Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain

Please read link. - Super Sound Promotions

HAMILTON: 2008 Hamilton Music Award nominees and festival headliners were announced today by Hamilton Music Awards Director, Jean-Paul Gauthier. Gauthier stated, “This year’s Hamilton Music Awards show and festival features some of Hamilton’s finest musical gems.” Gauthier added, “Many of this year’s nominees are succeeding internationally.”

The 2008 Hamilton Music Awards which will be hosted by Tom Wilson and Patrick McKenna (Traders, Red Green) at Hamilton Place on November 16th includes 143 nominations in 32 categories. Multiple nominees include: Daniel Lanois (6), Kathleen Edwards (5), Brian Melo (5), Simply Saucer (4), Luke Doucet (4), Teenage Head (3), Queen Cee (3), Out to Lunch (3), Fred J Eaglesmith (3), Derek Miller (3), Danny Lockwood(3), Chantal Chamberland (3), Tim Gibbons(2), Saint Alvia(2), Rita Chiarelli (2), Rae Billing (2), John Ellison (2), Jace Martin (2), Holy Fuck (2), Garnet Rogers (2), David Braid (2), Cowlick(2), and Afternoons In Stereo(2).

Teenage Head will be honoured with the 2008 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Lifetime Achievement Award. The group of former Westdale High School students started a band in the mid-70s that would help define Canadian punk for years to come. Often referred to as the Canadian Ramones, it was no surprise when the three original members of the band hooked up with Marc Bell - otherwise known as Marky Ramone – to offer a new take on 12 classic Teenage Head songs. The 2008 Sonic Unyon release of Teenage Head With Marky Ramone has received critical acclaim and accolades from fans around the world and caps off three decades of rock and roll at its finest.

Bill Powell, founder and creator of Festival of Friends and Earthsong, will be the recipient of the 2008 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Music Business Achievement Award.

Powell was involved in the art world since the1950s. By 1975, he would form the basis of an annual tradition in Hamilton dubbing a weekend long summer music celebration in Gage Park, The Festival of Friends. He would spearhead the nationally recognized festival for a quarter century and even begin another ecological-leaning festival (Earthsong) at Princess Point. Powell remains active in the arts community with The Studio Gallery.

The 2008 Hamilton Music Awards includes a host of live concerts to coincide with HMA weekend and some of the headliners include:

* 2008 Canadian Idol Winner, Brian Melo, who opens this year’s festival with a performance at The Studio at Hamilton Place on November 13th
* Punk icons, The Forgotten Rebels taking the stage at The Studio at Hamilton Place on November 14th.
* Canada’s newest blues sensation, Steve Strongman, plays the Studio at Hamilton Place on Saturday November 15th
* Toronto based death country pioneers Elliot Brood playing The Casbah on Saturday November 15th
* An exciting new supergroup dubbed Lee Harvey Osmond, featuring Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), Josh Finlayson (Skydiggers), Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie And The Rodeo Kings), Brent Titcomb playing The Corktown Pub on Saturday November 15th

Ticket information for all of the Hamilton Music Awards events taking place November 13th-16th is attached below. A full festival and conference schedule and other special announcements will be released in the coming days.

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For media inquiries or to arrange interviews please send request and credentials via email to:

Jean-Paul Gauthier
Hamilton Music Awards
jpg@hamiltonmusicawards.com
Office: (905) 383-4005
Cell: (905) 719-9612

TICKET INFORMATION:

BRIAN MELO – on sale 10AM, Friday October 16th Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 or at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

ELLIOT BROOD – on sale Thursday October 15th Tickets available at The Casbah and The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

LEE HARVEY OSMOND– on sale Thusday October 15th (Featuring: Tom Wilson, Brent Titcomb, Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) and Josh Finlayson (Skydiggers) Tickets available at The Corktown Pub and The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

FORGOTTEN REBELS – ON SALE NOW! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 and at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

STEVE STRONGMAN– ON SALE NOW! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 and at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

HAMILTON MUSIC AWARDS– ON SALE NOW! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 and at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

HAMILTON MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS– ON SALE NOW! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 and at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

CAREER DAY CONFERENCE – ON SALE NOW! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 and at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

FESTIVAL WRISTBAND PASSES – ON SALE NOW! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ca, Copps Coliseum Box Office, by phone at (905) 527-7666 and at The Beat Goes On (Upper James).

