Another Season Begins and Changing Of The Guard

Shawn and world famous fingerpicker Noah Trotter

Hey Guitar Players!

Hope you all had a great summer, just wanted to let you know what’s going on with the Hamilton Guitar Association. 

1.)  The season opener meeting will be next Monday, September 20 at 7:30. Same place, the 2^nd floor of the Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta street, Hamilton. Make sure you bring those guitars! www.pheasantplucker.ca

2.)   As you know I started the guitar association (originally the Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guitar Association) back in 2002, and have been running it ever since. I have hosted hundreds of meetings, held workshops, concerts, maintained web sites, sent tons of emails, lugged gear up and down stairs, the list goes on and on. It’s been an honour to hear all of you great players and getting to watch people grow and get better and better. Mostly, I’ve enjoyed hanging out, talking guitar and sharing a few laughs. 

Unfortunately, all good things eventually come to an end, and I am no longer able to run the club. Time has come for me to move on, and pass leadership of the association. So, with that being said, The meetings will continue on under the leadership of: Liam Trotter, Alfie Smith and Mark Vanderheyden. I wish Liam, Alfie and Mark all the best and I am confident that under their leadership the association will thrive. 

This is my final posting, so please allow me to say to you all; Thank you, for without you there is no guitar association.

Take care,

            Shawn Trotter

            www.shawntrotter.com

Poor Charlie at the HGA April 19

POOR CHARLIE

Ultimate Storyteller, Showman and Bluesman

Born & raised in Montreal, Charlie Robertson spent the War years (WW II) with his father’s relatives in North Carolina.  It was there, at an early age that Charlie was absorbed by the Blues, a lifelong affair.  Subsequent visits to his cousin John Peden’s famous club, “The Sidetrack” over the years saw Charlie playing with legendary players such as Doc & Merle Watson, Son House, Bobby Blue Bland and Otis Redding.  As a schoolboy in Montreal during the 50’s, Charlie spent many hours at the Esquire Show Bar, Rockhead’s & the Harlem Paradise where he was welcomed by acoustic and electric jazz & bluesmen, Howlin’ Wolf, Frank Motley & his Motley Crew, Dizzy Gillespie  & Bo Diddley.

During the 60’s & 70’s Charlie performed the blues and ran coffeehouses in BC and Ontario where he worked with Richie Havens, Joni Mitchell, Elvin Bishop, Big Joe Williams, Bukka White, Paul Butterfield, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Tom Rush.  He hosted university concerts with Buddy Guy, Little Walter, James Cotton and their bands.

His academic career saw him teaching classes in Popular Culture and Creative Writing.  He developed the first post-secondary Canadian Literature Class.  He also worked in the communications field and helped develop the College of Integrated Studies at the University of Waterloo.

For 40 years, Charlie has been an itinerant bluesman, traveling the globe playing the blues, hosting concerts and conducting workshops.  In recent years, Charlie has performed frequently at such festivals as the Harbourfront Jazz & Blues Festival, the Mariposa Folk Festival, our own Mill Race Festival of Traditional Music and festivals in the eastern US.  He has also performed at City of Waterloo music festivals, the University of Waterloo Blues Fest and Kitchener’s Blues, Booze & Barbecues.  He has played the blues with the Gypsy Kings in France, tango bands in Argentina, reggae players in Jamaica, and flamenco dancers in Spain, where his passion for the blues has always erased national and political borders and brought strange bedfellows together to share the music.  He may still be seen at universities and his favourite cafes when time permits.  Charlie performed at the 10^th Anniversary celebration for Voodoo Healin’ Blues Radio and at the Grand River Blues Society tribute concerts at the Cambridge Arts Centre.  Poor Charlie is currently based in Muskoka where he can be found playing the blues wherever music lovers meet for cool drinks and hot licks.

Bob Ardern at the HGA April 5

Bob Ardern combines melodious sounds with lyrics that conjure images and pulls it all together with masterful finger-style guitar playing. Willing to let his emotions show through his songs and not afraid to set off along the musical road-less-travelled, Bob takes you on a journey that entertains, surprises and stimulates.

Please learn more about Bob by clicking here.

Dunstan Morey at the HGA March 22

Dunstan Morey is a Classically trained guitarist and a graduate of the Humber College Jazz program. He has performed as both sideman and leader in a variety of musical configurations, but now works almost exclusively as a solo Fingerstyle guitarist. In addition to free-lancing at weddings and corporate events, he is the house guitarist at La Maquette Restaurant on Toronto. Dunstan is also the host of the Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association’s open stage at “Ten Feet Tall” which meets every 2^nd week in Toronto. 

