Lori Yates with Derek Downham @ Friar's Music Museum, Thursday

If you're near Shopper's Drug Mart (283 Yonge) on Thursday at 12:30 pm, swing by for Lori's set with Derek on the 2nd floor. 

Lori Yates & The Velvetinas @ The Cameron House, Saturday

Cheers to singer/songwriter Lori Yates on her birthday. You can see Lori rockin' out with the Velvetinas tonight at the Cameron.

R.I.P. Toronto singer/drummer Teddy Hawkins of Thelonious Hank, Hulagoons

Sadly, Toronto singer/drummer Teddy Hawkins of Thelonious Hank & The Hulagoons has passed away. He'll be greatly missed. 

Writes Lori Yates...

RIP Teddy Hawkins

 I’m absolutely gutted to tell you that our pal , great guy, friend,singer and drummer, Teddy passed away unexpectedly this morning from a heart attack.

I started playing with Ted in 2012 in the Nashville Rejects and I always loved him.❤️❤️❤️

He’s going to leave a huge hole in our community…gonna miss him like crazy.

Writes Scotty Campbell...

Here’s a little bit of Teddy Hawkins wisdom/wit. I need a little smile…and that’s only right considering how funny he could be. I promised I’d never tell this one until he wasn’t around to give me shit.

In the years before he became a busy, older musician…He was running “El Cheapo movers” which was just a couple of trucks and a van in those days.  I was a shipper at an electronics factory in Oakville, and we talked 2-3 times a day. 

While he was in My Band “The Wardenaires,”  it was always understood that if he ever got “The big break” he’d be free to go after it.  He was such a fine musician but he was a little older, and I guess the chances of fate throwing him a bone seemed unlikely.

One day he calls me up and he’s really excited.  “Scotty! ….fuck man, you’ll never believe this! Jim Cuddy’s been asking around about me, he wants to get in touch! He’s asked about 3-4 people  now! Maybe Glenn’s leaving the band!  Jeezus! Do you have any of their records? I said yeah, but it’d be quicker if he just grabbed his own…so of course he did, and for the next few days…everytime he calls me I can hear Blue Rodeo  in the background. 

He’s learned all their harmonies etc.  He ran El-Cheapo off his phone in those days, and had missed a couple of calls from Cuddy.  He’s really excited, so I let him go. I’d hate to lose him…but he deserved a break I thought. 

A week or so passes, and we’d chased each other around the cellular world, but I hadn’t heard anything further.  Finally he calls me one Friday…after a little chit-chat I say “Hey…did Cuddy ever find you?” He says “Oh yeah…sorry, yea he found me…He wanted me to move a couch.”   I said “Oh…Ouch! Sorry Hawk!” he laughs and says “Yeah, but it’s funnier this way.”  

“True” I replied.” So…that became our Code-phrase for disappointment.  

Once he actually swung a date with a girl he had a crush on. Women weren’t his strong suit. The day after the date, I asked him how it went. He laughed out loud and darkly replied “Jim Cuddy’s couch.”

Writes Sonya Côté...

Teddy Hawkins, sweet, salty humour, sexy low rumble singing, he tolerated my thank you kisses on stage, and begging for an extra smoke with grace, shared outside on break before we all got annoyingly healthy and modern! 

We shared the funniest stories, when I was lucky to spend time with him, at Lula Lounge usually, for the yearly Patsy Show. Even years prior, he and Scotty Campbell were introduced to me through our manager from Sony, all of us still hopeful for success, singing out guts out wherever we could.

First Big Rude Jake, then Bradley Harder, and now Teddy.  My cherished world of old school rabble rousing thought challenging gentlemen musicians seems much dimmer and smaller without them. 

I’m so sorry Teddy. And so sorry our last duet was … our last duet. 💔

 

LINKS

Billboard Obituary: Teddy Hawkins, veteran Toronto roots musician and raconteur by Kerry Doole

The Teddy Hawkins memorial show is slated for Smoke Show BBQ on May 10 – line-up will be announced soon. Reserve here.

Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour feat. Lori Yates @ Cameron House, Thursday

Paige Warner, Lori Yates & Kylie Fox have joined forces for the Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour which hits Toronto Thursday. 

Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour

Join Lori Yates, Kylie Fox, and Paige Warner on a captivating musical journey that celebrates the heart and soul of songwriting in intimate settings across Ontario. The Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour rolls into Toronto on Thursday (October 3) for a show at the Cameron House from 9pm to 11pm. Tickets are $22.63 and available via Eventbrite right here. Watch the preview clip along with "Matador" by Lori Yates, "Bitter" by Paige Warner and "Brandi Baby" by Kylie Fox. 

From Toronto, Lori Yates, the pioneer of alt-country, weaves narratives that resonate with authenticity and warmth. Kylie Fox, hailing from the East Coast, infuses her set with folk-Canadiana elements and unique jazz-pop/folk-rock fusions. From Owen Sound, Paige Warner offers a soulful sound with evocative ballads, deeply personal lyrics, and catchy hooks.

