Liner Notes: Revealing Chats With Canada's Retro Music Makers

This week Dan chats with Derry Grehan, songwriter and guitarist of the band Honeymoon Suite. Derry shares much from his long career including: his philosophy on songwriting and “serving the song; the longevity of Honeymoon Suite and the band’s signature sound; recording albums; opening for bands such as ZZ Top, Jethro Tull, Heart and others; why he isn’t bitter about some bad management and deals; Honeymoon Suite’s upcoming summer tour, and much more. Find out about Derry on Facebook @DerryGerhan

This week Dan chats with Mike ‘Mudfoot’ McDonald, blues artist, songwriter, producer, Tribute artist and in-house music director at legendary Grossman’s Tavern. Mike shares highlights of his stellar music career including: jamming with the likes of Jeff Healey and Alannah Myles; his musical influences; stories of the Yonge Street Music scene, Grossman’s Tavern and touring in Kandahar; the differences in styles of blues music and much more. Find out more about Mike on Facebook @MikeMudfootMcDonald

Lisa Hartt, singer songwriter, guitar player and former lead of The Lisa Hartt band joins host Dan Hare to in a fascinating chat about: her adventurous, and sometimes dangerous, career; the variety of musical influences; what it was like living in L.A. and why she came back to Canada, and so much more. Find out about Lisa and her music @lisaharttmusic.com

This is the 27th episode of our special series ‘Guest Glimpses’, short bits from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests this week are:EDDIE SCHWARTZ, iconic songwriter, multi award-winner, and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee who’s song ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ was a hit for Pat Benatar. In this clip Eddie talks about: being in Greenwich Village during the early ‘60s and seeing a then unknown Bob Dylan perform on many occasions; his defining moment as a songwriter-writer; the real motive for touring with Charity Brown, and much more.DAVE CHESNEY, former radio executive, record company promoter and music business veteran. In this clip Dave “The Ches” talks about: his radio pioneering father Joe Chesney; the importance of radio in the ‘60s; his rise in the radio business; the biggest difference between the country music stars and rock stars, and much moreJOHNNY SINCLAIR, bassist, songwriter, recording artist and a founding member of The Pursuit of Happiness. In this clip Johnny reveals: why he moved from Saskatoon to Toronto; how The Pursuit of Happiness was formed; the ‘cheap’ video production for ‘I’m An Adult Now’; loosing one American record deal but ultimately signing to work with Todd Rundgren, and much more.GEOFF EYRE, drummer/singer best know for his time with The Hometown Band. In this clip Geoff shares: details on his first band and how they opened for The Who; how he ended up in Vancouver; his work with Valdy and the rise of The Hometown Band, and much more.LISTEN to the full interview with each guest @linernotes.ca

This is the 26th episode of our special series ‘Guest Glimpses’, short bits from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests this week are:SASS JORDAN, Juno award-winner, talks about her new live concert album; working with the Montreal band The Box; hiring the late Taylor Hawkins and recognizing his potential, and more.BAZIL DONOVAN, bassist for Blue Rodeo reveals: his varied musical styles; why he got into country music; the best musical advice he was ever given; how he was hired by Blue Rodeo and more.HARRY HESS, songwriter/producer who has earned 14 top 40 hits worldwide, and the founder and lead singer for the band Harem Scarem. Harry reveals to Dan: why the band is still together and his take on longevity in the music business, and more.KIM STOCKWOOD, singer/songwriter talks to Dan about: her musical influences, why piano lessons were difficult for her; the synchronistic events that brought her to Toronto and launched her career, and more.LISTEN to the full interview with each guest @linernotes.ca

Ronnie Robson, iconic bassist, multi-instrumentalist, producer and mixing/mastering engineer who has worked with, or recorded bass tracks, for the greatest acts in music such as Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, White Snake, Deep Purple, John Lennon, Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper, Goddo, Jethro Tull and many, many others. In this fascinating, music-filled chat with Dan Hare Ronnie talks about: taking the “safe” route through the music industry and why that worked so well for him; his many and varied projects and his multi-faceted life and career; what he contributed to the book 'Titans of Bass: The Tactics, Habits and Routines from over  130 of the World’s Best', and much, much more. Find out about Ronnie @ronnierobson.com

Mark Dunn, musician, teacher, and author of ‘You Get Bigger As You Go’, what he calls a beginners guide to Bruce Cockburn’s music. Host Dan Hare talks with Mark about Bruce Cockburn’s music, guitar playing, guitars, songwriting and much more from the book including why it took Mark 7 years to write. To get your copy of the book visit @YouGetBiggerAsYouGo and find out more about Mark @mddunn.com

‘Wild’ Bill Riley, music Impresario, manager of the ‘60s bands The Churls and The Fringe is Dan’s guest. In this fascinating chat Bill shares: what life was like in the Yorkville Village in the 1960s and hanging out with Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia and others; how he became the band manager of The Churls and why that ended; the truth about The Churls songs we hear on the radio; how he got into radio and some of the famous people he interviewed such as James Brown; more about his current station Oldies108, and much more. Check out Bill and the music @oldies108.ca

Kevin Stuart Swain is a songwriter, engineer, producer, vocalist, guitarist, bassist who has played with Barney Bentall, Idle Eyes, Al Harlow, Prism, Lee Aaron, and many more. In this chat between two fellow musicians and friends, Kevin shares: his connection to the Beatles; why the bands he was in kept getting fired; his ongoing work with Thor and Al Harlow; his philosophy of life and how that influences his career; his style of bass playing, and much, much more. Find out about Kevin @kevinstuartswain.ca and check out his YouTube channel here @kevinstuartswain

