The Smoke Wagon Blues Band

The band was honoured by Pinball Clemons who presented us with the The Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre Award for Community Service. Pinball also took home the very first copy of "Cigar Store"

The Smoke Wagon Blues Band

Corey Lueck – Vocals, Harp

Mike Stubbs – Guitar 

Steve Sherman – Producer, Guitar

Gordon Aeichele – Sax, Flute

Peter Beacock – Piano, Organ

Chris Riding  – Bass 

Keagan Early – Drums 

Tibor Lukacs – Drums 

About the Band

The Smoke Wagon Blues Band have been preforming on festival stages for over two decades. Eight independent releases, international radio, and a large Canadian blues following propelled the band to venues across the continent. The groups last three albums were award winning international hits reaching the top of the Roots & Blues charts earning the band four IBA's in the USA, two Maple Blues awards in Canada, and 5-star reviews in blues magazines around the globe. 

Smoke Wagon's latest release "The Ballad of Albert Johnson" won two 2021 Maple Blues Awards:

• New Artist or Group of the Year
• Recording/Producer of the Year

"The Ballad of Albert Johnson" has also been nominated for six 2021 Independent Blues Awards:

• Best Blues Rock Band
• Best Modern Roots Band
• Best Contemporary Blues Band
• Best Modern Roots CD
• Best Modern Roots Song "A Song for Cheryl"
• Best Music Video "The Ballad of Albert Johnson"

The band’s previous release, “Cigar Store”, won 3 Awards at the Independent Blues Awards: Best New Blues, Best R&B Song, and Best Modern Roots Album. “Cigar Store” spent over 47 weeks on the Top 50 Roots Music Reports Blues Charts reaching #2 in Canada, #6 in USA, and #16 in Australia.  Red-hot live performances have become the talk of the town at venues across the county and beyond – including a three-night stand at Club 152 during the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

Perhaps Corey Lueck says it best, with his account of the growth and history of The Smoke Wagon Blues Band:

"Though Mike Stubbs and I didn’t know each other back then, both of us grew up as teenagers sneaking out to see King Biscuit Boy in Hess Village. When we were starting out, the Hamilton blues scene was something magical; starting at one end of the street and catching sizzling sets by the likes of Harrison Kennedy, Biscuit Boy, Sonny Del Rio or Trick bag and ending the evening with some smoking down-and-dirty-blues by Tim Gibbons and the Little Red Rooster band. Once polished enough to be accepted into the village scene, playing such clubs as 33 Hess and The Mermaid, we slowly started to carve a niche with our own brand of blues. The pay was never very good, but what a way to develop our sound! Packed clubs and streets on hot summer nights, people dancing from bar to bar, musicians running from venue to venue to catch a few tunes between sets (or to borrow a guitar string). What made that time so special was that people really came out for the music. The music was just as important to the audience as it was to the musicians. Music speaks the truth, and that’s what the blues are all about...while also leaving a little room to boogie!"

Fun Facts:

Tibor Lukacs

Did you know... before Tibor immigrated to Canada from the Czech Republic he was an honest-to-god rock star?  Well, its true!  Tibor is one of the founding members of the infamous rock band “Merlin”.  He has shared the stage with everyone from ZZ Top to Ozzy to Deep Purple.  And within days of arriving in Canada, who does he fall in with?  None other then the "Prime Minister of The Blues" -- Dutch Mason!  Since then he’s played with everyone from Harrison Kennedy to Jerome Godboo and James Anthony.  Can’t get a much better resume in the blues than that!!      
 
When Tibor isn't traveling with The Smoke Wagon Blues Band, he's a Cross Cultural Healthcare Coordinator and Counselor.  He's the first person refugees usually meet once they arrive in this neck of the woods.  He speaks six languages and rubs shoulders with high-level diplomats and politicians. Myself, I only speak two languages -- and one of them is drunken gibberish :^)>…. Here’s a throwback of Tibor with Merlin back in the day.  Dig those leather pants!

                                               

Gordon Aeichele

If you look in the dictionary under the definition of career musician, you’ll find the name Gordon Aeichele -- he's been on the road professionally since graduating high school.  Gord is a much sought after sax player and for good reason: he is one of the most well-versed and dynamic players you will ever meet in your life.
 
Did you know... when Gord isn't slumming it with The Smoke Wagon Blues Band you can find him in places like The Las Vegas Cannery?  Well, it’s true! Gord plays sax in “The Official Blues Brother Revue”, sanctioned and produced by Dan Aykroyd and Judy Belushi. You can find him touring posh theatres across North America and hanging in VIP rooms with the likes of Paul Shaffer and Dan Aykroyd.  How’s that for Blues Royalty?
 
Gord has been playing with "The Wagon" since 2006 and has been instrumental in the success of their last three albums. Not only do Gord's sax lines appear all over the bands discography but his bass lines too! Gord actually played bass on a handful of tracks for the bands highly successful “It Ain’t Easy” album. And if all that doesn't keep him busy enough Gord has a love and passion for teaching. So much so that he is writing a book that will explore the process of developing as a musician called “The Musicians Path”.  Myself, I’m still working on reading “See Dick Run”...
 
Here’s Gordon with The Smoke Wagon Blues Band at the Goderich Blues Festival, Ontario Canada 2019:  

 

Steve Sherman 

Steve Sherman is as seasoned as they come!  A bonafide guitar players guitarist, producer, and music educator whose musical journey began at the age of 10. Born into a musical family - both parents were musicians - Steve quickly found his footing in performance, playing in various bands throughout his school years and holding a trumpet position in his high school stage band. 

By age 18, Steve began teaching guitar, a passion he pursued while studying music at York University in 1979. During this time, he also worked as a guitar instructor at a local music store, further honing his skills and deepening his understanding of the craft. In the early 1980s, Steve hit the road with a show band, gaining valuable experience as a touring musician. In 1991, Steve launched Steve Sherman Productions, a music produication studio focused on supporting anbd collaborating with independent songwriters. Over the years, he has produced numerous albums for Canadian artists, most notably for you guessed it, “The Smoke Wagon Blues Band” for the last 13 years. His relationship with the band deepened when he officially joined them in 2016 as a both guitarist and producer. Steve's production work was recognized nationally when he received the “producer of the Year” aware at the 2020 maple Blues Awards for “Ballad of Albert Johnson”, performed by the Smoke Wagon Blues Band. Today, Steve remains an active member of the Smoke Wagon Blues Band and continues to work as a producer, session guitarist, and live performer with various local ensembles. 

Did you know that when Steve's not teaching, recording, mixing, mastering, and gigging, he is a hackintosh specialist? It's true, he'll build your computer into anything you want. Personally, I'm still struggling with the cassettes for my Vic 20. 

Chris Riding 

The  newest member of  the group and the man behind the groove of the dynamic rhythms of  The Smoke Wagon Blues Band is none other then Chris Riding.  Chris just bleeds funk and soul having  backed up some of the biggest names in the Ontario roots and blues scene since 1975 such as blues diva Cheryl Lescom,  local blues legend John McKinley and reggae great Errol Blackwood to name a few,  while previously sharing stages with the likes of pre Canadian legends David Bradstreet and Jim Cuddy.  Chris also performed and recorded for many years with “Chuckee and The Crawdaddies”  featuring award-winning singer-songwriter Chuckee Zehr.  Along with The Smoke Wagon Blues band you can find him cutting loose across the province with the sensational  “Otis Wonder and the Hustle”  
 
Did you know...   Chris was a bonafide prodigy?  Born in Yorkshire, England he began this life-long relationship with music as a child , playing piano and brass instruments , discovering the wonderful world of guitar by age 11.  At age 13 his family emigrated to Bermuda  where he formed his first band with grammar school friends playing the hard rock hits of the day.  He became a sought after musician being recruited as a young  teen by local soul/ R&B bands playing his first pay gigs by the ripe age of 15!  He later formed this own group “Shades of Gray” with several of his contemporaries, playing soul & funk hits of  the time on the club and high school dance circuit, despite being far too young to legally patronize drinking establishments.  The band is still  remembered fondly on the island after several early recording and radio play.  

At 15 I was still trying for my third attempt a my scout activity badge with clay paints and pipe cleaners but that's another story…. 

Photo by Tommy Alcatraz 

Keagan Early 

The Maestro that drives this wagon train is the magnificent Keagan Early. Keagan began this obsession with the skins by playing his sisters rented snare drum in a grade 6 concert band. After discovering classic rock and a short stint on guitar, Keagan moved back for a full drum kit during his first band “Syd Stone” performing in high school battle of the bands competitions while borrowing as much time with fellow musicians playing that devils music in school rehearsal rooms until being kicked out. 

After high-school Keagan began teaching music and furthering his own education at Mohawk College. Studying jazz and improvised music gave him the understanding of his roots heroes such as John Bonham, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell and Bill Ward through jazz drummers like Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones and Jack DeJohnette. Bringing elements of jazz and improvised music back into his rock vocabulary while learning how to write, compose, and arrange world music techniques has made him one of the most versatile drummers on the scene.   

When not driving The Smoke Wagon Blues engine, Keagan is a much sought after maker and shaker on the Ontario music scene performing in theaters across the province with many well known artists such as The  Andre Bisson Band, Ellis in Transit, The Loretta Hale Big Band, and many more. 

Did you know……. when not playing, rehearsing, writing, touring, and hiking all over the province you can find Keagan unwinding with a dash of music infused comedic contemporary art! He takes doodling to the whole next unique level! it has to been seen and heard to understand. 

myself  I'm still watching Bob Ross reruns and working on my paint by numbers till I find myself. 
 

Mike Stubbs

Mike was born and raised in a hot bed of Hamilton talent which gave him opportunities to jam and learn from Richard Newell “King Biscuit Boy”,  the grandfather of Canadian blues. Living close to the Shorts (Martin) Thomas’s (Dave and Ian) and the O’Brien’s (Michael and Jesse) there was no shortage of talented parties growing up. Since his immediate family was not musically inclined Mike picked up on music on his own and in school graduating from Clarinet to Sax and finally guitar in the hopes of earning female admiration.  
 
After playing in working bands through the 80's he eventually landed in the Smoke Wagon Blues Band around 1996. With his advanced musical knowledge and song writing chemistry with Corey Lueck, he quickly became the musical director of the band. Since then, Corey and Mike have coauthored and developed the Smoke Wagon Blues Band sound now in it’s 2nd Decade!
 
Did you know...   Mike is a real live Hero? Well, it’s true!  Mike and former band mate Gavin Robertson saved an entire family from drowning while attending an outdoor Smoke Wagon gig in Tottenham Ontario.  Mike personally rescued and revived a drowning victim earning the Governor Generals award!
 
When Mike isn't tearing it up with The Smoke Wagon Blues Band he’s an avid traveler. Having backpacked and toured all over the globe not to mention living and teaching English in Japan. Most of my literary skills start with “there once was a man from Nantucket.... “ but I digress…

Here's a throwback of Mike backstage with Ronnie Hawkins:

 

Corey Lueck

The founding member and workhorse of the band has dedicated his life to The Blues. Communicating his heart and soul through his songwriting and storytelling is his life's obsession. Corey cut his teeth in the local Blues scene right out of high school, learning and performing around Ontario until finding his niche in Hamilton’s storied Hess Village. His wealth of blues knowledge and styles stems from his dedication to his North American grown roots.
 
For Corey, “Rambling on My Mind” isn't just a lyric. Like the bluesmen icons old, he's paid his dues playing with outfits along the Mississippi in Greensville, Vicksburg, Clarksdale as well as a stint in New Orleans with famous French Quarter piano man Johnny Gordon. He’s performed his brand of blues on stages from St. John's Newfoundland to Tombstone Arizona and as far north as Alaska and the Yukon, to which much of his songwriting is dedicated.
 
Did you know...   long before The Blues took hold, Corey was an accomplished athlete? Well, it’s true! Corey was a local track star, played semi-pro soccer and traveled across Canada and Europe playing hockey. These sporting trips took him across north America and Europe before the age of 19!  
 
When Corey isn't speaking from the soul, you can find him in some local pub screaming at the TV screen over his beloved Habs! Hey we all have a strange one in the family!   

Here's Corey throwing down on the home front at the Corktown Tavern, Hamilton ON Canada

 

 Peter Beacock 

The newest member of The Smoke Wagon Blues Band Peter Beacock has been playing professionally since the the mid-sixties. He was a member of the legendary Canadian outfit: Major Hooples Boarding House from 1972-2017 Enjoying top 30 hits and touring the country over is a truly astonishing Canadian musical success story!

Peter has written and recorded dozens of songs and jingles for a diverse group of companies as well as designing and marketing many successful consumer audio products.

Did you know that when not tickling the ivories Peter leads a group of companies, operates a remote recording/mastering facility, and holds board positions with The Kitchener Blues Festival and CKWR. On top of all that Peter designs/constructs large multi-media entertainment systems, recording studios, listening spaces and is a member of the Audio Engineering Society! My self I'm still trying to get my pyramid of empty Ex bottles to stand without falling. 

Brandon Bruce
 

Brandon spent several years honing his craft in Edmonton, Alberta. He toured Western Canada over with leading professional blues acts such as guitar virtuoso Rodger Stanley, Juno nominees the Rockin' Highliners, and vocalist/harp player Jordan Patterson. 

Did you know that Brandon has brushed shoulders with blues royalty? Well its true during this time, Brandon  backed up international blues artists such as W.C. Handy Award winner Big Jack Johnson, Michael Coleman (James Cotton), and the versatile harmonica player Johnny Mars. Now that's some heavy blues hitters!

Brandon moved to Ontario to build a business, but managed to play part-time with local blues acts such as The Crusade Blues Band, and The Fire Numbers before lighting it up with The Smoke Wagon Blues Band

Did you know when Brandon's not working the stage with The Smoke Wagon Blues Band that he spends his time restoring and collecting vintage keyboards? Well it's True Brandon's an avid collector, entrepreneur, philanthropist : ^)>  That sure beats my collection of old beer caps and whisky bottles.....

This is Brandon at The Kitchener Blues Festival :