Ryan’s Fancy last performed almost 40 years ago, but even today the band is revered in small towns across Atlantic Canada as the one that made east coast music cool. Dermot O’Reilly, Fergus O’Byrne and Denis Ryan found a large and loyal following by merging the songs of their youth with Canadian tunes discovered at kitchen parties and iconic bars like The Strand Lounge in St. John’s and Johnny Reid’s in Charlottetown.

Ryan’s Fancy celebrated Atlantic Canadian culture in a way never before seen. ‘The boys’ performed for Prime Ministers, a President and the Queen but more importantly in communities like Creignish, Montague and Old Perlican.

Today Denis Ryan looks back on 50 years of rambling. He’s been a civil servant, investment advisor, entrepreneur and youtube sensation. And today he joins Because Life Is Local™ to discuss Ryan’s Fancy’s legacy and what he’s learned along the way.

Fred Hyndman may be the last person who can speak directly to the generosity and spirit of his uncle, Robert L. Cotton. When Bobby Cotton died more than 50 years ago he bequeathed to future generations the modern day equivalent of $13 million, which annually supports projects, scholarships and good ideas in every corner of PEI. There should be a statue to Robert L. Cotton, such is his impact.

Rural communities are often blind to realities holding them back. This was the catalyst for Doug Griffiths groundbreaking book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, now seen as mandatory reading by rural leaders and local activists across North America. Griffiths is the only speaker to participate in both The Georgetown Conference and The Georgetown Conference 2.0 for good reason. He knows what makes rural communities tick, he knows how to fix it and he has a rare ability to connect and communicate in town halls and Main Streets everywhere. His positive impact is felt in communities in all four Atlantic Provinces. Griffiths talks why communities struggle or fail and what they can do about it, how to be a truly welcoming community (especially important given global events) and the huge opportunity awaiting rural communities that embrace change.

Dennis King went from journalist and comedic storyteller to leader of the Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party. In May 2019 he was elected Premier of PEI’s first ever minority government on a platform that promised to throw aside partisan politics, a hallmark of the Island’s political culture. It’s been steep learning curve and an eventful year which includes responding to a tropical storm, and COVID-19. In this candid interview, the Premier talks about his fears and successes and why Canada’s smallest province was ready to break the political mold.