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Perhaps the question I'm asked most often (besides, "when are you going to get a real life?) is: "What's with that goofy show name?"

"Tell the Band to Go Home" is the name of a great 6 song EP put out by a singer/songwriter from Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, named Paul Macleod. It's a perfect example of the type of music that I play on the show, and a perfect reason for doing it. 

The EP is a simple recording of Paul and a guitar playing amazing songs. It's recorded live at The Sidetrack Cafe in Edmonton. It's the kind of amazing music that somehow flies below the public radar. Seriously, have you ever heard of the guy? Well, I want this show to be a forum for exposing music that we wouldn't hear otherwise. I try to keep my ears open to great music that just yearns for an audience, but somehow isn't finding a wide enough one. I also invite listeners to send in suggestions and requests, any time. I also post my playlists on a bunch of nerdy DJ email lists, where artists can go to find out about shows that might be willing to play their music. Artists are free to check out our submission guidelines, and if they think their music might fit in with the show, I'll be glad to give your CD a listen. 

HISTORY LESSON

I started at UMFM in May of 2001 as the board operator for Lisa Marie Serafin's "Songwriters' Circle" program, every second Sunday 2-4 pm on UMFM. LM was a local singer/songwriter (she's since moved and for the most part stopped performing) who had lots of musical friends, and each week she'd invite a few of them in to sing and talk. She also featured a lot of independent releases from around the world. I'd heard Lisa-Marie's music and was a fan of the show, so I was very excited to hop on board.  

Soon after, I was given the opportunity to be the board operator for another show that I was very familiar with, Howard Mandshein's Monday Free Range Radio. Howard is an icon on Winnipeg radio, he's been on our FM airwaves for decades. I grew up listening to his "Howard Hour" on commercial radio, and I heard a ton of great artists for the first time on his show. I was more than happy to work with one of my heroes and one of the reasons that I loved radio in the first place.

As time went on, I just couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer, and before you knew it, I was co-host of both shows (sometimes I think that was to the chagrin of the hosts...). When Lisa-Marie or Howard needed a week off, I was more than happy to fill in and do things my way. 

In the spring of 2002, Lisa-Marie announced that she was moving to Quebec. I knew that she'd be missed, but she was moving for good reasons and was happy about it, and I kind of figured the show would be in fairly good hands without her. I was more than happy to carry on the show in her absence, and I hoped to make it a permanent gig for myself. Well, there was some controversy and debate (left out, to be kind, but I can always be persuaded to tell you the whole story, some time...) but eventually I was given the reins and told to make the show my own. I do things a bit differently than LM, so I didn't just want to change her show, I wanted it to be mine, so some changes were in order.

The Name

If I were going to make the show my own, I was going to have to change the name. The problem is that I am not a creative genius. Thinking up a clever, original title was simply not in my character. So, I decided to take the easy way out and make someone else do it. I decided to run a contest where people could send in ideas for a show name, with some grand prize going to the best name. 

I also had a list of names of my own, most of which were lame, I admit. Most folks decided to come up with something original. I knew my friends were clever, but I didn't expect the amount of great suggestions I'd get. I got so many great suggestions, that the problem became picking one. I'm no good with decisions. Everybody seemed proud of their entries and I really didn't want to disappoint anyone in particular, so I decided to disappoint them all.

In desperation, I sat in my music room one day staring at my CDs and the answer jumped out at me. At the last minute, I discarded all of the great suggestions that had been sent in, and Tell the Band to Go Home was born.

On Sunday, September 29, 2002, the name was officially unveiled. I was supposed to have Paul Macleod on the phone to christen the show named in his honour, but I also had a special live in-studio visit by Kris Demeanor and Chantal Vitalis. They had to get out of the studio early, so I made Paul wait until later in the show to announce the new name. Well, when Paul's turn rolled around, he was busy rolling around on his bicycle and wasn't home to chat. I haven't spoken to him since, although I used to exchange emails with him from time to time (Paul, where did you go?)

For the 2002 season, Tell the Band to Go Home alternated weeks with a show called Lab Rats from the Earth's Core. It was, to be polite, a strange show. Folks who listened to TTBTGH generally didn't "get" the Lab Rats, and the folks that listened to their show likely weren't interested in my little singer/songwriter program. It was hard for people to know when the show was on and remember to tune in on the right week, so I began suggesting to our amazing Program Director, Jared, that perhaps it was best if my show was on every week.

