Photo Courtesy of Shoreline Records

Name:  Jamie Hamilton

Age:  28

Birth date:  January 28, 1973

Birthplace: Burlington, Ontario

Hometown:  Campbellville, Ontario

Resides in: Milton, Ontario

Pets:  N/A

Group name: Jamie Hamilton Band Inc.

Instruments played:  Guitar

Started performing at age:  9

Finish CD’s:  Two

CD’s for sale:  “Just You And Me” – released 2001

                         “Jamie Hamilton” – released 1999

Management:   Wellcraft Music Group  (Contact Jim Hopson)

                         996 Ridgemount Blvd.

                         Oshawa, Ontario

                         L1K 2K6

                         PH: (905) 725 – 2630

                         FAX: (905) 725 - 2630

Record Label:  Shoreline Records Inc.

                         124 Laird Drive, Suite 103

                         Toronto Ontario

                         M4G 3V3

                         PH: (416) 467 – 6718

                         FAX: (416) 467 – 5752

   Jamie Hamilton comes by his love of country music naturally, having grown up listening to his mother’s record collection.  Like many of today’s ‘naturals’, Jamie also discovered his ability to sing at a very early age when his longtime friend (and still supportive band-mate) Craig Allen would play the keyboards and pushed him to be their ‘vocalist’ while both were nine.  It’s a partnership that’s still going strong today.  But while his musical inclinations were present he sure didn’t plan on being a recording artist.  Education leading to a degree in Law & Security from Sheridan College, then Brock and Windsor led him into a sociology program but it eventually couldn’t turn his head and he returned to the world of music, deciding that it was where he really wanted to go…and once decided, he wasted no time. 

   In 1994 Jamie and his band “Rocky Ridge” got their start in Southwestern Ontario and Jamie had to start overcoming his natural shyness.  It’s a trait that many a country artist has had to deal with and personally, I find it very endearing…you appreciate their efforts all the more I think.  Jamie had always leaned toward his own compositions, having discovered a penchant for putting songs together at the same time he was learning the guitar.  As he’s said, “There’s no greater joy for me than to be able to transform emotion, feeling and thought to music.”  Very well put.

   In 1998 Ocean Records Canada started production on Jamie’s first album, the self-titled “Jamie Hamilton”.  It did quite well, with the video for “Working Man” receiving regular rotation on CMT and was a hit with the “Indie Scene” program.  The reviews for this CD were quite good too, and Jamie continued to make new fans with each appearance. 

   Not content to rest on their laurels, the decision was made to take the newly incorporated Jamie Hamilton Band Inc. into the next phase, with the second album negotiations including producer Thomas Wade, a recognized leader in Canadian country circles and the studio being Oshawa’s Howie House of Music, home of another exemplary producer/manager, Jim Hopson.  They also successfully negotiated a two-album deal with Shoreline Records Inc., which included a distribution deal through Koch International.  The icing on the cake was Thomas’s agreement to co-write for the album, with six songs taking shape with Jamie.  Fall 2000 saw the album recorded and Jamie and Jim had the mastering done at Masterphonics in Nashville.  March 2001 proved to be a waiting game for Jamie, and he’s admitted it was a bit nerve-wracking waiting for the time to come…but come it did and the first single, “She’s Everything” was released. 

   When you first see Jamie Hamilton he looks like an imposing figure, someone who knows what he wants and will find a way to get there.  When you read about his journey so far, you feel that first impression is justified.  But when you hear his voice, you’re just glad that he’s doing what he’s doing and you want to hear more.  And I should know, I listen to A LOT of stuff and when you enjoy something and want to play it again, that stands out.  This release is full of fun, energetic music and lyrics that make you think, and pass on a clear message.  And if you also like your vocals with enough smoothness and power but not too much twang, then Jamie will suit you just fine. 

   I confess that I’ve not had an opportunity to see Jamie perform yet, but if you’ll visit his website (and you live in Southern Ontario) you’ll see that he’s got lots of dates coming up at some pretty nice establishments.  There has to be one near you, and I encourage you to take a few hours and see the next headliner at all those ‘big’ annual country events while you can still go up and say “Hi” without waiting in a huge line with bruiser security eyeing you up and down.  With the assistance of Thomas Wade, who is one of the most prolific artists we have, Jamie has turned out some top-notch material and I know you’d enjoy it.  And the best thing is, he’s one of ours.  So please join Opry North in welcoming one of the latest chart-toppers when he passes your way.  I know he’d love to see you.

   I would like to say a special thanks to Shoreline Records for their incredible assistance with this profile and their enthusiasm and encouragement.  Thanks also to Jamie Hamilton and Jim Hopson for letting me offer some ideas that may seem ‘a little different’ from the norm.  And to Rene, it’s been absolutely wonderful working with you on this project, and the artists couldn’t be in better hands. 

Written by Kim Jamieson

© 2001 Opry North/Whitepaw Productions