. Opening with Hangman, a solid blues rocker, Forrest shows that she's serious business and ready for anything. With Johnny Flash on guitar, Dennis Coulombe on bass, Sly Coulombe on drums and Bernard Quessy on B3, this track could easily see a lot of radio play. All The Way has a real cool rhythm and perfect timing from Coulombe on percussion. Forrest has a special voice and this track is perfect for her. Rob MacDonald lays in a nice guitar solo rounding out this track. Spoil Me Up is a real cool, jazzy track featuring beautiful guitar work from Steve Strongman and nice horn work from Frankie Thiffault on tenor sax, Mathieu Mousseau on bari sax, and Nicolas Boulay on trumpet. Excellent! Hold On Tight has a bluesy rock/ country sound with a real cool bass line from Alec Mc Elcheran. Ricky Paquette steps up with some searing guitar lead and I particularly like Sly Coulombe, drum work on this track. Tumbleweed really falls back with a western sound and a sweet melody. With steel guitar work by Dimitri Lebel-Alexandre and Ben Clement on drums, this track is very strong. A bright acoustic number, Goodbye, features Paul DesLauiers on acoustic guitar, building as it goes. This track reminds me quite a bit of a Steve Winwood composition and the instrumentation is tight! Let Me Go is a smooth R&B style track with full horn compliment. With tastes of Etta James styling, Forrest hits the target dead on with solid vocals and Kim Greenwood really rips loose on strat for some of the most emotional guitar work on the release. Wildflower is an uptempo rocker featuring Corey Diabo with metal guitar styling which blends surprisingly nicely with an otherwise pop oriented track. Very cool. Shane Murphy opens Touch of My Hand with fiery guitar riffs, played off of a funky bottom and sassy vocals. This is a pretty cool with a lot of heat. Steve Hill lays out some really nice lead guitar work on Crucify, a vocal ballad, performed nicely by Forrest. There are a number of really note worthy guitar pieces on this release and this is certainly one. Very nice work! Wrapping the release is silky smooth, You and I, with nicely blended vocal harmonies and light, spanish like executed guitar riffs from Adam Karch. This is a really super track to complete a nicely executed release of Forrest sharing her main stage with some excellent guitar players. Very nice job!



  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

Roly Platt - Inside Out - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Inside Out from Roly Platt and I really like it. A mixture of classic ballads, jazz, R&B and deep seeded blues this release has a lot of breadth. Opening with Joe Sample's, Put It Where You Want It, Platt that's a jazz track and replacing horn with harp it has a real nice effect. Joined by Al Cross on drums, John Tilden on guitar and Lance Anderson on keys this is a super opener. Mad River has a real nice Texas boogie style driven by Russ Boswell on bass, Platt, Tilden and Anderson each take nice solo lines. Dropped down a few clicks, Steve Strongman takes the lead vocal spot and adds guitar on Good Mind To Wander. Platt rides high with his harp on the melody of this likely commercial track. Congo Strut has a jazzy feel of course featuring the slick but gritty harp work of Platt. Anderson adds some real nice electric piano work giving the track a nice transition to a hot guitar solo from Tilden. Yes, everyone has done an interpretation of Over The Rainbow but aside from Jeff Beck, this may be one of my favorites. The purity of Platts harp work puts me in mind of Toots Thieleman although on a conventional harp. Anderson plays a very expressive and sensitive piano solo complimenting Platt's work. Excellent! Rippin' It Up is a hot rock n roller featuring Platt on vocal and harp. A genuine smoker, conjures thoughts of JL Lewis with boogie piano by Anderson but this track is burning from all corners with Neil Chapman on guitar, tight drums and harp work as well. Well done! Steve Strongman is back on Ocean Of Tears, a slow blues number. Platt really digs in deep with deep blue phrasing and Strongman's vocals are spot on. At 8 plus minutes this track is "the one" that you guitar heads are looking for. Strongman, Tilden, Platt and Anderson each take turns at the lead and Boswell and Cross keep the track tight. Hot! On Ray Charles' I Got A Woman, vocals are replaced by lead harp and Platt is certainly up to the job. He lays down fluid harp lead and Anderson pushes him along on Hammond. Chapman and Tilden each throw down hot riffs but this is Platt's show and it's well done. Another jazz classic, Georgia On My Mind is done quite straight forward with nice phrasing by Platt. On this track it's Anderson's spiritual like phrasing on keys that really propels Platts work. Very nice! Funk Shui puts me in mind of TOP but with harp instead of horns. Again Platt shows he's got what it takes to shake the bushes and Tilden steps up with yet another tasty guitar solo. Anderson takes a nice ride on the Hammond and Cross and Boswell hold the gang together. Wrapping the release is a somber ballad, Bartender's Blues,  with Jordan John on acoustic guitar and lead vocal with Platt adding just the right amount of harp to round out the release. This is a different kind of release but one that I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Steve Strongman Wins JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year

