Bob MacLean Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 422: feat. Jonathan Byrd & More New Releases

Jan 11 2019

North Carolina singer-songwriter Jonathan Byrd joins us on Episode 422 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album “Pickup Cowboy”, the wonderful follow up to his great 2014 album “You Can’t Outrun The Radio”. Pickup Cowboy features ten songs, eight Byrd originals (one a co-write with Charles Humphrey III, formerly with the Steep Canyon Rangers) and two songs by fellow singer-songwriter Matt Fockler, the inspiration for the title track. We also check out more of the new music we’ve received including releases by Belle Of The Fall, Sammy Duke, Reece Sullivan, Bob MacLean, A New Ground, Marty Kolls and Dennis Roger Reed. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 421: feat. Big Little Lions & More New Releases

Jan 11 2019

We catch up with Big Little Lions on Episode 421 of Folk Roots Radio. It’s at least a couple of years since we last sat down with Helen Austin and Paul Otten from the band to chat about their music. Always a great conversation, Big Little Lions released their very well-received third full length album “Alive And Well” earlier in 2018. Full of clever hooks and great harmonies, and, in some cases, a distinct message – it’s definitely worth checking out. We also check out more of the latest new releases and this time round we include new music from Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, Lennie Gallant, Jane Yolen & 3 Ravens, Bob MacLean and Caribou Run. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 415: Allison Lupton & Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Dec 17 2018

We’re back with more holiday music on Episode 415 of Folk Roots Radio. I don’t know about you, but I love Christmas music, I just hate the way it gets used as a cheap marketing tool, especially if you’re in the mall, or the grocery store or dare I say it, listening to the radio. So here it is, another attempt at some thoughtful and insightful holiday music programming – featuring mostly new self-written songs, and if they’re not original compositions, well let’s just say the artists concerned definitely take them off the beaten track. We also talk to Cambridge ON singer-songwriter Allison Lupton about her new Christmas single “The Eve of Christmas Day”, recorded with the fabulous English vocal trio The Young’uns alongside music from The O’Pears, Faron Young, Eddie Cletro with The Frontiersmen, Jimmy Witherspoon, Hank Snow, Johnny Salad, Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes, Meghan Cary, Lennie Gallant, Bob MacLean, Naming The Twins, Randall Kromm, Delta Moon, Sarah Smith and Suzzy Roche with Family and Friends. So take off your Santa suit, put your feet up and enjoy some great music to celebrate the season! Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 413: feat. The O'Pears & More Songs About Winter

Dec 06 2018

We celebrate the start of winter on Episode 413 of Folk Roots Radio with an interview with Toronto based vocal trio The O’Pears who have just released a lovely winter themed second album “Stay Warm”. We also stay with the winter theme as we check out music from Allison Lupton, Kenneth Paul Cooper, Kim Moberg, Sofia Talvik, Bob MacLean, David Lamotte and Katey Laurel. Check out the full playlist below.

Jul 12 2016

The Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music takes place from July 29-31 in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with an emphasis on the various cultures present in Cambridge and the surrounding area. The festival itself is patterned after European festivals that feature events on outdoor stages in the town core. The festival runs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. Admission is free. Brad McEwen, Artistic Director at the Mill Race Festival joined us to chat about this year’s programme. This year’s festival features Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley, Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian, Bob MacLean, The Bilge Rats, The Boxcar Boys, Cihat Ozturk, Cupola:Ward, Discovery (Jeff & Elaine), Frog and Henry, Juneyt, Lederman/Bell, Martin and Shan Graebe, NUA, Relative Harmony, The Schotts, Shane Cook and The Woodchippers, Sweet Felons All, Tamar Ilana and Ventanas, Tellier, Somers and Nunn, Tethera Quintet, Tony Gouveia and Elizabete. For more information visit millracefolksociety.com. Music: The Boxcar Boys “Baby Don’t You Tear My Clothes” from “Cicada Ball” (2015, Self), Cupola Ward “Damped In His Groove” (Live).

Bob MacLean – In The Studio

Jun 06 2016

Bob MacLean is a celtic guitarist and folk singer with roots in Cape Breton and Quebec. He’s been playing guitar for as long as he can remember, and his passion for the instrument has only grown over the years. Bob plays solo guitar and also performs as part of a duo McCairley and MacLean with fiddler Fiona McCairley. Bob joined us in the studio at the farm in Hillsburgh last fall for a fabulous conversation about his music and a few live tunes. For more information about Bob’s music visit bobmaclean.ca. Music: Bob MacLean “Songbird” (Live), “Sweetness of Mary” (Live), “Permission to Dream” (Live), “Red-haired Boy” (Live), “Pipe on the Hob/Out on the Ocean” (Live), “Jack the Sailor” (Live), “Rose of Allendale” from “Permission to Dream” (2002, Self).

Mo’ Town Benefit Concert – November 17

Nov 05 2015

Colorado bluesman Mo’ Kauffey moved to Guelph 15 years ago, and since then he’s become a stalwart of the Guelph music scene, and a perfect example of what a local music scene should be all about. Local musicians getting out there and sharing their musical gifts with the community as often as possible. Well, unfortunately Mo’ has been diagnosed with cancer. And for that reason all of his friends – and they are legion, are getting together to raise money so that Mo’ can get access to the best treatments available, in Canada – and beyond. Join the Mo’ Town team for a very special fundraiser on Tuesday November 17 at the Royal Electric Bar & Public Eatery.

Sep 25 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio features interviews with two artists who have produced wonderful new albums, Brenda McMorrow joins us to chat about her latest western folk meets Kirtan (Indian devotional music) album “My Heart Bows Down To You” and we talk to Ange Hardy, direct from Somerset England, about “Esteesee”, her great new album inspired by the life and work of English romantic poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As usual we include a selection of the new music we’ve received and continue our on-going feature on the nominees for the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards. I really enjoyed putting this show together. I hope you enjoy it.

May 10 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured interviews with both Gordie Tentrees and Sarah Jane Scouten. Yukon-based Gordie took time out from touring in Alberta for an in-depth conversation about his new album “Less Is More”. And, Sarah Jane Scouten is bringing her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph on Saturday May 23 for a show at Silence, Guelph’s premier listening venue with support from bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio. You can purchase advance tickets here. As usual we also found time to include a lot of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Nov 13 2014

Folk Roots Radio on November 8 2014 was all about the music… lots of it, and, much of it new. As usual we also featured a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 04 2014

Folk Roots Radio on May 3 2014 (Episode 148) featured our mystery theme, lots of new music and a fabulous studio appearance by Drew McIvor.

Bob MacLean

Apr 18 2014

Renowned fingerstyle guitarist Bob MacLean will be bringing a whole selection of guitars and mandolins to Magnolia Café on Saturday April 26 2014 for an intimate evening of trad tunes, songs & finger style guitar. The show kicks off at 8:00 p.m. and the price of admission is just $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place.

Episode 141

Mar 15 2014

Folk Roots Radio on CFRU 93.fm on March 15 2014 (Episode 141)

Mystery Theme: “Growing Old”

Fiona McCairley & Bob MacLean

Mar 12 2014

Fiddler and guitar duo Fiona McCairley & Bob MacLean take over Van Gogh’s Ear, Guelph on Sunday March 16 from 2-4 p.m. This pay what you can show promises to be energetic and engaging, and lots of fun. Fiona McCairley is an award-winning fiddler and Director of the Guelph Celtic Orchestra. Bob MacLean is founder of the Waterloo-Wellington Guitar Summit. The afternoon will also feature step-dancing from the McCairley sisters.