Bob's Basement: A Podcast About Change

Kids in the Hall member Scott Thompson and his writing partner Paul Bellini (aka Bellini in a Towel) join Bob virtually in the basement to talk about their band Mouth Congress and the new release Valley Of Song Paul shares his on going battle with cancer and how he is feeling these days. Scott gives some dirt on the Amazon re-boot of Kids In The Hall and how hard a project was to complete. They also talk about recent Kids in the Hall Shows in Toronto at the Rivoli and Danforth Music Hall.

Bob first heard about Kasador when he was the Music Director at 94.9 The Rock. They are a Kingston based band who rock. Full disclosure Boris is the son of The Tragically Hips Rob Baker. (Who has been on this very show with Craig Northy when they were plugging their side project "Strippers Union")

So the Phoenix Concert Concert Theatre is closing. No wait. It's not. But what about this party we are throwing to say farewell....let's have it anyway! Nov 23rd 410 Sherbourne St. The Last Dance (Sorta) On this episode DJ Dwight Hybrid, DJ Paul Dinghra, Brother Bill (aka Neil Morrison), Chicken Shawarma (aka Jeff Domet) and myself all recollect the good times had @ The Phoenix over the years.

Born in St. John's Newfoundland Ken Tizzard joins Bob in the basement and talks about change in the music industry , in media and in his personal life. Ken shares some stories about song writing (He wrote the music for ALL UNCOVERED by The Watchmen!) about being on the road and about real life changes with health and mental health. Don't sleep on this episode!

When Moby released "Destroyed" the year was 2011 and I was running 103.9 PROUD FM. My friend Mike Rice (who I worked with at Edge102) was with EMI music at the time. I proposed an in depth long form interview with Moby in which we'd play some new tracks along with some old ones. Mike made it happen and I was fortunate enough to sit down with one of my favourite artists of all time. I am going to throw the odd one of these flashbacks into the Bob's Basement feed as I research my back catalogue of interviews in radio. Speaking of radio - at the end of this episode I give a little update as to what may or may not be going on with me professionally.

Blair Packham joins Bob to discuss how the "gig economy" has changed in the last 40 years. His band The Jitters were a mainstay on Toronto radio for a period with hits like "Last of the Red Hot Fools" and "Closer Everyday" being played throughout the late 80s and into the 90s. (Side note: Reunion show @ Hugh's Room Live coming up soon https://www.showpass.com/the-jitters/)

Bob Wegner isn't a household name but there is a good chance you have heard him play. Among other things Bob was the guitarist on the first Toronto production of We Will Rock You the Queen musical. A native of Hamilton Bob has lived in Toronto since 2007 as a working musician but is embarking on a change now as he relocates to Montreal. He also gives Bob (Willette) a lesson on where to start when it comes to Prog Rock.

Jesse ticks all the boxes...he's charming, he's talented, he's good looking, he's easy to work with....and yet here he is like so many.........sitting on the sideline's as traditional media tries to figure out how to move forward in our post-social media digital world. Take a listen as Bob talks to someone he was fortunate enough to work with for 2.5 years during his stint in Kingston with Corus Entertainment.

Steve is helping Bob find his way through this current "underemployment" situation. And he can help you. But most importantly, he wants to help others. Listen for Steve's SIX MAN Challenge. Steve's goal is to help reduce suicide among men. It's an epidemic, and dudes need to help dudes. https://impactivelearning.com/

A quick update about the poker dealer adventure. A little radio talk - who wants to buy a radio station? And something else (not really I wanted to keep up with the rule of 3 thing)

Fellow former Corus employee Jaimie Galloro is on the show to discuss exactly what Bob (and many others) are going through. After 20+ years with the company she has found herself "between gigs" https://www.instagram.com/jaimzb/ Jaimie and Bob discuss having early success in a creative field and finding yourself approaching 50 on the sidelines.

