Talkin’ Blues: Mako Funasaka’s popular podcast is coming up to episode 450 which will be posted on June 21st featuring an interview with Derrick D’Mar Martin, drummer for Rick Estrin and the Nightcats (also solo artist and ex-drummer for Little Richard). Mako recently posted an interview featuring drummer and singer/songwriter Geoff Arsenault and is planning to post interviews with Dave Mason (solo artist, Traffic, Delaney & Bonnie) and Kansas City blues musician Brody Buster and country music singer/songwriter, Michael Peterson (“Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie” and “From Here to Eternity”).  http://www.talkinblues.com/

Awards, Nominations and Submission Deadlines: While the Maple Blues Awards programme is undergoing a major overhaul, there are plenty more award programmes where you can cast your vote and support your favourite bluesicians.

The 2025 Blues Music Awards winners were announced on Thursday, May 8, in Memphis, Tennessee. Big winners from the night included Ruthie Foster, Sue Foley, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Curtis Salgado, and John Primer, who all took home multiple awards.  Ronnie Baker Brooks led the way with three wins. See the full list on page on page 7 (winners bolded).

Living Blues Magazine recently announced their 2025 award nominees. Former Burlington resident Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne got the nod for two awards. Canadians Sue Foley and the Blackburn Brothers are also in the running for 3 and 1 awards respectively. Cast your vote at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LBAwards2025. Deadline is June 15. On page 8 you will find a list of nominees for the Living Blues Awards, courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers .

And because blues IS folk music, the Canadian Folk Music Awards does include blues as one of many genres that qualify for best contemporary and best traditional album it might be worth the $75 submission fee for a blues artist to submit their album (the folkier, the better).  Perhaps if they get enough blues submissions they will create a blues category. Submission deadline is July 15 at https://folkawards.ca/prix-awards/submission-form/.   The 2026 CFMAs will take place April 9-12, 2026 in Calgary. This weekend will capture the true heart of the folk community, while celebrating the nominees and the category recipients.

And the awards just keep coming! Grand River’s Bruce Hall was presented the 2025 Kitchener Blues Festival Mel Brown Award and the East Coast Music Awards proceeded on schedule despite some overhauling of their own and Nova Scotia’s Campbell & Johnston’s “Find Your Way” was selected as Blues Release of the Year.

Lloyd Spiegel coming this way:  Aussie bluesman is coming back to Canada for some festival plays including Stewart Park Festival (July 18-19) and Hillside (July 20) followed by a bunch of western festivals.

Another Birthday! Following the big TBS Anniversary Party, MapleBlues frequent contributor Lynn Boucher is inviting blues fans and all her readers to her 75th Birthday Party at the Linsmore Tavern on Danforth on Sunday, June 15.  The Jerome Tucker Band will be playing and you can expect some special guest appearances from some of Lynn’s many musician friends.  Drop by and join the celebration.