The "Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour" showcases three uniquely talented Canadian women:

Long recognized by her peers and respected as one of Canada's top talents, Lori Yates was called "alt-country" long before the phrase existed – the pioneer of a genre in the making. This is an artist who met Johnny Cash, hung out with Tammy Wynette, wrote with Guy Clark, Don Schlitz, and Colin Linden, jammed with Jerry Jeff Walker, drank with Harlan Howard, sang with Greg Allman, Rick Danko, and Jim Cuddy, and ate jelly beans with Roy Acuff. As the saying goes, she's "been to the show." Lori's nominations include the Juno award, Canadian Country Music Award, Polaris Prize award (long list), City of Oshawa Lifetime Achievement Award nomination. She has won: Songwriter of the Year, (Hamilton Music Awards) Alt-Country Recording of the Year (Hamilton Music Awards) SOCAN #1 award. Most recently a City of Hamilton Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement nomination. Her lyrics are immortalized in Hamilton's Gore Park. A dynamic and often hilarious performer, what sets her apart is her golden voice; part honey, part growl. You believe every note that comes out of her mouth, she's that kind of singer, the real deal. Her lyrics are gritty, tender, and poignant. loriyates.com

Kylie Fox is a New Brunswick singer-songwriter that fuses folk storytelling with vintage elements of jazz and alternative rock. With influences like Kate Bush, Sharon Van Etten, and Joni Mitchell, her music is ethereal, lush and real. Her new singles, “Confetti," and album, “Sequoia", are produced by Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant, The Good Lovelies, Fortunate Ones). Fox’s debut album led her to tour Canada extensively, sharing stages alongside names like Bahamas, The Strumbellas, Joel Plaskett, and Matt Minglewood. She has showcased at countless music awards and festivals, and was recently named “Innovator of the Year'' at the 2023 PrixNB Awards. kyliefox.ca

Paige Warner creates alt-pop music with soul-inspired vocal licks layered on catchy hooks of heartfelt lyrics. Her career began as a busker in her small hometown market, and led her to perform on stages such as Massey Hall’s TD Music Hall, Yonge-Dundas Square, NXNE, Owen Sound’s Summerfolk, Harbour Nights, and share stages with iconic artists such as Ron Sexsmith and Monowhales. Paige Warner’s debut album, Bitter/Sweet (just released August 2024), has garnered hundreds of thousands of streams and views and has made its mark as an ode to female resilience. “Paige Warner doesn’t just sing about pain; she transforms it into a statement of strength and defiance, offering her listeners a breath of fresh air and inspiration…” paigewarner.ca

Lori Yates sits in with The Empty Glasses @ The Rivoli, Sunday

The delightful Lori Yates joins Bazil Donovan and his Empty Glasses for a C&W matinee upstairs at the Rivoli from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Toronto's annual Patsy Cline Birthday Show returns to Lula Lounge, September 5

Join your host Heather Morgan along with Lori Yates, Russell deCarle and others in a boffo birthday salute to country legend Patsy Cline. Don't miss it! 

Here's the scoop...

Following a brief hiatus, Toronto's annual Patsy Cline Birthday Show – hosted by Heather Morgan – is coming back to Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. West) for it's 18th year on Thursday, September 5th (which is three days prior to Patsy's actual birthday of September 8 for those keeping score at home). And once again, the always entertaining music scene get-together features Patsy Cline's timeless tunes performed by an all-star band of local musicians tastefully supporting an impressive cast of superb song stylists including Lori Yates, Russell deCarle, Kathryn Rose, Michelle Rumball, Paul Reddick, Rosita Stone, Sonya Côté, Danny Marks, Samantha Windover and Julie Michels with more on the way!

This will be an early show starting at 8:30 pm sharp with doors opening at 7 pm.  General admission tickets are $33.28 and available online right here. Dinner reservations guarantee seating. For info, check the Lula Lounge site right here: https://www.lula.ca/reservations. Check out a few clips from shows past with Steve Briggs leading the band and guitarist Nichol Robertson picking up a storm and the dependable Teddy Hawkins on drums and backing vocals.  

'Country Classic' Benefit w/ Jim Cuddy Band & friends @ The Horseshoe, Feb 25

Jim Cuddy and pals Colin Cripps, Lori Yates, Doug Paisley, Andy Maize & others are raising funds for the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Get tickets for the Jim Cuddy Band's "Country Classic" benefit show while you can right here.

One For The Weekend: Lori Yates w/David Baxter

Check out the new Lori Yates single "Alive" right here. Drop by Hey Stella's tribute to David Baxter at the Cameron on Dec. 9th. 

For more info, check the post on Hey Stella's Last Hurrah salute to David Baxter right here. 

Remembering David Baxter with Hey Stella! @ The Cameron, Dec 9

Lori Yates and Hey Stella! will be paying tribute to their late bandmate David Baxter with special guests on December 9th. 