It's been a while but guess whose back? A quick life update and a plea to hear from you. Are you a Gen X in a creative field? Have you recently been structured out? Laid off? Bored of things? Let's talk about it. email me bobwillette@gmail.com

Hey there! Been too long, I know. There is a little life news I hint at in the start of this episode, that I can't quite go into yet...and then my episode of WISHLIST from Pearl Jam Radio. I hope you enjoy. More podcasts to come more often - I promise.

Had some technical difficulties with this one...and we are a little late getting it out. One of the best Hard Rock bands to come out of the 90s is and was FILTER. Richard Patrick is the founder of Filter. Well, he really IS Filter. In August Bob had the pleasure of talking to Richard about his days in Nine Inch Nails, the new Filter album "The Algorithm", his sobriety and of course how does it feel to write a song like "Take a Picture" and see it grow and grow and grow

Sure he was in The Spoons. Sure he was in Honeymoon Suite Sure he is one of the most talented musicians the great city of Burlington ever produced...but he is by far known most as Bob's Duke Cousin Co-host of TOAST on Toronto Mike'd Podcast. Monthly Bob and Rob join Mike and talk about music of all kinds. This time Bob and Rob talk about change...in Rob's storied career!

In December 2022 Bob travelled to Treasure Beach Jamaica. And oh what a treasure it was! There he met entrepreneur and real estate developer Kirin Singh. A fellow Canadian Kirin had visited Jamaica in 2017 and thought "I'd really like to live here!" ....something most Canadians think when they travel south. The difference here is - She has done it! Talk about change! Also check out the listing for her villa that is available for rentals - it's stunning! https://jamaicaescapes.com/treasure-beach-jamaica-destiny

Award-winning actress and activist, Loretta Swit, who received the BETTY WHITE Award from Actors & Others for Animals in 2017, joins Bob to talk about her new fragrance and her new book available at www.switheart.org. Of course they also talk about her many years as a stage and screen actor....and dive deep into the many changes that happened on the iconic television show MASH.

WARNING: There is Forty Creek Whisky consumed during this episode. Adam Robinson knows about change. He was the head of engineering at Evanov Radio Group for many years and during those years the company grew from 3 stations to something like 19. All of those stations needed studios built. Including 103.9 PROUD FM where Bob and Adam met. If you are a fan of Bob's Basement then you know we owe Adam a huge thanks - as he helped Bob put together his basement studio and still to this day Bob records on a mic that Adam has "lent" him. This episode was recorded in early December of 2022.

Jim Lang is celebrating 9 years as the morning show host on 105.9 The Region this year. He has done television. He has done radio. He has done play by play. He has done talk radio. He has done sports radio. And now he is in the basement to talk "change" Bob and Jim talk about how growing up in a military household prepared him for all the unexpected changes that can come with a career in broadcast. Jim and Bob also discuss how technology has greatly changed the evolution of how traditional radio is made and consumed.

Talk about change! One minute you're doing your successful morning show with a side hustle of a little voice work here and there...and the next you're on CNN, Good Morning America and Ryan Seacrest?!!?!? That's what happened to Kat Callahan when she revealed that she is the voice of Tik Tok. (Trust me you've heard her) BUT Bob and Kat go waaaay back. The currently work for the same company and it is the second time they have. (Radio is a very small industry) Take a listen!

Joel Carriere is responsible for bringing us some of the most iconic music in modern Canadian music history. His record label and launched the careers of bands like Alexisonfire, City and Colour, Arkells, Monster Truck, The Dirty Nil, The Sheepdogs and many many more. He has a unique viewpoint on how radio and records and band management have changed over the last twenty years. Oh and he also recently broke his penis. No joke. SO WE HAD TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

About Karl Wolf:Karl Wolf is a Lebanese-Canadian musician raised in Dubai and based in Toronto. He is a singer, songwriter and producer who has released 5 certified Gold singles in addition to his 4X platinum international hit, “Africa”. Having collaborated with the likes of Timbaland, Juicy J, Fatman Scoop, among others, the MTV Europe and 6-time SOCAN award winner has now released 9 studio albums and is still going strong! Karl and Bob have a very candid conversation about the changes in the music and radio industry. Karl talks about the negative feedback he received after putting his own spin on what is considered a classic 80s tune. And Karl talks about his upcoming cross Canada DIY live tour!

