It’s Canadian National Day of Podcasting so I did a bit of a ramblecast/rant about my current thoughts on podcasting and on my creative life in general.  I also plug my new podcast audiobook, Time for the Fair.  Please check it out.  I close out with a recording of This Ain’t My Hat, a song I wrote inspired by a children’s book This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Happy CNDOP.  Maybe next year it will be a statutory holiday.

This year, the CNE runs from August 16 to Labour Day. I am looking forward to exploring the fair with a bunch of my friends and family members, then writing, podcasting, and vidcasting our experiences.  Here is a brief introductory podcast of the post I sent as my entry.

July 24-28, I attended FAWMSTOCK, a gathering for songwriters from around the world who have participated in February Album Writing Month.  About 30 musicians from Canada, the United States and Europe gathered at the Emlenton Mill in Emlenton, PA for 3 days of music and merriment.  This show features some of the music from FAWMSTOCK along with some of my reflections about the event.

As always, the music is copyright its respective authors.

Songs:

Coffee is Magic:  erinkelsey3, emkeev, devin, ductapeguy, Steven Wesley Guiles

Doctor Holloway: emkeev

Take the Plunge:  Steven Wesley Guiles   with Debs,

Opposite Girl: standup, nancyrost

Across the River: nancyrost and Monty

Used to be an Oil Town: ductapeguy,Steven Wesley Guiles, erinkelsey3, Negasi

Beam Me Up: Eric Distad, burrsettles,  devin

I Am Your Number: Das Binky, adamhill, kristian,

Night Drive: ductapeguy, natrin, Steven Wesley Guiles, erinkelsey

Thank You (For The Weekend): Billy Sea

Leacock Museumâ€s Swanmore Terrace
50 Museum Drive, Orillia
7:30 pm (doors opens at 6:45)

Tickets are $15 and can be reserved at the Mariposa Office (in person at 10 Peter Street or reserve by phone for ticket pick up at the door 705-326-3655). (cash or cheque only)

Last December, out of our 25+ members, we drew 10 names out of a hat to perform 2 songs at this showcase. I was not initially selected to perform, but we had a last minute cancellation from one of the performers today, so I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this evening of great music.  I joined BADAS/S in April or May of 2003, so I have been a member for almost all of it’s 10 + year run.

The evening will be a songwriters in the round format with 3 sets of performers. Each musician will play 2 songs and it will be interspersed with lot’s of stories and laughter in between.

set one: Sean McGaughey, Ron Belanger, Carol Teal, Dave Joyce
set two: John Lemme, Ed Winacott, Dave Hadfield
set three: Scott Cooper, Roy Hickling, paul court

Over the past seven years, I have featured most of these musicians on my show and I have recorded live concerts with many of them.  Tonight, I produced a podcast featuring songs I have recorded of each of  Friday night’s performers.  I have never recorded  John Lemme, so I used another one of his songs.   Enjoy this sampling of ten Ontario songwriters, and if you are able, come out to the show on Friday night.

I was not alone.  410 of 2267 registered writers completed 14 or more songs with 1 person writing 125 new songs. All in all, over 9000 songs were written as part of FAWM.  As we approached the finish line, I invited other FAWMERS to send me audio reflections about their own experiences.  Here they are.

Shownotes:

1) Spoken word intro

2) Billy Day by Sean McGaughey @ductapeguy

Source: http://www.archivesalberta.org/2007exhibit/paa1.htm

My great-grandfather, Joe Horrocks, hauled freight with a horse team and wagon around 1915-1925 in Northern Alberta. There is a story passed down through the generations that he once met a man who had a trained team of moose.
I did some googling and found a brief article and picture at the Alberta Archives about Billy Day and his moose-drawn carriage.    I wrote the story of how I imagined he came to have a team of moose.