2008 HAMILTON MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES

1. Female Artist of the Year
Rae Billing – Blue Black Night
Queen Cee – Space And Time
Chantal Chamberland – The Other Woman
Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
Nancy Rancourt – Ready Or Not
2. Male Artist of the Year
Luke Doucet – Blood’s Too Rich
Fred J. Eaglesmith - Tinderbox
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Brian Melo – Livin’ It
Derek Miller – The Dirty Looks
3. Local Group of the Year by the Peoples Choice
4. Record of the Year
Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Brian Melo – Livin’ It
Saint Alvia – Between The Lines
Simply Saucer – Half Human Half Live
Teenage Head– Teenage Head With Marky Ramone
5. New Artist/Group of the Year
Cowlick – Eternia Hernia
The Dirty Nil – The Dirty Nil
Out to Lunch - Excuse Me While I Do the Boogaloo
Jace Martin – Jace Martin
Brian Melo – Livin’ It
6. Jazz Recording of the Year
Afternoons In Stereo – The City Is Sleeping
David Braid – DMBQ Live
Chantal Chamberland – The Other Woman
Danny Lockwood – A Few Of My Favourite Grooves
Out to Lunch - Excuse Me While I Do the Boogaloo
7. Roots Recording of the Year
Shawn Brush - The Krooked Cowboy Rides Again
Fred J. Eaglesmith – Tinderbox
Tim Gibbons – Country Banjo Blues
The Heartbroken Souls – The Heartbroken Souls
Ray Materick – Sons And Daughters
8. Adult Alternative
Luke Doucet & The White Falcon – Blood’s Too Rich
Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
Brian Melo – Livin’ It
Jacob Moon – The Loop
Garnet Rogers – Get A Witness
9. Alternative/Indie Rock Recording of the Year
The Birthday Massacre – Walking With Strangers
Cowlick – Eternia Hernia
Simply Saucer – Half Human / Half Live
Slow Hand Motem – Nature’s Beast
Young Rival – Young Rival
10. Folk/Traditional Recording of the Year
The Acoustics – Forever And A Day
Guiliano Baglioni – Il Viaggio
Rita Chiarelli – Cuore, The Italian Sessions
Fiddlers 3 – Volume 3 – The Rhythm Chapter
Zarabanda – Zarabanda
11. Rock Recording of the Year
Dean Lickyer – Dean Lickyer
Lo-Fi – The Blue Album
Junior Achiever – All The Little Let Downs
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Volume Water - Land of the Greed... Home of the Slave
12. Loud/Metal Recording of the Year
40 Sons And Daughters – 40 Sons And Daughters
Cursed - III
The Deadly Romantics – Do You Wanna Rock And Roll
Negative Impulse - The Perfect Disaster
Sarasin – Daggers Lust Disgust
13. Emo/Screamo Recording of the Year
Circuit for the Blackout – Circuit For The Blackout
Dead & Divine – The Fanciful, A Transcendence Through The Afterlife
Holding Sky – From The Throne To The Lions
Scarce - Scarce
Sydney - When We Were Safe
14. Punk Recording of the Year
The Creepshow – Run For Your Life
Rackula – Careful What You Wish For
The Responsibles – The Fatlab Sessions
Saint Alvia – Between The Lines
Teenage Head – Teenage Head With Marky Ramone
15. Blues Recording of the Year
Famous Framus – Down By Desire
Jack de Keyser – Blues Thing
Derek Miller – The Dirty Looks
TNT Bluesman – TNT Bluesmen
Trickbag - Tricknology
16. Alternative Country Recording of the Year
Rae Billing – Blue Black Night
Blind Mule – The Gallery
Scotty Campbell And His Wardenaires - Smokin’ And Drinkin’
Tia McGraff – Day In My Shoes
Thomas Wilson and Sarah Stewart-Kroeker - Love Songs and Sinner Ballads
17. New Country Recording of the Year
Doyle Domberry – Country Moves
Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain – Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain
Neil W Young And The Legendary Bear Creek Band – No Looking Back
18. Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year
Certified – These Streetz
hEAT – Stepping Stones
King Lucius - Rebirth
Nikki T – What’s Up
Premium Plus – Legends In Our Own Minds
19. Electronic Recording of the Year
2x the Mono – Sound Sketches
Hunter Eves – The Unagi EP
Holy Fuck - LP
Matt Jelly – The Cultural Appropriation EP
Sublimatus – School of Sorcery
20. R&B/Soul Recording of the Year
Queen Cee – Space And Time
Christopher Charles – Live At The Westside Concert Theatre
John Ellison - Back
Christopher Jackson - Finally
Jace Martin – Jace Martin
21. Instrumental Recording of the Year
Afternoons In Stereo – The City Is Sleeping
Ralf Buschmeyer - Est 1968
Holy Fuck - LP
Danny Lockwood – A Few Of My Favourite Grooves
Out to Lunch - Excuse Me While I Do the Boogaloo
22. Songwriter of the Year
Luke Doucet – Blood’s Too Rich
Fred J. Eaglesmith - Tinderbox
Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Simply Saucer – Half Human / Half Live
23. Female Vocalist of the Year
Sarah Blackwood – The Creepshow – Run For Your Life
Queen Cee – Space And Time
Chantal Chamberland – The Other Woman
Rita Chiarelli – Cuore, The Italian Sessions
Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
24. Male Vocalist of the Year
John Ellison - Back
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Brian Melo – Livin’ It
Garnet Rogers – Get A Witness
Frankie Venom – Teenage Head With Marky Ramone
25. Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Braid – DMBQ Live
Ron Elliot – The Wintermarket
Colin Lapsley – Jace Martin
Jesse O’Brien – Jace Martin
Alison Slaats – Alison Slaats
26. Special Instrumentalist of the Year
Randall Cousins – Therapeutic Theremin Thongs
Tim Gibbons – Country Banjo Blues
Stefan Lozinski – Fiddlers 3
Etelka Nyilasi – The Acoustics – Forever And A Day
Dan Winterman – Simply Saucer – Half Human / Half Live
27. Guitarist of the Year
Colin Cripps – Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
Luke Doucet – Blood’s Too Rich
Brian Griffith – Danny Lockwood – Jace Martin
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Derek Miller – The Dirty Looks
28. Drummer of the Year
Joe Csontos - Simply Saucer – Half Human / Half Live
Spencer Heaslip - Negative Impulse – The Perfect Disaster
Dave King – Peacefully
Danny Lockwood – A Few Of My Favourite Grooves
Tone Valcic – The Wintermarket – The Ballad of Artie Fufkin
29. Bassist of the Year
Carrie Ashworth – Jace Martin
Dino Verginella – The Wintermarket – The Ballad of Artie Fufkin
Paul Inston – Danny Lockwood
Ken Corke – Lofi – The Blue Album
Andrew Eckhart – The Acoustics – Forever And A Day
30. Dofasco Lifetime Achievement Award – Teenage Head
31. Dofasco Music Business Lifetime Achievement Award – Bill Powell
32. Canadian Recording of the Year by Peoples Choice (Sales over 10,000 units) - Hamilton Music awards- see the 17th catagory.

