B.A. Johnston — 'Hamilton's grandmother' — lovingly celebrates the city in new season of YouTube show
CBC
Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was the new season of B.A. Johnston's Ham Jam a "love letter" to Hamilton, "the greatest city in the world... greater than Rome."
That's how Hamilton musician B.A. Johnston describes the second season of his show, which launched on YouTube Thursday.
It's been six years since the first season, which included episodes on sub sandwiches, arcades and waterfalls. The new season tackles topics including the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, gentrification and classic dining spots.
Featuring candid interviews and scenes around the city, the comedy documentary is reminiscent of the Rick Mercer Report — if Rick Mercer really hated the Toronto Argonauts.
Johnston is known for his funny, folksy songs about falling in love at Jackson Square Mall, working a crappy job, running into an ex at Swiss Chalet and going to a Tiger-Cats game with Jesus Christ.
Like his music, the show balances sincerity with tongue-in-cheek humour. "You've got to walk a fine line," Johnston told CBC Hamilton, comparing his approach to teasing a family member. "I can make fun of Hamilton because I love it."
"Hamilton gets shown in a certain light, but it doesn't get shown in this light," he said. "It's a loving light, but also judgmental and critical. It's like I'm Hamilton's grandmother."
That method is on full display in a two-part Ticats episode in which Johnston attends a game and talks to fans about loving Hamilton's only major sports team, even when it lets you down.
In that episode, he talks to Ticat legend Paul Osbaldiston. Johnston recounted walking out of a game in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals after the Ticats lost the lead, then running back as he heard cheers. Osbaldiston had kicked a 54-yard field goal for the win.
Osbaldiston appeared emotional as he said he wished he could play just one more game.
"It was a sweet moment," Johnston said, adding it was strange to be interviewing one of his heroes.
Hamilton music promoter Lou Molinaro told CBC Hamilton he also had an emotional experience on the show.
He said he's been Johnston's fan for "many years," describing the artist as the "punk rock version of Stompin' Tom Connors."
Johnston is one of his favourite Canadian performers, Molinaro said, because he makes art that's amusing but does serious topics justice.
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