Liner Notes: Revealing Chats With Canada's Retro Music Makers

Ronnie Robson, iconic bassist, multi-instrumentalist, producer and mixing/mastering engineer who has worked with, or recorded bass tracks, for the greatest acts in music such as Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, White Snake, Deep Purple, John Lennon, Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper, Goddo, Jethro Tull and many, many others. In this fascinating, music-filled chat with Dan Hare Ronnie talks about: taking the “...

Mark Dunn, musician, teacher, and author of ‘You Get Bigger As You Go’, what he calls a beginners guide to Bruce Cockburn’s music. Host Dan Hare talks with Mark about Bruce Cockburn’s music, guitar playing, guitars, songwriting and much more from the book including why it took Mark 7 years to write. To get your copy of the book visit @ YouGetBiggerAsYouGo and find out more about Mark @ mddunn.com

‘Wild’ Bill Riley, music Impresario, manager of the ‘60s bands The Churls and The Fringe is Dan’s guest. In this fascinating chat Bill shares: what life was like in the Yorkville Village in the 1960s and hanging out with Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia and others; how he became the band manager of The Churls and why that ended; the truth about The Churls songs we hear on the radio; how he got int...

Kevin Stuart Swain is a songwriter, engineer, producer, vocalist, guitarist, bassist who has played with Barney Bentall, Idle Eyes, Al Harlow, Prism, Lee Aaron, and many more. In this chat between two fellow musicians and friends, Kevin shares: his connection to the Beatles; why the bands he was in kept getting fired; his ongoing work with Thor and Al Harlow; his philosophy of life and how that in...

Jimi B (Bertucci) is a singer/songwriter, composer, musician, and founding member, bassist and songwriter for the band Abraham’s Children. In this chat with Dan Hare Jimi shares: how the band got its name; what people may not realize about their success; his solo career and time as a staff writer with A&M records; his experience of the bands 2004  reunion, and much more. Find out about Ji...

Edmund Pilling , singer, songwriter, award winning musician, composer and the founding member and lead singer of the band Fludd is Dan Hare’s guest. In this chat Edmund talks about: being a part of Cat Stevens' band and touring in Europe; why he went to Birmingham, England as a teenager; the origins of Fludd and the members including Greg (Goddo) Godovitz; the loss of his brother Brian; recording...

Frank Marino, Canadian icon and guitar virtuoso, singer and leader of the band Mahogany Rush. In this fascinating for musicians and fans alike, Frank talks about: his feelings on being compared to Jimi Hendrix; opening for Aerosmith and Ted Nugent; guitar playing; building pedals and amps; and so much more. Find out about Mahogany Rush @ mahoganyrush.com , Live at The Agora Theatre @ mahoganyrush....

In this chat with Dan Hare, Cliff reveals: how the Five Bells got started and why the eventually became The Bells; who wrote their Juno award-winning hit Stay Awhile; their US exposure performing in well known venues, state fairs and on the biggest US TV show of the day such as The Tonight Show; why he left The Bells; details of his solo career; what he’s doing now and much more. Find out about Cl...

Rick Mason, composer, musician and drummer of the iconic band The Mynah Birds. In this chat with Dan Hare, Rick reveals: how Rick James recruited him into The Mynah Birds; the interchange of musicians between the bands of the day including Lighthouse, Steppenwolf and The Mynah Birds; his close relationship with Rick James: why the band’s record was pulled from radio hours before it’s debut; tales...

Brian Miessner, songwriter and lead singer/bassist for North America’s first Beatles cover band, Liverpool, as well as the late ‘’70s, early ‘80s band Aerial in this revealing chat with Dan Hare, Brian talks about: his early musical experiences in Saskatchewan and his move to Toronto; the tremendous success of Liverpool and their U.S. exposure; why the band name changed to Aerial; his very busy so...

Ron Sakamoto is a multi-award-winning music promoter who has represented the biggest names in music including Roy Orbison, the Beach Boys, Kiss, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Bryan Adams and many, many others. In 2023 he received the Walt Grealis Special Achievement award at the Junos and, after 17 years of consecutive wins for Canadian Country Music promoter of the year, has now had the award named...

(Jon Mikl) THOR is a former Canadian and U.S. bodybuilding champion, and a songwriter, singer, and musician. In this fascinating chat with Dan Hare, Thor (as he is known professionally) shares much about his varied career including: how he combined bodybuilding, his love of superheroes and music to create his wild, glam rock persona and stage show; insights into his friendship and professional rel...

Dean Hajas is a musician, composer, engineer, producer, multi-instrmentalist, and much more. In this jam-packed chat with Dan Hare, Dean shares tales from his diverse experiences in creating music, producing and engineering and much more. He also talks about forging his own path and provides an in-depth look into the legalities of the music biz and how it has hurt artists, and much, more more. Fin...

Scott Merritt is a singer, songwriter, composer, guitar player, and producer with many accomplishments who has worked throughout North America since 1980. In this chat with Dan Hare, Scott talks about: songwriting; self producing his first album; working with a record label and when, and why, all that changed; making recordings for himself and others; the birth of Cottage Studios; technology and m...

Eddie Bullen is a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer and recipient of an abundance of awards (including a Juno) and recognition (including a Grammy nomination) for his outstanding talents. To date Eddie has produced over 200 albums. In this fascinating chat with Dan Hare, Eddie talks about: his musical background in Grenada; coming to Canada; fusing musical genres including jazz, reggae, ca...

Jaimie Vernon - musician, author, president of Bullseye Records, and creator of The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia series. In this jam-packed chat with Dan Hare Jaimie delves into Canada’s music scene and talks about: the his rollercoaster ride in many areas of music; the journey of Bullseye Records; his life as a musician then and now; his unique ways of staying in the music industry and much mo...

Keith Sharp is the founder of the iconic Canadian music magazine Music Express and author of the book “Music Express: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Canada's Music Magazine”. In this return chat with Dan Hare Keith talks about: his connections to the late Myles Goodwin and Gordon Lightfoot; the challenges for ‘retro’ bands in today’s musical landscape; the state of radio, music production, n...

Coral Andrews radio broadcaster, journalist and author of the book “The Back Door” returns for another an unique chat with Dan Hare. Coral shares: more tales for her time at The Back Door Bar, Kitchener. Ontario’s underground subculture of the 1970s to the 1990s including how she got her DJ name of “Squeaky Subversive”; the variety of radio shows she hosts; her take on radio and music today and mu...

Dan Hare,  acclaimed entertainer and musician,  moves from hosting this podcast to becoming our special guest. In this chat with  Dusty Discs Radio’s Program Director Lori Dean, Dan spills the goods on the songs and recording of his new, retro-rock album ‘I Love This Life’. He talks about: the overall flavour of the album and why he chose these 10 songs; the inspirations for some of...

This is the 25th episode of our special series ‘Guest Glimpses’, short bits from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests this week are: TY REVEEN - son of the famous mentalists/hypnotist Reveen and creator of iconic rock stage show visual effects for some of the biggest stars including Paul McC...

from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests this week are: STU JEFFRIES - Radio and TV broadcaster best known as the host of CBC TV’s Good Rockin’ Tonight. In this short bit Stu tells host Dan Hare how he got the host job at Good Rockin’ Tonight, why he was “hated” for it, and how the show evo...

This is the 23rd episode of our special series ‘Guest Glimpses’, short bits from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests this week are: RAY MATERICK - Canadian icon, singer-songwriter, and guitar player best known for his song "Linda Put the Coffee On", a major hit single in both Canada and the...

This is the 22nd episode of our special series ‘Guest Glimpses’, short bits from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests this week are: CATHY YOUNG - singer/songwriter, guitar player, producer, and voice over artist who won the 1974 Juno award for Best New Artist. In this bit Cathy shares: the...

Eddie Schwartz, is an iconic songwriter, multi award-winner, and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee who, in addition to his own career, has had songs recorded by Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, Carly Simon, Rita Coolidge, and some big hits for Paul Carrack (Don’t Shed A Tear) and Pat Benatar (Hit Me With Your Best Shot). In this fascinating and jam-packed chat Eddie: shares insights into his song...

Sue Foley, multi award-winning blues guitarist joins host Dan Hare to chat about: how she discovered the blue; her guitar style, technique and ongoing development; being female in the male dominated world of guitar players and her multi-level project on guitar women; what she’s doing now and much more. Find out all about Sue @ suefoley.com