Saturday’s Stew kicks off the December run to Christmas and The New Year.

The serious Christmas music will take over the Stews on Dec 16 and 23^rd.

On the 23^rd , the last hour of  The Stew will feature a very special show.

Its Year 3 of Christmas in the Round and features a wonderful blend of artists and musicians telling Christmas tales and singing their favourite Christmas songs.

Guests include Jim Byrnes, Barney Bentall, Shari Ulrich, Kirby Barber, Craig Northey.

It’s a long tradition with some of us. Shari and I did the same sort of gathering back in our CBC days. In the studio with us were Terry Frewer and Roy Forbes.

So this Christmas in the Round has a long tradition. I’m sure Shari and I do it in honour of our original producer Susan Englebert, who lost a battle to Cancer.

Susan. This one is for YOU.

So keep Dec 23^rd in mind..

This Saturday’s show will feature one of those very people.  Jim Byrnes.

Because he’s a friend. Because we do radio side by side. This interview is about his day job, being a recording artist.

Long Hot Summer Days – has just been released and for the 7^th time he’s joined by the producing, writing,  singing and playing talents of his friend Steve Dawson.

The tunes are a blend of blues standards and self-written songs and they all work –like crazy!

Jim is a storyteller and the guy has great stories about these tunes and this album.

He also reflects on the night we shared at The Commodore in honour of John Mann (Spirit of the West)

And check out the playlist..

We kick off with Ray Charles and then a song about Ray Charles dream from Joan Osborne..then Son Little and Van Morrison.

It’s going to be THAT kind of night.

PLAYLIST: