podcast – Sean McGaughey- For the Sake of the Song

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

La-La by Christopher Thompson

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.

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.

The Command Sisters are 13 year old Sarah, who plays lead guitar and mandolin and sings,  and 16 year old Charlotte who plays guitar, writes most of their lyrics and also sings. They have recently landed a development deal in Nashville.  With their catchy melodies and tight harmonies they are an act to watch out for.   I saw them performing at the  Canmore Folk Festival as part of the U22 showcase of young Albertan performers.  I hope you enjoy meeting these two exceptional young musicians.

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.

My parents introduced me to Rhea March about 7 years ago on a visit to Edmonton when they took me to perform at one of her popular open stages.   About 4 years ago she contacted me asking how she could go about podcasting recordings from her open stages, and the next week she began podcasting.  It took  4 more years before we met again in person at the  Canmore Folk Festival.  Rhea founded U22 productions, a non profit organization dedicated to nurturing and developing the talents of Albertan performers under the age of 22.   I enjoyed our conversation.

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.

It was a great surprise to see Steve Seskin on the bill at the Canmore Folk Festival.  Steve Seskin is the kind of songwriter who has all the other songwriters running across the grounds to see him perform at a festival.  During a career lasting 40 years, he has become known as a folk songwriter who has penned some of the most popular country songs of the last 2 decades.  His songs such as Life’s a Dance, and I Think About You  have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Mark Wills, John Michael Montegomery, Collin Raye and many others.  With 7 number one hits and many charted recordings by other artists, he describes himself as a songwriter-singer, but he is truly a seasoned performer in his own right.   Perhaps his best known song among parents and educators is Don’t Laugh at Me, which has become an international anthem against bullying.  Over the past several years, Steve has also become quite involved with performing at school assemblies and writing songs with children.  You can find out more about his work with youth on his website.

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)

Don’t Laugh At Me © Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin

New Orleans  © Steve Seskin, Bob Dipiero and Mark D. Sanders

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.

Glen Reid is a veteran of the Canadian Music scene.  He began to make a name for himself in the late 1960s, in the folk community in the Yorkville district in Toronto. Throughout tht 70’s he was a session musician and band member on several popular Canadian television shows including Singalong Jubilee,  John Allan Cameronâ€s Letâ€s Have A Caleigh, The Ryanâ€s Fancy/Tommy Makem Show, The Harry Hibbs Show, and the George Hamilton IV Show.

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