Jared kindly let me do the weekly show, but in exchange, I had to give up hosting Free Range Radio, which I had been doing by myself since Howard went on hiatus during the summer of 2003. I agreed, but somehow convinced Jared to let my friends Mike and Terry have their own Free Range Radio slot on Thursday nights. Steel Belted Free Range Radio was born on Thursday, September 11, 2003, with a very special in-studio visit by none other than Ron Sexsmith. I was allowed to help Mike and Terry "get started" but once they knew what they were doing, I was supposed to leave the show to them. We're still waiting...

On Sunday, September 14, 2003, Tell the Band to Go Home became a weekly institution on UMFM, and the rest is history in the making. This year, in June, I sat down and created this little website, and it's taken up waaaayyyy too much time for me ever since. 

TTBTGH Special Guests
Steel Belted Special Guests
Monday Free Range Radio Special Guests

TTBTGH Past Special Guests

Sunday, February 3, 2002 (Songwriters' Circle)

Paul MacLeod (phone interview)

John Mayer (phone interview)

Steve Schellenberg (in-studio interview and performances)

Sunday, August 4, 2002

Martyn Joseph phone interview

(this was a great chance to find out what happens when a radio host loses his voice right before a big interview…)

Sunday, September 29, 2002 (TTBTGH Premiere)

The official debut of Tell the Band to Go Home. I'd been hosting the show as Songwriters' Circle and then as "My Show" for a while, but this was the start of a permanent slot and name for the show. 

The show officially started with a live performance by Kris Demeanor and Chantal Vitalis, who were in town to celebrate the Prairie Music Awards.

Kris Demeanor in-studio interview and performances of:

This old House

Speed it Up

Sunday, October 27, 2002

Eric Bogle - in-studio interview and live performances

Sunday, November 16, 2002

Vance Gilbert interview

Sunday, December 4, 2002

Bob Snider phone interview

Sunday, December ?, 2002

Kathleen Edwards - phone interview 

Sunday, January 19, 2003

This week was a special anniversary celebration, looking back at a fabulous year for the most promising singer/songwriter collective to ever emerge from Winnipeg.  Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody celebrated their first exciting year as "The Wailin' Jennys."

The Wailin' Jennys in-studio interview and performances of:

Old Man

Go For Soda

Heaven When We're Home

The Parting Glass

Sunday, February 2, 2003

Interviews with:

Martyn Joseph  www.martynjoseph.com

Chris Brown  www.chrisandkate.com

Monica Schroeder  www.monicaschroeder.com

Sunday, February 16, 2003

This week, we were lucky enough to hear from two fabulous guests who were in town putting on some really amazing shows.  On Friday I was lucky enough to see Juno nominees, The Bill Hilly Band, perform at a shopping mall of all places just before they set up residence at our Festival Du Voyageur for four days of fun and music.  Then on Saturday night, a wonderful show took place at The Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club in Winnipeg, featuring Calgary's Kris Demeanor and the wild, wacky, and truly wonderful Geoff Berner from Vancouver.  I was lucky enough to have Geoff Berner live in studio for almost an hour, and the gracious Chris Frye (Bill Guitar) from The Bill Hilly Band survived scheduling troubles and technical difficulties to appear via the telephone.

Geoff Berner in-studio interview/comedy routine & live performances

Chris Frye (Bill Hilly Band) phone interview

Sunday, March 2, 2003

This week:  In hour 1 I had scheduled a chat with the always entertaining Bob Snider, who's doing a show in Winnipeg on Wednesday.  A tip to working musicians, don't count on that roadside phone booth actually being of any use on air... Poor Bob's interview was a bit brief, but enjoyable if you don't mind a painful hum in the background. 

In hour 2, the lovely and talented Nicky Mehta was by to talk about a great event happening next Sunday in Winnipeg, a benefit for the Arts Can Circle.  Nicky, of course, is soon to be a superstar as a member of the Wailin' Jennys, but it's always a treat to hear her solo.

We got a special present to warm our ears (even if the rest of us was frozen solid) as the show was extended for an extra hour this week.  That meant that we could do a great, long interview with singer/songwriter/fun guy, Mike Plume about the crazy amount of projects he's releasing in the next month or so.  A new acoustic record with the band, a live record, and a DVD collection are all ready to roll out, and he's even got a new solo record saved up for later on in the year!  Is he nuts?  We found out, along with the facts behind his decision to go it alone while the band pursues their rock star dreams as The Populars.

