One of the true pleasures in a lifetime in music and broadcasting is connecting with artists at the very beginning of their careers.
If the connection is a strong friendship, emotionally you get to go along for the ride.
On the downside, you must be prepared to lose those friends along the way through attrition, lifestyle and medical issues.
I’m pleased to say Colin James has given all of us a great ride.
8 Junos, 31 Maple Blues Awards, Induction into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, Order of BC and turning 60 years old with 21 studio albums under his belt.
Colin has played his way through an amazing collection of audiences. Starting with Stevie Ray style Texas blues, then blues rock, big band swing, roots, Americana and all the way back to blues.
What a Ride!!
Following a stellar concert at Massey Hall, Colin is on a Canadian tour now and he’s heading our way. With the wonderful Terra Lightfoot!
Feb 26 -Grey Eagle Calgary
Feb 27 – N Jubilee Edmonton
March 1 – Orpheum Vancouver
March 3 – Royal Theatre Victoria
March 4 & 5 – Port Theatre Nanaimo
Colin is a master storyteller.
This time he has tales of recovering from a road accident on his scooter in the USA. Damage to his foot and fret hand slowed him down considerably. He has stories of becoming what he dreamed of as an 8-year-old and the biography he’s almost finished writing.
The complete interview can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and the terrydavidmulligan YouTube Channel.
Allison McGourtey- Producer
Bernard MacMahon. Director
Makers of Becoming Led Zeppelin
A documentary about the first 18 months of Led Zeppelin. Jimmy, Robert. John Paul and John Bonham.
Before it all exploded, and their lives got CRAZY.
And………it’s in IMAX.
The complete story can be heard on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm YouTube Channel.
Amazing filmmaking and storytelling.
It’s the first of two Whisky Specials from the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards and the 2025 Victoria Whisky Festival.
There are always headlining whiskies and star whisky makers in attendance!
Whisky fans want to taste and explore the new releases from Crown Royal, Canadian Club, Forty Creek, Hiram Walker, JP Wiser’s Lot 40, Pike Creek, Gooderham and Worts, Nikka, Amrut, The Dalmore and Glencadam.
For the first time ever, Gisbelle Distillery a distillery from China, would be joining the lineup.
The West Coast and Vancouver Island were well represented.
Stillhead, Odd Society, DubhGlas, Sheringham, Sons of Vancouver & Shelter Point.
Over 200 whiskies were up for the awards. 14 judges from across the country tasted and scored.
The Grand Prize Winner, judged Canadian Whisky of the Year was,
The Peat Project Moscatel Barrique single malt from Macaloney’s Island Distillery (Saanich)
(Heather Leary – Graeme Macaloney – Davin de Kergommeaux)
Here are the guests on part one of the 2025 Whisky Awards and Victoria Whisky Festival
Davin De Kergommeaux – Davin is the flag bearer for Canadian Whisky. He singlehandedly brought Canadian Whisky to the attention of Canada and The World.
His latest book is the updated and expanded third edition of Canadian Whisky – The Essential Portable Expert.
I love the first line.
“Handles, mickeys, shots or drams, no matter what its measure, Canadian whisky is a story of Canada.”
Davin is my ultimate connection to the world of Canadian Whisky. He helped create these awards and leads the judging team.
Davin de Kergommeaux
Grant Stevely – Distiller at DubhGlas (Oliver)
In the fall of 2010, Grant purchased some property at Gallagher Lake near Oliver, B.C.
“I wanted to build a distillery from the ground up, which is distinctly different from a lot of other
distilleries,” he says. “So we built the distillery with expansion in mind.”
Grant Stevely
At the heart of the operation is a German-made Arnold Holstein still.
No sooner did Stevely open Dubh Glas Distillery in the spring of 2015, when he began winning awards
for his first product, Noteworthy Gin.
“Dubh Glas” is Scottish Gaelic for “from the dark water.” It’s pronounced “Douglas,” which happens to
be Stevely’s middle name.
Jason MacIsaac – Distiller. Sheringham (Langford, BC)
Sheringham Distillery won Best Contemporary Gin at the 2019 World Gin Awards
Its Seaside Gin captured the award against World-class competition from 23 countries, including the UK and USA.
“We created Sheringham because we saw a hole in the market: the opportunity to create the world’s most drinkable spirits. This approach has served us well, and in the seven years since founding Sheringham, we have been on the ground building authentic connections with buyers, retailers, and consumers, sharing our story and highlighting our chef-driven approach to innovation and quality.” (Distiller Mag)
Jason and wife Alayne now have their growing portfolio available across Canada and in 15 markets in the USA.
Graeme Macaloney – Master Distiller Macaloney Island Distillery (Saanich)
There once was a wee Scottish lad by the name of Graeme Macaloney who found a summer job bottling
whisky and fell in love with Uisge Beatha, the ‘water of life’. He dedicated his heart to finding a way to
make whisky for a living.
Graeme set up shop on Saanich, just outside Victoria. Some of his favourite Scottish and Irish whiskies were island-made.
Graeme has found his “island” in Canada.
Congratulations Champ!!
– Distillery opened in 2016
– The first whisky made onsite and released in 2020
Founded by the Colebank family, Stillhead Distillery Inc. opened its doors in October of 2017.
After working 15 years in the tech industry, Master Distiller Brennan Colebank left his job to pursue his dream career,
blending the two things he loved most: chemistry and spirits. The chemist has created an amazing portfolio and a home for Whisky in the Cowichan Valley.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are one of the most interesting bands working anywhere today.
Sometimes they’re in a recording studio time warp with more songs to choose from than Gabriel.
Followed by tours and festivals everywhere.
Then they disappear
The punch line to the tale is, the Blackie guys have their own lives, careers and fan bases.
What’s most remarkable is, after more than 25 years, they are still a band and friends.
For Example:
Stephen Fearing is releasing his next album on March 13 – The Empathist. Wildly outstanding music. (We’ll be talking again.)
Stephen starts his Canadian tour at The Carleton Room in Halifax with two sold-out nights Feb 4-5.
Kicks off album release March 13 at Mary Winspear in Sidney, Vancouver Island.
Alberta dates March 21 Festival Place Sherwood Park, March 22 River Park Church Calgary.
Colin Linden
Colin continues to produce artists at his Pinhead Recorders in Nashville.
He’s also been touring with T Bone Burnett. He co-wrote and co-produced T Bone’s latest album The Other Side. Next week Colin starts a new album, just in time to hit the road again.
Colin begins his own tour – The Ride on Tour – on April 23, hitting Calgary on June 1 and Canmore on June 3.
Tom and Terry
Tom Wilson
I’ll just give you the short version.
Re-recording songs, with son Thompson, from his play Beautiful Scars. Writing and recording soundtrack music for a number of projects including a film by Tanya Tagaq. Between his flourishing artwork, writing a new book, and starting a new album, Tom also enjoys the glow of an Order of Canada induction. That’s the short version.
Blackie – The Band.
Plans are underway for dates in Canada. Winnipeg Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, Belmont Festival Edmonton (June 20)
They are planning shows in Hamilton, Toronto where cameras will be filming. More events to come.
It’s the first of two Whisky Specials from the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards and the 2025 Victoria Whisky Festival.
There are always headlining whiskies and star whisky makers in attendance!
Whisky fans want to taste and explore the new releases from Crown Royal, Canadian Club, Forty Creek, Hiram Walker, JP Wiser’s Lot 40, Pike Creek, Gooderham and Worts, Nikka, Amrut, The Dalmore and Glencadam.
For the first time ever, Gisbelle Distillery a distillery from China, would be joining the lineup.
The West Coast and Vancouver Island were well represented.
Stillhead, Odd Society, DubhGlas, Sheringham, Sons of Vancouver & Shelter Point.
Over 200 whiskies were up for the awards. 14 judges from across the country tasted and scored.
The Grand Prize Winner, judged Canadian Whisky of the Year was,
The Peat Project Moscatel Barrique single malt from Macaloney’s Island Distillery (Saanich)
Here are the guests on part one of the 2025 Whisky Awards and Victoria Whisky Festival
Davin De Kergommeaux – Davin is the flag bearer for Canadian Whisky. He singlehandedly brought Canadian Whisky to the attention of Canada and The World.
His latest book is the updated and expanded third edition of Canadian Whisky – The Essential Portable Expert.
I love the first line.
“Handles, mickeys, shots or drams, no matter what its measure, Canadian whisky is a story of Canada.”
Davin is my ultimate connection to the world of Canadian Whisky. He helped create these awards and leads the judging team.