To learn more about Dunstan please click here.

Wendell Ferguson CD Release Party in Hamilton March 27.

Wendell Ferguson CD Release Party in Hamilton March 27.

Erskine Presbyterian Church 19 Pearl St. North. 

Doors at 7:00 and show at 7:30.

Show will feature special guests,
Shawn Trotter and Sean O'Grady 

Tickets are $12.00 advance and $15 at the door. 

905-979-0155 or shawn@shawntrotter.com


This is a concert you really don't want to miss!!!

Wendell Ferguson

Wendell won the "Guitar Player of the Year" so many times (7) they retired him. He's no longer eligible.
Wendell was nominated for the "Album of the Year" at the 2006 CCMA Awards

Wendell Co-hosted the 2005 CCMA Awards show with Paul Brandt. The show was just nominated for a 'Genie Award.

Wendell has won the CCMA's Guitarist of the year for 2000-2001 !

Wendell has won the Canadian Country Music Associations' "Guitar Player of the Year" 1995-'96-'97-'98-'99.

Was nominated for the CCMA"Vocal Collaboration of the Year " for the duet with Prairie Oysters' Russell deCarle for "If You're Gonna Be A Cowboy" in 1999. Along with "Coda The West" and "The Duane Steele Band", won the C.C.M.A's "Back up Band of the Year" 1994-95-97

Was nominated for a Juno award for "Country Duo or Group" in 1995 with "Coda the West"

Has backed up "country" artists such as; George Fox, Duane Steele, Shania Twain, Lisa Brokop, Michelle Wright, Tommy Hunter, Al Cherney, Deana Carter, Tracy Byrd, Mila Mason, Chely Wright, Matraca Berg, The Dixie Chicks, The Arrogant Worms, Jason McCoy, and countless more.

Has recorded with - Duane Steele, Gil Grand, George Fox, Coda The West , Kelita, Quartette, Cindy Church, Murry McLauchlan, Bob Snider, Katherine Wheatley, Gordon Lightfoot, Don Freed, Jane Siberry, James Keelaghan, Bill Candy and many more.

Can be seen touring the country with Duane Steele, Quartette, Katherine Wheatley , Cindy Church or under his own name.

www.wendellferguson.com

Carter Lancaster February 8

Carter Lancaster will be our featured performer on Feb 8.

A versatile guitarist/performer/composer, Carter is one of those rare musicians whose expertise and virtuosity transcend issues of style. His unique musical vision has led him to master Jazz, Bluegrass and modern Acoustic guitar styles, in a manner that allows each style to complement the others without sacrificing any of their respective nuances. A performer with over 30 year’s experience, Carter can be seen working as a solo artist, with jazz and folk duos, trios, or quartets, and occasionally with orchestras.Probably known best for his fluid jazz electric chord-melody style and his standard and open tuning acoustic compositions, Carter’s ability to incorporate a variety of harmonic and 2-handed tapping techniques, while maintaining a strong melody line and percussive rhythm are sure to grab any listener’s attention. Over the past few years, Carter has been studying the harp guitar (a rare vintage instrument with 6 treble strings and 5 or 6 contra-basses). Here you can see Carter performing one of his original compositions “Widow Walk” at the Harp Guitar Gathering in Williamsburg Virginia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3zdCuSSMwc

Please visit him on-line at: www.carterlancaster.com

Russ Burns at the HGA January 25

Russ Burns

Russ Burns has been playing guitar and entertaining people for well over forty years. Over the last ten years he has become a mainstay, entertaining at Folk and guitar clubs, open stages and gigs throughout the Hamilton area. As a self taught singer and guitar player he has developed a unique style all his own. Using techniques from finger style to power cords, the guitar compliments a smooth singing style that delivers songs with passion and commitment. Combining this with a fine collection of song writing, it is not difficult to see why he is always warmly welcomed to the stage.

Happy New Year

Happy 2010 everyone, hope you had a great holiday season. The HGA meets tonight (Jan 11) at 7:30. It's my turn to be featured performer so here's all the info.

Shawn Trotter

Shawn Trotter is a full time professional musician, music teacher, producer and composer. His guitar and mandolin styles draw accolades from peers and critics alike. He has toured extensively, performing in concert halls, folk festivals and house concerts.  He is also the founder and artistic director of the Hamilton Guitar Association. 
www.shawntrotter.com
www.hamiltonguitar.com