3) Audio reflection by @complexissimple

4) Galaxy Mike by @complexissimple

5)  Hope for the Future @francesriley

6) Audio reflection by @thesahisi

7) Another  by @thesahisi

8) Audio reflection by @marvsmooth

9)  A Woman I Can Trust  by @marvsmooth

10)  Kick the Can by @brownium

11) Audio Reflection by @ductapeguy

12) Underneath by Sean McGaughey aka @ductapeguy

Songs in this episode (All of these are unreleased demos posted on the fawm.org site.  All songs and recordings are copyright their respective authors).

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (c) Sean McGaughey

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

 Now What?:  This afternoon I posted song #14. I guess that makes me a winner. (Although I think anyone who participates in fawm is a winner).Now what?Of course, as long as the songs are flowing, I’ll keep writing, and busting zongs, and trying some collabs, and stretching myself.But what do I do with this collection of new songs?I could book studio time and do the full production treatment on them and the best of the 10 year’s catalogue I have since my last album, but I have no desire to go to that time and expense right now. I could finally get around to learning how to use my gear to produce good multi track recordings myself.I spent the autumn renovating our basement and building my family a nice rec room. I will likely invite friends and family to a little End of FAWM concert in my wreck room. I may even get a couple of no-rehearsal calibre side musicians to help me sound good.
How about you all. Now what?

I got some good feedback from others on the forums and one of the outcomes is that I am trying out new recording software to see if it makes it easier for me to self-produce multitrack recordings.  I love Audacity. I have used it daily for 6 years, so I am really good with it, but I find it a little cumbersome for doing multitracking.

I checked out a number of different free and inexpensive DAW software packages and decided to try out Reaper.  I’ve known about Reaper for years. It was developed by Justin Frankel, the same guy who wrote Winamp, Kazaa, and made a killing selling winamp to AOL before he was 20.  After one song recording and this podcast, I am very impressed.  Recording a 30 min podcast took less than 1/2 the time it would take me in audacity, as editing mistakes or adding new tracks can be done on the fly.  It is not free software, but they have an uncrippled version you can download and try for 60 days.  After that it is a very reasonable $60 for noncommercial or small business and $240 for a pro license.  If I keep using it, I see a $60 purchase in my future.

Songs in this episode (All of these are unreleased demos posted on the fawm.org site.  All songs and recordings are copyright their respective authors).

1)  Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (c) Sean McGaughey

2) Too Many Words (c) 2013, Sean McGaughey

3)  Zongbusters  by @wetterlicht

4)  Birds by Kim Beggs  www.kimbeggs.com

5)  Ophelia’s Blues by Joe Fahey  www.facebook.com/joefaheymusic

6)  Sha Sha Sha Sha Sha by  @chriddof  www.chriddof.com

7)  What I Started  (c) Sean McGaughey

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

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As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

Today, I’m going to talk songwriting, FAWM and play a few tracks by FAWM songwriters.

Songs

1)  Into Town by Joel D Canfield.

2) In Kingston by Sean McGaughey

3) I Don’t Rock by @woody 

4) I Bust a Zong:  Labirinto di Morte by @williedesacra

5) Switch Off by @balancelost  www.balancelost.co.uk

6) Theme Song:  For the Sake of the Song by Sean McGaughey

Send me your favorite songwriting resources or other feedback by leaving comments on the blog, or send me an email to ductapeguy at gmail dot com.

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or Subscribe in Itunes

Corin’s quixotic quest caught the imagination of Canadians and of the media around the world.  To date,  he has collected over $6200 in Canadian Tire money– over 32,000 bills.  And he has collected the stories about Canadian Tire money that people have shared with him during this crazy caper.   On January 22 and 23, 2013, Corin Raymond and the Sundowners will officially release Paper Nickels. Then they are setting out on a Canadian tour in throughout January and February.  Dates and details of the tour can be found on Corin’s site, dontspendithoney.com.

Paper Nickels  is a compilation of Corin’s favorite songs written across Canada (and the USA) by some of the best songwriters you may never have heard of (but thankfully Corin has).  The Sundowners are on fire on this record.  It is what country and folk music should be, soulful, hurting and haunting. Included with the CD is a beautiful  144 page book wherein Corin recounts the crazy journey to gather his hoard of CT$$ and shares the stories he has gathered along the way.   All in all, it is a talisman of Canadiana containing songs and stories from across our vast nation.

