Episodes
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This week's Mulligan Stew podcast features our own Leeroy Stagger. He's the host of Dirty Windshield Radio Hour on Saturdays on CKUA Radio. His latest album is about to be released. It's called Pilgrimage. Leeroy found inspiration by reading Alister McIntosh's brilliant book "Soil and Soul." "I wanted to write on the Highland Clearances of the 1700s that pushed my ancestors from Scotland to Northern Ireland and ultimately Nova Scotia. The repercussions of colonialism that shake the branches of my family tree and sadly still ring out throughout my home country of Canada today." "It was always so strange to me that I felt more at home in Scotland than in my own country; it makes perfect sense to me now. There is a deep ancestral grief for where we once called home." Key to these songs and the entire album is the partnership Leeroy entered into with East Coast legend Joel Plaskett. They played, wrote and produced together. Joel suggested to Leeroy that they use his Tascam 388, an old 1/4" 8-track machine. Joel convinced me on the magic, and I started to see the humanness of tape, in all of its warm and unpredictable glory." "At this point, we have to ask ourselves what kind of world we want to live in. Digital isolation or a community forward offering of storytelling, of truth in the natural world, of something tangible and real; a bit of the old ways." [caption id="attachment_32453" align="alignnone" width="512"] Leeroy Stagger -Pilgrimage[/caption] Pilgrimage might just help us find it
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This week's Mulligan Stew podcast features our own Leeroy Stagger. He's the host of Dirty Windshield Radio Hour on Saturdays on CKUA Radio. His latest album is about to be released. It's called Pilgrimage. Leeroy found inspiration by reading Alister McIntosh's brilliant book "Soil and Soul." "I wanted to write on the Highland Clearances of the 1700s that pushed my ancestors from Scotland to Northern Ireland and ultimately Nova Scotia. The repercussions of colonialism that shake the branches of my family tree and sadly still ring out throughout my home country of Canada today." "It was always so strange to me that I felt more at home in Scotland than in my own country; it makes perfect sense to me now. There is a deep ancestral grief for where we once called home." Key to these songs and the entire album is the partnership Leeroy entered into with East Coast legend Joel Plaskett. They played, wrote and produced together. Joel suggested to Leeroy that they use his Tascam 388, an old 1/4" 8-track machine. Joel convinced me on the magic, and I started to see the humanness of tape, in all of its warm and unpredictable glory." "At this point, we have to ask ourselves what kind of world we want to live in. Digital isolation or a community forward offering of storytelling, of truth in the natural world, of something tangible and real; a bit of the old ways." [caption id="attachment_32453" align="alignnone" width="512"] Leeroy Stagger -Pilgrimage[/caption] Pilgrimage might just help us find it
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Missing episodes?
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Once again, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and got to experience the lift off of the first Canadian artist to hit #1 in the USA.
Before they became world famous, they were another prairie band trying to get the bosses in Toronto to notice them.
I was at CJME and CKCK in Regina, and over one early 60's summer, they spent the hot months playing at beach parties and small halls.
One after the other.
Then the hits started to roll, and I ended up going to London, UK, with them, to cover the story.
Except the story was a bust.
Poorly planned on the London end, they played a couple of tv shows and came home.
Then came These Eyes, American Woman and fame.
After the Guess Who split up, another set of musicians decided to take the name and run with it, for 13 years.
Legalities carried on for many years, but eventually Randy and Burrton Cummings..the two original guys, got the name back and that's why the upcoming Guess Who Tour is called the " taking it back tour."
Taking it back tour datesJune 8 – Saddledome Calgary
June 10 – Rogers Place, Edmonton
Aug 23 PNE Freedom Mobile Arch
August 25 Memorial Arena Victoria
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Big fan of Medeski. Martin and Wood.
Then followed the Wood Brothers through 9 albums.
The media and music fans painted the brothers as a Jam Band. They are anything but.
Jazz and roots/ blues driven with themes and lyrics that dive into human behaviour.
Almost all songs are wrapped in a sensual groove.
