Mulligan Stew

Last Oct 11, Mariel Buckley joined us from a motel room in New Mexico ( I think) as she was touring following the release of her latest album, Strange Trip Ahead.
On Saturday night, Mariel and the album won a Juno Award for the 2026 Contemporary Roots Album of the Year.
At 3 a.m., I was digging into the audio archives looking for this interview.
And I've been following the Coffee Walks that Alan Doyle has been doing on Facebook as he toured Canada. Alan takes a camera and walks around the towns and cities he's playing in, looking for the best coffee, and through the walk finds the heart and soul of the city. When he got to Victoria and the end of the tour,  it became apparent that we should repeat our Feb 10 interview covering the release of his latest EP, Already Dancing.
Alan heads for the USA next week but returns June 27 to headline one of the FIFA Fan Festival concerts in Vancouver.  His latest book is The Smiling Land, in which he reveals how little he knows about Newfoundland and Labrador. It's a wonderful read.

Guests -
Jeff Guignard, CEO, Wine BC
Brad Royale - Corp Sommelier Concorde Entertainment Group
 
 
Both Jeff and Brad are fully into wine. The growing and pouring.
We'll talk about Alberta's tax/no tax on BC wines. The state of Canadian wines and both have lots to recommend at the ongoing 2026 Vancouver International  Wine Festival.
www.winebc.com
www.vanwinefest.ca
 
 
Jeff is the CEO of Wine Growers of BC. Great leadership when it's needed most.
Lead the charge to change Alberta taxes against BC wines.
They just changed.
 
Brad is one of the outstanding wine voices in Alberta. The corporate sommelier for Concorde Group. Thery have 22 different restaurants - both east and west.
He curates all the wine lists.
Besides his valued opinions on the state of wine in Canada, Brad has recommendations for those attending this week's Van Wine Fest.
www.concordegroup.ca

The amazing story and success of  Winnipeg's David and Joey Landreth continue with the release of their 9th studio album, Dog Ear.
The brothers join us from home base as they prepare for a full European tour and select key American dates this year.
The new album deals with finding a balance between making music and raising their families. In the music business, with all its touring, it can be really hard on the whole family.
 
After having a Grammy hit with the Landreth's  Made up Mind,  their music hero, Bonnie Raitt, asked the boys to send her songs from their new album.
She came back saying, "I can't decide which one I want to sing on - so how about two songs?".
She sang harmony on Knuckles and background on Half Moon Eyes.

David and Joey grew up in a musical family and listened to Bonnie and Little Feat growing up.  They can't begin to describe what it's like to not only meet your heroes but to play and sing with them!!  As you can imagine, it's out of this world.
Rarely, I hear people say "yeah..i don't listen to Canadian music!  That's like saying, i really hate breathing.  I urge you to take a minute and listen to the brothers and their music.
If you don't hear the joy and humanity in their songs, it's ok. Lots of music fans really do. Not just in Canada but all over the World.   (check the tour schedule)
 
www.thebroslandreth.com

From his humble beginnings in sketch comedy with the Toronto branch of Second City to his rise to fame in SCTV and Hollywood film classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck, John Candy captivated audiences with his self-deprecating humour, emotional warmth, and gift for improvisation.
Now, for the first time since Candy's tragic death, bestselling biographer Paul Myers tells the full story of the man behind the laughs.
Drawing on extensive research and exclusive interviews with many of Candy's closest friends and colleagues, including Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Steve Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, and many more, John Candy: A Life in Comedy celebrates the comedian's unparalleled talent, infectious charm, and generosity of spirit.
Through ups and downs, successes and failures, and struggles with anxiety and self-doubt, Candy faced the world with a big smile and a warm demeanor that earned him the love and adoration of fans around the world.

I had the distinct pleasure of working with John on commercials, then going back to Second City and watching the whole gang make fun of the commercial. Hosting the second city talent when they hit Vancouver and shooting a TV pilot called Terry and the Tiger, where we took John salmon fishing on Vancouver Island.
 Later that night,  he and hockey legend  Tiger Williams closed down all the bars. They still talk about it in Campbell River.

Harry Hertscheg pours another glass. 
 
It's a blend uniquely Harry
The  47th annual Festival.  March 7/14- on opening the room is filled with information, numbers and a hint of Nardwuar.
 
The palate is full. Surprising with stories of Bacchanalia (Mar 7), The Soul of Napa (MAR 9), The mid-palate is totally France!  (the feature region)
Harry takes us through 
The Spirit of Languedoc Roussillon
Rioja
Chablis. 
And, most importantly, fundraising for Bard on the Beach
 
In 2026, the festival will feature 114 wineries from 14 countries, pouring and discussing their wines at 33 events over seven days.
There are 34 wines from Canada. All BC. I think the number represents the resiliency of BC wine growers and makers. 
Harry Hertscheg will supply the rest of the numbers. There are lots of numbers, but only one Harry!!
 
All the details you need can be found at  www.vanwinefest.ca