Davin de Kergommeaux
Grant Stevely – Distiller at DubhGlas (Oliver)
In the fall of 2010, Grant purchased some property at Gallagher Lake near Oliver, B.C.
“I wanted to build a distillery from the ground up, which is distinctly different from a lot of other
distilleries,” he says. “So we built the distillery with expansion in mind.”
Grant Stevely
At the heart of the operation is a German-made Arnold Holstein still.
No sooner did Stevely open Dubh Glas Distillery in the spring of 2015, when he began winning awards
for his first product, Noteworthy Gin.
“Dubh Glas” is Scottish Gaelic for “from the dark water.” It’s pronounced “Douglas,” which happens to
be Stevely’s middle name.
Jason MacIsaac – Distiller. Sheringham (Langford, BC)
Sheringham Distillery won Best Contemporary Gin at the 2019 World Gin Awards
Its Seaside Gin captured the award against World-class competition from 23 countries, including the UK and USA.
“We created Sheringham because we saw a hole in the market: the opportunity to create the world’s most drinkable spirits. This approach has served us well, and in the seven years since founding Sheringham, we have been on the ground building authentic connections with buyers, retailers, and consumers, sharing our story and highlighting our chef-driven approach to innovation and quality.” (Distiller Mag)
Jason and wife Alayne now have their growing portfolio available across Canada and in 15 markets in the USA.
Graeme Macaloney – Master Distiller Macaloney Island Distillery (Saanich)
There once was a wee Scottish lad by the name of Graeme Macaloney who found a summer job bottling
whisky and fell in love with Uisge Beatha, the ‘water of life’. He dedicated his heart to finding a way to
make whisky for a living.
Graeme set up shop on Saanich, just outside Victoria. Some of his favourite Scottish and Irish whiskies were island-made.
Graeme has found his “island” in Canada.
Congratulations Champ!!
– Distillery opened in 2016
– The first whisky made onsite and released in 2020
Founded by the Colebank family, Stillhead Distillery Inc. opened its doors in October of 2017.
After working 15 years in the tech industry, Master Distiller Brennan Colebank left his job to pursue his dream career,
blending the two things he loved most: chemistry and spirits. The chemist has created an amazing portfolio and a home for Whisky in the Cowichan Valley.
www.victoriawhiskyfestival.com
www.canadianwhiskyawards.com
NEXT WEEK – Part Two featuring
Dr Don Livermore – Hiram Walker & Sons (Ontario)
Bill Ashburn – The legend from Forty Creek (Ontario)
Sons of Vancouver – The next generation of artisanal whisky. Won the whole shebang two years ago. (east van)
Gordon Glanz – Odd Society – (East Van) Holds an MSc in brewing and distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Followed by a week at Whicky School at Springbank Distillery in Campbelltown
Best Coast Distillers – Just opened in North Saanich. Where innovation meets passion.
The fires outside Los Angeles had brought tragedy and carnage.
Everything stopped for the firefighters, medical teams, first responders, support teams, and those directly affected by the wildfires.
It’s awards season in LA. The 2025 Critics Choice Film and TV Awards were to take place in January just as the fires were raging. Those fires and the conditions that swept them through homes and communities have subsided enough that the Critics Choice Awards are now taking place on Friday, Feb 7th. 4-7 Pacific/7-10 East On E Channel
It’s also found on FuboTV DirectTV and SlingTV.
Firefighters and first responders will be honoured at the beginning of the broadcast.
Rhys Pender – Master of Wine/Little Farm Winery (Similkameen)
Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside Estate (Naramata Bench)
There are so many elements in play during the 2025 BC wine-growing season. AND it’s just started.
Two cold snaps that damaged or killed many vines and vineyards over the past two Winters.
It caused many growers to consider planting more winter-proof varietals and adjusting vineyard locations.
Then came news that an agreement had been reached between Wine Growers of BC and the BC provincial government.
While the new plantings were taking hold, in order to help farming families survive, for one year BC wineries could source their grapes from out of the province. Many headed for Washington. Some to Oregon, California, Ontario, the Frazer Valley and Vancouver Island. The last two BC wine regions were not hit by the cold.
Some wineries flatly refused to use non-BC fruit.
Rhys Pender
Soon, we’ll all start to see labels that say something like “Washington grapes crafted in BC“!
Have fun tasting the blends and varietals that we’ve never seen or tasted here before.
You’re supporting BC farmers and wineries at the same time.