Bob Snider phone interview

Nicky Mehta in-studio interview and performances of:

Ten mile stilts

The Reckoning

Mike Plume phone interview

Sunday, March 16, 2003

What a show!  First, we heard tales from the train, as one of the lucky souls who enjoyed the first Roots on the Rails travelling festival gave us a first hand report.  This was a wonderful festival held aboard a moving train that travelled from Toronto to Vancouver.  On board were Fred Eaglesmith and his top notch band, Washboard Hank, David Olney, Serena Ryder, Winnipeg's own D Rangers, and a whole lot more.  Fredhead "Lost Dog" called in on route to yet another Fred Eaglesmith show.

http://www.flyingunderradar.com/rails.htm

Near the end of the program I was joined for the very first time by one of my very favourite Winnipeg bands, Nathan.  If you haven't heard this group yet, boy are you in for a pleasant surprise when you do.  Last September they won a Prairie Music Award for Best Independent Album, beating out Ian Tyson and a bunch of other strong candidates.  They won the regional contest in CBC's Big Break contest last year, and generally just amazed everyone who saw them at festivals and concerts wherever they went.  This year's looking even more exciting for this talented group.  I finally managed to convince them to appear on the show for some live music.  But, as often happens... a bit of a lack of communication amongst band members led to what turned out to be a monumental event in Winnipeg radio history.  Poor Shelly Bilewitch from the band didn't quite get her instructions straight, and she showed up at the University of Winnipeg, instead of the University of Manitoba...  Thankfully, the folks at their station, CKUW 95.9 fm are some of the nicest people alive and they went above and beyond the call of community friendship and hooked Shelly up in their Studio B, and patched it into the phone so that she could not only join in the interview, but she played along.  One band, two radio stations, one amazing radio moment.  Thanks CKUW!!  That's got to be a first and it shows the great relationship that campus and community stations are willing to share amongst themselves.  More than just music, that showed that radio is all about good people helping good people.  Wow.  www.nathanmusic.ca www.ckuw.ca  

"Lost Dog" phone interview

Nathan in-studio interview and live (and via telephone) performances of:

Home with Me

Swingin'

Sunset Chaser

Sunday, April 6, 2003

I spoke to David Francey on the phone from his hotel room, as he attempted to get some long overdue shut eye before his concert at The West End Cultural Centre that night.

David Francey phone interview

Sunday, April 13, 2003

Stephen Fearing - in-studio interview and live performances of:

Song on the Radio

The Lucky Ones

The Longest Road

Born to Be a Traveler 

Monica Schroeder in-studio interview

Sunday, May 10, 2003

This week I had the great pleasure of speaking for the very first time with two very exciting artists with very bright futures.

There was so much great music last year, and I always hate to number my "best of" list, but if I did, Harry Manx's "Wise and Otherwise" would no doubt be my favourite discovery of 2002.  It's the most refreshing, listenable, and inspirational CD I think I've ever heard.  This weekend I finally spoke to Harry, and he's just as wonderful and intelligent in conversation as he is on CD.  This guy is the most incredibly original artist out there.  Gee, there I go raving again.

This year's top discovery so far is The Ladybird Sideshow.  Four totally divergent singing/songwriting styles combine to form a highly energetic and enjoyable group.  There's the high energy rock/funk/fun of Erin Smith, the energy and delightful attitude of Janine Stoll, the magnificent pop of Melissa McClelland, and Lisa Winn, oh, Lisa Winn (folks, if you haven't heard Lisa's new CD "Out From Under," RUN on over to www.lisawinn.com. Lisa, I'm blown away.  I don't mean to take anything away from the other

super talented girls, of course.)  I spoke briefly with Erin Smith as the girls traveled through the mountains on their Western Canadian tour, which brought them to Winnipeg on May 15.  These girls are wonderful on record, but together in a live show, it's fun and exciting, and totally totally amazing.  Don't miss The Ladybird Sideshow (or any of its members) if they come to your town.

Erin Smith phone interview

Harry Manx phone interview

Sunday, July 6, 2003

With my favourite time of year just a week away, what else could I do besides celebrate the 30th anniversary of my favourite event of all, The Winnipeg Folk Festival.  Everything on the show this week was by talented artists who are appearing at the Festival.  Special guests, the always charming and talented Nathan joined my live in studio, and I had great telephone conversations with Mary Gauthier and Jess Klein.

Nathan live in-studio interview and performances of:

Sunset Chaser

Gasoline

Home to Me

Mary Gauthier phone interview

Jess Klein phone interview

Sunday, July 20, 2003

Time for a visit from a couple of lovely up and coming singer/songwriters.  One's a former Winnipegger home for a visit, her name's Lynn Harrison, and one's a local gal who's headed for big things some day, Cat Jahnke.  It was a wonderful treat to have these two ladies singing to me live in the studio.