All songs written and created by an amazing trio. Chris's brother Oliver and Jano Rix, who'll play any instrument put in front of him.
New album - Puff of Smoke is the best yet.
The Brothers are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album Ways not to Love.
Chris's personal journey has taken him to a beautiful Wilder Wood farm on Pender Island, one of the best in the Gulf Islands on the West Coast.
He and his biologist wife farm organic vegetables and sell them at the Pender Farm Market on the island.
A percentage of the brothers' ticket sales goes to helping farmers. On both sides of the border.
I caught up with Chris in an airport heading for an opening tour gig in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In the complete interview on the podcast, he finished the chat walking to the gate.
The Wood Brothers play the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver on May 9. -
Ron Sexsmith has 19 albums in a singular career. His songwriting has been admired by his many peers. There's only one voice like his - which is a blessing in a sea of wouldda/coulda/shoulda. Photo by Kerry Vergeer[/caption] If you asked him to compare his songs with his idol Gordon Lightfoot, Ron will admit there are few artists as good as Gordon Lightfoot was, but he continues to honour him. This Wednesday and Thursday, Ron performs at two sold-out Lightfoot Memorial concerts at the National Music Center in Calgary. In Bell Hall. On this week's Mulligan Stew Podcast Ron Sexsmith opens up about his admiration for Gord. A true storyteller, telling tales. Ron Sexsmith honours Gord Lightfoot.
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Last Oct 11, Mariel Buckley joined us from a motel room in New Mexico ( I think) as she was touring following the release of her latest album, Strange Trip Ahead. On Saturday night, Mariel and the album won a Juno Award for the 2026 Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. At 3 a.m., I was digging into the audio archives looking for this interview. And I've been following the Coffee Walks that Alan Doyle has been doing on Facebook as he toured Canada. Alan takes a camera and walks around the towns and cities he's playing in, looking for the best coffee, and through the walk finds the heart and soul of the city. When he got to Victoria and the end of the tour, it became apparent that we should repeat our Feb 10 interview covering the release of his latest EP, Already Dancing. Alan heads for the USA next week but returns June 27 to headline one of the FIFA Fan Festival concerts in Vancouver. His latest book is The Smiling Land, in which he reveals how little he knows about Newfoundland and Labrador. It's a wonderful read.
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Guests - Jeff Guignard, CEO, Wine BC Brad Royale - Corp Sommelier Concorde Entertainment Group Both Jeff and Brad are fully into wine. The growing and pouring. We'll talk about Alberta's tax/no tax on BC wines. The state of Canadian wines and both have lots to recommend at the ongoing 2026 Vancouver International Wine Festival. www.winebc.com www.vanwinefest.ca Jeff is the CEO of Wine Growers of BC. Great leadership when it's needed most. Lead the charge to change Alberta taxes against BC wines. They just changed. Brad is one of the outstanding wine voices in Alberta. The corporate sommelier for Concorde Group. Thery have 22 different restaurants - both east and west. He curates all the wine lists. Besides his valued opinions on the state of wine in Canada, Brad has recommendations for those attending this week's Van Wine Fest. www.concordegroup.ca
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The amazing story and success of Winnipeg's David and Joey Landreth continue with the release of their 9th studio album, Dog Ear. The brothers join us from home base as they prepare for a full European tour and select key American dates this year. The new album deals with finding a balance between making music and raising their families. In the music business, with all its touring, it can be really hard on the whole family. After having a Grammy hit with the Landreth's Made up Mind, their music hero, Bonnie Raitt, asked the boys to send her songs from their new album. She came back saying, "I can't decide which one I want to sing on - so how about two songs?". She sang harmony on Knuckles and background on Half Moon Eyes. David and Joey grew up in a musical family and listened to Bonnie and Little Feat growing up. They can't begin to describe what it's like to not only meet your heroes but to play and sing with them!! As you can imagine, it's out of this world. Rarely, I hear people say "yeah..i don't listen to Canadian music! That's like saying, i really hate breathing. I urge you to take a minute and listen to the brothers and their music. If you don't hear the joy and humanity in their songs, it's ok. Lots of music fans really do. Not just in Canada but all over the World. (check the tour schedule) www.thebroslandreth.com
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From his humble beginnings in sketch comedy with the Toronto branch of Second City to his rise to fame in SCTV and Hollywood film classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck, John Candy captivated audiences with his self-deprecating humour, emotional warmth, and gift for improvisation.
