With close ties to legendary singers & pickers like Chef Adams, Roy Payne, Dick Nolan, Dennis Conn and my late Father, Michael Burns, Barry Smith was a breath of fresh air writing beautiful Country Music songs at a time when the airwaves & “A” rooms were dominated by 5 string bass, rock ‘n roll drums, compressed-to-hell electric guitar and assholes in hats singing mostly shitty songs fabricated by the music biz scum down on Music Row.

music for the last number of years

Paul Langlois joined the Tragically Hip in 1986. Over their 33-year career, they won 17 Junos, were appointed by the order of Canada, inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and saw Nine of their albums reached No. 1 on the Canadian charts. Remaining active musically with The Paul Langlois Band, their latest album, Guess What was released in July 2023.

Paul Weber recorded for Boot Records, Cardinal and the Great North American Phonodisc Co.He’s a 3 time CCMA Award Nominee and a Juno nominee who landed a dozen singles on Canadian hit charts. He was a member of Joe Firth & The Promised Land from 1975-1981 before touring extensively across Canada and the UK leading his own group, Paul Weber & Top Hand.

He played his trusty 60+ year old Fender Jazz Bass on 8 or the 10 cuts on my new record, Lost Country - AND - he was kind enough to join me for a duet on Me and the Old Promised Land, the signature song from former old boss, friend and mentor Joe Firth. 

October 24, 2023:

Sean Burns returns to your humble home of Honky-Tonk and beautiful Country music by beautiful Country music singers for a one-night stand, special emergency "lost" country broadcast of the program. 

Twang savant Skinny Dyck has put on weight since his 2020 debut LP Get to Know Lonesome – a delight to fans of traditional country music but in equal measure with an alternative leaning audience. He spearheaded the 2017 compilation album, Twenty One-Nighters featuring municipal & regional artists from across western Canada, but now the spotlight is firmly set on this bright Mennonite boy from Coaldale, Alberta who’s making waves at home and abroad with his brand of Country music. Recorded & Produced in Texas by the great Billy Horton, Skinny makes strides on his latest EP, Palace Waiting, due out September 16 on Sound Asleep Records. After 30 episodes, we finally pinned this mysterious fella down for a chat on TNR.

www.skinnydyck.com

Carter Felker’s Alberta roots run deep and he’s hung his hat and kicked his boots off all over Wild Rose Country. Felker burst on to the scene and turned heads with his debut album, Everyday Life in 2016 and quickly became one of the most respected names in the vibrant Alberta independent Roots music scene.Beyond the Provincial borders, folks across Canada in the know and with their ears to the ground took note of his elite songwriting talent and it wasn’t long before other noted Prairie names like Del Barber and Shaela Miller took their own stab at recording songs from Cater’s pen.

Carter’s new album, Even the Happy Ones Are Sad, will be out in the world this Tuesday, June 14. Listen to Carter Felker wherever you stream music for a nominal monthly fee or check him out and show your support at: carterfelker.bandcamp.com

Bob Lucier grew up in the Chatham, Ontario area and got his start on the Pedal Steel Guitar in the 1960’s with help from Ollie Strong. He spent his early days on the bandstand in the taverns and bars in the once vibrant honky-tonk scene of Toronto, playing with Wally Dean at The Drake Hotel and on to The Edison Hotel with Mickey McGivern and the Mustangs.

In his great career, he backed legends like Johnny Paycheck and Bill Anderson and was featured on stage and television with the likes of Harry Hibbs, George Hamilton IV, and for 17 years as a member of the band for the Tommy Hunter Show.  His pedal steel work featured prominently on several of Anne Murray’s top-selling albums, as well as records from Eastwind, Ian Tyson, George Hamilton IV, Dick Nolan, The Rankin Family, Dick Damron, Anita Perras & Tim Taylor, Ronnie Prophet, The Irish Rovers, The Family Brown, and many, many more.

Bob’s first solo album Nerves Of Steel is especially notable for containing a rare instrumental single release that would earn airplay and an appearance on the Canadian country hit charts with his rousing steel guitar version of the Hank Williams classic, Hey Good Lookin’. The single would reach #17 on the RPM Country Charts in 1977. In addition to the Nerves Of Steel album, Bob also recorded three albums during the 1970s with Nashville dobro master Shot Jackson on the Marathon and Condor record labels. Later in his career, Bob would release another fine solo album, Eleven Favorites and a duet album, 88 & 10 with ivory tickler, Mel Aucoin.

Bob was gracious enough to share his time and some stories from his great career and I’ve got to send him an extra special thank you for indulging me and my questions surrounding honky-tonkers and personal favourites like Mickey McGivern, Roy Payne, and Dick Damron.

