In no particular order, they are

@thereasonrock

Winners of Rock Album of the Year and The People’s Choice Canadian Album of the Year, they are currently touring in support of their latest album Fools.  Since 2003, these guys have been rockin’ Hamilton proud!

@livehowyoulive

Live How You Live is a Canadian Rock Band that has been featured on Explore Music with Alan Cross, played hundreds of shows and is constantly writing new music.  With three albums under their belt, and a second place showing at Y108′s Breakout Band Challenge, these rockin  gentleman aren’t going anywhere and expect more to come from them.  Upcoming shows include Dec 18th at the Underground (Hamilton) w/ “Mass Echo” and “The Damn Truth”(Montreal band) and Dec 28th at the The Horseshoe Tavern(Toronto) – Bookie’s Nu Music Night

@leeharveyosmond

Tom Wilson of LeE HARVeY OsMOND, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse and more.  The godfather of Hamilton Rock and Roll and all things great music.  Currently in the middle of a monster cross Canada Tour, they came back to perform in Hamilton, and Tom hosted the Hamilton Music Industry and Gala Awards.  Winner of the Video of the Year Award (which Tom was presenting and made for an awkward moment, but he laughed it off and then shared the award with the other nominees).  Expect them to make music until the soil claims them.

@aarongoldstein

2010  Guitarist of the Year, this fine gent is ‘Pedal-steelin’ his way into your e-hearts.’  As a guitarist with Lee Harvey Osmond, he’ll be on their Cross Canada tour until he returns to open Hamilton Place with his band Huron for the Arkells show on Dec 9th and 10th.  A week after that he is playing White Cowbell Oklahoma Xmas party at Lee’s Palace, Fri Dec 17 and then will finally get some family time over the holidays to reap what he truly deserves.  But it won’t be all R&R as he’ll be writing material for an upcoming 2011 Huron release.  Not only does the man tickle the steel, but he will also produce an upcoming Shotgun Wedding Band LP at the end of January.  Expect to see Aaron and Huron back touring in Ontario and the East Coast in support of their new album in February.

@HPharlanpepper

These 4 guys, fresh out of high school, stole the show at the Hamilton Music Awards capturing New Artist/Group of the Year, Folk/Roots Recording of the Year for their recently released Young and Old as well as Event of the Year, their CD Release Party for the aforementioned CD.  They’ll be in Toronto on Nov 26th at Hugh’s Room and Dec 13th at the Horseshoe Tavern, and back in Hamilton for a Casbah show on Dec 14th.  This Ain’t Hollywood has them scheduled to kick off the New Year on Dec 31st.

@nillamusic

Emcee, Lyricist & Producer. World Wide Wonder Woman. Truth-Sayer. Wisdom Dropper. 2010 HMA Winner of Rap/HipHop Recording of the Year for her Debut Album, “FROM THE GROUND UP” (Available thru ITUNES).  2010 was a huge year for NiLLa, with multi-city shows, touring with Abstract Rude (LA, Rhymesayers Ent.) musical appearances at Manifesto (T.O) & C+C Music Festival (Hamilton), features on several mix-tapes and finally, winning her first HMA for R/HHROTY. Catch the intimate moments with NiLLa, as she plots through her musical life. She’s been known to be most candid in the online nest…did that peak your interest?  Upcoming shows in 2011 kick off with an all female showcase at The Casbah JAN 6, 2011 feat Queen Cee (@WSGT_queencee), Sara Green (@SaraGreenMusic) + More! –>www.nillamusic.com –> www.facebook.com/NiLLaMusic

@luke_doucet

“rock, roll, etc.”  He captured Songwriter of the Year, and his latest release “Steel City Trawler” garnered Male Adult Alternative Record of the Year in addition to Record of the Year at this year’s Hamilton Music Awards.  Featured on The Spectator’s Video site as well as the cover of View Magazine, he will be playing the Studio Theatre at Hamilton Place alongside his band The White Falcons TONIGHT. Check his website for more info.

@caribouband

They are Dan Snaith (recordings, live), Ryan Smith (live), Brad Weber (live), John Schmersal (live).  Winners of Electronic Recording of the Year.  They won’t be back to Canada until their current world tour ends at the end of February.  Check the website for details.

@dawn_and_marra

For years now, @amDofasco has been a main sponsor of the Hamilton Music Awards, and this year they held a contest – The Rising Star Search.   This lovely duo of Dawn and Marra took home the top prize, judged on by a panel of industry people on Saturday evening.  The future of Hamilton raised music is alive and well judging by these ladies, who won after performing two songs on the McIntyre Theatre Stage.  You can find their upcoming shows at their Myspace.

@weekendriotclub

The runners up in the @amdofasco Rising Star Search, Weekend Riot Club is a brand-new alt-rock band from Hamilton, Ontario.  The band formed in summer 2010 from a passion for writing and performing songs that truly inspire.  Impressively, they took the stage at the McIntyre Theatre, garnerning them the 2nd place prize and some well earned studio time.  Tonight, they will be on Ric Taylor’s show at 7pm on CFMU 93.3 so be sure to tune in and hear the sounds of the future. On Dec 7th, you can find them at the Casbah Lounge opening for Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols.  It’s sure to be a riot!

There is a lot more than just these fine musicians who represent Hamilton so well.  I’ve only listed 10 today, but if you leave your handle or favourite Hamilton artist in the comments below, I will compile a list of Locals that I will detail in the coming weeks for #followfriday.

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