Jojo Mason makes his second appearance on the podcast both while in the process of making tour stops near me. I talked to Jojo about the Some Things Never Change Tour headlined by Dallas Smith with a large group of acts. The Jojo talks about how the show works well with the variety of different sounds and takes on the country music genre from tour mates James Barker Band, Manny Blu, Meghan Patrick, Kelly Prescott and Shawn Austin. We also talked his newest sing "Lay Me Down Easy," fitness as well as him about to become a father in August. This is a special one for me because after the interview Jojo with his tour manager Paul Mack helped hook me up with a photo pass where I was able to shoot the show and the cover image for the episode is one of those pictures.

After some time off due to my schedule and illness I am back with one of my favourite people Colin Hodgson, making his second appearance on the podcast (first on episode 2). This time we tackle mental health, inclusion and Colin's busy and interesting years since COVID rocked our world. Colin explains the value and everything he has gained from talking about his mental health and the importance of ending the stigma. He explains the importance of inclusion and just how much we need to support things like the Paralympics, watch Rising Phoenix on Netflix and you will (remember tissues. Colin talks about his curling and now being a free agent in the sport as well as talking about some controversial things and decisions made over the past year in curling. It happened to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month

Very privileged that I got the chance to speak with Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Greg Marinovich. Greg is currently an educator at Boston University and the Harvard Extension school who is also an award winning author, documentarian and photo editor. Greg won the Pulitzer prize in 1991 for photos he took during an extremely violent period in South Africa as they were going from Aparthied to Democracy. We discussed his career in photojournalism notably his time in the early to mid 90s in South Africa, the mindset of photographing those conflicts ranging from seeing people brutally murdered to risking his life to document these events. We also discussed some of his other work including documentaries, his investigation of the Marikana Massacre and his current career of an educator which includes photojournalistic ethics. He also provided me with great information for learning and becoming a better photographer. This interview had me incredibly nervous as the subject matter is more serious than I usually have the chance to explore. As you may know most people I have interviewed are athletes, musicians and entertainers primarily, and even my conversation with photographer Matt Barnes wasn’t dealing with serious subject matter.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregMarinovich

Websites: https://gregmarinovich.photoshelter.com/index

https://marinovichphotoworkshop.com/

Films: https://vimeo.com/channels/163209

Jason Benoit returns after only a few months this time solo to talk about his new single "Devil In a Bottle." We also discussed the EPs/album he produced for himself coming in 2022, what got him to produce for the first time and in the quick fire what kind of tree he would be. This was an awesome conversation with Jason and a lot of fun hopefully you all enjoy it as well.

Website: https://www.jasonbenoitmusic.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonbenoitcountry

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JBenoitcountry

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonbenoitcountry/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Xi32ldFYxsc4g2vQ7b20w

Well it was a meeting of the Everett's well Everett and Everett with an E at the end. I got to talk with Brent and Anthony about the band name aka the best name ever but I am bias, their latest single the cover of "Man of Constant Sorrow," Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot Side-A and when to expect Side-B. I just wish I had more than 15 minutes to talk with the guys because I used every last second maybe a few more than that . There is a little life update on the Gorilla including a new Instagram account

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreEverette

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeAreEverette

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareeverette/?hl=en

Website: https://weareeverette.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LsMipSvTHNPCHQwuKuz2C

Episode 37 features my fun conversation I had with the Nashville based but Saskatchewan raised Shantaia. We talk about her getting an early jump into music, her decision to move to Nashville from Sask as well as her turning down auditioning for The Voice on a couple of occasions. We of course talked about her Brand New single “Broke to Brand New” available on streaming platforms and what the plans are with the single and her music moving forward throughout 2022

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shantaiamusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shantaiamusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantaiamusic/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VHwN4Sn4aQgHiEj7sUo1T

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQOKXObVLuDy8MLC4ejOxA

For the last episode of 2021 I spoke with the award winning Newfoundland duo Quote The Raven. The duo consisting of Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodden-Clarke are multi time Music NL award winning act even adding 2 more within a week of the interview happening. They recently released the their latest album Can't Hold the Light has done well on streaming as the duo continue to grow their profile in Canada as well as in the United States.

CCMAs have come and gone and much like a few years ago a got to go as media to cover the festivities. This episode is Part 2 of 2 for my CCMA interviews which includes Ty Hunter of the Hunter Brothers, Ty Baynton, UK artist Katy Hurt, Dustin Bird and Mallory Johnson. Ty Hunter and Mallory were both up for awards in London.

the lead singer of the award winning family band The Hunter Brothers, none other than Ty Hunter. Ty was the lone brother in London and represented the family well. Now we had to reschedule the original interview but even with a busy schedule we made it work and got it done.

Ty Baynton who after running into him and both of us having some down time at media row he said want to do it, and we did an on the spot interview with no prep just shooting the shit. Learn all about his music.

Katy Hurt is a UK artist who is spending a lot of time across the pond in North America these days and has even made it through Winnipeg winters, something that should be a requirement for citizenship. Katy Hurt who has two songs on the go and gives an insight into the UK country music scene.

Dustin Bird is a former CMAO rising star nominee who is killing it when it comes to his music on streaming services and even co-wrote a song for the Hunter Brothers new Holiday album. This up and comer will be one to keep an eye on and out for.

I may have saved the best for last with Ms. Mallory Johnson. She was nominated for a new award at the CCMAs this year, and even after being interviewed by me in 2019 she was up for doing it again, still not sure why. Recently she took home hardware from Music Newfoundland since interviewing her in London, an amazing talent who with fellow Canadians Twin Kennedy brought a powerful song and message with “Wise Woman.”

Thank you once again to all the artists/groups for their time, to the reps who organized the interviews for the artists as well as Penelope PR for once again giving me a media pass and the opportunity to be at media row and take pictures during the CCMA events. Hopefully I am afforded the chance/opportunity to do it again in the fall in Calgary for the 2022 awards.

CCMAs have come and gone and much like a few years ago a got to go as media to cover the festivities. This episode is Part 1 of 2 for my CCMA interviews which includes Nice Horse, Kendra Kay & Jason Benoit, Manny Blu, Shawn Austin, The Prairie States and Cory Marks. Nice Horse, Shawn and Cory were all nominated for awards this year.

Nice Horse, an all female band from Calgary, who were up for Interactive Artist of the year for a 4th time, and Brandi and Krista were up for Video Director of the year for the groups video “High School.” I got to talk with 3 of the 4 members Brandi, Katie and Krista as the fourth horse Tara is currently on the road performing with another act. They are hilarious as they are talented love getting to hear them perform as I did in London.

Kendra Kay and Jason Beniot, two award winning singers who came together for a holiday song "How Great Thou Art" now available today (Dec 3rd) on streaming platforms. This was a very enjoyable interview that was hilarious and fun to be a part of.

Country Punk ? Well that is Manny Blu, a former MMA fighter turned country musician is bringing his own blend and take on country music and even has a brand new EP “Country Punk” coming out New Years eve.

Shawn Austin, a 2021 CCMA Rising Star Nominee is the flag ship artist for the Big Loud/ Dallas Smith venture Local Hay. His debut single for imprint Tailgate to Heaven with Chris Lane has done insanely well over the fall.

Next I got to speak with 3 of the members of the Edmonton group The Prairie States. These guys have a great sound and were one of the first groups in Canada to get in NFTs. This group kills it at the Alberta Country Music Awards and looks to break in on the national award scene soon.

Last but certainly not least in part one of CCMA interviews is someone I’ve been dying to interview. He was up for Alternative Country Album of the Year with Who I Am, and who is he ? well he is Cory Marks. The North Bay native has charted well in the US on both the rock and country charts with his blend of the 2 genres but somehow has only found success on the rock charts here in Canada, but that doesn’t phase him.

Next Week is Part 2 featuring Dustin Bird, Ty Baynton, UK artist Katy Hurt, Ty Hunter of the Hunter Brothers and Mallory Johnson

I got the chance to talk with the legendary curler Glenn Howard as he prepares to be an alternate for Team Epping at the Olympic Trials in Saskatoon. We lost track of time and ended up talking for about 1.5 hours about his legendary career, the upcoming trials as well as what the future may have in store for him as the Olympic cycle comes to an end. Also getting the chance to learn a bit of how/when teams discuss their futures after the cycle and his feelings about rule changes and what curling could use more of.