Corin is still collecting Canadian Tire Money.  His production costs for Paper Nickels are about 7333 and he has currently amassed about $6200 in CT$.  You can help out Corin by searching  for Canadian Tire Money in your closets and sock drawers, and sending it to:

Corin Raymond
39 Oxford St., 
Toronto, ON 
M5T 1N8 

You can also head on over to his website, dontspendithoney.com for great stories, tour information, and to purchase Corin’s albums, or concert tickets.

One bit of sad news. Above is a picture of Hutch (David Hutchings), a popular sound man in our area, taken in 2006 at the Mundys Bay Folk Society. Hutch loved live music, and always made everyone sound fantastic.  Sadly, he passed away this week. Hutch was all about live music, so in the memory of Hutch and to support indepenent Canadian music, ,  I am paying Corin and extra ten bucks above the $30 cost of paper nickels.

If you knew Hutch, and wish to help his wife Dorthea in this time of need, there has been a bank account set up for donations.  The account is at the National Bank in Midland, account number 3156695.  The
account was set up in the name of Carol Brady, in trust for Dorothea Herron.  Carol Brady is Dorothea’s niece.  There is also talk of a celebration of Hutch’s life on February 24, but I have no further details.

Songs:

Don’t Spend it Honey ©  Corin Raymond and Rob Vaarmeyer

There Will Always be a Small Time ©  Corin Raymond and Jonathan Byrd

Old Fort Mac ©   Rob Vaarmeyer

Finally:  In January 2012, right at the beginning of the Canadian Tire Caper, I recorded a cover of Don`t Spend it Honey at my songwriter`s DIY getaway weekend, which Corin acknowledged as the first cover of the song.  Enjoy.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

This episode is a listening party/musician’s commentary on Aaron Mangoff’s new EP, You and I.  Aaron Mangoff is a young songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Orillia.  You can download it on Bandcamp  or find it on iTunes, or on the Sleeper Records homepage.  We are joined on the podcast by Aaronâ€s Sleeper Records labelmate, Christopher Thompson.

All Songs ©  Aaron Mangoff from the EP, You and I

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

I am launching a new format for this podcast.  Think of it like the director’s commentary on a DVD movie but for albums.  I will have a conversation with musicians while we listen to one of their albums.  The conversation will last for the duration of the album.  Enjoy.

Christopher Thompson is a young fingerstyle guitarist from Orillia.  He recently released his second EP, La-La on Sleeper Records.  Sleeper records was founded by Aaron Howes as a way to promote young Orillia area musicians.  You can download it on Bandcamp  or find it on iTunes.  We are joined on the podcast by Chris’ Sleeper Records labelmate, Aaron Mangoff.

All Songs ©  Christopher Thompson from the EP, La-La

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

If ever there was an official soundtrack for the Canadian Prairies, Connie Kaldor’s music would be featured on it.  Connie Kaldor is a veteran Canadian folk singer-songwriter.  For over 30 years, she has toured the country constantly, and released over 14 albums.  If you get a chance to catch her live, don’t hesitate.  Her live shows are an entertaining mix of humour, stories, and Connie’s beautiful voice singing the stories of our country.  This summer we our roads crossed once again at the Live from the Rock festival in Red Rock, Ontario on the shores of Lake Superior. It was my pleasure to have a conversation with Connie about her career, the art of songwriting, and her receiving the Order of Canada.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Songs:

For the Sake of the Song (© 2003 Sean McGaughey)

What Might Have Been(© Connie Kaldor)

Coyote’s Call (©  Connie Kaldor)

You can find links to order any of Connie’s albums on the Connie Kaldor website.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

This summer I went to the Live from the Rock festival in Red Rock, Ontario on the shores of Lake Superior.  As the sun was setting, I interviewed two young performers.  Kathleen  Speckert aka Kat Murie, is a young singer-songwriter originally from Newmarket and now based in Toronto.  Uncle Dan Henshall  is a young songwriter from London Ontario, who is better known as a sideman playing bass and mandolin for musicians such as Allison Brown.

