Canadian Soul/Blues Dynamo Ollee Owens Unveils Powerful New Music Video for “Nowhere to Hide"

Ollee Owens isn’t just singing the blues—she’s living and breathing them with a conviction that cuts deep. The Calgary-based blues and Americana artist unveils a stunning new music video for her latest single, “Nowhere to Hide”, an anthem of resilience that perfectly encapsulates the raw emotion and defiant hope that define her sound. With the album, Nowhere to Hide, spending 13 consecutive weeks in the Roots Music Report’s Canadian Top 10 and her previous video, “Shivers and Butterflies,” racking up nearly 800,000 views in just one month, Owens is proving that blues still has a powerful story to tell.

A fearless performer with a voice that commands attention, Owens brings her signature blend of blues, soul, and folk into sharp cinematic focus with “Nowhere to Hide.” Shot in a cavernous warehouse with a massive projection screen behind her, the video juxtaposes historic and contemporary struggles, reminding us that the battles of the past still echo loudly today. “I wanted to create a visual bridge between history and the challenges we face now,” Owens explains. “The troubles we sense, see, and experience may change shape, but the fight remains.”

 

Draped in bold red to symbolize courage, with white at her core to represent unwavering integrity, Owens stands defiant in the face of fear, delivering a searing performance with the urgency of a woman who has walked through fire and come out stronger. “You can make it through—we will make it through. There is hope—there is always hope because there ‘ain’t no trouble gonna bring us down!’” she proclaims.

 

“Nowhere to Hide” was recorded at Nashville’s Sweetbriar Studio with producer Bobby Blazier bringing together an all-star lineup featuring guitarist Chris Rodriguez, bassist Tommy Sims and keyboardist De Marco Johnson. The album has been turning heads across the blues world, climbing the charts and earning praise from outlets like Blues Matters, Blues Music Magazine, and Americana Highways, which hailed it as "one of the strongest surprises of 2024."

 

Owens’ journey from a small farming community in Manitoba to the world stage is nothing short of extraordinary. Inspired by blues legends and gospel greats, she started writing songs at eight, picked up the guitar at 12, and then put it all on pause to raise her three daughters. But the music never left her soul, and in 2022, she roared back with Cannot Be Unheard, proving that her voice was not just meant to be heard, but felt. Since then, she’s shared festival stages with blues heavyweights like Dawn Tyler Watson and Matt Andersen and made her mark at the iconic B.B. King’s Blues Club in Memphis.

 

With “Nowhere to Hide”, Ollee Owens issued a rallying cry. The blues has always been about finding strength in the struggle, and Owens embodies that spirit in every note she sings. As this powerful new video makes its way into the world, one thing is clear—there’s no stopping her now.

 

Danny Marks Returns With Soul-Stirring New Single ‘I’m Ready’

Few names carry the weight of Danny Marks in the Canadian blues and roots scene. From his early days as a founding member of Edward Bear, opening for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie, to his decades as a torchbearer of the blues with BLUZ FM and beyond, Marks has remained a perennial force—a man whose time comes, again and again. Now, with the release of his latest single "I'm Ready," Marks steps forward with a classic soul ballad—one that simmers with slow-burning intensity and speaks to the restless waiting, the longing, and ultimately, the readiness to seize the moment.
 
"It’s been a long time, and I want you to know that I’m ready..."
 
The opening line of I'm Ready” says it all. Marks delivers this song with the wisdom of a road-worn storyteller, channeling a lifetime of experiences into a track that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The song’s lyrics capture the passage of time, the frustration of waiting, and the unwavering belief that no matter how long it takes, your moment will come—as long as you’re ready to take it.
 
"Then you’re ready, you can come go with me / We can make it, oh yes we can..."
 
The slow groove and soulful delivery recall the greats—Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Bobby "Blue" Bland—while Marks’ signature guitar work glows like embers in a midnight fire, warm, rich, and full of lived-in soul.
 
