Live Canadian music on The Hour

The Hour is trying something new.

They have done music specials for Christmas time and there was the Tragically Hip music special but they want to have bands performing on the show on a more regular basis.

Every once in awhile, on no particular day, George will present a lesser known, but fantastic Canadian band playing live near the end of the show.

The last five minutes will be bands like Timber Timbre from Ontario,
The Novaks from Newfoundland,

Billy The Kid from BC and other touring bands from all corners of the land.
If you can think of great bands you would like to see get this kind of national exposure, write the show and let them know.

Email thehour@cbc.ca, or write to The Hour, the address below.

THE HOUR
c/o CBC Television
P.O. Box 500, Station "A"
Toronto, Ont.
M5W 1E6

If you're emailing George, please use 'Message to George' as a subject.

*As they air on The Hour you can then watch the bands play some more songs as a web exclusive on The Hour's own site.
Enjoy!

Rolling into May... This Week on The Hour

Let's get started...

Today is of course, Mother's Day, so maybe you've Brunched it up today with your mom? Hope the day was a great one for all.

Tonight, as usual, if you're in need of some good music and some good banter George, Bob, Rich and other guests will bring you 4 hours of all you can handle on CBC Radio2. Enjoy.


Back in TV Land...


Monday, May 10th


David Suzuki

Author, broadcaster, activist, environmental crusader, founder of the David Suzuki Foundation and according to the CBC series 'The Greatest Canadian' the 5th greatest. I still recall the great debate between Suzuki and a Professor at my Alma Mater getting into it over controversial theories on race. Can you say academic bitch slap? I sure can.

Bruce Greenwood

Bruce Greenwood is one of those actors that works steadily... a favourite of Atom Egoyan, he's does drama so well and has a list of impressive credits as long as your arm. Of course, he's most recently known for his work in the last Star Trek film but I have to confess I loved his sleazy portrayal of Nick, the disappearing husband of Ashley Judd's character in Double Jeopardy - one of those guilty pleasure movies.

Tuesday May 11th

TBA -- Mystery Day! As of this writing, we know who's taping, but NOT who's airing. Relax and go with it.

Wednesday, May 12th


Christopher Plummer

At 80, Plummer has mastered it all! Television, Screen and Stage. Loved by generations for his portrayal of the dashing Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music - Plummer has spent decades being critical of the film apparently calling it 'The Sound of Mucous'. Whatever. Every Christmas, families all around the world watch for 4 hours, including commercials. I am thrilled that he will be taking to the stage of the Stratford Festival this summer in The Tempest.

Des McAnuff

With the backlash to the Conservative Government's indifference to art in our country, a very significant tide has turned for the Stratford Festival. Being the creative mind as Artistic Director of the Festival, Des McAnuff has to bring the art, spectacle and quality that is Stratford's signature... but do it on budget. Very recently, the Festival received an enormous endorsement in the form of $3 Million dollars from the Marquee Tourism Events Program. Has government realized the economic benefits to tourism and the arts? We can hope.


Thursday, May 13th

Jacob Tierney

Film maker Jacob Tierney is a Montreal bred up and comer. His latest film is 'The Trotsky' that made a real splash at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall. It tells the story of a Montreal teenager who believes that he is the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky and sets about to organize unions, find his older woman/muse to hilarious results.


Jay Baruchel

Not so coincidentally, star on the rise Jay Baruchel is the star of Tierney's film 'The Trotsky'. He's a Montrealer too, so hopefully with the Habs still in this thing, conversation won't drift entirely to the ice. Loved him in Tropic Thunder!

Friday, May 14th

Repeat-A-Palooza - So nice, watch 'em twice...

Bruce Greenwood

Cypress Hill

Yes, Cypress Hill are legends of Hip Hop, but I couldn't resist showing their triumphant turn at Homerpalooza on the Simpsons. Good times. Anyone remember that? Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins... No Doubt.



Danny Bhoy

He's Scottish, Indian and funny... his stand up has graced many international stages, including Just for Laughs!

Blame the playoffs!

On this week's edition of The Strombo Show...

Special guests MGMT. Not only is there an interview component, but MGMT members Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden also DJ part of the show. If you are a fan of the band, you will not want to miss it. The Strombo Show starts at 8pm EST, but with the magic of the internet, you can check it out in the various time zones across Canada by visiting CBC Radio 2.

Coming up on The Hour...

If you are a hockey fan and your team is still 'in', then the month of May is starting off on a great note! Once again The Hour is running repeats as the NHL playoffs continue.

Monday, May 3rd


Director Lee Daniels.

Musician Dave Stewart.

Actress Mindy Cohn.

Tuesday, May 4th

Toronto born actress and comedienne Catherine O'Hara.

Author Nick Hornby.

Actress Drew Barrymore.

Wednesday, May 5th

The "Best of" Faith edition.

Thursday, May 6th



Actor and activist Michael J. Fox.

Friday, May 6th





Canadian music superstar and recent Juno Award winner, Michael Bublé.

Actress Patricia Clarkson.



Actor Clive Owen.

In other news...

As we know, this season of The Hour is slowly winding down. If you want to catch a taping (in Toronto or during a special visit to Vancouver), it is not too late. Visit the The Hour's website to reserve your free tickets!

If you are in the Toronto area toward the end of May AND have lots of spare money, you may be interested in checking out a fundraiser in which George will be participating. The White Knight Gala is an annual event put on by the Ron White Foundation, to raise both awareness and funds for a partnering charity. During the Gala, George will be assisting in a live auction. I love the name of this event as it conveys various meanings, depending upon how you read it. While Ron White is the founder, the name also implies the traditional concept of the helping white knight...you know the dude on a horse who helps someone in distress. And then there is the dress code for the event: "All White Summer Cocktail Attire and your most fabulous, colourful or outrageous shoes to model on the White Carpet". George in all white? REALLY?

If you can't pony up the cost required to physically attend the event, you can always make an online donation.