Now, for the first time since Candy's tragic death, bestselling biographer Paul Myers tells the full story of the man behind the laughs.
Drawing on extensive research and exclusive interviews with many of Candy's closest friends and colleagues, including Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Steve Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, and many more, John Candy: A Life in Comedy celebrates the comedian's unparalleled talent, infectious charm, and generosity of spirit.
Through ups and downs, successes and failures, and struggles with anxiety and self-doubt, Candy faced the world with a big smile and a warm demeanor that earned him the love and adoration of fans around the world.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with John on commercials, then going back to Second City and watching the whole gang make fun of the commercial. Hosting the second city talent when they hit Vancouver and shooting a TV pilot called Terry and the Tiger, where we took John salmon fishing on Vancouver Island. Later that night, he and hockey legend Tiger Williams closed down all the bars. They still talk about it in Campbell River. -
Harry Hertscheg pours another glass. It's a blend uniquely Harry The 47th annual Festival. March 7/14- on opening the room is filled with information, numbers and a hint of Nardwuar. The palate is full. Surprising with stories of Bacchanalia (Mar 7), The Soul of Napa (MAR 9), The mid-palate is totally France! (the feature region) Harry takes us through The Spirit of Languedoc Roussillon Rioja Chablis. And, most importantly, fundraising for Bard on the Beach In 2026, the festival will feature 114 wineries from 14 countries, pouring and discussing their wines at 33 events over seven days. There are 34 wines from Canada. All BC. I think the number represents the resiliency of BC wine growers and makers. Harry Hertscheg will supply the rest of the numbers. There are lots of numbers, but only one Harry!! All the details you need can be found at www.vanwinefest.ca
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AW Cardinal and Jasmine Colette continue to create very new and very different music. The last album was recorded over several days in New Orleans. The new album, Get Your Feathers Ready, was a meeting of Coast Salish and Treaty 6 in Maskwacis, Alberta. One day of rehearsal with AW, Jas, and the Northern Cree Drummers and Singers. Jas and AW had discovered that early 1920s blues from the deep south and Northern Cree traditional pow wow had a commonality. They each brought their songs and met in the middle. It feels like the start of a historic journey. Two legendary music communities, making new music in 2026. Steve Wood, the much-admired leader and drum keeper of Northern Cree and his son Joel complete the music circle.
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The Vancouver personality, born John Ruskin, is among 80 appointees announced on Wednesday, Unlike most of them, the 57-year-old will be inducted under his stage name, "Nardwuar, the Human Serviette," a rare exception for one of Canada's highest honours that meets the spirit of his off-the-wall personality. For the uninitiated, Nardwuar might be described as a Canadian enigma who gradually invaded pop culture over several decades, propelled by his interviews, which all finish with his trademark phrase "Doot doola doot doo...doot doo." David Friend, Canadian Press I've had the pleasure of knowing Nardwuar since his high school days in West Van. He and Craig Northey would be the first to knock on my front door on Halloween. Looking for record handouts instead of candy. During my years at Much Music as host/producer of MuchWest, great cameraman Jay Mirus and I would always be running into Nardwar. Usually around the concerts and soundchecks. Jay and Nard became great friends, and eventually, when I moved on, Jay became the host of MuchWest, and he asked Nardwuar to co-host. That was the first national television exposure for Nard. Now he was on a roll. He became the famous media character the World now knows. He's a guy with Nike making a skateboard shoe in his Tartan colours ,and the following week, induction into the Order of Canada. And he's not done yet. Congrats Nardwuar, and a big shout-out to Jay Mirus.