On Tasting Room Radio and this Podcast, we’ll be doing a series of specials on how various wineries and growers have committed to survive and thrive. Who knows what their new direction may be.
There’s no denying it – BC Wines will be changing but there will be wines!!!
Enjoy the conversation between myself and Master of Wine Rhys Pender and Winemaker at Hillside Estate on the Naramata Bench Kathy Malone.
This is Wine School – Kelcie Jones and Jenna Brisco wine educators
And
BIG NEWS: BC Wineries can now sell directly to Alberta consumers.
The Guest is Paul Sawler. Board Chair Wine Growers of BC. Plus sales & marketing for Dirty Laundry.
THE SHOW
This is Wine School
Smaller, funny and essential wine school in Chinatown with outstanding educators.
The guests are
Kelcie Jones – The Best Sommelier in BC 2023
As a perennial student of wine, Kelcie holds the WSET Diploma, 3IC Italian wine certificate, and is a Stage 2 student with the Institute of Masters of Wine. She teaches WSET courses to novices and industry professionals alike and leads BC Wine Ambassador courses locally. For the past half-decade, Kelcie was Wine Director for Chambar Restaurant in Vancouver, where she managed a team of sommeliers and led them to several Platinum Awards at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.
Following that, she opened Elephant on Powell as GM and wine director, which was featured in the Michelin guide and Air Canada’s En Route in its first year. Outside of wine, Kelcie holds a Master’s in English Literature from the University of Toronto
Jenna Brisco – Partner and Educator
Jenna has a diverse background in the wine industry, spanning hospitality and business consulting. She earned her WSET Diploma in 2018 and now teaches the programme in Vancouver. She also completed the WSET Educator Training Programme in 2019. Jenna is the Project Director for Top Drop Canada, a terroir-focused wine festival, and serves as an international wine judge. A student in the Master of Wine programme, she became a VinItaly Italian Wine Ambassador in 2018.
Her sommelier experience includes work at Vancouver’s Hawksworth and Elisa, as well as London’s Medlar and Lorne. For over 10 years she was the General Manager of Café Medina in Vancouver. In 2016, Vancouver Magazine named her a top front-of-house ‘All-Star’ for her work there.
Jenna is currently the Technical Director for the Best Sommelier of British Columbia and has helped curate the Best Sommelier of Canada competition. Best of all, she is a new Mom. Congratulations.
I was fascinated by This is Wine School. From the title alone.
But I had also worked with Kelcie at Van Wine Fest and judged with Jenna at Lt Governer’s Awards. It felt like a good fit. So much so that I’ve asked if they would co-host with me at this years Van Wine Fest.
Along with their third partner Maude Renaud- Brisson, who’s currently in Spain.
Kelcie and Jenna explain the courses and how it all came together. We also talk BC wine in general including the state of BC wine heading into 2025.
BC Wine/Alberta wine fans. – Finally, a hug and a handshake.
Our guest is Paul Sawler. Board Chair BC Wine Growers & leadership at Dirty Laundry (Summerland)
Dirty Laundry Vineyard
BC wineries can now ship Direct-To-Consumer in Alberta!
Starting this week, BC wineries who register can sell into Alberta; report and make payment to AGLC for the wine products they sell directly to consumers in Alberta.
Paul Sawler
Alberta is a huge market for BC wineries, so it is about time that the AGLC caught up, to allow this mutually beneficial relationship.
Al Hudec and I advocated against Alberta’s blockade of BC wine one year ago. This is great news for BC wineries and growers. Hello Alberta wine fans!!!
Paul Sawler takes us through the process that achieved this partnership.
It took top level government teams on both sides of the Alberta/BC border get this right.
We thank those involved and Paul and the board at Wine Growers for speaking on our behalf.
Our guest is Oscar Lopez. 2 time Juno winner. 10 albums were released.
Nothing usual about the words above, except that for several years Oscar had disappeared! From entertainment, media and life itself.
This interview is his way of explaining how he went from winning two Juno awards and walking onto stages with loving audiences to living in his car on the streets of Calgary.
Through tears, Oscar talks about the dark years he’s been through.
Mental and alcohol battles. Second guessing himself.
With the help of his family members and an overflowing GoFundMe effort, he’s finally found the peace and strength to find a place to call home and return to the stage. Jan 17/18 at La Bodeguita Stereo in Calgary