Songs:

The Money Song (© Kathleen Speckert)

As Winter Comes so Soon My Love (©  Uncle Dan Henshall)

Alone Without a Song (©  Sean McGaughey)

The Weeding Song ( © Kathleen Speckert)

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

I’ve known Maria Dunn for over a decade.  I first saw her perform in her home town of  Edmonton and subsequently hosted a couple of house concerts with her over the years.  She is a folksinger in the traditional sense.  For Maria, social activism and songwriting go hand in hand.  It was a pleasure to interview her at the Live from the Rock Folk Festival in Red Rock on the shores of Lake Superior.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

You Can’t Take that Away  (© Maria Dunn)

Take it Easy on Me  (© Maria Dunn)

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

Mike Celia is a Toronto area singer-songwriter.  I sat down with him on the grounds at the Mariposa Folk Festival as the sun was setting over Lake Couchiching to play a few songs and talk songwriting.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Used to Be © Mike Celia

Falling © Mike Celia

Links:

Mike and I were playing a handmade acoustic guitar built by Ron Belanger.  Thanks Ron.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song


As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

I also videotaped Mike while he was playing Used to Be.

Still in their teens, The Doll Sisters write and perform music that reminds one of the music of their parents and grandparents.  They site traditional celtic music, classic country music and Allison Kraus as strong influences.  Sisters Jenna and Shelby play guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and sing with those special harmonies that can only be achieved by family members.  The Doll Sisters were one of three young sister duos performing last July at the Canmore Folk Festival.  as part pf the  U22 productions contingent of Albertan performers under the age of 22.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Elijah’s Rain © The Doll Sisters

The Road © The Doll Sisters

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

I Won’t Lie © The Command Sisters

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda  © The Command Sisters

Links:

The Command Sisters Official Website – Charlotte & Sarah Command  From there you can find them on twitter, facebook, and all over the interwebs.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song


As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

Songs:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Mama’s Apple Pie  © Rhea March

Rodeo Boy © Rhea March

Links:

U22 productions

Podcasts from Rhea’s Sunday Night Songwriters Stage   RSS  Itunes

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

Steve was very generous to sit down with me for a wide ranging discussion about songwriting during a whirlwind day prior to his feature performance at the festival just before flying home.

Thanks again Steve.

Songs in this episode:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Links:   steveseskin.com

Don’t Laugh at Me lesson plans and bullying awareness at Operation Respect.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

In the 80s he moved to Burks Falls Ontario, where he worked as a cabinet maker, raises horses and became a well known luthier.

You can read more of his stories and purchase his albums at glenreid.com.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

My Green Valleys © Glen Reid

Dusty Ol’ Denim © Glen Reid

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Traveller © Blaise Alleyne

Anaximander © Blaise Alleyne

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

Last month my family attended the Canmore Folk Festival.  This is part 2 of a showcase concert put on by U22 productions on  July 29 at The Communitea Cafe in Canmore.  U22 is a non profit organization dedicated to nurturing and developing the talents of Albertan performers under the age of 22.

Performers featured this episode:

The Doll Sisters are a sister duo who write and perform haunting old-country inspired songs with tight harmonies accompanied by guitar, fiddle and mandolin.

Braden Gates is a champion fiddle player, but he is also an adept fingerstyle guitar player and accomplished storyteller/songwriter.

Samantha and Emily Schultz are sisters from Edmonton with rich voices, and a knack for writing catchy, folk flavoured pop songs.

Scenic Route to Alaska are a folk-blues-rock trio from Edmonton.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZxFM-fXJHU]

Last month my family attended the Canmore Folk Festival.  While we were there I spent alot of time with my friend Rhea March who founded U22 productions.  U22 is a non profit organization dedicated to nurturing and developing the talents of Albertan performers under the age of 22.  On Friday July 29, The Communitea Cafe in Canmore hosted a showcase concert featuring several young performers.  I recorded that concert and will feature the concert recordings in the next 2 podcast episodes.

