Hamilton Guitar Association

2012-01-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

HGA... Sofga meeting

2012-01-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

Mon. Jan. 23 , at the good ol Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton
7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00
HGA is happy to announce the birth of the healthy and rather awake EVELYN CHRISTIAN SMITH, to proud , (and now pretty tired) parents, Alfie and Nicole. Congratulations, well done , good on ya... and all that.

Hey everyone, I must apologize for the late email, I have to blame it on my old friend Glenn Fitick.

See you tomorrow,

Mark

Merry Christmas

2011-12-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

2011-12-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome ALL to the

Classical Christmas Meeting

Mon. Dec. 12 , at the Pheasent Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00

Hello Everyone,

Holiday time has come again. Time to play a tune, give best wishes, enjoy some music, food and cheer with your old friends at the Hamilton Guitar Association and SOFGA.

Dust off those Christmas tunes, (if you can remember them) , Enjoy some light refreshments and treats then sit back for an ensemble yuletide set from our resident classical crew.

Last time our feature set from John Harris and Andy Rock, (collectively known as Crazy Chester) proved to be a heart warming display of song, guitar technique and friendly ol music and manner from two of our favorite club members. Check out this clip of Deep River Blues . Thanks guys for being great musicians, club members and friends. (look..., I'm getting all mushy like... it must be Christmas time)

See you soon and...Dress Nice Damn-it , It's Christmass

2011-11-26T07:39:00.001-08:00

Hga...SOFGA meeting

Mon. Nov.28 , at the good ol Pheasent Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00

EYE ACHE,... MY EAR!

This week HGA is proud to present the rescheduled feature set by super solid club members, players and friends John Harris and Andy Rock.

I tell you, I've not seen performers who look like they are having as much fun playing together as these two.Catch a clip of John doing Blake Snake Blues . I couldn't find a clip of Andy but maybe he'll have a chance to explain this photo

Check out the website for clips of our last club night, featuring the sensational EMMA RUSH, (which was literally infested with nylon stringers) and there captivating classical chantadas. We also had a visit from Bob Maclean who will be on spotlight for a feature set later this year.

While your at it, notice the new listening room page where you can listen to and record music for me to post. If you are one of the many telecommuting to the club via the website, now you can share by playing us a tune. It's like an online open mic. Presently there is only one measly song from me, but , with your help we'll have some "enjoyable" "music" from actual "musicians" very shortly.

Thanks being a part of our guitar community,

See you Monday night,

Mark

2011-11-14T21:54:00.001-08:00

2011-11-14T21:49:00.001-08:00

this weeks meeting ( M..usical E...xciting E...ntertaintment T...hing),

2011-11-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

Mon. Nov. 14, at the good ol Pheasent Plucker,
20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00

We're back to the beloved classic format, half open mic, half feature performer. ...SO,

Bring your guitar for a two song set then...kick back...grab a fresh cold one and great local food and ....

This week, the HGA is proud to present, a feature set of the amazing, lovely and talented........

EMMA RUSH

Check out this EMMA VIDEO, entitled "Tortilla w/ Blue"

Guitars and Guns,..... Guitars and Power Tools and Guns

2011-10-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

    If you're like me, you've been walking around for a couple of days singing the words to Russ` new song, Guitars, Power Tools and Guns. One of the three he played on Monday night at the meeting.

     As it turns out, we had a bit of camera trouble, and ended up using a web cam. So now you can see three clips of this weeks meeting. Russ, as if cut from an excerpt of the Pete Seager Show, Scot Hamilton in true 70`s singer songwriter form and yours truly looking sort of like the cover of Frampton Comes Alive. On the upside, the sound recording system is infinitely better (direct from the board).

     Be advised, there is NO CLUB ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, me and Alf have to stay home to scare unwary children. Our next meeting will feature a set from Emma Rush. We`re all pretty pumped.

Catch You next Month,
Markis

Scot Hamilton

2011-10-18T20:11:00.001-07:00

2011-10-18T20:09:00.001-07:00

Mark, Hamilton Blues in Montreal

2011-10-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

Mon. Oct. 17 , HGA... Sofga meeting

2011-10-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hga...SOFGA meeting

Mon. Oct. 17 , at the good ol Pheasent Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00

Hey everyone,

Due to a sudden illness, the feature performers scheduled for this week were forced to postpone to a later date. We all hope that John H. feels better chop chop , (without having to do any sort of chop chop)

For this meeting we'll continue to do some extended sets for open mic and post tapes of our favorite parts of the night. Make sure to bring a memory stick to download a full version of your previous performances.

Check out the link for this weeks episode of the Randy Bachman show, vinyl tap on CBC, it's a great couple of hours of exploration into the use of acoustic guitar in popular music.

I'd like to be able to post upcoming shows that we might be interested in, so be sure to forward me your dates and times in advance of the bi-weekly news letter.

In the last couple of weeks our website/blog has gotten over 500 views. (and I,m pretty sure it,s not all me) . I could use some suggestions for Member Vid of the month, (a cool recording not done at the club)

See you tomorrow,
Mark

Alfie on banjo

2011-10-08T08:13:00.001-07:00

2011-10-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

Oct. 3 ,2011, One leg in the nylons, followed by banjo music kinda night

2011-10-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

      We had a great musical open mic night with some extra songs from a few of the usual suspects. This was our first club with videography. (Thanks to Mackenzie for doing the taping.)

     You can see two clips this week. Emma Rush's second number (below), a Spanish piece and a new song from recent member, Stephan Guschewski, entitled Let it Bloom. Both of these play excellently and are much better looking than many of our members. (who are a rather funny lookin bunch on the by and large)

     At the next meeting you can view last meeting's recordings, so bring a memory stick to tote yours home in full glory.

Emma Rush Oct. 3, 2011

2011-10-04T04:43:00.000-07:00

2011-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Mon. Sept. 19 , HGA... Sofga meeting

2011-09-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

   Hey everyone, me again. Last year was very exciting as we started to figure out together exactly who we were going to be as the new H.G.A. The glowing performance from Mike Anderson, who we've all watched develop into a gifted performer and artist finished the year on a high for the coming summer.

I hope you had a great summer playing at drunken festivals and nude beach parties each and every night, till the morning light,......     like me. But now the summer is all over but the paternity suits.

   We have another exiting year of great solo performance of guitar music from beginners , students, artists and masters. This year, we'll continue to build a community where the art of solo guitar performance can thrive.

   In eager anticipation, and to come down from the summer hangover, I'll see you this Monday, and we can all detox together.

Hair of the Dog,

Markis

First Meeting Of the 2011-2012 season

2011-09-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

It was great to reconvene after a summer away and see all our friends again. Everyone played a few tunes, we got a feel for how the year was going to play out and also a great discussion on aching body parts. Allot of enthusiasm was shown for our visits to the Alexander Place palliative care centre and we hope to return soon for another song circle.

At the next meeting, we'll hand out full schedules for the year and plan some future events and concerts.

Take Care , Mark

David Gillis At HGA

2011-09-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

This week, May 30, the Pheaesnt Plucker, 8:00 to 10:00, HGA is proud to present the return of, multiple award winning finger style guitar (...and ukulele) player, long standing member and friend to HGA /sofga David Gillis.

I've always admired David's ability to display his amazing guitar technique, vocal and song writing while building an increasingly close connection to everyone in the audience. It makes for a dazzelling, unique and uplifting musical experience.

You can spend an afternoon watching clips of super talented musicians going under the handle "Gillis", ( Ariana and Briar for example) Here's a clip of David on his own, doing a favorite to many , one super-cool (as well as documented and published) arrangement of... Spiderman.

Another Season Begins and Changing Of The Guard

2010-09-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-03-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-21T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

