Backstage Pass

“Each song is its own character trait, telling its own story—from falling in love, to falling out of it, to figuring myself out in adulthood.”

It’s the sound of someone coming into his own—and it shows. Produced by Joshua Van Tassel and David Myles, ‘Character Traits’ balances raw honesty with lush, genre-blurring production.

Logan Richard is one of music’s rarest creatures—a compelling and diverse songwriter who shreds. The PEI-born-and-based artist has been sharpening both skills since he first picked up the guitar as a pre-teen, building a reputation as a deft, genre-fluid songsmith and peerless hired gun for some of Canada’s most exciting musicians. Influenced by his axe-slinging brother, artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer, his dad’s record collection, and his Acadian mom’s fiddle-playing family, Richard hit the stage at just 12 years old, cutting his teeth playing gigs around the island with a blues group filled out by his fellow young peers. He’s built his career as both a solo artist and in-demand live and session player, racking up experience over more than a decade and playing everywhere from dim blues dives to historical soft-seaters. An award-winning songwriter, many of Logan’s songs have been placed in an array of film and TV programs. All the committed hours have refined his work with nuances in technique and composition that allow him to express his many multitudes—a predilection that powers and deepens his new record, and reveals the wide scope of Richard’s artistry.

https://www.loganrichardmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/loganrichardmusic

HOST:

JOHN MCANDREW – BETTER SIDE OF ME – MAY 2025

In a long ranging interview, Nashville songwriter, John McAndrew shares some of the inspiration for his beautiful and haunting new album release,'Better Side of Me'.

Better Side of Me is a collaboration with notable producer Denny Seiwell, the co-founder and drummer of Wings, and Fernando Perdomo. Their combined expertise promises to deliver an exceptional listening experience.

John McAndrew is a unique storyteller and it can truly be said that it is his passion for telling a tale that is attracting the attention of Americana listeners and blues/pop fans. With his jagged and soulful voice, his music is uplifting, inspiring and is captivating audiences across the United States.

This podcast is hosted by [Canoe.FM]https://canoefm.com/listen/podcasts/

STEPHEN FEARING - THE EMPATHIST

“In early 2022,” says Fearing, “as the pandemic's lockdown grip was loosening, I got a phone call from Ken Coomer, who'd heard my version of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Early Morning Rain’ and asked if I wanted to record with him. Not recognizing the name, I dug in and discovered that Coomer was in Uncle Tupelo and a founding member of Wilco, playing on their first four albums, and now is a producer/drummer who's worked with everybody from Al Green to Steve Earle to Sheryl Crow to Emmylou Harris, and many more.”

Which is how Fearing came to record THE EMPATHIST at Coomer's studio, Cartoon Moon Recording in Nashville, alongside producer Coomer, doubling on drums; his Blackie and The Rodeo Kings bandmate John Dymond, on bass; and masterful multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke, on almost everything else. They also wrangled accomplished guest performers Colin Linden, Sue Foley, Dala, and Kelly Prescott. Inspired by such creative colleagues, Fearing recorded stellar versions of songs written at the peak of his storytelling skills.

“Being called a storyteller is one of the best compliments I've ever received,” he says. “I love telling stories, but it wasn’t until I realized that my story is just a small part of ‘The Story’ that I found my true voice as a songwriter. Writing songs means opening to the emotions and experiences of others, as well as my own. That’s what inspired the album title – these songs are my stories, written through the lens of all the truths I’ve seen and felt around me.”

With the possibility of 25% tariffs being levied by new U.S. President Donald Trump on all Canadian goods as early as February 1st, the Cooper Brothers are re-releasing their song "That's What Makes Us Great".

The 51tst State? Take off, eh! The Cooper Brothers are back with a song that’s as Canadian as a double-double, a frozen pond, and a game-winning goal in overtime.

“That’s What Makes Us Great!” is a love letter to the True North, strong and free, celebrating the spirit, resilience, and unshakable pride that defines this country.

Inspired by a chance encounter with young soldiers returning from Afghanistan, Richard Cooper channeled their passion, dedication, and unwavering belief in making a difference into lyrics that remind us of what it means to be Canadian. “We never seem to toot our own horn,” Cooper reflects, “but we have so much to be thankful for.”

From universal healthcare to Tim Horton’s, from beavertails and poutine to the coldest beer and the hottest women, “That’s What Makes Us Great!” captures the essence of a country that doesn’t brag—but has every reason to.

Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Colin Linden, this track is infused with the classic Cooper Brothers sound: heartfelt storytelling, undeniable energy, and a chorus made for singing at the top of your lungs—whether you’re in a packed hockey arena or a campfire up north.

The Cooper Brothers first gained international attention when they signed with Capricorn Records (famous for producing several of the most popular southern-rock acts of the time including The Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker) in Macon, Georgia. Over the next few years, the Cooper Brothers released two albums under the Capricorn label, the eponymous Cooper Brothers and Pitfalls of the Ballroom. Subsequent singles “The Dream Never Dies”, "Rock and Roll Cowboys" and “I’ll Know Her When I See Her” all charted on The Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

Sandy Bell’s album,Break of Day: Songs for Colin, was born out of heart-wrenching grief, after losing her only son Colin Bell in a tragic train accident. He died at age 20 while walking home one night, listening to music on his headphones, in Brantford, Ontario. Says Bell: "Colin sparked joy wherever he went. He was caring, kind, wise, and fun. Everyone loved Colin – especially the girls, old people, and children, but none more so than his parents. His heart was wide open –- he’d always say “peace out” when leaving –- and he had a calm demeanor that put everyone at ease, a quick wit, and an enduring sense of justice that we should all do the right thing by ourselves and others. He's an inspiration to us all."