Ollie Strong’s career began in the 1950’s playing Steel Guitar in the era prior to the instrument having Pedals. He was among the first small handful of pickers in Canada to begin playing Pedal Steel Guitar. Noted as an early member of the house band on CBC TV’s Tommy Hunter Show, over the course of his long career Ollie backed up legends such as Ray Price, Jean Shepard and, Jim Reeves. His playing is featured on albums by Canadian heroes Gordon Lightfoot, Murray McLauchlan and, Dick Damron along with countless other "lost" Canadian Country sessions on the Arc and Marathon/Paragon labels by singers like Chef Adams, Brent Williams, Al Hooper and, Bill Long. He’s even credited as the Steel Guitarist on Funkadelic’s 1972 album, America Eats Its Young, and I sure wish I’d known that ahead of our conversation.

From 1983-1995, Jr. Gone Wild helped introduce Canada to a new musical sound. Credited with innovating the Alt-country genre, dubbed “cowpunk”, over the course of five acclaimed albums, this Edmonton, Alberta band fused elements of folk and rock with a punk attitude, while building a devoted fan base through epic live shows. For their initial 12 year run, Jr. Gone Wild would hone its own version of alt-country on albums that have become cornerstones of Canadian music culture: Less Art, More Pop!, Folk You, Too Dumb To Quit, Pull The Goalie and Simple Little Wish.

Still fronted by the immediately recognizable vocals of Mike McDonald, and stylings of lead guitarist Steve Loree and bassist Dave “Dove” Brown, the groups newest addition is McDonald’s nephew Quinton Herbert on drums. After a reunion concert in 2013 the band began thinking about a new album, reflective of all they’ve learned and experienced over a lifetime in the music business. The result is Still Got The Jacket, a 16 track album due out on November 12th that makes it clear that the band’s chemistry still thrives, and continues to be steeped in twangy rock and melodic country-punk.

Mark Twain once famously said, “Politicians, old buildings and prostitutes become respectable with age.” He never got a chance to consider whether rock and roll musicians do as well, although most would likely prefer to retain their youthful glory. Somehow, against all odds, Jr. Gone Wild has done that with Still Got The Jacket, and in the process reminded us what alt-country really means.

To truly be a groundbreaking songwriter is a tremendous accomplishment and McDonald is without question one of our nations best. His first foray into the music industry was in the Spring of 1979 when he was just sixteen. Certainly a local hero in Edmonton (among other things, he “discovered” the legendary Spartans Mens Club, hosted the Rosebowl jam for over 15 years, and started the nationally known and still running Hair OF The Dog Saturday afternoon gig at The Blackdog Freehouse). In the late ’90s he put together the Mike McDonald Band, which released an album and commanded an enthusiastic Alberta-based following. Unadorned by the electric chaos of a band and massive volume, Mike’s solo show is edgy folk, peppered with story and commentary, often hilarious. He’s a true alternative to affected bombast and disingenuous self aggrandizing.

Mike McDonald is the real deal.

For more on Jr. Gone Wild visit: jrgonewild.com
For more on Mike, visit his website: mike-mcdonald.com

Sue Foley grew up in Ottawa, Ontario surrounded by music and a family of guitar players. After graduating high school, Sue headed West to Vancouver where she spent a couple of years on the coast before transplanting down to Austin, Texas upon the insistence of the legendary Clifford Antone. Since her 1992 debut “Young Girl Blues” on the Antone’s label, Sue has recorded for Shanachie, Ruf, Blind Pig, and Stony Plain Records.

Sue Foley has been riding a larger wave of success since her 2018 album, The Ice Queen. She won “Best Traditional Female (Koko Taylor Award) at the 2020 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, was nominated for a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy), and she took home the award for Best Guitar Player at the Toronto Maple Blues Awards. The Ice Queen reached #4 on the Billboard Current Blues chart, #1 on RootsMusic Report’s Top 50 Canada album chart and was in the Living Blues radio chart for four consecutive months, peaking at #2.Including that win for Best Blues Album in 2001 for Love Comin’ Down, Sue is a 4 time Juno Nominee . Foley also holds the record for the most Maple Blues Awards with 18 wins to her credit.

Sue’s new record, Pinky’s Blues was released on October 22. It serves as a raw, electric guitar driven romp through the backroads of Texas, with Foley’s signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster, “Pinky” at the wheel. Pinky’s Blues is a collection of 12 songs, both original and some of Sue’s favourite covers, that demonstrate not only that Sue is one of the world’s greatest Blues guitarists, but that the sheer joy of playing can be felt through the recording in an emotional thrill for the listener. A vinyl version of the album in hot pink provides a dream item for fans, audiophiles and collectors.

For more on Sue Foley visit: www.suefoley.com

A veteran star of stage and Television screen, Fred Penner’s cornerstone philosophy remains the same: absolute trust that his work can make a difference. A gentle giant with kind eyes and an undeniable ability to make you feel good about yourself, this musical master brings 45 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that skillfully blends the many genres of performing and communication.

Dubbed “Mr. Multi-Media” by Billboard Magazine, his diverse repertoire includes a prolific 12 Children’s Albums and countless energetically packed live shows for throngs of eager audiences across North America. A 2 time Juno Award Winner and 8-time nominee, Penner was the first children’s entertainer to headline at the Los Angeles Amphitheater. A four time recipient of the Parents’ Choice Award, the Los Angeles Parent called the “Canadian Minister of Positivity”. Fred has successfully transformed children’s entertainment into a family affair. Offering his broad talents to speak to the family unit and express his feelings about where the world is going and what children are learning.