Here's the scoop from Lori Yates...

Please join us at the Cameron House for the first of two celebrations to honour our friend David Gavan Baxter! 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 

Hey Stella!  - The Last Hurrah 

Cameron House (408 Queen St. West). 1pm to 6pm

We’ll be joined by many of David’s guitar slinger friends including: Ken Kelley, Kevin Breit, Nichol Robertson, Derek Downham, Champagne James Robertson, Terry Wilkins, and more! 

THURSDAY JANUARY 11   

David Gavan Baxter Memorial Celebration

The Cameron House (408 Queen St. West). 2pm to 8pm. 

Performances by: Justin Rutledge, Blake Manning, Treasa Levasseur, and more!!

PLEASE COME TO BOTH!! ❤️❤️

R.I.P. guitarist David Gavan Baxter

Sadly, Toronto scene guitarist David Baxter passed away this morning. He'll be greatly missed. Listen to some of his music here.

Lori Yates & Hey Stella! @ The Cameron, Jan 21

Don't miss Lori Yates with David Baxter and the rest of her Hey Stella! crew playing a Saturday matinee from 6pm to 8pm. 

That time Chris Houston played a Lori Yates guitar pull

The one and only Chris Houston fondly recalls his Hamilton roots at a backyard soiree chez Lori Yates on August 4, 2013. 

Here's the scoop from Lori Yates...

I used to have these “guitar pulls” a’la Johnny Cash in my backyard on Queen St. Hamilton.

This one features the punk icon Chris Houston on his song “Fuckface City”.

Check out the late great Brian Griffith ripping up my little Harmony guitar - he is absolutely on fire!! with Nick Burson on snare & Mike Hickey on bass, Sue Leonard, Linda Duemo, on back-ups. Check out the end where Gavin comes in and Chris starts to flub the words...priceless! – Lori Yates

Watch Chris Houston sing and chat about Hamilton with Lori Yates

Hamilton's own Chris Houston joined Lori Yates for a recent FB livestream you can view here. 

Chris Houston confronts Hamilton on One Mania To The Next

Chris Houston presents the Hamilton he knows on his new album, One Mania To The Next. Listen to a couple of tracks below. 

Here's the scoop...
Chris Houston's new album, One Mania to the Next – out now – is the official follow up to Hazards of Glitter. A few of the songs first appeared in demo form on 2018’s Today’s Temperature mini-album, (Now deleted at Chris’s request – ‘These are better versions’). Everything on One Mania to the Next is 100% Houston standard full-on.

Acting as a companion piece to Houston’s acclaimed guided tour of home town Hamilton, Ontario’s punk-rock landmarks, his credentials are that not only was he there, but he remembers it all.

From the opening (I Need) Lloyd D Jackson Square Energy, the album documents, celebrates and immerses the listener in an era when a town that didn’t have a musical identity first strapped on a guitar and walked out into the world, unashamed and entirely unafraid.

Get a copy of Chris Houston's One Mania to the Next via DW Recordings right here. Check out a few tracks below.





Chris Houston – One Mania to the Next
1: (I Need) Lloyd D Jackson Square Energy
2. Complaint Department
3: This Ain’t Hollywood
4: Too Nervous for Kung Fu
5: People Food
6: Her Book of Evil
7: Toronto AuGoGo
8: Beverly Tavern
9: Doing Nothing
10: Hamtronic Brain Virus
11: Leaving Mapleside

Those involved:
Chris Houston – lead vocals, bass guitar, drum machine
Michael Fonfara – keyboards
Danny Weis – guitar
Jack Peddler – drums
Mickey DeSadist – guitar, vocals on "This Ain’t Hollywood"
Cleave Anderson – drums
Steve Koch – guitar
Larry Electrician – drums, congas, tambourine
Lori Yates – vocals on "This Ain’t Hollywood"
Cover – Fuzzy Mall
Dedicated to Allan Caperol Houston – The coolest man in the World

Jim Cuddy and reunited Hey Stella! announced for James Gray Memorial Show

Members of Blue Rodeo are joining the salute to their late keyboardist James Gray. 

THE SECOND ANNUAL JAMES GRAY MEMORIAL SHOW will be hosted by Derek Downham of The Beauties and Bill Heffernan at the Horseshoe Tavern on Monday, August 18th at 8 pm. Tickets are $12.50 in advance, $15 at the door. All proceeds go to The Shine Group For The Advancement of Music. 

Confirmed performers include: 
Jim Cuddy with sons Devin Cuddy and Sam Polley, members of Blue Rodeo 
NQ Arbuckle with guest Luke Doucet
The Travellers featuring James' dad, Jerry Gray
Hey Stella! special reunion performance featuring Lori Yates
The Gypsy Rebels 
Sugarlips aka Daniel Joseph
Chris Bottomley's Brainfudge featuring Richard Underhill and Gerry James Scott 
Marty Morin of the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation 
The Gray Brothers with The Dustbowl Daddies 
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