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

Alfie Smith at the HGA November 30

2009-11-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

“Alfie Smith is one Bad Mother @%*er” Mel Brown. Alfie Smith is a true modern day Blues Man, Blending hard edged Rock and Roll, Gospel, Folk and Jazz with Pure Primal Blues to create his own unique sound. He is adept at many instruments such as 7 string slide guitar, banjo, guitar, 12 sting and lap steel. Alfie’s musicianship has earned him endorsements with Godin Guitar, Composite Acoustics, Eastwood and Stonebridge. First and foremost Alfie is a singer with a deep passionate brooding baritone vocal style in the tradition of the old Blues shouters. Brass & Steel is Alfie’s 5th CD released in October 2007.It has 21 tracks and features Alfie and his band the Hard Cases on six of the songs. The Hard Cases are: Bob Doidge on Trumpet & Bass and James Richards on Drums. He is at ease playing solo or with his band. This is Alfie’s 1st release with Busted Flat Records. Alfie has been a featured performer at Mariposa, Festival of Friends, Home County, Eaglewood, Mill Race, Red Rock, Brampton, Niagara Blues Festival, Harbourfront Blues Festival, Octoberfolk, Orillia Spring Blues, Barriefolk and Orangeville Blues & Jazz festival. Alfie was selected for official showcases at the O.C.F.F. and the 2005 Blues Summit II. He was nominated for Best Blues Album at the 2006 & 2007 Hamilton Music Awards and also nominated for Guitarist of 2007. "Hamilton is blessed with a wealth of great blues guitarists. None is better than Alfie Smith when it comes to the acoustic slide and he's got a voice to match."- Graham Rockingham The Spec "He purrs like a kitten slumbering in a blanket or roars like a lion defending a carcass." - ROBERT REID The Record

Please visit Alfie at: http://www.myspace.com/alfiejohnsmith

D'Arcy Wickham as featured Performer November 15

2009-11-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

D'Arcy has had a wealth of excellent performance experience over the past few years. Feb. 2009 marked D'Arcy's first appearance as a featured performer at Toronto's Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival. June of 2008 was the occasion of another first appearance, this time at the NXNE Music Festival in Toronto. In April of 2008, D’Arcy was one of three featured performers and workshop leaders at the Waterloo Guitar Summit. In December 2007, D'Arcy showcased for the Hamilton Folk Club. On Nov. 17, 2007, he opened for Jon Brooks, and accompanied Jon on a few tunes, at the Acoustic Harvest Folk Club in Toronto. On Sept. 20, 2007, D'Arcy joined Ian North and Clela Errington to open the first City Roots Presents series at the Cameron House in Toronto. D'Arcy was the featured opening act on March 24, 2007 for Oliver Shroer at the Greenbank Folk Society. D'Arcy performed to a sold-out audience at Hugh's Room in Toronto for the release of his CD, Feather Fingers, and opened for Tommy Emmanuel there in 2005.
D'Arcy's first solo recording, "Dust and Loneliness", which was produced by Ian Thomas and released in 2000, received critical acclaim. Tracks from the CD were featured on two composite CD's: Borealis Records' "6 Strings North of the Border" vol. 2 and "Tears of a Thousand Years".
In 2005, D'Arcy released another critically acclaimed CD, Feather Fingers, which was produced by Jason Fowler. Greg Quill of the Toronto Star was particularly impressed with D'Arcy's facility and virtuosity on the guitar.
In August of 2007 the OCFF contacted D'Arcy to congratulate him on winning the instrumental category in the 2007 Songs from the Heart Contest, for his tune "Feather Fingers". D'Arcy showcased his tune at the "Songs from the Heart" awards ceremony at the OCFF conference on October 13.
In August of 2009, D'Arcy was selected as one of 10 finalists in the Canadian Region for the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, on the strength of his song "Malahat Highway".

As a guitar teacher with some 30 years of instructional experience and as an award winning composer, D'Arcy has a wealth of musical background to drawn on in offering workshops: aspects of guitar technique, song writing, history of folk and blues, and live performance.
Well known in folk music circles, an outstanding guitar teacher, performer and composer, D'Arcy would make a great fit for any folk festival or roots music venue.

http://www.darcywickham.com/

David Gillis Featued Performer November 2

2009-10-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

We have the good fortune to have Dave Gillis as our featured performer for the November 2 meeting. Please learn more about David on his web site at: www.davidgillis.com or his Myspace site at: www.myspace.com/davidgillis

"David Gillis sings with an original voice, grounded in the best North American songwriting traditions. He's also a killer guitar player (I mean that in a good way, of course!). His CD is a treat to listen to, well recorded and featuring some great playing. Real, heartfelt music."
Don Ross – CandyRat Records, Recording Artist

“Absolutely masterful examples of playing and arranging for solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar.”
David Barrett – Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association

“He demonstrates many facets of his extraordinary talent as a guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and producer. This is especially evident in his wonderfully bittersweet melodies woven with poignant lyrical observations and inspirations...”
Diane Wells – Washington Blues Society

"Breezy virtuosity as a solo guitarist”.... The material is so catchy ... and Gillis's presentation is so amiable.
Robert Doerschuk – Winner of two ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards for excellence in music journalism

October 24 Guitar Workshop with Tony Cox and Ryan Leblanc

2009-10-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

We had a great guitar workshop last Saturday (Oct. 24) with Tony Cox and Ryan Leblanc.

To eager participants, Ryan demonstrated his unusual and unique approach to both his percussive guitar and claw-hammer banjo styles.

Tony wowed the group with his amazing fingerstyle techniques infused with African rhythms. He later got everyone playing and jamming out on some South African grooves.

Later that evening we were treated to a great concert where we could listen and watch them do their thing. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the workshop and attending the concert. You make these type of events possible, and thanks to Tony and Ryan for stopping by Hamilton and visiting with us! If you would like to see some photos of the workshop please go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/guitarassociation/GuitarWorkshop#

October 19 meeting with Tony Cox & Ryan Leblanc

2009-10-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Guitar players, hope you have all recovered from a great Thanksgiving weekend! The next meeting of the Hamilton Guitar Association is Monday, October 19 at 7:30. This week is a bit different as we have 2 featured performers; Tony Cox and Ryan Leblanc.

Tony and Ryan are touring in the area and will also be back in Hamilton on Saturday the 24th for a concert and Guitar workshop along with myself and D Jay Moons on Saturday Oct 24.

Here's the details:
South African guitarist Tony Cox has honed and developed a personal compositional and instrumental style that is not bound by any classification. Uniquely beautiful, his music is a mosaic that incorporates evocative and infectious rhythms, delicate patterns and varying styles of his homeland. He demonstrates a complete mastery of the 'finger-style' of playing. www.myspace.com/tonycoxmusic

New Brunswick Solo Instrumentalist Ryan Leblanc combines organic melody lines with spellbinding rhythms to produce a completely unique musical experience with a World Beat Flavour. He plays Guitar, Harmonica and Percussion all at the same time. www.sonicbids.com/ryanleblanc

Guitar Workshop:
You may in interested in attending a workshop with both Tony and Ryan. It will be held in the after noon before the concert. Please register for the workshop in advance, as space is limited. The contact info and costs are listed below.

The Erskine Concert Series and the Hamilton Guitar Association Presents:
Together Live!
Tony Cox, Ryan Leblanc and Shawn Trotter with D Jay Moons.
Saturday, October 24 @ 7:00PM
Erskine Presbyterian Church
19 Pearl Street North, Hamilton

Tickets are available at the door or by calling 905-979-0155.

All workshop participants must register in advance before Friday October 23 at 9:00PM.

$10-Concert Only
$20-Concert and Workshop
$15-Workshop Only

This is going to be a fantastic evening of amazing music at a deal of a price! This is one you really don't want to miss out on.

See you Monday!

Shawn

www.hamiltonguitar.com

Win Tickets to see Shawn Brush

2009-09-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Shawn Brush (a.k.a the Krooked Cowboy) has generously donated 2 tickets for his October 9 show at Hamilton Place to the HGA. In order to win these tickets you must participate in the open stage portion of the October 5 meeting between 7:30-9:30. All you need to do is play the most Krooked Cowboy song you’ve got. This can be an old Cowboy song, Country tune, even some Cowboy Poetry, or best of all, a Shawn Brush tune. Please visit Shawn at: www.shawnbrush.com

So get those Cowboy Songs and Stories together, tune up those guitars and we’ll see you Monday night!

Ewan Dobson Featured Performer October 5

2009-09-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ewan Dobson will be our featured performer on October 5. Ewan is this years winner of the 2009 Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition at the Canadian Guitar Festival and placed 3rd at the prestigious Walnut Valley Festival.

