Episode Summary

As we close in on the Top 5, the conversations get heavier, funnier, and more personal. This week, jD welcomes Keith from Calgary—drummer, GEDfest founder, and long-haul Hip fan—for a ride through the moments that shaped his fandom. From the spark of discovery, to sweaty live-show floors that move as one, to building something new for the community with GetFest, Keith’s stories capture the essence of what it means to belong to The Hip’s orbit.

About the Guest

Keith first stumbled into The Hip through a mix of MuchMusic, Columbia House roulette, and the kind of tapes that never left your Discman. Decades later, he’s still hooked—and now he’s part of the engine keeping the flame alive. As the founder of GEDfest, Keith has helped create a multi-city tribute festival raising funds for cancer charities, proving that fandom can ripple outward into real impact.

Why It Matters

What starts with one song, one show, one memory—becomes a community. Keith’s Hipstory is proof of how the band’s catalogue doesn’t just soundtrack our lives, but stitches them together with others. Whether it’s a packed bar, a festival stage, or a room full of fans swapping stories, it’s that shared electricity that keeps The Hip alive long after the amps are turned off.

Episode Highlights

• First sparks: the early singles and tapes that hooked a generation
• The magic of the live show: when the floor moves as one
• The community connection: parallels between Hip fans and Deadheads
• How GEDfest grew into a cross-Canada event with charitable impact
• The records and Gord solo cuts Keith is spinning right now

Pull Quote: “It’s not about us on stage—it’s about the music, the memories, and how it transports people back to their own golden ages.”

Closing

Big thanks to Keith from Calgary for the laughs, the memories, and the work he’s doing to keep the spirit of The Hip alive through GEDfest. We’re getting dangerously close to the Top 5—Song #5 drops next Monday. Got a Hipstory of your own? Send us a note or a voice memo—we’d love to share it on the show.

Promos / Crosslinks

• Sunday Evening Jam (Sundays 8pm ET): News, banter, and Hip chatter with Sara J & jD
• A Celebration of The Hip for ALS (Oct 4): Live finale + online silent auction supporting ALS Society of Canada
• Discovering Downie: A curated tour through Gord’s solo catalog

Connect with Us

Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/tthtop40

Instagram: @tthtop40

Email: [email protected]

Website: dewvre.com/tthtop40

YouTube: youtube.com/@dewvre1974

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jD and Keith from Calgary unpack discovery, live-show magic, and building community through fandom—plus how GEDfest channels Hip love into real impact.

SEO Tags: Tragically Hip podcast, The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown, Gord Downie, Hip fandom, Canadian rock podcast, Tragically Hip fan stories, GEDfest

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