Danny Marks is no stranger to reinvention. Signed to Capitol Records at just 18 with Edward Bear, he quickly made his mark before stepping into a career that saw him work with legends like Bo Diddley, Rita Coolidge, and The Drifters. He built his reputation on the Toronto club scene, became a familiar voice on CBC Radio, and spent the past 25 years hosting BLUZ FM on JAZZ FM91—educating, entertaining, and keeping the blues flame alive.
 
Marks has seen the music industry change, but the soul of the blues remains the same. In “I'm Ready,” he adds another timeless entry to his catalog—one that nods to the past but walks boldly into the future.
 
With “I'm Ready,” Danny Marks extends an invitation. It’s not just about his own journey—it’s about all of us. Whether you’ve been waiting on a dream, a breakthrough, or just a sign that it’s time to move forward, Marks offers a musical hand to hold.
 
"Are you with me now? Do you feel like I do? Then you’re ready… you’re ready too."

Big Dave McLean Receives 2025 JUNO Award Nomination for This Old Life

Legendary Canadian bluesman Big Dave McLean has been honored with a 2025 JUNO Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year for his latest album, This Old Life released on Victoria-based indie label Cordova Bay Records. This marks McLean’s sixth JUNO nomination, further cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in Canadian blues.

McLean’s latest recognition adds to an already impressive history of JUNO nods, including a 2020 nomination for Pocket Full of Nothin’, a 2018 nomination for Better the Devil You Know, and a 2016 nod for Faded But Not Gone. His first nomination came in 2009, and he won a JUNO Award for Saturday Night Blues in 1992.
 
Over five decades, McLean has been a cornerstone of the Canadian blues scene, earning accolades that include a Western Canadian Music Award, a Prairie Music Award, a Great Canadian Blues Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Blues Society. In 2019, he was inducted into the Order of Canada, a rare honor for a blues musician, recognizing his contributions to the genre and his mentorship of younger artists such as Colin James, Shaun Verreault, and Luke Doucet.
 
On This Old Life, McLean delivers an unfiltered, deeply personal take on the blues, seamlessly blending classic blues covers from Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Little Walter with his own masterful originals.
 
The album’s lead track, "Well, I Done Got Over It", originally recorded by Guitar Slim in 1953, showcases McLean’s signature gravelly vocals and impeccable slide guitar work, setting the tone for a record steeped in authenticity.
 
Recorded in just four days at The Ganaraska Recording Company in Cobourg, Ontario, This Old Life was captured live off the floor with no overdubs or studio tricks—just raw, timeless blues. Co-produced by Steve Marriner and Jimmy Bowskill, both JUNO-winning musicians, the album embraces classic blues traditions while showcasing McLean’s unwavering musical integrity.
 
“He is as genuine a bluesman as it gets, and I’ve been dying to capture Dave and present him to the rest of the world in the way I’ve always heard him: raw and real,” says Marriner.
 
Born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, McLean’s career was shaped by a chance encounter with blues icon John Hammond, who gave him his first guitar lesson in 1969. This set McLean on a path that led him to friendships with legends like Muddy Waters, inspiring his debut album, Muddy Waters for President.
 
Despite his profound influence on Canadian blues, McLean has often remained a hidden gem, a reality he addresses in This Old Life, a record that may finally bring him the mainstream recognition he deserves.

“I would like to send out my deepest gratitude, respect, and admiration to all of the many people who have shared their incredible talents and have helped me present my interpretation of blues over the past fifty years or so,” McLean reflects.
 
With his sixth JUNO nomination, a career-defining album, and a tour lined up for 2025, Big Dave McLean is proving that the blues isn’t just music—it’s a way of life.
 
The JUNO Awards took place on March 30, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, where music fans and industry members celebrated the best in Canadian music.

Sue Foley, The Fabulous Thunderbirds & Steve Strongman, Duke Robillard, Eric Bibb, and Kim Wilson Nominated for 2025 Blues Music Awards

Sue Foley, the acclaimed Ottawa-born blues guitarist and vocalist, has been nominated for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year and Acoustic Blues Album of the Year for her stunning work One Guitar Woman. A deeply personal tribute to the female pioneers of guitar, the album showcases Foley’s mastery of acoustic blues and her dedication to honoring the legacy of trailblazing musicians who paved the way for generations to come.
 