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We've all been in the right place at the right time. For me, one of those times was to be hosting and producing MuchWest in Vancouver when Sarah McLachlan moved from Halifax to Vancouver to begin what would become an amazing career. Sarah ended up on the West Coast because in Halifax, her home, she had opened for a band from Nettwerk Records in Kitsilano. They wanted to sign her immediately, but Sarah's parents insisted she finish her schooling. It felt like she came to Vancouver with songs already written and ready to go. It wasn't long before Sarah released her debut album Touch. That's when I first met and interviewed her. The gift she gave the world was songs cutting deep into memory and self-awareness. Since 1989, the gift she's given me was to tell part of the story through our interviews. That's one of the reasons why I asked Sarah to come to Thailand and Cambodia with me in 1991 to tell the story of World Vision's battle with the aids epidemic. Sarah is on record as saying the journey changed her life. It helped her understand the power of giving back. It also leads directly to her involvement with the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. Some of our interviews showed up in the Lilith Fair Documentary. It's been 11 years since Sarah recorded and released new music. Her new album is called Better Broken. We'll talk about a lot of things. Better Broken, Motherhood, today's music world and her place in it, the legacy of Lilith, the Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th anniversary Tour and Canada – O Canada.
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The Smiling Land is a celebration of Alan's Newfoundland, in its legendary past and brilliant future. The music, the bays, towns, villages, and 12-hour ferry rides to get you halfway to where you're going. Alan is the tour guide, something he's actually done! Besides the reader, along for the drives are his beloved wife and teenage son. To go camping, they're pulling a small trailer home behind. FYI - Alan hates camping and driving. I swear, many of us will find a way to take the same drive - just once in our lives. The history, the legends, the forming of the first real settlements in North America. Characters who thought nothing of leaving their homes, sailing the North Atlantic and starting again in a wild new world. Many towns, bays, lakes, mountains and forests were named after those "characters". And many a song and story has been handed down. The complete Alan Doyle Experience can be heard on The Stew this Saturday. Driven by four Doyle Songs, including his latest.
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The Smiling Land is a celebration of Alan's Newfoundland, in its legendary past and brilliant future. The music, the bays, towns, villages, and 12-hour ferry rides to get you halfway to where you're going. Alan is the tour guide, something he's actually done! Besides the reader, along for the drives are his beloved wife and teenage son. To go camping, they're pulling a small trailer home behind. FYI - Alan hates camping and driving. I swear, many of us will find a way to take the same drive - just once in our lives. The history, the legends, the forming of the first real settlements in North America. Characters who thought nothing of leaving their homes, sailing the North Atlantic and starting again in a wild new world. Many towns, bays, lakes, mountains and forests were named after those "characters". And many a song and story has been handed down. The complete Alan Doyle Experience can be heard on The Stew this Saturday. Driven by four Doyle Songs, including his latest.
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The Smiling Land is a celebration of Alan's Newfoundland, in its legendary past and brilliant future. The music, the bays, towns, villages, and 12-hour ferry rides to get you halfway to where you're going. Alan is the tour guide, something he's actually done! Besides the reader, along for the drives are his beloved wife and teenage son. To go camping, they're pulling a small trailer home behind. FYI - Alan hates camping and driving. I swear, many of us will find a way to take the same drive - just once in our lives. The history, the legends, the forming of the first real settlements in North America. Characters who thought nothing of leaving their homes, sailing the North Atlantic and starting again in a wild new world. Many towns, bays, lakes, mountains and forests were named after those "characters". And many a song and story has been handed down. The complete Alan Doyle Experience can be heard on The Stew this Saturday. Driven by four Doyle Songs, including his latest.
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No/Lo spirits, wine, cider, and beer have been "trending" for many years now. The search for wine and beer replacements has always been there. A number of producers began to find results after they made their wine and beer, then stripped the alcohol out and substituted the taste with other elements. Fruit, tea, spices, etc. Suddenly, some of the replacements tasted even better than the originals. Kurtis Kolt, sommelier and wine educator, wine judge, and co-founder of Top Drop Vancouver, has organized a second Free Spirit Vancouver. The first was in January of this year, when he hosted 10 vendors pouring, collectively, just under 20 brands. Monday, Dec 8, 630-830, Heritage Hall 3102 Main Street Free Spirit Vancouver will have almost 60 producers pouring no/lo. That, my friends, is called "Trending" with a capital T. Please check out the free spirit link below to see the producers' list and to follow along with Kurtis Kolt's interview. Be sharp, he motors through a lot of labels and tastes. Merry no/lo Holidays www.freespiritvancouver.com www.kurtiskolt.com https://www.kurtiskolt.com/p/free-spirit-a-sauv-blanc-duo-featuring Original feature can be found on www.TastingRoomRadio.com
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How do you celebrate a 40-year music career? If you're Blue Rodeo, you tour Canada in 40 dates, and the last two are in Massey Hall. We're showcasing Blue Rodeo with separate one-on-one interviews with co-founders and co-writers/singers Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy. , Blue Rodeo and the guys have multiple Junos, Hall of Fame inductions, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Canadian Walk of Fame Orders of Canada, a really good documentary and just this year, a stamp and a beer. To me, I hear the sound of Canada in their high harmonies. They started out as a hot bar band after returning from a disappointing series of months in New York. New York said "You can't have two lead singers and you can't do country, rock and roots. You must have a clear image of who the audience sees you as". Back in Canada. None of that existed. We loved them just as they were. The boys knew where they belonged, and it showed up in the joy of their music. Enjoy this conversation between three music fans who lived those 40 years. And are still friends
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The amazing story and success of Winnipeg's David and Joey Landreth continues with the release of their 9th studio album, Dog Ear. The brothers join us from home base as they prepare for a full European tour and select key American dates this year. The new album deals with finding a balance between making music and raising their families. In the music business, with all its touring, it can be really hard on the whole family. After having a Grammy hit with the Landreth's Made up Mind, their music hero, Bonnie Raitt, asked the boys to send her songs from their new album. She came back saying, "I can't decide which one I want to sing on - so how about two songs?". She sang harmony on Knuckles and background on Half Moon Eyes.David and Joey grew up in a musical family and listened to Bonnie and Little Feat growing up. They can't begin to describe what it's like to not only meet your heroes but to play and sing with them!! As you can imagine, it's out of this world.
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Following a celebrated national headline tour and a wonderful run supporting the legendary Bonnie Raitt, Dear John sees Royal Wood collaborating with five-time Grammy-winning Mixer Ryan Freeland (Bonnie Raitt, Ray LaMontagne). Royal describes Dear John as a "letter to a younger Royal". The album captures both his sincerity and artistry. Royal Wood's music continues to resonate worldwide, amassing over 30 million streams. Royal stepped away from the music business and his strong part in it, to have 2 sons and make the family home much more important than the stage. He and his family also decided to move from Ontario to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He makes music wherever he goes. His last album, What Tomorrow Brings, received critical acclaim and was considered for "Best Folk Album" at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Known for translating his recorded work into captivating live performances, Royal Wood has headlined prestigious venues like Massey Hall in Toronto and Paradiso in Amsterdam, and toured extensively with acclaimed artists including Bonnie Raitt and David Gray. The interview includes 5 tracks from Dear John. Back Home. End of the Road, Killer Love, To be in Love, Fever. Tour Dates NOV 07 - Madison, WI - Overture Centre NOV 14 - Toronto, ON - Koerner Hall - Make Music Matter Event x Matthew Perry House NOV 28 - Calgary, AB - Dalhousie Community Centre
NOV 29 - Lethbridge, AB - Geomattic Attic NOV 30 - Lethbridge, AB - Geomattic Attic
DEC 02 - Canmore, AB - ArtsPlace FEB 04 - East Lansing, MI - Wharton Performing Arts
FEB 05 - Yellow Springs, OH - The Foundry Theater
APR 09 - Truro, NS - Marigold Cultural Centre
APR 10 - East Margaretsville, NS - Evergreen Theatre
APR 11 - Liverpool, NS - The Astor Theatre - Show more