Photo: Liam Richards/The Canadian Press     Kitchener raised, Hamilton Ontario resident Steve Strongman will be clearing space on his mantle for more hardware after receiving a coveted JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year for his recent release "A Natural Fact". The award was handed out this past Saturday at a gala dinner at the Queensbury Convention Centre in Regina.  "Winning this Juno is amazing. I am so proud to be included in such great company with the other nominees. I share this with all the people that made A NATURAL FACT so special, especially my producer Rob Szabo. This was a team effort. I also want to thank Mel Brown, who continues to inspire me." Strongman said. Other deserving nominees in the category were Shakura S'Aida, Colin James, Jack de Keyzer and Steve Hill. For a full list of 2013 JUNO Award winners visit junoawards.ca   The JUNO win follows Strongman taking home three Maple Blues Awards at the gala ceremony in January, where he received awards for Guitarist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and along with Rob Szabo, Recording/Producer of the Year for "A Natural Fact".   Strongman is currently preparing for a busy Spring / Summer festival season with numerous dates across Canada.            Visit www.stevestrongman.com for info about upcoming appearances and news.

Steve STRONGMAN - JUNO nomination & wins 3 Maple Blues Awards including Guitarist Of The Year in Canada! - Now booking 2013 & 2014

    www.stevestrongman.com

 Steve Strongman adds a JUNO nomination for Blues CD of the Year!

Big night for Steve Strongman - 3 Maple Blues Awards 

Guiatrist of the Year, Album of the Year & Songwriter of the Year!

  

 

STEVE STRONGMAN A NATURAL FACT WINS RECORD OF THE YEAR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZcD75ThcA

Promotional video for Steve Strongman's new album, "A Natural Fact".  

 

 Steve STRONGMAN wins Guitarist Of The Year  2nd year in a row at the Maple Blues Awards !

 

   New acoustic CD to be released in April 2012!  

Steve Strongman’s highly anticipated Acoustic CD “A Natural Fact” due for release, May 5 at the Molson Canadian Studio at Hamilton Place.  Produced by Rob Szabo, the CD features solo pieces, as well as acoustic band tracks featuring Maple Blues Award winner Alec Fraser on bass, Dave King on drums, and Jesse O’Brien on piano.

Multiple Maple blues award winner and Juno nominee Suzie Vinnick makes an appearance on a duet with Strongman also.

2011 was an incredible year for Strongman. He has won a Maple Blues Award for Guitarist of the Year, a highly prestigious National honor, and most recently -

on the heels of highly successful summer tours of France and Switzerland - Strongman has just signed a European record deal with German based label Peppercake Records.   

