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Russ Little, trombonist, composer, arranger, and conductor has had a fairly storied career in the Canadian music business. Starting off with a little band by the name of Lighthouse, in the late '60's, Russ had already established himself as one of the scene's go-to studio musicians and was already composing music for Canadian radio and television by his early thirties. A big claim to fame for Russ was being the composer of the theme to SCTV, Canada's biggest comedy ensemble television show - it kinda did pretty well south of the border too!
For the last fifty years or more, Russ has been a fixture on the Toronto Jazz scene as well, playing with The Boss Brass and recording several albums with other Canadian jazz legends like Brian Barlow, Robi Botos, Tom Szczesniak, Rich Brown and many many more. 

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This week I visit Dobbin Estate. Dobbin Estate has been designed to be a premium winery and the consulting team of Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble have made certain that all conditions are perfect for this ambitious endeavour. With North and South facing slopes, Dobbin Estate is primed to bring forth Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc with a European sensibility that comes though in your glass.  Ontario wines have grown by leaps and bounds, and the Ontario Wine Industry is now in a phase where fine wine, meant to be cellared for perhaps decades, is being created right here. We are living in a time where the list of pioneering  Ontario winemakers keeps growing, and with this burst of talent, meticulous attention to detail and passion, we can firmly state that we are on par with the rest of the best. 

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Again we skip the Grapes and go directly to the Rock. Former record exec from Capitol Records, Steve Meyer, and Part II speaking about the great Al Coury, Vice President of Capitol Records, co-fouder of RSO Records, and founder of Network Records that eventually led him to Geffen Records. It's another week of Rock talk. 

Next week we're back on track with the Ontario Wine Industry!

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Today we skip the Grapes and go directly to the Rock. Former record exec from Capitol Records, Steve Meyer, speaks with me about the great Al Coury, Vice President of Capitol Records, co-fouder of RSO Records, and founder of Network Records that eventually led him to Geffen Records. Al worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Guns'N'Roses - who else can claim that?? 

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Well, the January Rock And Grapes Count Down has come to an end. I will count down the Top Ten wines until we get to #1, that honour going to Leaning Post, for their 2020 Senchuk Vineyard Chardonnay. Also, Niagara native John Neudorf has a new album coming out, and a lot more to speak about. 

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This week I speak with Thomas Reid, sales and marketing manager for Lailey Winery. This week Lailey has had two wines in the Top Wines of Ontario count down and we will be speaking to Thomas about the 2022 Lailey Riesling and the Stonebridge 2019 Estate Chardonnay. We've got another 13 wines to go before we see who holds the #1 spot on our Rock And Grapes count down.

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Season 2 is here! Marc Pistor, of Fogolar Wines and the group effort Collab Wine and Beverage is here to talk about 2024 and what we have to look forward to. Marc and I discuss the Top Wine of Ontario (as chosen by M.S. Bruce Wallner, Nabila Rawji and me) , where his collaborative team has landed so far on the list and what Marc sees for the future of Ontario's wine industry. I don't want to spoil the ending for you - but we need to embrace Ontario Riesling like we've never done before!

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Well, its been a good start so far. Twenty-five episodes of winemakers, musicians, politicians and record execs, and I think we're getting somewhere. I'd like to thank all of you who have been listening, and I'd also like to thank all my guests thus far. 2023 was only the start and 2024 will bring even more.
Look out for The Top 25 Wines of Ontario coming out in January of 2024. And look for a new Rock And Grapes Presents website to accompany all I'm doing with the podcast. 

Enjoy the Holidays and see you in the New Year!

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Bob Gruen is regarded as one of THE foremost Rock Photographers in the music business having captured images of Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The New York Dolls, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Blondie, Elton John, Kiss and many, many more. He struck up a friendship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1971 and became a friend and confidant to both. I thought this a fitting week to have Bob on the podcast, as December 8th marks the 43rd anniversary of  the passing of John Lennon. Plus, Bob has a legit tie to wine - but you'll have to listen!

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My first guest this week is May Pang. May spent most of 1973 and 1974 being the most important person in John Lennon's life. May and I discuss the new documentary streaming now, "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story", the story that chronicles the years she spent as John Lennon's girlfriend  - first at the insistence of Yoko Ono, but then  things got....complicated.  For any Beatles fan - this is a must-see-documentary. Over the thirty minutes we speak you will learn about May, and the incredibly interesting life she has led.
This week I also speak with Thomas Reid, the Marketing and Sales Manager at Lailey Vineyards/Stonebridge. Thomas gives us an introduction to Lailey and the happenings as of late - and a look into how they approach creating premium wines in Niagara-on-the-Lake.