Performers featured this episode:

Layton Kramer- 16 year old songwriter from Canmore Alberta

Dean Kheroufi is a 16 year old wizard with a 6 string bass and a looping pedal.

The Command Sisters are 13 and 16 year old sisters who have recently landed a development deal in Nashville.  With their catchy melodies and tight harmonies they are an act to watch out for.

Michah Turchet is a 16 year old “country boy” from small town Alberta who has undertaken to master flamenco guitar and he’s well on his way.

Next episode will feature the conclusion of the U22 showcase with performances by  The Doll Sisters, Braden Gates, Samantha and Emily Schultz and Scenic Route to Alaska.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

As usual, all songs and musical performances are copyright by the performer-songwriter.

Next weekend is the 51st annual edition of the  Mariposa Folk Festival, and I still find I have 3 shows from last year to release.  Last summer, I finally got the chance to interview Suzie Vinnick.  I first became aware of Suzie and her amazing voice in the late 80s when I was attending university in Saskatoon. Suzie was a featured performer on a local radio station, C95’s compilation of local musicians,  Cityworks 88.  Over the years I have seen her perform at numerous festivals, but this is the first time I had a chance to chat with her.  You may also recognize her voice from the “Always Tim Horton’s” jingles.   Enjoy.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Happy Here © Susie Vinnick

Drive Fast © Susie Vinnick and Kevin Kerrigan

Lost in You © Susie Vinnick 1988

If you are at the Mariposa Folk Festival next weekend, you will find me in the Children’s village building drums with sonotube and packing tape.  Drop by and say hello.

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

On the 4 hour drive to Podcamp London, this morning, I had the idea to do a session where I would demonstrate how to use audacity to produce a podcast whilst producing a podcast.  I chose the topic of comfort food.  At the opening session in the morning,  I asked people to record audio clips about their favorite comfort foods, then send them to me by email, send me a link or even by bluetooth to my phone.  (One guy tried the bluetooth trick but it didn’t work).   Then at 1:30 I attached my computer to a projector in a seminar room, gathered up the clips and produced this short podcast.  All the while, we were discussing podcasting, the tools I was using and the importance of story.

Thanks to Nick, Joe, @anthonymarco and all the people who attended the session.  The closing music is Peanut Butter Sandwiches by Popple .

Enjoy.

Last summer I sat down with Canadian Folk legend Caitlin Hanford, at the 50 anniversary of the Mariposa Folk Festival.  Caitlynn Hanford is  a solo-singer songwriter, she is 1/4 of Quartette with Sylvia Tyson, Gwen Swick and Cindy Church, and she sings in the Marigolds with Gwen Swick and Susie Vinnick.  She is also an elementary school music teacher so our conversation steered towards a discussion on teaching music to children.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

That’s What You Always Say to My Heart © Caitlin Hanford

Who’s Foolin Who? © Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick

Links:

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

After four years and 120+ interviews with songwriters I think I accomplished what I set out to do when I started the podcasters.  I have interviewed some amazing musicians, I’ve grown as a songwriter, and I have done the radio show I always wanted.

But I still have about half a dozen unreleased shows from last summer and fall,  and occasionally I run across a musician I would really like to interview.  So I’m not going to end this show completely– just become a periodic podcast producer.

The 51st Edition of the Mariposa Folk Festival is right around the corner on July 8-10, 2011.  I still have 4 unreleased interviews from last year’s festival with some wonderful musicians.  I will try to release these shows leading up to the festival this year.

To get this started, please enjoy a few of my pictures from last year’s Mariposa Folk Festival.

This is the third and final For the Sake of the Song episode recorded at the Ottawa Folk Festival last August. Lukas Grant is a young Ottawa area singer-songwriter who is working on his debut album.  Watch for him at LukasGrant.com.

