Mulligan Stew With Terry David Mulligan

Our guest this week is songwriter, storyteller and singer with a one-of-a kind voice, Ron Sexsmith. I think the older I get, the clearer those memories become—and the more precious,”  Friday of this week he released his 18th album Hangover Terrace. It’s a wonderfully complex album born during Ron’s extended stay in the UK after his Sexsmith at Sixty tour. Recorded at London’s Eastcote Studios with longtime producer Martin Terefe, the sessions marked a turning point—ushering in a more introspective sound.  “This record speaks to the hangover I feel from the last few years of pandemic and life knocking us around,”   Gone is the gentle optimism of his recent work, The Vivian Line & Hermitage—Hangover Terrace is marked by personal loss, shifting friendships, and emotional grit. Ron Sexsmith proves, once again, that no one captures life’s quiet truths quite like he can. “The version of me that wrote those early records couldn’t write these songs,” he says. “Don’t give up. Stay focused on what’s real.” There wa

Amy Berg, the director of the just-released documentary It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley. Jeff was, quite simply, one of the most engaging and brilliant performers. Blessed with a voice that could mimic singers such as Robert Plant and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.   His single album Grace is still considered one of the greatest ever released. Almost three decades after his death and with several posthumous releases, Jeff Buckley's legacy continues to grow, and his music lives on. His fan base includes rock legends, pop artists, loyal followers, and an entirely new generation of music lovers around the world. Jeff's only studio album in his lifetime, Grace, endures. The documentary opens on August 15. The complete Interview can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and the Terry David Mulligan YouTube Channel.

The guests are Ian Beaty and Colin Brumelle Singers and songwriters leading the soul and R&B sounds of Honeybear, the Band. New album I Was Wrong.   Vancouver-based based but they're creating music that could easily have come from Memphis, New Orleans or Muscle Shoals.   See and hear it for yourself:   Aug 5 Harmony Arts Fest West Van Aug 7  The Drake Canmore Aug 8 Ironwood Calgary Aug 9 Wapiti Fest  Fernie Aug 29 Fox Cabaret  Vancouver Sept 12 Barnside Harvest Fest Ladner Oct 8 Centennial Theatre North Van     www.honeybear.band     Honeybear, the Band Playing you vintage soul, blues and roots music from Vancouver BC www.honeybear.band

NEON COWGIRL  "The Neon Cowgirl-towering over Broadway like the patron saint of heartbreak in downtown Nashville as she smiles coyly over her shoulder in red cowboy boots-watched me grow up. Basking in her glow, I walked wide-eyed into the Ryman Auditorium as a 16 year-old, clutching my ticket. Later that night, dreaming of standing on that stage,  I drifted off to sleep in the bunk of our home on wheels at the KOA next to the Opry. When I was 18, she saw me flipping through Loretta Lynn CDs in Ernest Tubb Record Shop after performing the breakfast and lunch shows on the General Jackson showboat with my parents and brothers in our family band, The Neilsons. At 25, she watched me running all over town, meeting up with other songwriters-writing, writing, writing-before I had to fly back home to Canada again. At 30, I returned as a newlywed on my honeymoon, flying in from New Zealand where I'd moved for love, holding hands with my new husband in Hatch Show Print, introducing him to her like a family member. A de

It's Festival Season. One of the very best times of the year. Sun, relaxed lifestyle, friends, family and FESTIVALS. Jazz, blues, rock, roots, pop, French. Everything !! Especially Folk! There are many folk festivals where you'll see and hear all of those artists. The barriers are well down. If it's music and engaging,  then it all fits.   "An artistic director is a leader in arts organizations who shapes and guides the creative vision" . This is the second year we've had an Artistic Director Cage Match. All four AD's exchanging comments and suggestions about who's coming and who not to miss. The state of the music business 2025. They've all been shaping their rosters for the past year. At times, going after the same hot artists. The success of each festival rests on their shoulders. When they're all in the same room, so to speak, it's best to just has to ask a question and get out of the way.   Returning Guests are   Chris Frayer - Winnipeg Folk Festival (celebrating 50 years) July 10-13 Fiona Black Vancouve

Mark Lo  (Director/Producer) has worked in film and TV for more than 20 years. First, as a music agent and supervisor, collaborating with composers and artists to bring music to picture and then as an Executive Music Producer Mark recently produced and directed the feature music documentary Count Me In. A  celebration of drummers and their unique ability to drive generations of music.     I love being a drummer. Everyone thinks you’re dumb. What they don’t realise is that if it weren’t for you, their band would suck. – Dave Grohl Eat drums! Eat cymbals! – Animal   Drumming was the only thing I was ever good at. John Bonham   Count Me In is a celebration of the role of the drummer in popular music.  Mark Lo’s British-made doc dates back to the even darker days of 2021.  It’s drummers talking about other drummers and appreciating great drumming, and if that works for you, then hear the drummer and get wicked.   The documentary includes interviews with the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stewart Copeland (T

