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

Recording artist Geoffrey Kelly is one of the founders and co-songwriter for the band Spirit of the West. In this chat with host Dan Hare Geoffrey shares: how backpacking in Europe led him to a career in music; why the band “shook up” the folk music world on the west coast; the band’s big break and biggest mistake; what Spirit of the West song is used during Hockey Night in Canada; his close relat...

Cathy Young is a singer/songwriter, guitar player, producer, and voice over artist who won the 1974 Juno award for Best New Artist. In this revealing chat with host Dan Hare, Cathy talks about: the Yorkville music scene of the late 1960s and her part in that scene; her journey from busking on the streets to signing a mainstream record deal and winning the Juno; the story behind her well-known psyc...

Andy Curran is a singer/songwriter, producer, manager, Juno award-winner and the founding member and bass player for the hugely popular ‘80s rock band Coney Hatch. In this chat with Dan Hare, Andy talks about: the wild rocket ride of the 1980s; how instrumental Kim Mitchells was in the success of Coney Hatch; opening for Trooper to prepare for touring with Judas Priest; his successful solo career...

Jann Arden is a multi-platinum, award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and author who has released 15 albums with 19 top ten singles. She has received 8 JUNO Awards, 10 SOCAN Awards and has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. With Jann what you see is what you get, and her compelling chat with host Dan Hare is real, raw and relevant. Jann shares: the unusual series of events that...

Singer/songwriter, iconic vocalist and fearless re-inventor Lee Aaron is known as a trailblazer for women in rock thanks to her 1984 song ‘Metal Queen’, a shout out against sexism toward women in that genre. In this in depth talk with Dan Hare, Lee reveals: the challenges of being a pioneer woman hard rock musician, including objectification and her struggle to gain credibility; why she stopped in...

Rik Emmett is well known as the vocalist and guitar player for the multi Juno award-winning, multi-platinum selling band Triumph. His contributions to the Canadian musical landscape are legendary and in this engaging, candid and deep chat with Dan Hare, Rik reveals: why Journey’s Steve Perry was envious; the highs and lows of being in Triumph; his solo career and musical turn ons; the lesson he le...

Jean-Marc is the founder and singer/songwriter for the group The Box which formed in Montreal back in 1981. In this chat with Dan Hare Jean-Marc talks about: the influence of French music on the band; why he likes to write songs while driving; his accident during a video shoot; the organization that commissioned the song ‘Closer Together; the stupid mistake made by the record label did that caused...

Chris Tait is a singer-songwriter and producer, best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the gold record selling band Chalk Circle. In this chat with Dan Hare Chris shares: how the band got started; why the band was hyper-focused on their music; his thoughts on the music business then and now; tales of making music videos; why he left the band and why the band reunited; what he’s doing now...

Paul Andrew Smith is a songwriter, and producer, and is best known as the guitarist, keyboard player and vocalist for the band Wednesday. In this chat with Dan Hare Paul talks about: the unique story of how Wednesday got together; how Pearl Jam came to cover Wednesday’s version of ‘Last Kiss’; meeting Elton John, recording one of his songs and changing the name to ‘Loving You Baby’; why the band c...

Jack Lavin is an accomplished, multi-talented producer, singer songwriter, bassist, harmonic player, guitarist, drummer and founding member of the Powder Blues Band. In this chat with Dan Hare, Jack talks about living in San Francisco in the late ‘60s and a commune in Oregon in the early ‘70s; why he moved to Vancouver and why he continues to live in Canada; the not-so-great experience of playing...

Brad Merritt is the well known as the bass player in 54-40. In this chat with Dan Hare Brad talks about: the punk roots of 54-40; the strong interest in the U.S. market for their music and videos; "Rock School 101"; how 'I Go Blind' became a huge hit for Hootie and The Blowfish; why the band is still together, and so much more. Find out about Brad and 54-40 @ www.5440.com

Barry Muir was the bass player for The Payolas, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts and The Blue Shadows, and is currently a prolific solo artist. In this chat with Dan Hare Barry reveals: how he ended up in The Payolas and why the band wasn’t allowed to play American Bandstand; the rigours of touring Canada with Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts; why he became a stock broker and what br...