Music:

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Here I Go Now © Lukas Grant

Broken Stuff © Lukas Grant

Links:

LukasGrant.com

Lukas Grant on Youtube

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Lukas-Grant/121985841168930

ReverbNation:
www.reverbnation.com/lukasgrant

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

Add this podcast to your favorite podcatcher at http://feeds.feedburner.com/For_The_Sake_Of_The_Song

Last summer, the third day of the Ottawa Folk Festival, was completely drenched in a 14 hour deluge.  Bob Ledrew put on his publicist hat and kept local media and the audience apprised of the many changes in the schedule throughout the day.  In between that, he took the time to introduce me to a number of musicians to interview for my show.  After the rain had mostly subsided, I sat down under a picnic shelter and had a great chat with Terry Gillespie and Lynne Hanson.

Terry Gillespie is a bluesman and reggae musician originally from Edmonton (like me) who has been a fixture of the Ottawa music scene for 40 years.   His most recent album, Big Money, was released last September.

Lynne Hanson is an Ottawa based songwriter with 3 CDs.   She is the recipient of the 2010 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award.  Her new CD, Once the Sun Goes Down was also released last fall.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Here We Go Again © Lynne Hanson

Natural Soldiers © Terry Gillespie

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This special episode of For the Sake of the Song is an audio journal of some of the highlights of my weekend at the Ottawa Folk Festival.

Credits:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

David Baril singing In Praise of Alcohol words by Robert Service, music by the late David Parry

Here I Go Now © Lukas Grant
Lukas Grant is a young Ottawa area singer-songwriter who is working on his debut album.  Watch for him at LukasGrant.com

The Men That Don’t Fit In by Robert Service.  Read by Jennifer Ellis.

Interview with busker Francesco Pallozzi.  Song:  The E Slide ©Francesco Pallozzi.

Music in the Bush by Robert Service. Read by Jill Zmud.

The Tramps by Robert Service reading and guitar by Chris Page.

I have yet to complete the task of releasing the completed Ottawa Folk Festival Collection of Robert Service poems on Librivox.org, but I intend to during my Christmas holidays.

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Eileen McGann has been a favorite songwriter of my wife and I for over a decade.  Originally hailing from central Ontario, Eileen lived in Calgary for a number of years and has called Vancouver Island home for about 11 years.  Eileen’s influences include the folk revival of the 1960s, and traditional English and Celtic folk music.   She has just released her first album in 6 years, entitled, A Pocketful of Rhymes.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Pocket Full of Rhymes ©Eileen McGann

When I Go © Eileen McGann

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Kim Wempe is a Halifax based singer-songwriter, who grew up in Saskatchewan.  She won the 2010 East Coast Music Association Rising Star Award. She has just released her new album, Painting with Tides.

Ian Foster is a musician and writer living in St. Johnâ€s, Newfoundland.

He was a finalist for the International Songwriting Competition, 5-time MusicNL Award nominee, and ECMA (East Coast Music Award) nominee for “2008 Pop Recording of the Year.”

I spoke with Ian and Kim on a warm August afternoon during the Atlantic Challenge in Midland, Ontario.  Their performances were sponsored by Stellula Music in the Schools.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

My Heart’s Grave  ©Kim Wempe.

Sparrow ©Ian Foster.

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To cap things off, it turns out that today is his birthday, a fitting day to release this episode. Happy Birthday Dave.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Little White Lies (© Dave Borins)

Whiskey Women (nothing but trouble) (© Dave Borins)

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The Arts for Peace Festival has been an annual event in Orillia for 26 years.  For some reason I cannot explain, this year was the first time we had attended.  It is a beautiful, intimate music and arts festival on the grounds of the Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia.  While there, we met and heard a number of  long-time musical friends.

About mid-afternoon a five piece band, Knock Knock Ginger, began to perform a set of smart, funny acoustic based pop music.  I was blown away.

Here’s a brief bio from their website.

Knock Knock Ginger is an indie-pop band from Waterloo, Ontario. Knock Knock Ginger has a guitarist who sings (Milosz Sikora), a keyboardist (Melissa Djurakov), a drummer (Owen Cherry), a bassist (Lisa Rafferty) and a guitarist who plays trumpet (Matt Charters).

The bandâ€s sound has been described as “experimental,” but they canâ€t quite figure out why. Theyâ€d like you to think that they play fun, melodic pop songs with a lyrical slant.

Knock Knock Ginger has been together in various shapes and sizes since the fall of 2004. They recorded their latest EP, Based on a True Story, at the House of Miracles in London and saw it rise to the top ten on campus radio and the CBC radio3 R-30. They’ve played a lot of shows in a lot of different cities from Ontario to the East Coast.

After their set, I had a chance to sit down with Milosz, Melissa, Lisa and Matt to talk music and songwriting with them.

Links:

Knock Knock Ginger Website

Knock Knock Ginger on Myspace

Knock Knock Ginger on twitter: http://twitter.com/kkgband

Knock Knock Ginger on Youtube

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

It’s Your Money Honey (© Milosz Sikora)

Happy Dream When I’m with You (© Milosz Sikora)

You`ve Got a Way (© Milosz Sikora)

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The 21st annual Eaglewood Folk Festival is fast approaching on August 27-29, 2010.  Check it out for a wonderful festival experience.

For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Crystal Falls (© Cheryl Gaudet)

Raining on the Moon(© Cheryl Gaudet)

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              206-337-0611      end_of_the_skype_highlighting , or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

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Tyler Firestone is a 19-year-old Folk/Rock, singer/songwriter who lives in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada. He has been playing guitar and harmonica for over 5 years, as well as the piano, mandolin, and other instruments. Songwriting is his passion. He has written over 60 songs since 2005.  I met up with Tyler at my songwriter’s group’s annual DIY weekend songwriter’s retreat/ jamfest.

Tyler Firestone on Youtube

Tyler Firestone Facebook Page

Tyler Firestone Webpage

Songs:  (C) Tyler Firestone

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Nickels and Dimes  (© Tyler Firestone)

I Would (© Tyler Firestone)

Summer’s Journey (©2007 S. McGaughey)

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Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Another Taste of You (© George Coventry)

99 Marguaritas (and no blanket) (© George Coventry)

Love is a Flame (© George Coventry)

A Voice to Sing With (© George Coventry)

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Doug McArthur is a veteran Canadian singer-songwriter.  He has worked both as performing musician and in Arts administration with organizations such as the Festival of Friends, the Toronto Jazz Festival and the  the Eaglewood Folk Festival.  I caught up to him at the 20th annual Eaglewood Folk Festival.  Enjoy.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Oh River (© Doug McArthur)

Boots and Saddles(© Doug McArthur)

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Collette Savard is a singer-songwriter with two CDs out, Zen Boyfriend and Most Improved Cheerleader.  She performs as a duo with her producer, multi-instrumentalist, John Zytaruk. They came to my school last week courtesy of Stellula Music as part of their Music in the Schools Week.  At the end of the week, Collette, John and I sat down for a long discussion touching on songwriting, arranging, passing the music on to the younger generation, copyright and more. Enjoy.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Used to Be Girl  (© Collette Savard)

Maybe Tonight (© Collette Savard)

Links:

Collette Savard on MySpace

Collette Savard – official website

John Zytaruk’s Homepage

John Zytaruk on MySpace

You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.

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Update:  Since I first released this Show the Good Lovelies won a 2010 Juno for Best Folk/Roots Album by a Group.  Congratulations Sue, Kerri and Caroline.

Sue Passmore is the second member of the Good Lovelies that I have been able to interview for my podcast. We found a semi quiet spot in the woods during a break in the rain at the  Eaglewood Folk Festival to sit down and talk songwriting. I interviewed her bandmate, Caroline Brooks over a year ago.  It has been an interesting exercise to talk to different members of the same band about songwriting.  This summer,  Iâ€ll be looking for Kerry Ough at festivals to complete the set.

Songs:

Theme Music: For the Sake of the Song (©2003 S. McGaughey)

Alone without a Song(© Sean McGaughey)

Into the Spotlight  (© Sue Passmore)

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