Ewan Dobson has established himself as one of

Canada

’s most brilliant and exhilarating young guitarists, having won first prize in nearly every single competition across the country. His impressive list of credentials include winning the Grand Prizes from both the Burlington Rotary Fall Music Festival and the Pickering Rotary Music Festival where he emerged victorious, after having competed against the top prize winners of all of the other disciplines. His other accolades include receiving the highly coveted D’Addario Foundation Prize awarded to the top guitarist of the Peel Music Festival and the Kiwanis Music Festival Guitar Scholarship having been distinguished as the top guitarist of the entire competition. In addition to dominating the provincial competition circuit, Dobson has made his mark nationally having represented Ontario twice at the National Finals of the prestigious Canadian Music Competitions (CMC) and having been awarded the top prize in guitar. Dobson’s honours have also included introducing the guitar for the very first time in the long history of the Ontario Music Festivals Association’s (OMFA) Provincial and National Finals, which incidentally, he also managed to win the first prize.

Ewan Dobson has been under the tutelage of the world-renowned guitarist Dr. Alvin Tung whom he has worked with for over six years. This has been very a fruitful relationship having resulted in being garnered with many distinctions and honours across

Canada

. “Ewan Dobson is a young musician who demonstrates a level of virtuosity and refinement that is both rare and far beyond his years. His intense artistry will no doubt leave audiences spell-bound everywhere he performs” – Dr. Alvin Tung

In addition to his hectic competition history, Dobson has performed at many prestigious venues across Ontario including Hammerson Hall in Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre, the George Weston Recital Hall in the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts and his recital debut in the Royal Bank Theatre of the Living Arts Centre under the auspices of the Chamber Music Society of Mississauga to name but a few. A versatile artist, he has been featured on the television program Rogers Daytime performing live for the viewing audience and also having graced the stages of the Toronto & the York Region Finger-style Guitar Associations performing his original contemporary acoustic music. Recent corporate functions that he has performed at include Ice Conference 2008 at the Carlu and a Magnotta Winery fundraiser in support of Lymes Disease. Upcoming engagements include another appearance at the Magnotta Winery and the highly anticipated release of his debut album consisting of all his own original contemporary finger-style compositions.

The development of Ewan Dobson into the artist that he is today has been an eclectic journey to say the least. After humble beginnings with his first electric guitar playing heavy metal and hard rock music to the structured discipline of his classical training, Dobson has expanded his repertoire to include bluegrass, Canadian folk and contemporary finger-style music. The culmination of all of these diverse influences has fuelled his creativity to compose his own unique brand of music and resulted in creating the captivating artist that he is today. Ewan Dobson is a young artist of exceptional technical virtuosity and refined artistry that will enthral audiences wherever he performs.

http://www.myspace.com/ewanguitar

http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/Ewan-Dobson

http://www.youtube.com/user/ewandobson

Harold Dickert part of the Milton Gallery Tour.

2009-09-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Harold Dickert is not only a great guitarist but also an amazing luthier. Harold and his workshop are going to be open to the public as part of the Fine Arts Society of Milton Gallery Tour. Harold's shop is on display along with 40 other artists in the Milton area. The dates for the tours are Saturday October 3 & Sunday October 4 between the hours of 10:00 - 5:00 each day.

Please click here to go to his web site for more information.

David Barrett at the HGA September 21

2009-09-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

The wonderful guitarist/Multi instrumentalist David Barrett will be our featured Performer at the September 21 meeting.

Please learn more about David by visiting him on his web site.

Contest Winners!

2009-09-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

We had a contest at our Wrap-up for the season party back in June. The contest had 3 Categorizes 1.) Ugliest Guitar 2.) Cheapest Guitar and 3.) Best Guitar Story. Many, many thanks to all who participated. It was very difficult to pick just one winner for each category but in the end the winners were: Ugliest Guitar: Carl Small, for his custom made "Les Small" guitar. Best Guitar Story: Russ Burns, for the guitar that he practically sold his soul for and then realized he hated it. Cheapest Guitar: Alfie Smith, for his beutiful Lap Steel that he got totally for free. So there you have it, the winners of the summer of 2009 HGA guitar awards!

L-R: Russ Burns, Alfie Smith & Carl Small.

HGA at St. Peters

2009-09-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

On December 15 2008, five members of the HGA (pictured on the left) performed at St. Peter’s palliative care. We performed to a room full of appreciative patients. Our goal was to spread some holiday cheer to those unable to venture out to take in some live music.

This was the brain-child of Mark Vanderheyden. Many thanks to him and the incredible staff at St. Peter’s for making this possible. Hopefully we can make this an annual event!

L-R: Mark Vanderheyden, Russ Burns, Alfie Smith,
Liam Trotter and Shawn Trotter