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9MWSSaOnzQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuNHLd_69CI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8gMocpjIiI&feature=related  

Steve Strongman's astounding guitar playing and expressive songwriting combined with his entertaining showmanship, have firmly established him as one of Canada’s best new Blues artists. The 2009 recipient of the prestigious Mel Brown Blues award, 2008 Maple Blues awards nominee for “Guitarist of the year”, 2007 Maple Blues Awards “Best New Artist” nominee, received standing ovations opening for the legendary Buddy Guy on his Canadian tour dates.

ellent harp playing added in for good measure. “Blues in Colour” was recorded in a century old barn, out    

Steve Strongman Blues In Colour Self  Even after a well-received debut CD, Honey, the hard work continues. With a particularly effective showcase at the Blues Summit behind him, Steve Strongman keeps the ball rolling with a sparkling new CD. With release parties in home base Hamilton and here next month, the momentum should keep growing. He certainly has the songs and the performances here to make that happen. It’s basically a trio session, with multiple-award winning Alec Fraser on bass and producer Dave King on drums. Strongman overdubs some fine harp, especially on the rocking opener, “Mean To Me’. The only cover is up next, a solid take on Freddie King’s “Woman Across The River”, with the trio handling the changes superbly. “That’s What She Does” would have hit single written all over it if hit radio played these things.  With a catchy melody delivered in his distinctive, plaintive voice, it’ll be in your head for days. The jaunty “Can’t Back Down” switches gears to acoustic with Strongman on slide and King on brushes. Another winner. “Take My Arms” is a long, slow blues and it doesn’t disappoint, with perfect guitar accompaniments to the vocal and a stunning solo. Electric slide dominates “Can’t Stop But I’m Tryin’”, a song about vices (with Paul Intson on bass). “Heart” is a lovely acoustic ballad. “Lie To You” is another rocker with electric slide with a catchy chorus. “Plain Hard Truth”, with its unison vocal and guitar lines, is another slow blues that except for the chorus is so downhome it would not sound out of place on an R.L. Burnside album. A very good lyric too. The disc concludes with Strongman on his National saying, passionately, “Just Sorry”.

Available shows: Steve Strongman (solo acoustic), The Steve Strongman Band, Guitar Explosion with Paul Deslauriers and as a special guest with house band.  

Available for festivals, concerts, workshops & interviews

ZEB PRODUCTIONS - Brian Slack

22, avenue Belton, Pointe-Claire (Québec)  H9S 3Z9 CANADA
T: 514 830-4932 zeb@vl.videotron.ca

Artistic direction with G2 Productions at Tremblant International Blues Festival

Artistic director at Trois-Rivières en Blues, Victoriaville en Blues, L’October Blues in Joliette. 

Steve Strongman JUNO Award Nomination, Maple Blues Awards & Winter Tour

Just six weeks in to 2013, Steve Strongman has already achieved years worth of accolades and recognition for his latest release "A Natural Fact", including a JUNO nomination for Blues Album of the Year. "I’ve dreamed about this for years and it has finally come true," Strongman said. The JUNO nomination follows Strongman winning three Maple Blues Awards at the gala ceremony in January, where he received awards for Guitarist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and along with Rob Szabo, Recording/Producer of the Year for "A Natural Fact".   Strongman had been nominated for six Maple Blues Awards, including nominations in both categories for Electric Act of the Year and Acoustic Act of the Year, as well as Entertainer of the Year. Strongman also had the honour of performing at the gala awards concert, and a rousing showcase at Blues Summit 6. For a complete list of all the Maple Blues Award winners, visit torontobluessociety.com   He has also been nominated in the category of Blues Artist or Group of the Year for the 13th Annual Independent Music Awards, to be held during Canadian Music Fest on March 22. indies.ca     Upcoming Performance Dates   Friday, February 22 and Saturday February 23, 2013 Yardbird Suite, Edmonton, AB Monday, February 25 - Wednesday February 27, 2013 Blues in Schools, Saskatoon Sponsored by the Saskatoon Blues Society   Thursday, February 28, 2013 StirCrazy Blues Festival, Swift Current SK   Friday, March 1st, 2013 Saskatoon Blues Festival, Saskatoon SK   Saturday, March 2, 2013 Aurora Winter Blues Festival, ON     Visit www.stevestrongman.com for info about upcoming appearances and news.

