On a random night last night, a few of us from the brewery decided to stop into the Cameron House to check out some sets.  As part of the Toronto City Roots Series, we were lucky enough to catch John Wort Hannam.

John played the back room at the Cameron House for an intimate and captivated crowd.  Listening to John play songs such as Wrecking Ball, Infantryman, and Sweet Sweet Rose it is no wonder he is one of Canada’s most promising folk musicians.

John Hannam captures attention through his traditional and clean guitar playing, but he  holds your attention with well crafted musical stories communicated with the strength and emotion of experience.

Here is a little on John Wort Hannam…

From the Canadian prairies in southern Alberta, John Wort Hannam is known for his unique take on the simple day-to-day dramas of the common man through songs that map the landscapes of both the human heart and this vast country of ours.   He is a born story- teller with a keen eye for the quirky, a humble and engaging performer with lyrics that create stories behind the songs.   While it is true that John is a relatively new face on the folk/roots scene, John has achieved some fine accolades and seen his profile rise rapidly in a few short years.

Of late John Wort Hannam received two 2007 WCMA nominations, he was named a 2007 New Folk Winner at the Kerrville Texas New Folk Songwriting Competition as part of the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival, (John joins the list of previous finalists such as John Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Eric Taylor, Lyle Lovett, and Steve Earle).   John won 1st Prize for Best song at the 2007 Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriting Competition, an award John also one in 2004 as well as the “Best Performance Award” in 2006.

January 18-20th John will be playing Hugh’s Room as part of the 2008 Gordon Lightfoot Tribute.

Catch John Wort Hannam live or listen to his latest CD Two Bit Suit and you will understand why he is generating the accolades and kudos that he is.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Corin Raymond is taking the stage at the Cameron House tonight at 6pm..

Here’s a bit on Corin…

Corin Raymond is a young man writing old songs- not songs written deliberately in an old style, but songs that sound like they’ve been around a lot longer than Corin himself.

He didn’t grow up playing music or writing songs, but he grew up around words.

Edna St. Vincent Millay. Robert Frost.

Poetry. Words.

Corin’s songs are stories. They’re also bittersweet tunes sung with unadulterated joy. Equal parts heartache and hope. Tom Waits does that. John Prine does that. They don’t take themselves too seriously but they break your heart. The low in loneliness and the high in hi-dee-ho, all at once.

Corin’s songs want to be sung. Whenever people hear them they leave singing. His first cd isn’t out yet but people are already covering the songs on it.

Check out Corin on Myspace

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

From Now…

“For almost five years in the early 80s, Handsome Ned was the King of Queen West. The smooth-voiced scenester used his hillbilly hokiness to hide an ambitious energy that was supposed to take his amazing talent to the top. A subtle but effective self-promoter and the man all local musicians wanted to impress, Ned had a plan – only he wasn’t supposed to die before it all worked out.”

Handsome Ned died of a drug overdose 21 years ago yesterday.  His death rocked a community, spawned numerous bands of influence and to a degree, helped shape his genre of music.  Handsome Ned Masyk will alwaysbe remembered as the Godfather of Toronto’s rockabilly, honkeytonk, cow-punk.

Handsome Ned has a catalog that will go very well with your day today.  Find some of his music and get it on your listening device for your daily adventure today.  It will undoubtedly provide connections to many of the accompanying local bands on your IPOD.  This will also get you ready for the Handsome Ned and Sons gig tonight at the Cameron House.  Tonight will be a celebration not to miss…and who know who you will run into. 

Here are the details for the show tonight at the Cameron House…
Sue & Dwight 3:30 pm; The Sons Of Handsome Ned w/ Slim Twig, Nick Masyk and the Ferraros 6-9 pm (Queen Western); Skin Davey w/ High Fi Low Heels and Strangest Angels eve.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

There is a very cool, high quality acoustic line-up at the Cam House tomorrow night.

408 Queen Street West…

Here’s who’s playing…
Troy Western w Rayna – bit more upbeat acoustic folk rock.

Mandippal Jandue – comes off very soft and soulful, yet his lyrics carry the weight of a great songwriter and musician.  If you’re going to go tomorrow night, don’t miss Mandippal’s set at roughly 10:30.

Warren Owen – his MySpace page lists Pietersburg, Johannesburg , Toronto and South Africa as home, but regardless of his origin, Warren is a very talented musician.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

The Fitzroy Terrors are playing the Cameron House on Friday Jan 18th. They need an opening act. The Fitzroy Terrors are seeking an upbeat band that isn’t excessively loud.

Do you jive with the Fitzroy Terrors? Check out their sound here.

Interested? Post a comment.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged