Here’s part two of my hang with Rik Emmett, live from Eli’s Loft, to talk about his newest project Ten Telecaster Tales. As always, the conversation is rich, insightful and a lot of fun.

Rik performs four tracks from the record that accompanies the book, for the very first time since they’d been recorded. In turn, he talks about performance as communion, from the smallest (this one for NSTS listeners) right up to Triumph’s US Festival appearance. He also shares great insights about the reggae influence in “Fight The Good Fight” and how he was asked to hurriedly come up with a single by the record company for the The Sport of Kings album that resulted in “Somebody’s Out There”. 

On Friday, March 21 at 8pm, Rik and I will be recording two episodes of No Sleep ‘til Sudbury with a live audience at Black Bellows in Collingwood, Ontario. Go to www.blackbellows.com for details. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

He’s back! The legendary Rik Emmett returns to No Sleep ’til Sudbury, or rather we return to his home studio, Eli’s Loft, to discuss his new Ten Telecaster Tales project. 

It’s always plenty of fun hanging out with Rik – the stories, the music, the insights, the voices he can do…in addition to talking about Ten Telecaster Tales, Rik and I go way off track and talk about his violin lessons, his way-too-tight pants days, little known Beatles facts, his three wedding rings, and lots more. 

Later this month on Friday, March 21, Rik and I will be recording two LIVE episodes of NSTS at Black Bellows in Collingwood, Ontario. Don’t miss it! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Executive chef and massive music fan Christian Pritchard drops by the No Sleep ’til Sudbury studios this week, armed with some great songs and stories.  

Christian, a Type II diabetic, discusses his plans to develop dishes geared more towards a healthier lifestyle, and also how much the No Sleep ’til Sudbury podcast sucks because he was only able to talk about five songs that make his skin vibrate (he was thus granted six).     

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It was my pleasure to host executive producer Stuart Coxe on the program this week. Stuart’s credentials include producing CBC TV news program The National, developing the Dragons Den and Shark Tank TV programs, and working alongside Gord Downie on the Secret Path multimedia project. Stuart has since founded his own production company called Antica Productions, focusing on podcasts, television and film.  

He comes to the show bearing soundtracks to discuss, and his stories featuring his work with Downie, will.i.am, Ron Sexsmith and NASA’s Space Shuttle are incredible.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It’s that time once again, and this year I thought I’d combine music history and Christmas music to close out the 2024 No Sleep ’til Sudbury programming schedule. 

Christmas music actually evolved from Gregorian chanting to celebrate the winter solstice and the return of longer days, as far back as the 4th century. From there, a number of eras were responsible for the gradual development of the ‘carol’ onward through the centuries, and in this episode we touch on all of them. Merry Christmas everyone! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

CHUM-FM producer, Famous Lost Words podcast host and friend of the show Tom Jokic makes his return to NSTS this week with a brand new angle.

Tom does a segment on his podcast called “When Rock Stars Attack”, a hilarious take on snippy-ish musician interviews found in the CHUM-FM and MuchMusic archives. Today he graciously shares some of these clips with us, featuring Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr, Jann Arden, April Wine’s Myles Goodwyn, and a Beatles skirmish involving George Harrison and Paul McCartney. Lots of laughs and great conversation. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ah, the eternal question – of all of those truly great Beatles albums, which one is the best?

In this special episode of No Sleep ’til Sudbury, we go through the discography of the one of the greatest musical groups of all time, and arguably, the band that started it all, to determine their best work. Which album is it? Press play and find out. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Jazz singer songwriter Lori Cullen calls into No Sleep ’til Sudbury this week to talk about The Thunder and The Bay, her new record dropping this Friday, June 7.   

Lori goes in a slightly new direction with this release, introducing elements of electronica and taking the material to new places – the songs are airy, colourful and dynamic. And with her selection of songs that make her skin vibrate, she completely stumps me – I’d never heard of any of them, a first for NSTS. But as always, it’s all about the discovery.   

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In the NSTS interview seat this month is Eye Eye and Bill Wood and the Woodies frontman Bill Wood, talking about the songs that have shaped him over the course of this life. 

In tandem with these songs, Bill shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes details of Eye Eye’s success and navigating the pressures of their record company, his Steve Earle-inspired revelation, the early days on the road with The Oh Nos, and the many projects he currently has in the works, including a reunion project of sorts with Eye Eye guitarist Andy Ryan. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Friend of the show and vocal powerhouse Sandra Bouza drops by for a cup of coffee and a chat about her incredible new record, A Sound in the Dark. 

Sandra turns the tables and asks me to go through MY favourite tracks from the record, followed by an exclusive live performance of a brand new and very personal song she just wrote.  

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS