On the Couch with MEX

A firsthand account of the music, the controversy, and the South African musicians who helped shape a landmark musical journey.

Ashley Kahn experienced the Graceland story from behind the scenes.

 Having worked on the tour’s production team and served as tour manager for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, he brings a rare personal perspective to a recording that connected South African sounds with audiences around the world.

On Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 9pm, the Grammy Award-winning music historian, author and producer joined  Martin Myers on CapeTalk’s The Business of Entertainment to discuss his latest book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland.

Together, Myers and Kahn will explore the creative partnerships, business decisions and political tensions behind the project.

Kahn teaches at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. His books examine Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, and he co-wrote Carlos Santana’s autobiography, The Universal Tone.

Expect a conversation about artistic ambition, cultural exchange and the people behind the music, informed by someone who was there.

We discuss his latest book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland.

For Myers, this is also a deeply personal conversation. His friendships with the late Ray Phiri and Tony Cedras, whose musicianship formed part of the Graceland recording and touring story, bring an intimate connection to its enduring legacy.

Martin Myers was on the Business of Entertainment on Cape Talk. Myers joined Barry Maré in the studio for a conversation about his journey through the entertainment economy.

Usually the interviewer, Myers steps into the guest’s chair to unpack the relationships, lessons and defining moments behind four decades in artist management, publicity, broadcasting and live events.

We also looked ahead to Music Exchange, #MEX26, now in its 16th year.

Lauren Bright is an executive coach, AI adoption strategist & founder of BrightSpark Coach, and she was on CapeTalk on Thursday at 9 pm on the show #BusinessOfEntertainment

Her message is simple. AI will transform the way we work, but our greatest competitive advantage will remain unmistakably human.

Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and leadership, Lauren’s work challenges audiences to rethink change, embrace AI with confidence, and develop the skills that will matter most in the years ahead.

After more than two decades leading teams across the corporate, entertainment, events and non-profit sectors, she now helps organisations prepare for the future of work by combining AI capability with human capability.

How do we embrace artificial intelligence without losing the distinctly human qualities that drive creativity, leadership and meaningful connection?

Lauren Bright joined Martin Myers on CapeTalk’s #TheBusinessOfEntertainment for a timely conversation about navigating the rapidly evolving world of AI.

An executive coach, AI adoption strategist and founder of BrightSpark Coach, Lauren believes the conversation around AI needs to move beyond simply understanding the technology.

As AI continues to reshape how we work, communicate, create and build businesses, the real opportunity is learning how to use these powerful tools while protecting the human qualities that technology cannot replace — curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement and authentic connection.

A thought-provoking conversation about AI, people and the future of work.

Listen to the podcast and join the conversation.

#CapeTalk #TheBusinessOfEntertainment #LaurenBright #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Creativity #MusicExchange

Thurs 24 September 2026, 9 PM on CapeTalk with Roger and Pat de la Harpe Photography.

Superb wildlife, travel, and lodge photographers.

The new book The African Lion is out now (11 years in the making ).

Show producer: Barry Maré.

Last night on CapeTalk at 9 pm on CapeTalk #BusinessOfEntertainment with the brilliant Roger and Pat de la Harpe - doing serious stuff with a camera.

Show producer: Barry Maré

P.S. The book The African Lion is in store now.

What a thrill to have Michael back on the show.

Yormark is President and CEO of Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI), the global sports representation business within Roc Nation, founded by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter.

A veteran sports and entertainment executive with more than three decades of experience, Yormark has played a central role in transforming RNSI into a significant international athlete representation and commercial business.

He joined Roc Nation in 2014 as President and Chief of Branding & Strategy before being appointed President of the newly established Roc Nation Sports International in 2019, headquartered in London.

On

On Thursday at 9 pm on CapeTalk, we had a great friend of the show, the superb author and rugby writer Jamie Wall, who is on tour with the All Blacks, talking Rugby's Greatest Rivalry and much more ahead of the 2nd test in Cape Town on Saturday 29th August

Show producer: Barry Maré

Cape Town singer-songwriter and storyteller Luna Paige joined Martin Myers on #TheBusinessofEntertainment on CapeTalk for a conversation about creativity, longevity and building a meaningful career in music.

Paige is a multi-faceted, socially engaged artist whose work moves comfortably between music, storytelling, theatre, literature and community engagement.

Her career spans more than two decades, with seven albums and numerous singles, as well as performances and collaborations in South Africa and the Netherlands.

The timing of the CapeTalk conversation is particularly exciting as Paige prepares to release her new album, Die Reisigers, on 4 September 2026.

The album continues a creative journey that has seen her consistently explore the meeting point between songs, stories and lived experience.