Chris Hooper is the drummer for the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees The Grapes of Wrath. In this chat with Dan Hare Chris reveals: that the band was initially a punk band; the moment he knew the band could make a go of it; his connection to Tom Cochrane; the single he was surprised listeners liked; why the band broke up and what brought them back together, and much more. Find out abo...

The seventh 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: MARTY KRAMER, promoter, manager, producer, collector, and eye-witness to the evolution of rock music shares highlights from his 27 year working relationship with Bu...

Blair Packham has had a multi-faceted music career as a recording artist, producer, sound engineer, jingle writer, educator, film and TV theme creator and much more. He is perhaps best known as the songwriter/singer for the 1980s Juno-nominated band The Jitters. In this chat with Dan Hare, Blair discusses everything from the process of songwriting, the Jitters career including opening for Heart on...

NATALIE MACMASTER is a member of the Order of Canada, a two-time Juno award-winner and one of Canada’s preeminent fiddlers. In this chat with host Dan Hare, Natalie talks about: how she became a fiddler, some memorable moments including playing Carnegie Hall and opening for Carlos Santana, her connection to Alison Krauss, he latest album and much more. Find out about Natalie @ www.natalieanddonnel...

The sixth episode of our special edition series of Liner Notes - ‘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 include: MARC LAFRANCE has done it all - singing (including jingles), drumming, touring, recording, studio work, management, and artist development. He’s ru...

The fifth episode of our special edition series of Liner Notes - ‘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 include: MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN: the singer-songwriter has won 11 Junos, is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Governor General's Award recipient, a Doctor of La...

Lighthouse arranger and keyboard player Paul Hoffert is also a composer, producer, film composer, research and writer all for which he has won many awards and accolades. In this chat with host Dan Hare, Paul reveals: starting a jazz quartet when he was just 15 years old; the unique beginnings and orchestral style of the band Lighthouse; why the band declined to play at Woodstock; his relationship...

Keith Sharp is the founder of the iconic Canadian music magazine Music Express. In this chat with Dan Hare Keith shares: how an interview of The Stampeders was the impetus for Music Express; the expansion of the magazine from Canada to the U.S., England and Australia; his connection to Bryan Adams, Alan Frew, and others; interviewing the biggest national and international artists of the day; his f...

Gil Moore is the drummer/singer and co-founder to the iconic award-winning and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee band, Triumph. In this chat with Dan Hare Gil talks about: which member of the band Lighthouse helped him with his drumming; why Triumph is all about high energy and positivity; how the ‘power trio’ Triumph prepared for each show; the changes in music and the business; why the band b...

(Mr.) Zero is the founding member of The Kings as well as the band's guitarist, vocalist and co-writer of the bands big hit ‘This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide’. In this chat with host Dan Hare, Zero shares: how he got his name; the radio contest that helped kickstart the bands career; working with acclaimed music producer Bob Erin; the bands swift rise, success in the. U.S. markets, and why it...

Susan Aglukark is a Canadian Inuk singer/songwriter originally from Arviat, Nunavut. In this chat with Dan Hare, Susan talks about: using first nations languages and various instruments in her songs; her “accidental” music career; the meaning of her hit song ‘Hina Na Ho’, her #1 hit 'O Siem', and much more. Find out about Susan and her stellar career @ susanaglukark.com

The fourth episode our special edition series of Liner Notes - ‘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 include: MARC JORDAN - legendary songwriter, singer, hitmaker, producer talks about succeeding, and starving, in L.A., the ‘chance’ encounter that turned his...

Another special edition of Liner Notes - ‘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 include: PATRICIA DAHLQUIST - Juno award-winner known for her 1975 hit ‘Keep Our Love Alive’ talks about working with Hagood Hardy and Big Bird, and becoming the “Jello Lady”; KEN...