What is it?

We Got Blues is the newest Blues Band in the Hammer. This is a special project that has been in the making for a long time. This is the best of the best. They all got Blues. They will introduce you to old school blues you have never heard and give you a lesson on where our new music gets its real roots. Don't expect to hear Cream or Stevie Ray all night, expect them to take you back to where it all began.

Want to know more? Want a press statement? Don't talk to them. What you need to know you will learn right here or on stage. These guys know how to bring it and once they have brought it, they will vanish into the shadows and live the Blues until next you see them.

Who is it?

We have lost one of the front men of the band, taking a family leave of absence, Dee Curtis will be back, but as we all know the show must go on. The core foundation of the band is Dan Thomas, Jason Colavecchia,  and Robin Houston. Sam DeRosa and Jay MacDonald add a new dimension during certain shows. Now you have our DYNAMITE new female lead who will knock the wind out of you!

Lead Vocals ... Catherine "Dynamite" Goodrick

Catherine Goodrick was raised in Hamilton and always appreciated music. From an early age she wanted to sing, but didn't work up the nerve until she was in her mid 20's while singing karaoke with some good friends. Although karaoke is a heck of a lot of fun, Catherine wanted more and proceeded to train her voice with the likes of Ray Lyell and Paula Tessaro (of Ray Lyell & The Storm) up at Ray's studio. Soon after this she became an integral member of the Pink Floyd tribute band "Dogs of War" to sing backup/harmony and also joined the classic rock band "Woodburn" as lead vocalist. Catherine is looking forward to expanding her singing repertoire with "We Got Blues" as she has always loved and wanted to sing the blues. One of Catherine's fondest musical memories is being forced by friends and family to sing with the house band at B.B.King's in Nashville.

Lead Vocals / Guitar ... Dan "No Ground" Thomas

Dan Thomas is a hard one to talk about. Dan is one of the most humble musicians you will ever meet and likes to fly under the radar. He was born and raised in Hamilton, and like most young guitar players started with Rock N Roll. At the age of 19, Dan got into the Blues and found the music he loves. Back in the day when The Gown & Gavel was more of a music venue than they are now, he met the who's who of Hamilton Blues and has continually impressed everyone he has ever played with, including the late King Biscuit Boy. A list of everyone Dan has played with would fill this page, but I can tell you, if you ask around, he is one of the best guitar players in the scene. Dan is co-founder of this band, and has done this to take music back to the Blues. All he wants to do is make great music and go everywhere the blues is not just played, but truly heard.

Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar ... Dee "Detroit" Curtis

Dee was born in Detroit and was raised in the Black Bottom District. Hastings Street runs north - south through Black Bottom and in the 1950's migration turned Hastings into one of the city's major African-American communities of black-owned business, social institutions and night clubs. It became nationally famous for its music scene: artists such as Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie regularly performed in the bars and clubs on this strip. The Reverend C. L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin first opened his New Bethel Baptist Church on Hastings Street. So it is no surprise that Dee was born into a musical Family. He started singing at age 8 in his grandfather's church and in Elementary school. By the age of 12 Dee was singing in vocal groups in and around Detroit and never looked back. He retired from music in 2007, however, now living in Hamilton, he met James Anthony in 2010 who invited him to one of his open jams and that did it. End of retirement, blood boiling, guitar in hand and ready to get back out there
playing the blues. Big Joe Rhodes has been instrumental in introducing him to all the great musician in Hamilton. "My Grandfather is my Inspiration...The first music that I can remember was hearing grandpa play a T-bone Walker song on the piano." His grandfather would say, "Son, play the blues so they wont forget the music." ... so here he is. Dee has played with legends Robert Hooker and John Lee Hooker, and funk rock band Sonor Eclipse with Bill Laswell and Dennis Weeden. Dee is excited to be playing with the Hammer's finest Blues musicians and is ready to dig down into some classic blues to bring the soul back to Hamilton.