Media contact:   Sarah French Publicity sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.com

Internationally Renowned Canadian Blues Artists Honoured with Maple Blues Awards

Ottawa’s MonkeyJunk, Toronto’s Suzie Vinnick and Hamilton’s Steve Strongman Win Multiple Awards   (January 21, 2013) Toronto, ON - Internationally renowned Canadian Blues Artist from Coast-to-Coast were honoured by their peers at the 16th Annual Maple Blues Awards gala in Toronto last night as a sold out crowd of blues lovers gathered to celebrate Canadian blues at Koerner Hall.   Ottawa’s MonkeyJunk and its members took home three awards, including, Electric Act of the Year, Harmonic Player of the Year (Steve Marriner) and Drummer of the Year (Matt Sobb).  Hamilton guitar slinger Steve Strongman also received three awards including Songwriter of the Year, Recording of the Year for his recent release "A Natural Fact" and Guitar Player of the Year. Now based in Toronto, Saskatoon native Suzie Vinnick won awards for Acoustic Act of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.     Nova Scotia’s Matt Minglewood was honoured with the Blues With a Feeling (Lifetime Achievement Award). Minglewood’s extensive career as a blues performer, spanning nearly four decades, makes him widely considered to be a Canadian music icon. John Valenteyn, a founding member and tireless volunteer of the Toronto Blues Society received the Blues Booster of the Year award, a very special Maple Blues Award honouring outstanding contribution to the Canadian blues music industry, presented by internationally recognized blues artist and Maple Blues Award winner Shakura S’aida and former Toronto Blues society vice president, “Blues Doctor” Julie Hill. Mrs. Laureen Harper wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, alongside blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer, presented the awards for Harmonica Player of the Year to Steve Marriner and Horn Player of the Year to Jon Wong.   Hosted by Raoul Bhaneja, a Toronto actor and musician most noted for his work performing Shakespeare’s Hamlet solo and his blues band Raoul and the Big Time, the Maple Blues Awards included outstanding performances from Maple Blues Award nominees past and present, including Matt Minglewood, Nanette Workman, Carlos del Junco, Harrison Kennedy, Suzie Vinnick, Steve Strongman and The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, all backed by gala house band, The Maple Blues Band.   Winners of the 16th Annual Maple Blues Awards     ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Colin James   ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR MonkeyJunk   ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR Suzie Vinnick   MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Matt Andersen FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Suzie Vinnick   NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR Steve Kozak RECORDING OF THE YEAR “A Natural Fact" Steve Strongman, Producer Rob Szabo BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement) Matt Minglewood   BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Tedeschi Trucks Band   GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Steve Strongman   HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR Steve Marriner   PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR David Vest   HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jon Wong   DRUMMER OF THE YEAR Matt Sobb   BASSIST OF THE YEARGary Kendall   SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR Steve Strongman   BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR   John Valenteyn For more information contact:   Sarah French Sarah French Publicity 416-566-4188 | sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.com   Jordan Safer Toronto Blues Society 416-538-3885 | info@torontobluessociety.com

Steve Strongman - News, Reviews and Performances

   

It has been an exciting summer and fall for guitarist Steve Strongman. A full schedule of festival performances, concerts and appearances has kept this award-winning blues artist quite busy. Throughout the summer months Steve performed for thousands of fans at festivals including Trois-Rivieres en Blues, Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival, Donnacona au rythme du Blues, Limestone City Blues Festival and a coveted opening spot for the legendary Robert Cray. 

This was all capped off with Strongman being nominated for six Maple Blues Awards, including nominations in both categories of the Electric Act of the Year, and Acoustic act of the Year. Other nominations include:

Entertainer of the Year
Guitarist Of The Year
Songwriter Of The Year
Recording/Producer Of The Year for "A Natural Fact".
Strongman will be performing at the gala awards concert and  has been invited to showcase at the Blues Summit in Toronto.
www.mapleblues.ca 