In 2000, the Canadian Institute of Child Health honoured Fred for his contribution to the well-being and safety of children. He is a humble recipient of the Order of Canada, the highest recognition given to a Canadian citizen and the Order of Manitoba, a similar award from his home province.
One of his albums, Happy Feet was named Best Children’s Album of the Year by the U.S.A’s Entertainment Weekly and he is the first ever winner of the Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Children’s Recording. Always building on a common theme rooted in integrity and a belief in what he can do, Fred Penner has created a lasting impact that crosses the generations and continues to grow.

For more on Fred visit: www.fredpenner.com

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Mike Younger left home at the age of 17 and cut his teeth as a fledgling street performer in Toronto and Vancouver. At the age of 20, he headed to New York City to seek out the 60’s folk renaissance remnants.

It was while performing live on WWOZ in New Orleans, that this renegade troubadour and poet of roots music caught his first break when a music publisher heard him on the broadcast. Soon after, Mike traveled to Nashville to record demos, and his recordings reached the ear of Rodney Crowell. When Mike signed his first record deal, Crowell stepped in as producer, and together they turned out Somethin’ In The Air in 1999.

In 2001, Jim Dickinson started producing Mike’s second album, which never saw the light of day. The original Memphis sessions featured legends Levon Helm, Spooner Oldham, David Hood, with Jim Dickinson on piano, and his son Luther Dickinson on electric guitar. The tapes from that session fell into legal limbo and were lost for almost two decades. Now recovered, the recordings were completed and Mike finally released Burning The Big Top Down, on August 27th, 2021

Rodney Crowell has said of Mike Younger: “No-shit poetic realism with a tendency to museum qualities…”

No Depression noted “His songs of social conscience suggest Woody Guthrie, John Mellencamp, and Steve Earle”

And “Easy yet effective turns of phrases a la Kris Kristofferson” proclaimed the LA Times

For more on Mike visit: www.mikeyounger.com

Based all the way up in the Yukon Territory capital of Whitehorse, Gordie Tentrees possesses an unparalleled work ethic that sees him on the road as much or more than any other Canadian artist out there. With 8 records to his credit, this authentic road poet routinely travels North America, Europe, Australia, UK & Ireland either solo or with legendary sideman Jaxon Haldane (of famed Winnipeg band, D-Rangers). From Celtic Connections (in Glasgow, Scotland) to the National Folk Festival (in Canberra, AU) his ability to hold an audience and weave melody while juggling the dark with the light is infectious. Gordie’s 8th album, Mean Old World, was released earlier this month on September 14th on Buckaroo Records.
For more on Gordie visit: www.tentrees.ca or gordietentrees.bandcamp.com

A member of the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame, Joyce Smith was among Canada's very first Female country stars. Over the course of her 60+ year career, she’s recorded for Point, Broadland, Royalty and, Decca Records. While in Nashville In 1962, Joyce performed at the Grand Ole Opry and cut what would become her signature song, Leavin’ On Your Mind, with the legendary Owen Bradley at the helm and backed by some of the finest musicians in country music history. The song became an immediate radio hit in the USA, selling in excess of 100,000 copies and earned Joyce a CMA nomination for Most Promising New Female Vocalist. Joyce went on to hold a residency at the famed Panther Hall in Fort Worth, Texas and it was there she met Bob Wills and went on to sing with Wills and his Texas Playboys on the Panther stage along with appearances together on a number of syndicated radio programs of the day. By the mid-1960’s, Joyce returned to Alberta to raise a family and has remained active in recording and performing ever since.

A member of the New Brunswick Country Hall of Fame and East Coast Music Award winner, Al Hooper has been entertaining audiences for over half a century and he's still going strong. Star of stage, radio, and television, he’s released over 50 albums and has recorded for Paragon, Dominion, Columbia, RCA and TWA records over the course of his near-60 year career. Born in Back Bay New Brunswick, Al spent the early years honing his music at halls, dances, and jamborees before moving to Toronto where he formed the Blue Diamond Showband. I got hip to Al Hooper via his signature song ’N.B to T.O’ and was eager to hear about his life and journey in country music.

As one of the Canadian prairie underground’s most respected independent artists, Shaela Miller is playing the music she wants to, adding the elements that progress her vision while firmly grounded in that go-to sound generation after generation grew up with on AM radio in single-cab farm trucks. Swingin’ shuffles and sweet, yearning songs depicting both the good times and hard times that only get written by someone who’s lived every minute of them. Shaela’s new record, Big Hair, Small City further cements her place as a cut above the rest in her region in terms of any kind of real tangible Honky-Tonk/Country Music flavouring. It was nice to catch up to interrogate her about the new album and interesting journey that led her there.
For more on Shaela visit: www.shaelamiller.com