Guitar Woman and Scholar: Sue Foley’s long-anticipated book, Guitar Women: Conversations and Life Lessons with Six String Heroines, is coming out in May and is now available for pre-order. Sue writes, “Seeing it live on Amazon, cover and all, is surreal. This book has lived in my head, my notebooks, and my hard drive for years….Every generation carries myths about the guitar. Who gets to hold it. Who gets to define it. What it means to play it. Guitar Women moves past those myths through intimate conversations with women who shaped the instrument’s sound and story. Part oral history, part memoir, part cultural reckoning, the book spans generations and genres, featuring artists like Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson, Charo, Suzi Quatro, Joan Armatrading, and Sharon Isbin. Writing from the inside, as a touring guitarist, I approach these conversations as lived experience. What emerges is a lineage built on persistence, artistry, and devotion to the instrument, told in the artists’ own words”. Pre Order Guitar Women Book here: https://amzn.to/4troQL6

Summer Festival announcements are starting to trickle in and as we scour for blues content – even festivals that have blues in their title. Mariposa (July 3-5) has Taj Mahal, Ottawa Bluesfest (July 9-19) has Adam Karch, TJ Wheeler, Jay Blues and a healthy dose of estrogen with Grace Bowers, Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder, Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar and an all-star Women’s Blues Showcase. Australian Lloyd Spiegel plays both but not a lot of Americans – not like there used to be.

Folk Canada Developing Artist Program: The Developing Artist Program is designed to provide structured mentorship, performance opportunities, and valuable industry connections for new generation, emerging artists from across Canada aged 18-25. Participants will be selected by a jury of industry professionals based on artistic potential, experience, and enthusiasm for career growth. Participants learn directly through one-on-one mentorship with established artists, collaborate with their peers, sharpen industry knowledge and technical skills at workshops and master classes, and integrate into a welcoming community. Selected artists will be offered the opportunity to showcase at the Folk Canada Conference, in Hamilton, October 14-18, 2026. More info at https://www.folkcanada.com/programs/professional-development

Guitar Show and Gear Swap: Tundra Music is presenting its Guitar Show and Gear Swap 2026 on April 18th at the Royal Canadian Legion, 828 Legion Road in Burlington. Join players, collectors, buyers, and music lovers from across Ontario and beyond for a full day of buying, selling, trading and showcasing musical instruments of all kinds. From vintage guitars and rare amplifiers to recording equipment and classical instruments, the event welcomes gear of every make, model, and style. This is more than a show, it’s a gathering of vibrant community united by a love of music and craftsmanship. Bring your gear, whether it’s hiding in a closet or under your bed, for expert appraisals, trade, opportunities and discovery. Admission is $10.00 per person. For vendor pricing and registration form please email: matt@tundramusic.com

Blues awards nominees: The Blues Foundation has announced the nominees for the 47th Annual Blues Music Awards to be held May 7 in Memphis. Canadian connections include Annika Chambers for Soul Blues Female Artist, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne for Piano (Pinetop Perkins Award) and Kenny Neal inducted to the Hall of Fame. SomeB.B. King Entertainer of the Year: Rick Estrin, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Ruthie Foster, Vanessa Collier, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman). Other Noms of interest include…
Album of the Year: * Help Yourself – Blood Brothers (Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia), Young Fashioned Ways – Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Talkin’ Heavy – D.K. Harrell, Heartbreak City – Larry McCray, Closer To The Bone – Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
Band of the Year: Southern Avenue, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, John Németh & The Blue Dreamers, Vanessa Collier Band.Contemporary Blues Album: Family (Southern Avenue), Truth Is (Carolyn Wonderland), Talkin’ Heavy (D.K. Harrell), Keep Living Til I Die (Monster Mike Welch), Which Way Do We Go? (Brandon Santini).
Contemporary Blues Male Artist: Chris Cain, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, Brandon Santini, Mr. Sipp.
Contemporary Blues Female Artist: Carolyn Wonderland, Danielle Nicole, Ruthie Foster, Samantha Fish, Vanessa Collier.
Traditional Blues Album: Steppin’ Out (Roomful of Blues), Young Fashioned Ways (Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd), Ain’t Done With The Blues (Buddy Guy), Look Out Highway (Charlie Musselwhite).
Traditional Blues Male Artist: Rick Estrin, Jimmie Vaughan, John Primer, Billy Branch, Jontavious Willis.
Blues Guitarist of the Year: Chris Cain, Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, Derek Trucks, Joanna Connor, Ronnie Baker Brooks. See the complete list of nominees at https://blues.org