Cat Jahnke in-studio interview and live performances of:

Theme Song

Tricky

Untitled

Lynn Harrison in-studio interview and live performances of:

Where Do You Call Home

Tall Trees

(new song)

It'll Grow on You

Sunday, October 5, 2003

I've been taking it kind of easy for a little while now on the show, and have been letting the music do the talking, and the interviews have kind of taken a back seat.  Well, it was time to correct that oversight, and I think I did so in grand fashion by finally interviewing two artists who have amazed and impressed me for many years. 

First up was the great Ken Whiteley.  It's safe to say that I've been listening to Ken for as long as I've been alive, first it was his backup work with Raffi, and in the past 5 years or so, I've discovered his marvellous solo work, along with that of the wonderful trio, Scarlett, Washington, and Whiteley.  He's not only one of this country's most talented producers, arrangers, writers, and performers, but he's also a fascinating guy to talk to, a great storyteller, and a really nice man.  What a treat to speak with him.

Then, it was a guy from a whole different musical world, who I've also admired for years.  Ten or eleven years ago, I was introduced to the music of a rock band called the Rheostatics, and I haven't been quite the same since.  Their music challenged me and spoke to me in a way that nobody else had previously, and they led me down the long road to music nerddom.  Well, the band's guitarist and one of the principle singers and songwriters, Martin Tielli, just released his second solo CD, Operation Infinite Joy, and he's heading to Winnipeg on October 15, so it seemed like just the right time to finally interview this talented guy.

Ken Whiteley phone interview

Martin Tielli phone interview

Sunday, October 26, 2003

Nathan Wiley phone interview (read article)

Paul Thorn phone interview (read article)

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Today, it was an immense honour to welcome Colin Linden to the program to talk about his upcoming concert with one of Canada's best live bands, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings.

I had hoped to welcome Geoff Berner to the show again, but sometimes things don't quite go as planned.  That's when I enact "The Fred Eaglesmith Clause" which states that I cannot be held responsible for musicians who screw up, forget, fall asleep, or just generally don't want to talk to me.  I'm not sure which category Geoff falls into, but he didn't call.

Colin Linden (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings) phone interview (read article)

Sunday, November 23, 2003

Geoff Berner phone interview (read article)

Sunday, November 30, 2003

Nicky Mehta (Wailin' Jennys) phone interview (read article)

Sunday, January 4, 2004

Kate Maki phone interview

Keri McTighe (Nathan) phone interview

Sunday, January 11, 2004

Martyn Joseph phone interview (article)

Sunday, January 18, 2004

My special guest today was Matthew Barber, a very promising up-and-comer who was recently signed to Warner Music Canada and is heading out on a tour that brings him to Winnipeg Jan. 27.

Matthew Barber phone interview

Sunday, January 25, 2004

Cat Jahnke in-studio interview

Sunday, February 1, 2004

Mary Gauthier phone interview

Alana Levandoski in-studio interview and live performances

Sunday, February 8, 2004

Mark Browning (Ox)  phone interview

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Easily Amused in-studio interview and performances of:

No One's Fool

Simple Stuff

All Need Love

(read article)

Sunday, March 7, 2004

Joel Kroeker phone interview (read article)

Sunday, March 14, 2004

Matt Mays phone interview (article)

James Keelaghan phone interview (article) 

Sunday, March 21, 2004

Monica Schroeder phone interview (article)

Aaron Booth phone interview

Sunday, April 11, 2004

Das Macht Show! interview and live performances of:

Someone Else

Modern Living

Money

Greg Macpherson phone interview

Greg Macpherson in-studio interview and live performances of:

Back Flow

Kingston

Tremors

JP Hoe in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Melissa McClelland phone interview

Sunday, August 8, 2004

Leeroy Stagger phone interview

Sunday, September 5, 2004

Kevin Welch phone interview

Sunday, September 19, 2004

David Francey phone interview

Ford Pier phone interview

Carolyn Mark phone interview

Sunday, October 3, 2004

Josh Ritter in-studio interview and live performances of:
 

Wings

Kathleen

What would I do without you  (Ray Charles cover)

Fred Eaglesmith telephone interview

Sunday, October 31, 2004

Rodney DeCroo telephone interview

Sunday, November 7, 2004

JP Hoe in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Scott Nolan in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Lindy in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Michael Johnston in-studio interview

