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In the last episode of 2023, No Sleep ’til Sudbury welcomes legendary pro football running back Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons, a man who’s equally celebrated for both his athletic achievements and his neverending kindness and generosity.   

Pinball and I discuss the accomplishments of his charitable foundation and the upcoming “Christmas with the Clemons” gala, a fundraiser in service of marginalized youth. We also find out what Christmas songs can be heard in the Clemons house over the holidays.

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This week on No Sleep ‘til Sudbury I’m joined by writer, musician, and fellow Sudbury kid Sean Barrette. Sean has written a book entitled Heartstrings – First Guitars, and it’s a very interesting project involving some notable guitar players and the stories they share with Sean about their very first guitars. 

Of course, we also talk about the songs that make Sean’s skin vibrate, as well as the ever-compelling Friday night pizza playlists he puts together using his old iPod. 

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He’s back! 

Rik Emmett’s new book, Lay It On The Line, is the focus of our latest chat live from the newly renovated music room of Rik’s home. As usual, the discussion is funny, insightful and highly entertaining – not unlike his new book. 

In part one of our two-part conversation, the insights are particularly interesting. Rik sheds light on his motivations behind writing songs like “Fight The Good Fight”, “Magic Power”, and “Hold On”, how a Triumph album cover tried to capture a Beatles motif (but with lasers!), how “Suitcase Blues” prepared his fans for a post-Triumph Rik Emmett, and so much more. 

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I have no idea how this happened, but my pal Famous Lost Words host Tom Jokic and I taped an episode of the show in early May of this year that’s just getting up now. 

Anyway, Tom is in fine form once again, recounting stories from his interviews with Lisa Marie Presley, Meat Loaf, and the late great Gordon Lightfoot (who had passed just days before we taped this). Tom even brought along a clip of Gino Vannelli telling him the amazing story of how he was signed by Herb Alpert. Enjoy, and be sure to check out the podcast Tom co-hosts with Christopher Ward, Famous Lost Words. It’s a fantastic listen. 

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The previous episode of little known behind-the-scenes facts about your favourite rock artists and records that aired a little while back was so popular with you guys that I decided to do another one. 

This time around, we look at stuff like what the actual “song from 1962” referenced in Bob Seger’s “Night Moves” is (and that it was in fact from 1963), how OMD and Depeche Mode’s influence over ZZ Top resulted in the biggest hit record of their career, what that strange noise is at the beginning of The Police’s “Roxanne”, and SO much more!    

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Speaking of The Redwood Theatre…

It was the site of my conversation with my pal Rob Preuss as we talked about his exciting new project, Rob Preuss and Friends. This episode was taped back in April, but I explain why in the intro – before Rob does his own show intro (and outro at the end of the show). 

If you’re in the Ottawa area this weekend, you can see the Rob Preuss and Friends show at Bar Robo on Saturday July 22. He also plays the El Mocambo on Saturday, August 26th. Don’t miss it!   

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I knew it would be enjoyable, but I have to say that this was one of my favourite all-time NSTS conversations. Songwriter to the stars Rob Wells joins me at my home this week, and the musical geek out session we have is off the charts. 

In addition to bringing in some fantastic songs, Rob shares his astonishing story about how a kid from Peterborough was eventually tapped to write songs with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Nick Lachey, The Backstreet Boys, and Weezer. We also discuss his imaginary finger theory, and the similarities between Neil Degrasse Tyson and Bruce Springsteen. Do NOT miss this. 

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This week on NSTS I welcome Chris Sisam, formerly an executive with Corus Radio and The Edge and manager of 90s pop band Wild Strawberries, who’s now doing some very interesting things in the music publishing and royalties space. 

Chris offers some interesting insights into how the financial aspect of the music business works, and touches on Clarence Clemons’ sax solo in Jungleland, Springsteen’s rehearsal requirements, Don Henley’s acerbic comment to the crowd at an Eagles Toronto show, and one of his favourite lyrical lines of all time.   

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This may be the first time a live banjo performance is heard on No Sleep ’til Sudbury. Former Stompin’ Tom bandleader and banjo player Duncan Fremlin returns to the show this week, and he brings along his Doogie and Dun partner, Juno-nominated singer songwriter Douglas John Cameron.

In addition to sharing the albums that were formative in their musical lives, the two perform a medley of songs from their shows, including a take on Stompin’ Tom’s “Sudbury Saturday Night” that you have to hear to believe.  Talented chaps and great people.

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