Jeff Domet and Bob began their broadcast journey's as interns on Edge 102's Humble and Fred Show. Listen in as they discuss changes in the media landscape and changes in their personal lives. Shawarma - is the first person to actually record INSIDE Bob's Basement. A momentous occasion to be sure! That was the original description of Episode 66. But thanks to a technical glitch (aka Bob messing up) that one hour + episode is gone....forever. In the meantime take a quick listen to an update from Bob and him talking to some youths about change. Yes. Youths.

A few weeks back Nails joined Bob in his basement virtually from his home in Malta. Malta and Zoom do not get along - so forgive the technical issues/edits. Nails is a long time radio guy who just wants to help announcers/presenters make entertaining radio. He and Bob discuss the ever changing world of broadcast from the technical side to the details of what really resonates with today's radio listener.

Sebastian Clovis has had a lot of change in his career. From being a Grey Cup winning Defensive Back in the CFL to the host of very successful HGTV Home Reno Shows he has adapted to whatever life has thrown at him. He and Bob sit down and discuss what it's like to come to a new country at 6 years old and the journey and changes that need to happen to "fit in". Side note of the "small world" nature: Tristan's Dad was a teacher at Bob's High School and they sang in a high school musical together in a Barber Shop Quartet! Please note: Sebastian did not offer to sing with Bob during this episode.

Paul Bellini is an award winning comedy writer and performer. But more importantly he used to work for Bob on PROUD FM. Join Paul and Bob as they discuss the art and science of sketch writing and comedy, Paul was a writer of two of the most successful comedy shows ever to come out of Canada: The Kids In The Hall and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. He also has a band with Scott Thompson called Mouth Congress. (One in which he freely admits he can't write music at all) So if you didn't win the Touch Paul Bellini contest help on The Kids In The Hall back in 1990, this might be the closest you will get.

Collectively Craig Venn and Mike Luck have over 50 years radio experience. Together they have been doing mornings on "The GTA's Rock Station" 949 The Rock for nearly a decade. Bob worked with them for a near four year span doing middays and music at 949 The Rock. Listen in as they discuss the changes in morning radio over the course of the past 10 years and more in this radio centric episode.

Dave Trafford is probably best known to Toronto radio audiences as a host and news director on Newstalk 1010 CFRB. Dave has recently left any kind of a "regular gig" in terrestrial radio behind and entered into the world of Podcasting and content creation with his daughter Erin. Dave and Bob talk about the many changes in media in depth in this episode. They also talk about how the are sort of related now....well, in laws.

You might know Mike Wilmot from "Just For Laughs" and "The Nasty Show". You might know Mike from "Corner Gas". You might know Mike from his starring role in the cult classic "It's All Gone Pete Tong". Bob knows Mike because one of Bob's closest friends is Mike's little brother, Mark. Bob and Mike laugh a lot in this episode. They talk aout how the stand up game has changed, They talk about comedy clubs and bits. And they talk about a rather disturbing Unicorn that might get you in trouble. Be warned - there is a lot of NSFW language and content here. Enjoy.

Some people say drummers are strange people...some people say lawyers are a unique breed. Well Kurt Dahl is both. He's been the drummer for Canadian Rock Band ONE BAD SON for nearly 18 years and he's been an entertainment lawyer for a good portion of that as well. While some rock stars party in the back of the bus - Kurt negotiates deals. If ever there was someone qualified to talk about change with a unique perspective on it -it's Kurt. Take a listen and enjoy!

Lori Gibbs has been described as a human anti-depressant. She is a rare commodity - a stand up comedian with a sunny disposition. She and Bob talk about how she knew at 20 that she wanted to be a stand-up - however she didn't take the plunge til after her 40th birthday. Lori has also been a morning show host in Calgary over the years. If you want to hear Bob give a curse laden rant about what is "wrong" with radio (and some of those who run it) take a listen to this episode...there is a NSFW rant after Lori shares an anecdote about a radio "consultant" she once encountered.

Bob and Dave Kaufman do not know each other at all at the beginning of this episode. They have merely "liked" each other's Tweets along the way. By the end of the episode something has changed...they seem like friends. This might be the episode in which the umbrella of change is spoken about the least, but if you want to listen to two grown men exchange passionate stories about music and broadcast, this will be a fun episode for you.

Bill Welychka was likely a staple on your television through the 90s and 2000s on Much Music and Much More Music - he has interviewed (and hugged even) the likes of David Bowie, Prince and Shania Twain. He is currently the morning host/producer in Kingston Ontario (where Bob works) for Global News CKWS. They talk about Bill's career arc and the changes it has seen and they even delve into the the technical advances in video editing and how that has changed the television game.

Greg Brady is a veteran broadcaster who has recently made the change from sports talk radio to news talk radio. He and Bob discuss Greg's time as a host on an American sports station covering teams like the Detroit Lions but also doing play by play for an OHL Team. Greg did have one request when he came on the show: he wanted to talk music, even though he's never worked in music radio. Warning: there are multiple Huey Lewis and The News mentions. Enjoy.

The second MacDonald clan member to join Bob in the basement is Colin. The Trews have a new album out (Wanderer) and a new beer (Trews Tone: Brewed for Wanderers). Colin and Bob exchange Tragically Hip listening stats and they compare Maple Leaf Fandom. Colin talks about how he keeps his voice sounding so strong for the Trews live shows.

Damian Rickards is a long time radio announcer who has been heard all across Ontario for the last 20 years. From his early days as an intern with Mix 999 in Toronto to his current gig hosting evenings in several markets for Corus Entertainment "Mr D" can comment on change with a lot of experience. Also - this may be the only podcast you listen to with two grown men being very excited to discuss a long forgotten mall food court outpost known as POONIES.

He was trading on the floor of the Toronto Stock Exchange at the age of 21. He was a Dragon. And now he is the owner of one of the most iconic clubs/concert venues in Canada - The El Mocombo. Michael Wekerle has a very unique perspective on change. He shares some of the ups and downs of being a "Bay Street Suit" here on this week's episode.

At 17 years old Michelle Treacy found herself on stage with Lady Gaga singing in front of over 20,000 people. And her life changed forever after that. Some good...some bad She won season two of the CBC singing competition show The Launch and had a song on the Billboard Hot 100. And her life changed forever after that. Now she is Bob's Basement - will her life change forever after this? Probably not! But she shares her story with Bob about change both positive and negative in this weeks episode.

Talk about someone who embraces change. You might know Dave Bidini as the founding member of The Rheostatics. You might know him as the award winning filmmaker. You might know him as the author of 13 books. Or you might know him as the publisher of the upstart broadsheet "The West End Phoenix" - featured just this week in the New Yorker. Listen as Bob tries to keep up with someone who is infinitely smarter than him!

The food industry changes at a remarkable pace. Change in the restaurant industry is rampant all the time. You may know Chef Ted Reader from his appearances on The Humble and Fred Show or Derringer in the Morning or Rock Mornings with Craig Venn and Lucky. Or you may have one of his cook books (he's written over 20). Ted joins Bob this week to talk about how the pandemic helped bring BBQ (aka smoking) into the mainstream and much much more.

Rob Daniels is what you might call a "journeyman" announcer on radio. Approaching 20 years in the business he's worked with some of the biggest names in Canadian radio including Tom Rivers, Tarzan Dan and Roger Rick and Marilyn. He and Bob worked together briefly as well. Rob has written a book called "Beyond The Mic" where he talks about all the changes in his life around radio and more. Mental health, physical health and career satisfaction are all covered.

James Sharman came to Canada from England when he was 16 years old with a love of sports and what turned out to be a passion for pie! James joins Bob this week to talk about change from being a "Headline Sports" PRE-day-oner to now proprietor of Sharman's Proper Pies. From Footy to Flaky Crusts and everything in between this episode is tasty!