Toronto Blues Now CD

The Toronto Blues Society has produced a compilation that serves as a snapshot of Toronto Blues Now! The CD features tracks from Paul Reddick, Downchild, David Wilcox, Jack de Keyzer, Suzie Vinnick, Harrison Kennedy, Treasa Levasseur, Fathead, Rita Chiarelli, Steve Strongman, Shakura S'Aida, Julian Fauth, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, The 24th Street Wailers and catl. For more information on the CD and to purchase yours today, check out torontobluessociety.com/toronto-blues-now

Recently friend and colleague Rob Szabo won Producer Of The Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for his production on A Natural Fact.
folkawards.ca

Steve Strongman's new CD "A Natural Fact" made it to number two on Sirius XM Radio for BB King’s Bluesville as well as Strongman was one of the featured artists of the week on popular roots music website The Alternate Root.

Upcoming Performance Dates

Saturday, November 24
Sutton en Blues
Auberge des Appalaches
234 Chemin Maple, Sutton, QC
Tickets $25.00 and up
www.auberge-appalaches.com/en/sutton_en_blues

Saturday, December 1BRACELET OF HOPE'S WORLD AIDS DAY

Steve and his band will be performing at the Bracelet of Hope's World Aids Day, at the River Run Centre in Guelph. The event will be hosted by CBC's Jian Ghomeshi.
www.braceletofhope.ca/worlds-aids-day-celebration/

Friday, December 14

3rd Annual Christmas At The Corktown
with special guests Harrison Kennedy & Jesse O'Brien
The Corktown Tavern
175 Young Street, Hamilton, ON
9:00p.m.
Tickets $20.00

Saturday, December 22 Rob Szabo  / Steve Strongman 8TH Annual Holiday show
The Starlight Social Club

47 King Street North Waterloo, ON
Early Show: doors at 7:00p.m. performance at 8:00p.m.Tickets $19.00 advance, $25.00 at door

 

In February 2013, Steve Strongman will embark on a Western Canadian tour. More details to come

Friday, February 22 and Saturday February 23, 2013

Yardbird Suite, Edmonton, AB 

Monday, February 25 - Wednesday February 27, 2013
Blues in Schools, Saskatoon
Sponsored by the Saskatoon Blues Society

  

Thursday, February 28, 2013
Swift Current Blues Festival

Friday, March 1st, 2013
Saskatoon Blues Festival

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Aurora Winter Blues Festival, ON

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Steve Strongman, Shakura S'Aida, Paul Reddick and MonkeyJunk lead Maple Blues Award Nominations

(October 26, 2012) Toronto, ON - The Toronto Blues Society will be celebrating its 16^th annual Maple Blues Awards by honouring nationally and internationally recognized Canadian Blues artists from across the country on January 21, 2013. The nominees are recognized both for their talent as well as their contribution to the growing Canadian blues music scene.  

Hamilton’s Steve Strongman leads the way with nominations in six categories, Toronto’s Shakura S’Aida and Paul Reddick, and Ottawa’s MonkeyJunk earned nominations in five categories. Quebec blues artists are well represented with nominations for Nanette Workman, Michael Jerome Brown, Ben Racine, Stephen Barry, Dawn Tyler Watson and Guy Bélanger. British Columbia’s  thriving blues scene is represented with nominations for The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, Steve Kozak, Colin James, David Hoerl, David Gogo and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne.

The Blues Booster of the Year Award will be presented to John Valenteyn, one of the founding members of the Toronto Blues Society, past co-chair of the Maple Blues Awards nominating panel and popular radio host on CIUT FM in Toronto. Valenteyn’s untiring commitment to promoting Canadian blues for over 41 years and as a Toronto Blues Society Volunteer for nearly 28 years is an impressive accomplishment.
David Barnard, another founding member of the Toronto Blues Society had this to say: “When I think of John, the first thing that comes to mind is generosity. Through good times and bad, he has served the blues community in a selfless manner. I’m sure he’s surprised to be a recipient of this award, but I can’t think of a more deserving person.”

Hosted by Toronto actor and blues musician Raoul Bhaneja, The Maple Blues Awards are taking place at Koerner Hall in Toronto on January 21th, 2013.

