Steve Strongman
Hamilton based Blues guitar ace Steve Stongman grew up in Kitchener where as a young teen he remembers sneaking up the fire escape at Kitchener’s renowned Blues Club, Pop The Gator, to listen to the music that stirred his soul. And it was at The Gator that, at the tender age of 16, Strongman met storied Mississippi guitarist Mel Brown who had taken up residence in Kitchener. In the course of playing clubs throughout southern Ontario, under Brown’s tutelage, Steve was fortunate to meet and sit in with a number of the Blues legends of the time.
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While Blues remained his foundation, Strongman was young and needed to explore the many branches of the musical tree. This wanderlust led him to touring extensively with Rock, Country and Blues bands throughout Canada and the U.S. But the Blues were calling louder and Strongman, drawn back to the style that first spoke to him, made a natural and resolute decision to answer.
Given Strongman’s evident talents, not surprisingly, an audience and critics alike were waiting with open arms for his return to the Blues Promised Land. Starting with Honey his 2007 return to the Blues through Blues In Colour (2010), A Natural Fact (2012), and his latest Let Me Prove It To You (2014), Strongman has displayed prowess as not only a top flight guitar player but also a song writer of merit, and a convincing singer. And he’s received numerous awards and nominations attesting to this fact. Of note, is A Natural Fact – an all acoustic effort – that garnered Strongman a Juno Award for “Blues Recording Of The Year” in addition to 3 Maple Blues Awards: “Guitarist Of The Year”, “Recording Of The Year”, and “Songwriter Of The Year” and 6 MBA nominations overall. Following in the footsteps of “Fact” is the Juno and Hamilton Music Awards nominated “Let Me Prove It To You”.
Steve Strongman is a man who has found his home in the heart of the Blues. His performance is sure to captivate at Violet’s on Friday July 24th.