Jimi B (Bertucci) is a singer/songwriter, composer, musician, and founding member, bassist and songwriter for the band Abraham’s Children. In this chat with Dan Hare Jimi shares: how the band got its name; what people may not realize about their success; his solo career and time as a staff writer with A&M records; his experience of the bands 2004  reunion, and much more. Find out about Jimi and his latest work @jimib.com and more on Abraham's Children @thechildrenrock.com

Edmund Pilling , singer, songwriter, award winning musician, composer and the founding member and lead singer of the band Fludd is Dan Hare’s guest. In this chat Edmund talks about: being a part of Cat Stevens' band and touring in Europe; why he went to Birmingham, England as a teenager; the origins of Fludd and the members including Greg (Goddo) Godovitz; the loss of his brother Brian; recording records; his upcoming album and more.

Frank Marino, Canadian icon and guitar virtuoso, singer and leader of the band Mahogany Rush. In this fascinating for musicians and fans alike, Frank talks about: his feelings on being compared to Jimi Hendrix; opening for Aerosmith and Ted Nugent; guitar playing; building pedals and amps; and so much more. Find out about Mahogany Rush @ mahoganyrush.com, Live at The Agora Theatre @mahoganyrush.net/dvd, and more about Frank's guitar gear @frankmarinoaudio.com

In this chat with Dan Hare, Cliff reveals: how the Five Bells got started and why the eventually became The Bells; who wrote their Juno award-winning hit Stay Awhile; their US exposure performing in well known venues, state fairs and on the biggest US TV show of the day such as The Tonight Show; why he left The Bells; details of his solo career; what he’s doing now and much more. Find out about Cliff on Facebook @CliffEdwardsMusic, and check out where to watch the documentary "Stay Awhile" @jessicaedwards.ca

Rick Mason, composer, musician and drummer of the iconic band The Mynah Birds. In this chat with Dan Hare, Rick reveals: how Rick James recruited him into The Mynah Birds; the interchange of musicians between the bands of the day including Lighthouse, Steppenwolf and The Mynah Birds; his close relationship with Rick James: why the band’s record was pulled from radio hours before it’s debut; tales of working with Neil Young, and much more.

Brian Miessner, songwriter and lead singer/bassist for North America’s first Beatles cover band, Liverpool, as well as the late ‘’70s, early ‘80s band Aerial in this revealing chat with Dan Hare, Brian talks about: his early musical experiences in Saskatchewan and his move to Toronto; the tremendous success of Liverpool and their U.S. exposure; why the band name changed to Aerial; his very busy solo career and what he’s doing now. Find out more about Brian @brianmiessner.com

Ron Sakamoto is a multi-award-winning music promoter who has represented the biggest names in music including Roy Orbison, the Beach Boys, Kiss, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Bryan Adams and many, many others. In 2023 he received the Walt Grealis Special Achievement award at the Junos and, after 17 years of consecutive wins for Canadian Country Music promoter of the year, has now had the award named after him. In this chat with Dan Hare, Ron talks about: his humble beginnings on a farm near Medicine Hat; opening his first teen dance club when he was just 19 years old; how and why he started his promotion company; the variety of other acts he promoted - including Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globe Trotters - before returning to strictly music promotions; the many ways he gives back to his community of Lethbridge and why it’s so important to him; Turning 81 and the goal he has for himself for when he turns 100, and so much more. Find out about Ron @sakamotoagency.com

(Jon Mikl) THOR is a former Canadian and U.S. bodybuilding champion, and a songwriter, singer, and musician. In this fascinating chat with Dan Hare, Thor (as he is known professionally) shares much about his varied career including: how he combined bodybuilding, his love of superheroes and music to create his wild, glam rock persona and stage show; insights into his friendship and professional relationship with Frank Soda; succeeding in spite of litigation within his management and record label; why he took a decade long break from performing and what he did during that time; his new music and upcoming shows, and much more. Find out about Thor and the show dates @thorcentral.net

Dean Hajas is a musician, composer, engineer, producer, multi-instrmentalist, and much more. In this jam-packed chat with Dan Hare, Dean shares tales from his diverse experiences in creating music, producing and engineering and much more. He also talks about forging his own path and provides an in-depth look into the legalities of the music biz and how it has hurt artists, and much, more more. Find out about Dean @istreamguru.com, on Spotify @DeanHajas and on YouTube HERE.

Scott Merritt is a singer, songwriter, composer, guitar player, and producer with many accomplishments who has worked throughout North America since 1980. In this chat with Dan Hare, Scott talks about: songwriting; self producing his first album; working with a record label and when, and why, all that changed; making recordings for himself and others; the birth of Cottage Studios; technology and music and much more. Find out more about Scott, including his long and impressive list of credits, @scottmerritt.com

Eddie Bullen is a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer and recipient of an abundance of awards (including a Juno) and recognition (including a Grammy nomination) for his outstanding talents. To date Eddie has produced over 200 albums. In this fascinating chat with Dan Hare, Eddie talks about: his musical background in Grenada; coming to Canada; fusing musical genres including jazz, reggae, calypso etc.; working with his sons; his mentoring programs and talks for youth; what he’s working on now, and so much more. Find out all about Eddie @ eddibullen.com and his Thunder Dome Sounds studio @thunderdomesounds.ca