Our friend Al has just completed his first Invictus Games. He only started his sport, archery, in April and he gave some highly accomplished opponents a run for their money in Toronto last week. He also got to shake the hand of Prince Harry, co-founder of the competition for wounded and ailing veterans from around the world. …
Mission Accomplished Read More »
You have to be of a certain age to remember Hee Haw. It’s not a reference you can throw into casual conversation when there’s a variety of ages present. The collection of country performers and sketches about hicks aired from 1969-1992. In his autobiography, Buck Owens called it a “cartoon donkey” and admitted to humiliating himself for several weeks a year on the show, strictly for the paycheque. Corny isn’t a strong enough word to describe Hee Haw but it was much-loved anyway. …
Throwback Thursday: Do I Make You Corny? Read More »
My first two full-time on-air radio jobs found me in country music radio, first in Red Deer, Alberta and then in Prince George, BC. I had some earlier experience with what was then called country & western, through my Mom and Dad and my cousin Wayne’s country band. But my exposure was limited and carefully curated. I grew to love Waylon Jennings and appreciate Conway Twitty. But some of the nasally, twangy stuff made me climb the walls. John Anderson’s Swingin’, anyone? …
Throwback Thursday – The Beautiful Simplicity of the Gentle GiantRead More »
Throwback Thursday – The Beautiful Simplicity of the Gentle Giant Read More »
I posted this tribute to Skip Prokop in June of 2016 as he stepped down from performing. Skip died this past week and I noticed some new comments on this post, so I thought I would share it with you again. Skip was a genuinely nice man whose talent was under-appreciated, I think. He will be missed.
The name Skip Prokop has been part of my consciousness since I started choosing my own music to listen to. The founder of Lighthouse and Canadian rock icon has come in and out of my life over the years, although I doubt he’d recall my name if I saw him this week. In other words, his brief cameos in my life have been much more memorable than mine in his. Skip recently announced his retirement from performing. His son, Jamie, has been behind the drum kit for Lighthouse since 2014, but now it’s official. Jamie is also working on his Dad’s biography. Skip suffers from a long list of health problems including diabetes, heart issues – including surgery and having to be revived twice following major heart attacks – recovery from alcohol abuse and other fallout from a hard rock life.
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Repost – Throwback Thursday – Skip Calls it a DayRead More »
Repost – Throwback Thursday – Skip Calls it a Day Read More »
The first time in my lifetime that I remember the world feeling united was after the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed in 1997. I was working at CHML in Hamilton but put 680 News on through the house, because they were live with continuous coverage. After the paparazzi chased their hired car into a Paris tunnel and it crashed, everyone wondered – would she live? Minute by minute it seemed less likely, although she was alive after the collision. Prince Harry recently said one of the hardest parts of what happened for him and his brother was knowing that their mother was still alive in the back seat of the car and yet photographers did nothing but continue to take photos of her. …
Art, at its essence, can be difficult to describe. What moves one person might leave another feeling meh. And trying to explain what it feels like to create art is a challenge. I’ve likened it to feeling like I’m flying. But I’m not a prolific artist. It turns out that Jim Carrey is. …
Carreying on with Art Read More »
I hope your long weekend was wonderful. And if you worked, I hope people were kind to you. As I’ve mentioned before, losing track of the time is my ultimate indulgence. So, when social media pal (and world’s biggest tiny Donny Osmond fan) Carolyn retweeted Donny’s link to his and his wife Debbie’s new home furnishings collection, Donny Osmond Home, my inner child dove in to look at each and every piece. …
A Tale of Two Superstars Read More »
Many people think sexism is a thing of the past. More women than ever are doing whatever they want -working or raising kids or a mixture of both – so they reason that it must mean they’re treated equally. Oh I wish it were true! Many individuals and companies aren’t sexist but some industries are still overwhelmingly that way, including my own: Media. …
If you don’t know Patton Oswalt, please allow me to introduce you. I’ve been a fan so long, I used to have to order his stand-up comedy CDs (CDs!) from the US. He’s funny, smart, original and thinky without being Dennis-Miller-over-my-head thinky. He also played Spence on King of Queens and a computer geek/genius on Two-and-a-Half Men, among other things. …
Who’s Allowed to Criticize Patton Oswalt and a Neighbourly UpdateRead More »
Who’s Allowed to Criticize Patton Oswalt and a Neighbourly Update Read More »
Confession: I’ve watched this video several times and it’s always been on mute. I don’t really care about the song. Macklemore isn’t my thing. A 34-year-old rapper doesn’t want to be my thing. But what he is, is a caring, sweetheart of a guy who loves his Grandma. …
The Sweetest Rap Video Ever Read More »
When Ken’s away, I’ll do whatever it takes to not be boring.  Our morning show – a talk show, may I remind you – eats up so much more content when there’s just one person at the helm. Without Ken there to keep the conversation going, there’s only so much I can do alone that’s interesting. Oh, I could prattle on incessantly if I loved the sound of my own voice a bit more! But “interesting” is the key! …
Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Misfortune Read More »
We have to find some common ground in this deeply divided world in which we now live. Did you support Donald Trump? Liberals think you’re a moron. Are you against him? Conservatives think you’re stupid. Politics didn’t used to be so overtly black and white. You’re either fer us or agin us and there’s no compromise, no in-between. …
The Emperor is Naked and Afraid Read More »
Donald D’Haene is a retired London performer, reviewer, TV host, author and columnist. He’s also not a hugger. Today, I’m handing my blog space over to him.Â
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Guest Post by Donald D’Haene – Thank-you Jerry SeinfeldRead More »
Guest Post by Donald D’Haene – Thank-you Jerry Seinfeld Read More »
Journalism is alive and well at the BBC. One of my favourite shows is Hard Talk on BBC World News, hosted by Stephen Sackur. There’s a radio version of the show that’s so good, I can hardly stand it. How they get world leaders and others in the eye of news storms to sit down and face direct, difficult questions, is something wonderful to behold. As the title suggests, there are no softball questions on Hard Talk. …
Some Kind of Einstein Read More »
Looking for something different to do last Friday, my pal Jenn suggested we check out the new broadcasting exhibit at Museum London. At the time, we didn’t realize it was the second anniversary of the death of our then-patriarch at Free-FM, Richard Costley-White. Fitting that we had stood in front of his photo at the Museum and remembered what a good guy he was. …
Jordan Peele is the latest darling of the movie industry. That’s what happens when you make a film for $5-million and it grosses more than $230-million. Hollywood loves movies but more than that, it loves money. …
Really Late Review – Get Out Read More »
When someone who woke up at the crack of stupid as long as Erin Davis did gives you a recommendation that she says will make wake-up time easier, you listen. You don’t have to wake up at 3:15 am to relate, but it helps. …
I’ve Seen the Light Read More »
On so many levels, This Is Spinal Tap keeps on giving. First, Rob Reiner co-wrote and directed it. His ability as a Hollywood A level writer/actor/director comes through and its a kick in the “wayback” to see him with hair. …
Really Late Review – This is Spinal Tap (1984) Read More »