Reid Jamieson telephone interview (pre-recorded)

Sunday, December 5, 2004

Reid Jamieson & Michael Johnston in-studio interview and amazing live performances

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Bruce Knauer telephone interview

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Swank telephone interview

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Nathan Lawr (A Midwinter Night's Dream) phone interview

Sunday, January 23. 2005

Dan Frechette in-studio interview and performances of:

Horse & Buggy Rag

Grandpa Worked a Porn Store

Lucky Day

Sunday, February 6, 2005

Easily Amused in-studio interview and performances of:

No One's Fool

Dysfunctional

Walk Away

Michael Johnston phone interview

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Nicky Mehta (Wailin' Jennys) phone interview

Keri McTighe (Nathan) phone interview

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Anne Louise Genest phone interview

Andy Stochansky phone interview

Ron Hawkins & Stephen Stanley (The Lowest of the Low) in-studio interview

Sunday, May 1, 2005

The Wailin' Jennys in-studio interview (pretaped)

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Lost Dog phone interview (from the Fred Eaglesmith Weekend in Bellows Falls, Vermont)

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Chris Neufeld in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, July 3, 2005

Cara Luft in-studio interview and performances

Wayne Hancock phone interview

Jesse DeNatale phone interview

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Eliza Gilkyson phone interview

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Matt Epp in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Joel Kroeker telephone interview

Darren Day in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Matt Mays phone interview

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Michael Johnston phone interview

Dave Clark phone interview

Luke Doucet  phone interview

Steve Slade in-studio interview and performances

Sunday, February 5, 2006

J.P. Hoe in-studio interview and performances of:

Nicest

All of a sudden

Why can't you say

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Andy Maize (Skydiggers) interview

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Todd Hunter & Jeff Derksen (Todd Hunter Band)  in-studio interview and performances of:

Now I know

Goodbye

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Andy Sheppard (phone interview)

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Cat Jahnke in-studio interview

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Romi Mayes, Chris Carmichael, Scott Nolan, and Gurf Morlix. in-studio interview and performances of:

Killing Time in Texas (Gurf Morlix)

Blanket (Gurf Morlix)

Smoke More than I Drink (Romi Mayes)

Sweet Something Steady (Romi Mayes)

Sunday, August 6, 2006

Kim Beggs in-studio interview and performances of:

When I'm Walking Down to the Station

Giddyup Cowboy

JP Hoe in-studio interview and performances of:

Until You Wait

Always  

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Bob Schneider in-studio interview and performances of:

Game Plan

Everything I Have Means Nothing to Me Now

I wish

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Matt Epp in-studio interview

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Geoff Berner telephone interview

Sunday, October 22, 2006

WCMA Spectacular, featuring in-studio interviews and performances by:

Ken Beattie (Radiogram):

The Avenue Street

In a Song

Leeroy Stagger, John Ellis, and Dustin Bentall:

Prairie Home (Leeroy Stagger)

The Old Lonely Roamer (Dustin Bentall)

Old George's (Leeroy Stagger)

It's Such a Shame (Dustin Bentall)

Where I Live (Leeroy Stagger)

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Barney Bentall telephone interview

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Nathan (Keri, Devin, and even baby Hazel) in-studio interview

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Another fabulous in-studio session, this time featuring Winnipeg's own Matt Epp, and all the way from San Francisco, the amazing Jesse DeNatale.

featuring performances of:

As Far as We Go (Jesse DeNatale)

Soul Parade (Jesse DeNatale)

End of the World (Matt Epp)

She's High Water (Matt Epp)

Sunday, March 4, 2007

James Murdoch & Nick Perrault, along with their pal Krispian Schmidt (in-studio interview)

Sunday, March 25, 2007

John Wort Hannam in-studio interviews and performances of:

Two Bit Suit

Infantry Man

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Geoff Berner phone interview

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Chris Frayer (Winnipeg Folk Festival Artistic Director) interview

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Devin Latimer (Artistic Director of the Trout Forest Music Festival) phone interview

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Brock Zeman & Dan Walsh in-studio interviews and performances of:

$50 Bill

Percy Jones

The Moon Ain't Full

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Dala phone interview

Steel Belted Past Special Guests

Thursday, September 11, 2003

Our Steel Belted official debut, and we did it in style!

Ron Sexsmith in-studio interview and live performance of:

On a Whim

Thursday, September 25, 2003

Jason Collett in-studio interview and live performances

Thursday, October 30, 2003