Bass Guitar ... Jason "Sweet Grooves" Colavecchia

Jason was born in St. Catharines to a family of musicians and perfomers. He has been around music and the stage his entire life, but really got serious in high school. He loves the stage and performing for an enthusiastic crowd. Bass is all about finding the groove in the music, bridging the gap between melody and beat to create something larger than the sum of it's parts. He is excited about the opportunity to bring the true spirit of Blues & Roots back to Hamilton, exposing a whole new generation of music lovers to some of the sweetest music ever created.

Drums ... Robin Houston

Robin is  from Earlton, ON , yes, way up north. He comes from a musical family and has been beating the skins for over 40 years. He even plays the spoons. Robin can play all genres of music including Classical, and has taken to teaching youngsters how to play. He came on board for We Got Blues because he wants to keep the music alive. Why Blues? Why not? Robin brings a whole new energy to the band dynamic, and thanks to that, has taken us to the next level. Oh ya, did I mention he fell out of a nest way up in a tree?

Sax / Vocals ... Sonny Del-Rio

Sonny has been rockin' out his brand of music for over 50 years!! His 4th CD "Welcome To Saxland" has them moving the dining room table and dancing up a storm! 3 time winner of The Real Blues Magazine’s Best Blues Sax Player in Canada Award and nominated through the years for numerous honours at The Hamilton Music Awards including winning Special Instrumentalist of the Year in 2005. Everyone agrees Del-Rio sounds better than ever! Sonny was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1943. He started playing tenor saxophone in a rock & roll band in 1957, and he just keeps going and going and going. For many years Sonny toured with Richard Newell a.k.a. King Biscuit Boy and Kelly Jay in a version of Crowbar (Oh What a Feeling, What a Rush), during which time he recorded 2 albums with his life-long friend "don’t call me Biscuit" Newell. Sonny and Richard continued to work side by side until King Biscuit Boy’s tragic and untimely death in 2003. Earlier in that year they released a CD together titled Two Hound Blues. Sadly it was Richard’s last recording. From 1976 to 1983 Sonny played with the hugely popular Ray Materick (Linda Put The Coffee On) and Hamilton drummer Jack Pedler. They had a great band featuring electric cello and sax. They released a critically acclaimed album in 1980. The 90’s featured less touring and more recording sessions while enjoying life on the west coast. Sonny returned to Hamilton and released his first solo cd 40 Years of Rock & Roll and All I Got’s the Blues in 1998. For Christmas 2002 Sonny and record producer Georgie Fab were inspired to give something back to the community they loved. They got together with more than 20 local celebrities including Ian Thomas, the Honorable Lincoln Alexander and the Mayor of Hamilton for a wonderful CD called Sonny Del-Rio and Friends Hamilton Hometown Christmas. They donated all profits to local children’s charities. The future for Sonny looks bright. He continues to write music and perform with several groups often well into the early hours of the morning, or as Sonny would say... "until the last dog is hung". We Got Blues is honoured to have Sonny join the band and help us keep the blues alive!!

Now Where?

Boon's House Every Wednesday

May 18th ... Corktown in Hamilton ... $5
June 30th ... Moonshine Cafe in Oakville ... $7

Bookings

Big Clubs, Small Clubs, All Size of Parties, Corporate Functions, Special Events, and More

As a 3 piece you will get Robin on Drums, Jason on Bass, and Dan on lead and vocals. When Dee is back, you may get Dee instead of Dan. Once we add our new lead she will be part of a 4 piece or more version of the band. Then we can add members according to your budget.

Songs By ...

Freddie King
Buddy Guy
Taj Mahal
Junior Wells
T-Bone Walker
Jonny Lang
Willie Dixon
Big Joe Turner
Wynonie Harris
Bobby Bland
John Lee Hooker
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Sonny Boy Williamson
Elmore James
Muddy Waters
Cream
Etta James
Janis Joplin
ZZ Top

We Got Blues

... and More.

Call 289-237-4833