Mike's new album is called The Sound of Muscle Shoals.   He's waited almost 20 years to round up the next generation of Swampers and record at the world-famous FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. Wow - was it worth the wait?  Mike Farris lives and sings The Sound of Muscle Shoals. The sound is a mix of blues, soul and country. The NY Times called it Indigenous American Music. The same sound that came from Etta, Aretha, Boz, Paul Simon, Wilson Pickett, Neil Young, Percy Sledge, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, The Staple Singers and many more. Long before heading for FAME studios, Mike had to clean up his life, and he talks about hitting rock bottom. That's when his wife said, "We're going to do something different this time.  We'll start by talking about the why's. Why, when you start getting successful,  you self-destruct?" Mike said, "That scared the hell out of me."   Mike is many years clean now, and he's riding the Slow Train to Muscle Shoals.  Enjoy The Sound of Mike Farris!!

60 years later, we welcome Colin Blunstone - Lead singer of The Zombies   How is it possible that an English band that was part of the British Invasion of the early '60s is still being played and referenced in 2025? The band was The Zombies. The two leaders were songwriter and singer Rod Argent and lead singer Colin Blunstone. They had three world hits. A fourth hit the charts after they had broken up. Many years later, they were inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland.   I always loved the sound of the Zombies—a singular mix of rock, blues and very cool jazz. In a sea of sameness, Colin's vocals were unmistakable. Great harmonies lifted each song and the arrangements were unlike anyone else in "The Invasion". Now, along comes Hung Up on a Dream,  a documentary capturing their careers and lives. Directed by Robert Schwartzman. Both will be joining us in the second hour.

Dan Mangan released his 7th album, Natural Light, last Friday.   A year ago, Dan Mangan asked the players in his road band to join him at a cottage to demo the songs for Natural Light.   These players would likely not be in studio when he rerecorded the songs.   However, after recording the first song  - It Might Be Raining - they looked at each other, laughing. It was pure magic. The room worked, the band worked and the songs really worked  They did two songs the next day and  2 more the third day. Four songs the 4th day.    The demos in the cottage became the album Natural Light.   Our interview covers a lot of ground. Dan opened up about his highs and lows. At one point, he was not being able to find a label that believed in his music.   He made a decision not to let anyone mess with his dreams,  so he started his own label. Dan says, This is the very best music he's ever made.   He brings tales of acceptance and rejection. Of finding a balance between his dreams and his family.   It Might Be Raining - was

We met over coffee on the streets of Victoria to talk about Songs from The Gang - A Celebration of Joel Plaskett.  A #1 LP on the CKUA Top 30. His music friends recorded covers of his songs and kept it a secret for a year. Anyone who knows the music business will admit that is a minor miracle. Joel's Gang included Sloan, Alan Doyle, The Sheepdogs, Matt Andersen,  Jenn Grant, etc. Joel's stories just spilled out - one after the other.

Most music fans know Kevin Hearn as the pianist and songwriter for Barenaked Ladies. Few would know that Kevin was the band leader for Lou Reed for 7 emotional years.  Or that he fought a battle with leukemia for many years, even while touring with BNL.   Gord Downie knew all those stories when he asked Kevin Hearn and Kevin Drew to help him prepare for live performances of his final music project - Secret Path! Because he had just been down his own darkened  path , Kevin Hearn was able to bring comfort and  strength to the recording of Gord's final songs.  Kevin takes us though those moments including Gord's last words to him, about his friendship with Lou Reed and then takes us on another journey - this time to Jamaica.   Kevin's new solo album is called Portland Parish. Recorded in three locations. A small jungle cottage, the legendary Trident Hotel and the long-abandoned Trident Castle.  Kevin plays originals, covers (Lou Reed and Sun Ra Arkestra) on a collection of creaking pianos weathered by time and n

We're featuring Wine Educator and Event Creator Kurtis Kolt .  Top Drop 2025,  his sensational small wine fest runs next week in Vancouver and Calgary.       Wine Educator, judge and Event Co-Ordinator Kurtis Kolt. His thoughts on 2025 Washington Grown/Crafted in BC Wines His impressive  Top Drop Events this coming week  in Vancouver and Calgary.   Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine & hospitality consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges' competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, and so on. Kurtis has been  running restaurants around Vancouver, eventually receiving the 'Sommelier of the Year' award at the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival. KK is also the co-founder of Top Drop, a series of terroir-focused trade and consumer festival-style events, dubbed  "the nerdiest, most awesome wine festival in Canada."      TOP DROP In Vancouver May 13 and Calgary May 15. Kurtis books very select wineries (and their winemakers)  Check out the participants

Matt Anderson is one of CKUA's favourite artists. On the air and certainly with the audience. Matt is releasing his 11th solo studio album The Hammer and The Rose April 25th. I was delighted with all of that information until I got to"the date" April 25.    As you may know,  that's the first Friday for the CKUA Spring fundraiser.   I asked Matt's team if I could move the Stew interview to this Saturday - and they approved!!   So, we get the story of the album and we are the first play of several tracks, anywhere.   This album, about the relationship between the head and the heart, presents a different Matt. A slightly quieter Matt,  so you can hear the texture and grain of his voice. Great songs too. Co-writing the title track with Steve Dawson Co-writing with Tom and Thompson Wilson, Terra Lightfoot and Jesse O'Brien. Co-writing The Cobbler with producer/drummer Jason Van Tassel -  as a tribute to, and in memory of,  their Fathers. Includes a fine cover of JJ Cale's Magnolia. With  Afie Jurvanen on guitar an

George Siu is a pal and the co-founder of Memphis Blues BBQ House. They now have 6 locations.  3 in Vancouver and 3 in Alberta. They serve top-of-the-line BBQ...beautifully cooked.  George and Park Hefflefinger started the first location after heading to Memphis and spending much time studying the process and tricks of the trade.  The Memphis style is to slow cook in a pit. Either dry or wet ribs. Dry has a rub with salt, spices before cooking - no sauce.  Wet are brushed with sauce before during and after cooking.   I had a number of things I wanted to ask George...   Has any of the Buy Canada affected your business? - It is called Memphis Blues after all. You have a wall of American bourbon. What's happened to it? Have you made any moves to serve Canadian craft distilleries?  Beer, Cider? Are the tariffs having an effect? How different are the wine and drink choices between BC and Alberta? What pairs well with smoky BBQ?   It's not just a Q&A session. With George Siu it's always a trading of stories. So

For the first time under one roof in Victoria, importers will be joined by local BC makers from Vancouver Island, Vancouver, the Okanagan, etc.,  to showcase the best alcohol-free wine, beer, spirits, and packaged cocktails available.   Organized by Kurtis Kolt.   Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges wine competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, etc. His various certifications and credits include London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Court of Master Sommeliers & the Winemaking Program at UC Davis. In  2010, when  Kurtis received the ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award from both the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival and Vancouver magazine, he opted to diversify his focus on wine through different arenas. In recent years, Kurtis  co-founded, curates and runs ‘Top Drop’ in both Vancouver and Calgary, a terroir-focused trade & consumer wine festival Western Living magazine called, “The one wine tast

We started this podcast well over 300 episodes ago. When we started the title was Mulligan Stew Podcast (Music. Film. Food. Wine) Over the months the Pod became more music and film than anything else. Just the way the road leads us. Tasting Room Radio has worked its way back into the mix because of critical dynamics taking place. Cold damaged vineyards,  An agreement between BC Wine Growers and the BC Government to allow the 2024 wines to be grown and harvested in Washinton, Oregon and California. BC wine battles with political neighbours in Alberta, Tariffs from the USA and more.   All of these subjects were discussed over and over again by the wine trade and fans in attendance.   Tasting Room Radio set up the same home base they always have. Up to 6 chairs in a circle on the convention centre floor ..leaving room for the invited and the walk-ins.   We couldn't fit everyone in, so we decided to build the show around the most interesting storylines and storytellers.   With apologies to those we couldn't fit i

Two guests on the Mulligan Stew Podcast Both great pals.   Stephen fearing is a key member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Like all three members Front Line Members, they each have their own solo careers. That's one of the outstanding elements of their relationship. Freedom to create together or solo. Stephen Fearing has just released his newest album, The Empathist. Co-Produced in East Nashville with Ken Crooker (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Al Green, EmmyLou Harris, Steve Earle) Stephen is a truly talented songwriter, but he also carries with him, his Irish storytelling skills. The songs on The Empathist beautifully weave those skills together. Highly Recommended. Bill Henderson is the leader of Chilliwack. For some 30 years, they've been crafting hits and touring The World. As lead singer, songwriter and guitarist,t Bill has been inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock Hall of Fame and made a member of the Order of Canada. In 2025, the band is on its last tour - Farewell to Friends!!  

Bruce Cockburn returns to the West Coast. Thoughts on Dylan at Newport, Bo Diddley, a possible covers album, his legacy and today's headlines. March 11, Victoria. March 12 Nanaimo March 14 Vancouver March 15 Kelowna March 16 Trail. Lots to talk about.