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Music came into my life early on through my mother.  As a farm girl from Alberta country music was her favourite, with artists like Johnny Horton, Johnny Cash, and Marty Robbins at the forefront.  But she also listened to contemporary recordings of the 50’s and 60’s by Bobby Darin, Bobby Vinton, and Glen Campbell. My dad had a few records that exposed me to big bands, horns, and jazz; such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

I came into my own musically in the 60’s and 70’s, adding folk, pop, rock, and later the blues to the mix.  Gordon Lightfoot, Carol King, Bob Marley, colliding with Led Zeppelin, The Guess Who, The Eagles, The Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughn and of course the Beatles.  Music has truly shaped my life.

I introduce each chapter of Finding My Groove with an “album cut” that reflects this diversity.  Each cut having a connection to the theme of that chapter.  I will share this music and my decision for selecting each song… give them a try and let me know if a particular song resonates with you. 

​Enjoy!
Chapter: Island Boy
“Into the Mystic”, Van Morrison Moondance, released 1970
Every nuance of the song, both musically and lyrically brings my mind and soul back to Vancouver Island; including the reference to fog horns blowing… calling you home.  It was the first song that sprang to mind when I thought of my connection with the Island.
Chapter: Paul and May
“When I’m Sixty-Four”, The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, released 1967
Apart from being a light, catchy tune, with the sentiment of loving someone to the end, it reminds me of the evening in June 2000 when we got the phone call that my mom had passed away.  My dad who had recent heart surgery and was sitting in his chair in the living room, took in the information; his body sagged, and he said: “I’ve just lost my best friend”.  He could not have said anything more.
Chapter: Western Mines
“Sixteen Tons”, Tennesse Ernie Ford Sixteen Tons, released 1955
A country classic from my mom’s collection that reached number one on both the Billboard Country and Pop charts.  It brings me back to the three summers as a teenager I lived away from home working at a mining camp on Vancouver Island.
The concept of working hard and coming out with little more than owing your soul to the company, presented with a snappy tune and a remarkable voice, resonated with millions.
Chapter: Camp Life
“Small Town”, John Mellencamp Scarecrow, released 1985
Over many years I worked and lived in both Vancouver and Toronto, and yet had no affinity for city life.  I was born, raised, and lived in small towns and at heart will always be a small-town guy.  Although sung by an American with an American perspective, this song truly still fits as a representation of small town Canada as well.
Chapter: The Cookhouse
“The Hockey Song”, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Stompin’ Tom Connors and the Hockey Song, released 1972
Still played at many a hockey game in Canada; an overwhelming favourite, everyone loves to join in with, the Hockey Song is an iconic part of Canada.
Many a Sunday afternoon while helping dad in the cookhouse we would listen to hockey games from Maple Leaf Gardens, or the Forum in Montreal, or Madison Square Gardens in New York on an antique radio. This song has always brought me back to those happy times with my dad.
Chapter: The Glass ‘Half Full’
“Small Towns and Big Dreams”, Paul Brandt, Small Towns and Big Dreams released 2001
Lyrics celebrating the values of coming from a small town (raised in Airdrie, Alberta) while at the same time expressing a desire to go after his dream of standing on the Opry stage, and having people listen to him blasting on the radio waves, garnered Paul Brandt the CCMA album of the year.
I also had a desire for people to listen to me on the air as a radio announcer; for me a very relatable song.
Chapter: Close Encounters
​“Ole Slew Foot”, Johnny Horton Honky Tonk Man, released 1956
Rockabilly meets country and Johnny Horton scores a couple of his most recognizable hits: “Honky Tonk Man” and “North to Alaska”.
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“Ole Slew Foot” is a song with a quick tempo and is about a bear that can run 90 miles an hour; which ties into the many close encounters I had with black bears.  Also, it was a song on one of my mom’s albums that I listened to many times as a kid.
Chapter: The Stinking Yellow Bus
“Yellow Submarine”, The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, released 1966
A number one hit with vocals by Ringo, it was a children’s favourite; however, it was forever tainted for me by a youthful experience.
Chapter: Boxing, Baseball, and Trouble with ‘L’s’
“Centerfield”, John Fogerty, Centerfield, released 1985
His first album in nine years, and his third solo album had a hit that really represents this chapter. My only year of Little League baseball had me sitting on the bench most of the time and I was always ready to be play.
As a teenager, Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of my favourite bands, and Fogerty did not disappoint with this album.
Chapter: We Are Not Rabble
​“Signs”, The Five Man Electrical Band, Good-byes and Butterflies, released 1970
My all time favourite “anthem” song… I can still sing all the lyrics 52 years later!  The Five Man Electrical Band was also Canadian; in the 1970’s when I was a disc jockey the CRTC required radio stations to play 30% Canadian content to support Canadian music artists.  They used MAPL (music, artist, performance, and lyrics) as the criteria; to qualify the record had to have at least two of the four categories.
Chapter: Falling from the Sky
“Free Fallin”, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Full Moon Fever, released 1980
Firstly, I love Tom Petty, and his concert I saw a few years before his death was a standout for me.  Secondly, the first song I performed in front of an audience was rhythm guitar for “Free Fallin”.  On top of that it always reminds me of my first parachute jump in 1975.
Chapter: Danger in the City
“Mack the Knife”, Bobby Darin, That’s All, released 1959
“Mack the Knife” took the Record of the Year Grammy award in 1959, also hitting #1 for Bobby Darin.  My mom’s influence in music again… I listened to her albums (including this one) many times as a teen.  I faced a dangerous and frightening encounter while working in Toronto, and this is a fitting song to highlight that experience.
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Chapter: Following My Path
​“Woodstock”, Matthews Southern Comfort, Later That Same Year, released 1970
The best “hippy” song ever, penned by Joni Mitchell.  I love this version best though.  Hopes of joining a rock and roll band became the metaphor for my dreams of becoming a radio announcer with the subtext of freedom and setting my soul free… my journey starts.
Chapter: Radio, Signing Off
“W.O.L.D.”, Harry Chapin, Short Stories, released 1973
One of my favourite albums of all time is Greatest Stories Live by Harry Chapin.  His song “W.O.L.D.” about being a radio DJ hits the mark about the biz and the characters I met at different radio stations; along with the 70’s TV comedy “WKRP In Cincinnati”, these were the best cultural references to my time in radio.
CHAPTER: Back to the Woods
“Honky Cat”, Elton John, Honky Chateau, released 1972
My twin brother introduced me to Elton John by buying his Honky Chateau album.  Great all-round album, but Bernie Taupin expressing the sentiment that the city isn’t where its at and its time to go “back to the woods” accentuated this point in my life; I became a mill worker and a logger after leaving broadcasting.
Chapter: Satisfaction Guaranteed
“Money for Nothing”, Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms, released 1985
Simply a great rock tune.  “Gotta move these refrigerators…” reminds me of my retail career with Sears, which became my entry to the business world for the next 30 years.
Chapter: Life in the Fast Lane
“I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)”, Alabama, American Pride, released 1992
Back to my country roots to highlight working in the big city!  This is my favourite Alabama track.
“Shakin’ hands with the clock…” great lyrics to accentuate the race to keep ahead of the game in life and in business.  
Arguably defined as a super group, Alabama had 41 number one hits, several multi-platinum albums and sold over 75 million records, making them the most successful country band in music history.
Chapter: The Long Way Home
 “Take the Long Way Home”, Supertramp, Breakfast in America, released 1979
Amazing harmonica intro to this song!  The title of this track alone warrants choosing this song as my album cut.
Supertramp fan or not… a great song to take a listen to.
Chapter: When It All Came Together
“The Road Home”, Travis Tritt, Country Club, released 1990
A southern rocker with a great voice and a heck of a guitar player; Travis Tritt hit the mark for me with this song.  Singing about can’t waiting to get to the big city and then over time expressing …”can’t remember why I came”.
Chapter: From a Different Place
​“Rocky Mountain High”, John Denver, Rocky Mountain High, released 1972
What a talent and a tragic loss.  
An iconic acoustic guitar intro and those distinctive vocals; I can close my eyes and be in the mountains with him.  This is a song that has always touched my soul.
This chapter marks a profound moment in my career and life.  I decided to leave the business world and find something “meaningful” as my last career.  I turned my head, heart, and soul into the not-for-profit sector, joining the Canadian Cancer Society.  One of the best decisions of my life.  Losing my mom to brain cancer 10 years earlier, I always hoped she would have been happy and proud of my choice.
Chapter: Thicker than Water
“Highway Patrol Man”, Johnny Cash, Johnny 99, released 1983
Penned by Bruce Springsteen; Johnny made a great choice recording this tune.  Although it talks about a brother who “aint no good”, to me the song is ultimately about one brothers love for the other, and always standing by family. An obscure track, but is Cash at his best and well worth a listen.
Chapter: Mom
“Loves Me Like A Rock”, Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, released 1973
What self respecting author would not write a chapter about his mom! 
When I started to figure out the world around me, I came to realize that mom was the first great love of my life, and her loss devastated me like no other.
To know that she loved me grounds me today.
Chapter: Josh
“Born to be Wild”, Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf, released 1968
One of the most classic rock songs… put on your headphones, close your eyes and rock on!
This chapter is about my younger son (who was more laid back from birth; rather than wild!)  But he has my love of rock music and made a memorable road trip with me.  What better song to choose?!
Chapter: Catherine
“I Can Help”, Billy Swan, I Can Help, released 1974
A rockabilly/country top 10 hit in Canada in 1974… and a song that we both liked. 
Still enjoy this tune.
Chapter: Getting It Together (Fishing and Louise)
“Crazy Love”, Van Morrison, Moondance, released 1970
Not only the best song I could pick for the love of my life, it also taps into our Irish roots.
At 55 years of age 10 years ago, I felt like a teenager again when we met.  Love and laughter came back into my heart.  Thank you, sweetheart.
Chapter: Finally
“Circle”, Harry Chapin, Sniper and other Love Songs, released 1972
The final chapter and the final album cut… my favourite version from this “Greatest Stories Live” album.  
Peace and love.