Contemporary roots-folk singer-songwriter Howard Gladstone officially released his eighth album Crazy Talk (Sonic Peach Music) on September 20,2024.

The twelve new songs cover genres from folk to jazz to folk/rock to world music.

Howard Gladstone, Toronto-born singer/songwriter, is releasing his eighth album of original music in September 2024. He is also publishing a book of his collected lyrics titled "Timepieces." Veteran Canadian songwriter James Gordon has called the work a "remarkably compelling collection."

Gladstone is continuing with his monthly residency at Toronto's Tranzac Club, where he is accompanied by regular band members (Tony Quarrington, Laura Fernandez, Bob Cohen, Ambrose Pottie). Previously Gladstone co-founded and produced the not-for-profit Toronto City Roots Festival from 2004 to 2010. He recovered from a life-changing spinal cord injury in 2014 and released the album Hourglass inspired by his healing journey, in 2017. While in recovery, he found new strength, resolve and solace in music, and understood more deeply its healing power. His follow-up album The Promise was recorded and released during the pandemic lockdown, with musicians working remotely. Gladstone continues to write, record, perform, and occasionally guest host "Corby's Orbit" radio show. Back in his university days, he was a journalist, and his interview with Robbie Robertson was re-published in Rolling Stone magazine.

He and Laura Fernandez formed the boutique record label Sonic Peach Music.

ALFIE SMITH

‘Shepherd’, Bywater Call’s third studio album, released August 9, 2024, is an emotional tour de force that sequences and builds from song to song into a profound musical statement and merits every bit of the attention and accolades it is receiving. Meghan Parnell, lead vocalist, gave us the time to discuss the album before heading off on an extended tour.

Bywater Call has received many blues music award nominations, including most recently, Best International Artist for the 2024 UK Blues Awards. They have toured extensively in Europe where shows have been praised by Dutch, German and UK media, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.

The band’s music is an exploration of life’s highs and lows. From intimate ballads that lay bare the complexities of human emotion to electrifying anthems that demand to be played at full volume, their catalogue is a journey through the human experience, incorporating influences from the likes of The Band, The Wood Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Otis Redding, Little Feat, Sly and the Family Stone, among others.

Bywater Call is a powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock band from Toronto, Canada, featuring:

Toronto based singer-songwriter Terry Donaghue is releasing his 4th solo album “Looking For Redemption” September 6th. The album was recorded at Toronto’s legendary Kensington Sound.

Looking For Redemption is a roots/americana/alt-folk genre is a concept album of 9 tracks telling the story in film noir style of a man on the run from his past and a woman he meets along the way also on the run from her past.

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, now based in Toronto I’ve been involved in music since my early teens. I remember vividly the music I heard on the radio in the ’50s and ’60s – the local stations with their mix of country and pop and faraway places like Chicago, Detroit and Wheeling West Virginia that my brother and I could pull in on an old tube radio at night when the weather was right. It was my older brother who really got me playing an instrument. He was playing electric guitar and big on Dwayne Eddy, the Ventures and ’50s/early sixties rock & roll. Somewhere he heard Gordon Lightfoot’s self-titled first album, went out and bought it, a Guild 12 string guitar (which I still have) and became a folkie. I began playing folk and bluegrass on the banjo, later picking up the guitar and more recently the mandolin. This all led to the folk groups we were in together in Sault Ste Marie. As The Natural Men together with some friends we were one of the top folk groups in the Sault during my high school years. All that music has stuck with me and forms part of my musical DNA.

Over the past few years, I’ve channelled my songwriting output into a series of original solo albums. “Songs of Love and Longing” was released in May 2020. “Northern Reflections” was released in January 2022. In 2023, I celebrated the release of “Shades Of Blue.” All three albums were recorded and produced by Vezi Tayyeb at his legendary studio, Kensington Sound, he founded for more than 50 years ago recording over the years with an incredible range of artists and styles.

Jesse’s debut album, Mansion Full of Ghosts, heralded by Vancouver Sun, Penguin Eggs, and The Georgia Straight, was an exploration of a city’s duality, with all of its beauty and shadows, expressed through varying moments of lush, orchestral arrangements to hushed duets over expert fingerpicking. The result was a beautifully crafted album that celebrated the pursuit of hope, and gently reflected on an oftentimes weighty effort to “keep a light on in the dark”. Canadian Beats praised, “infused with a hopeful tinge, Mansion Full of Ghosts is a wholesome, masterfully written debut that will appeal to fans both old and new.”

Jesse’s sophomore album, The Shimmering Divide, set for release September 20th, 2024, sees him collaborating with long-time musical partner Marc L’Esperance. The storytelling on Divide is deeply personal, delivered with the acuity of Jesse’s poeticism and Marc’s glittering harmonization and multi-instrument contributions. The songs are watercolours of people and places Jesse has encountered and truly cared about, presented humbly and gorgeously as an acoustic-based collection of alt-folk ruminations. The album holds a fresh wisdom gained since Mansion but maintains the virtuosity of playing and delicate ear for arrangements, serene and richly lulling like that of a train, which some of the songs just happened to have stirred from, jotted down in journals from the West Coast to Ontario.

Reflecting on the album title, Jesse shares, “For me the title ‘The Shimmering Divide’ represents the age-old battle between good and evil, which path to take to do the right thing in your life. Those points are charged with possibilities that can change you forever.”