Please read link. - 820 CHAM Radio, Hamilton, Ontario

Please go to link. - Christian Lamitschka

Rob Kirkham always loved to sing, but had no idea he had any talent until he tried karaoke on a dare. The response was so positive that he started doing it on a regular basis, until he met Kenny Ef. They decided to form a band, and with the addition of Keith McKeown on drums and Daryle Phillips on bass guitar, Neon Rain was born. Rob is a natural born performer, who knows how to get the crowd going and make sure everybody has fun.
Kenny Ef was inspired to learn the guitar by such diverse acts as Black Sabbath, the
Monkees, and the Jackson 5. Quote “You see in them days we didn’t have the convenience of the internet such as Youtube, so we had to watch our favourite artist or musicians perform on TV at a certain time during the week.” Kenny has a real gift for coming up with guitar parts that stick in your head.
Keith McKeown is the veteran of the group, having played drums with legends such as Stonewall Jackson and Del Reeves in his 25 year career. In addition to being the drummer, he also produces their records. He is also the world’s leading authority on the
Flintstones.
Daryle Phillips – After many years and miles later Daryle Phillips has found a home with Neon Rain. Having played with Keith McKeown in previous projects it was natural fit to form a tight rhythm section.With Keith already establishing a good foundation and tight friendship with Rob and Kenny, it was a no brainer. Being a road warrior of the past, his experience is made up of many years of playing with up-and-coming artists in the Canadian Country music scene.
Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain have opened for such artists as Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum. They have released two CD’s, Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain (2009) and Seven Year Itch (2010), both of which were nominated for Hamilton Music Awards for best recording. Rob and the boys are the reigning 2011 Hamilton Community News Reader’s Choice Best Band. Their latest single is “Step 13.” - The Eagle radio, Kettle Point, Ontario, Canada

Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain, Ontario, Canada

How did the project come into existence? = Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain started in December of 2001 with Rob Kirkham and Kenny Ef, Along the way we acquired Professional drummer Keith McKeown and bassist Daryle Philips. In 2008 we decided to take a turn from being a cover band that does originals to an original band that did covers and released our first C.D (self titled). With the release of our second C.D the ball rolled a bit harder when we received some air play in Canada and Europe, but not enought o create a international impact. It was when we released our song Step 13 in Aug 2011 when we started to realize some focused direction. ithin the first week of its release we got 6 stations playing Step 13 and as of Nov 1st 2011 we now have 52 in Canada, U.S, Australia and France.

Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it?

* Kenny Ef - Lead Guitar and vocals
* Daryle Philips - Bassist and vocals
* Drummer - Keith McKeown
* Lead Singer and guitar - Rob Kirkham

Formed in 2001 Country Recording Artists Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain have played live across Ontario and have received radio airplay in many markets around the world.

How would you describe your sound/genre? = New Country with the spice of old country and old rock.

What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have? = Rob Kirkham is a natural born performer, who knows how to get the crowd going and make sure everybody has fun.

Kenny Ef was inspired to learn the guitar by such diverse acts as Black Sabbath, the Monkees, and the Jackson 5. Quote

Keith McKeown is the veteran of the group, having played drums with legends such as Stonewall Jackson and Del Reeves in his 25 year career. In addition to being the drummer, he also produces their records.

Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain have opened for such artists as Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum. They have released two CD's, Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain (2009) and Seven Year Itch (2010) both of which were nominated for Hamilton Music Awards for best recording. Rob and the boys are the reigning 2011 Hamilton Community News Reader's Choice Best Band. Their latest single is "Step 13."

Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album? = Yes we are, Launch Records with Keith Mckeown as producer.

Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music? = Garth Brooks, Kiss and Jason Aldean.

What advice would you give to others starting out? = You won't fail if you don't quit.

Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music?

* www.neonrainuniverse.com
* youtube
* facebook
* twitter

If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with? The Circle of wood in Nashville, TN

What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole? = We have played in front of many people but when someone comes to you and lets you know how your music affected them in a positive way, that's awesome!

Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about? = We will be releasing our next C.D in the early part of 2012 and we are planning a Western Canada tour in July of 2012.

Where do you see yourselves or hope to be in about 5 years? = Playing live music, meeting new friends and having fun.
- Ajadbs Florida, U.S.A

Hope everyone had a great holiday, yesterday. There's nothing like the smell of BBQ's on a gorgeous summer day! For the past eight years or so, the town of Tillsonburg does a superb job of celebrating Canada's birthday with The Festival of Music. And this year was no exception, especially with the perfect weather. All day, right up until it's time for the fireworks, music from various bands from across southern Ontario fills the air. And you get all kinds of music, too. I dropped by to catch the set by up-and-coming southern Ontario country band Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain. The guys sounded great with their versions of some of country music's hottest, current songs! And you check them out on myspace.com. One indication Rob and his band entertained the crowd: a few people tried to line dance...on the grass!

Tillsonburg FireworksAnd of course, there were fireworks to cap off the night. Fire Chief Bob Parsons and his crew always do a great job. You can tell by the number of "oohs" and "aahs" you hear from the crowd! In addition to a great holiday, I hope everyone had a safe one, too! - Country 107.3 Tillsonburg, Ontario