The Fabulous Thunderbirds & Steve Strongman have earned a nomination for Blues Rock Album of the Year for Struck Down. Co-written and co-produced by Strongman alongside the Thunderbirds' frontman Kim Wilson, the album features Strongman’s signature guitar work, powerful songwriting. This latest release cements the band’s legacy while infusing a fresh and electrifying blues-rock sound.
 
Duke Robillard, the legendary guitarist and torchbearer of traditional blues, has been nominated for BB King Entertainer of the Year and Traditional Blues Album of the Year for his record Roll With Me. His ability to blend vintage blues influences with modern sensibilities has made him a standout figure in the blues world for decades.
 
Eric Bibb, the globally celebrated blues troubadour, has secured a nomination for Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year. Known for his soulful storytelling and folk-blues fusion, Bibb continues to be a voice of wisdom and authenticity in the genre.
 
Kim Wilson, the iconic harmonica player and frontman of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, has once again been nominated for Instrumentalist – Harmonica, a testament to his incredible skill and impact on blues music.
 
These nominations highlight the continued excellence and innovation within the blues genre, celebrating artists who remain dedicated to keeping the blues tradition alive while pushing it forward.

Blue Moon Marquee Nominated for 2025 JUNO Award for New Orleans Sessions

 

Following a groundbreaking year, Blue Moon Marquee is once again in the spotlight with a 2025 JUNO Award nomination for their latest album, New Orleans Sessions.
 
This marks a continued streak of critical acclaim for the Coast Salish Territory, British Columbia-based indie blues band featuring core founding members and songwriters A.W. Cardinal and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass Their raw, high-energy blend of blues, jazz, and swing has captivated audiences across North America and Europe, and New Orleans Sessions is yet another testament to their signature sound.
 
Blue Moon Marquee has cemented their place as one of Canada’s premier blues acts with multiple JUNO nominations and a historic win:
 

• 2025 Nominee – New Orleans Sessions (Blues Album of the Year)

• 2024 WINNER – Scream, Holler & Howl (Blues Album of the Year)

• 2024 Nominee – Scream, Holler & Howl (Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year)

 
With New Orleans Sessions, Blue Moon Marquee transports listeners straight to the heart of New Orleans’ rich blues and jazz traditions. The album, recorded live over two afternoons at Bigtone Studios, strips music back to its rawest, most organic form—no overdubs, no studio tricks, just pure, unfiltered soul.
 
“The musicians we had the good fortune to play with have style for miles and know how to have a good time all the while,” says Blue Moon Marquee. “Jon Atkinson is a true-blue lover and aficionado of this music, and it shows in everything he does, whether his hands are on an instrument or behind the mixing board. We all sat in one room together and played the music in its truest form.”
 
From the infectious groove of "Black Rat Swing" to the call-and-response energy of "Ain’t Goin’ Down", the album exudes the warmth and spontaneity of a late-night jam session in a smoky New Orleans club. Original tracks like "Trickster Coyote" and the soul-stirring "What I Wouldn’t Do" showcase the band’s dynamic songwriting alongside classic blues reimaginings.
 
Hailing from Rocky Mountain House and the Badlands of Alberta, Blue Moon Marquee has spent over a decade touring relentlessly across North America and Europe, performing everywhere from jazz clubs and festival stages to hospitals and even prisons.
 
Their previous album, Scream, Holler & Howl, saw them sweep the 2023 Maple Blues Awards, taking home Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. They also earned three Western Canadian Music Awards and two Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards.
 
Blue Moon Marquee will be on the road throughout 2025, bringing their electrifying performances to audiences across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, with a major stop at Toronto’s TD Music Hall on November 7, 2025.
 
With their latest JUNO nomination, an acclaimed new album, and a touring schedule packed with shows, Blue Moon Marquee’s momentum is unstoppable.