Voting is open from Midnight NDT October 27th, 2012, through Midnight PST December 8th, 2012. Blues fans can cast their votes online at www.mapleblues.ca.

Tickets for the Maple Blues Awards, held at the Royal Conservatory's Koerner Hall in Toronto, are on sale now for $35 - $65 and can be purchased at The Weston Family Box Office, located in The Royal Conservatory building at 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto or online at https://tickets.rcmusic.ca/public.

The Toronto Blues Society is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Blues. The Maple Blues Awards is Canada's national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field.

The Royal Conservatory's magnificent new concert hall, Koerner Hall, is a 1,135-seat venue designed in the tradition of the classic “shoebox” venues of Europe. Recognized as being among the world’s greatest concert halls, the Toronto Star has called it "the best concert venue in Toronto." 

The 16th Annual Maple Blues Awards Nominees:

Entertainer Of The Year

Colin James
Matt Andersen
MonkeyJunk
Shakura S'Aida
Steve Strongman 

     

Electric Act Of The Year

Anthony Gomes
JW-Jones
MonkeyJunk
Paul Reddick
Steve Strongman

Acoustic Act Of The Year

Harrison Kennedy
Michael Jerome Browne
Ray Bonneville
Steve Strongman
Suzie Vinnick

Male Vocalist Of The Year

Chuck Jackson
Harrison Kennedy
Matt Andersen
Paul Reddick
Steve Marriner

Female Vocalist Of The Year

Dawn Tyler Watson
Nanette Workman
Shakura S'Aida
Suzie Vinnick
Treasa Levasseur      

New Artist Or Group Of The Year

Ben Racine
Boogie Patrol
Conor Gains Band
Steve Kozak
The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer

Recording/Producer Of The Year

"A Natural Fact" Steve Strongman (Independent) Producer - Rob Szabo

 "Checkered Past" The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer (Independent) Producers - Matthew Rogers & Shawn Hall

"Time" Shakura S'Aida (Electro-Fi) Producers - Shakura S'Aida, Howard Ayee

"Broad" Treasa Levasseur (Slim Chicken), Producers - Treasa Levasseur, Ken Whiteley, Steve Marriner, Terry Wilkins

"Wishbone" Paul Reddick (Independent) Producer - Colin Cripps

Guitarist Of The Year

                                                                                                        

David Gogo
Garrett Mason
Kevin Breit
Steve Strongman
Teddy Leonard 

                                                                                                        

Harmonica Player Of The Year

Carlos del Junco
David Hoerl 
Guy Bélanger
Paul Reddick
Steve Marriner 

                                                                                                        

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year

David Vest
Julian Fauth
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Lance Anderson
Michael Fonfara

                                                                                                    

Horn Player Of The Year

                                                                                                        

Al Lerman
Chris Whiteley
Frank Thiffault 
Jon Wong  
Pat Carey 

                                                                                                        

Drummer Of The Year

                                                                                                        

Bucky Berger 
Chris Nordquist
Matt Sobb
Sam Harrisson 
Tom Bona 

                                                                                                        

Bassist Of The Year

                                                                                                        

Alec Fraser
Gary Kendall 
Omar Tunnoch 
Stephen Barry
Terry Wilkins 

                                                                                                        

Songwriter Of The Year

                                                                                                        

Julian Fauth
Paul Reddick
Shakura S'Aida & Donna Grantis
Steve Strongman
Treasa Levasseur

B.B. King International Artist Of The Year

Tedeschi Trucks Band
Michael Burks
Dr. John
Curtis Salgado
Joe Louis Walker

Blues With A Feeling Award(Lifetime Achievement)

Alec Fraser
Danny Brooks
Ellen McIlwaine
Joe Murphy
Ken Whiteley
Michael Fonfara
Stephen Barry
Tom Lavin
Michael Jerome Browne
Matt Minglewood
Brent Parkin
Bob Walsh
Jim Zeller
Nanette Workman
Theresa Malenfant
John Dickie

Blues Booster Of The Year

John Valenteyn