Bob empties the last of the KWCon from his inbox to play all the latest new, local music. Also, Bob introduces Season three of She Is Your Neighbour
If you’re a local artist and want to have your work on the radio (music, poetry, short (or long) stories, comedy, radio theatre, &c) check out How To Submit Music and contact us at office@radiowaterloo.ca.
Today we have nothing but KWCon music — music by musicians from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich, and North Dumfries. All recent releases, too!
If you’re a Waterloo Region musician and want to get your music on the radio check out How To Submit Music and we’ll add it to our library!
Digging a little deeper into the InBox to find more KWCon music! All the artists on today’s show are from Waterloo Region, or were in their pasts. Bad news: I’ve only dug as deep as July 2021. Good news: There’ll be lots more KWCon music coming in the next few weeks!
This show will repeat on Friday, 4 February 2022 at 3:00pm.
I am so behind in my e-mail. Almost a year behind. And that means that people from Waterloo Region who have been submitting music haven’t heard from me, and have probably given up hope of getting their music on the radio. To you I say Do Not Despair! I’m digging my way to the bottom of my InBox, and I will get to your music submissions. In fact, I’m playing a bunch of them today.
To submit your music send an e-mail to office@radiowaterloo.ca with the subject KWCon Music Submission (substitute CanCon if you’re not from Waterloo Region), and check out our detailed music submission guide.
I have now worked my way down to June in my InBox, and will probably do a few more KWCon shows in the next few weeks until all the backlog of both KWCon and CanCon submissions have been heard on the FM airwaves. So to start, here are today’s selections.
This week I’m playing KWCon music, that is, music by local musicians from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich (and maybe some who have friends and relations in the area)… This is all new music from 2021, or newly discovered in 2021. Sadly, I’ve only got an hour, which covers barely half of the KWCon musicians I discovered this year. So that means there’s not enough time to provide bios or background information.
I hope this Covid is done soon. I want to bring all these musicians into the studio for interviews and maybe a Live, On-Air, In-Studio performance.
And for any musicians in Waterloo Region I’ve missed, drop us a line at office@radiowaterloo.ca with an MP3 of your music or a link to a download site, and we’ll get your songs on the air. I’m about six months behind in replying to e-mail, so please be patient. Or even better, join Radio Waterloo as a member, Start Your Own Show, and put Waterloo Region’s music on the air!
Mo Markham joins me, Bob Jonkman, on a web conference to talk about the upcoming KW Vegfest 2021, and tells us about the speakers and vendors who will be at this year’s Vegfest. We talk about veganism, the need for a plant-based diet, and the “Ag Gag” laws that try to suppress publication of the problems with industrial agriculture. The speaker presentations are being recorded, so we’ll have Mo back in a few weeks to as we put some on the air.
I promised to play a bunch of new CanCon and KWCon music today, but there was so much Vegfest to talk about we didn’t get to it. We’ll definitely have a full music episode next week, and I’ll invite the musicians to come into the studio (when it re-opens) for a Live, On-Air, In-Studio performance!
Mo Markham tells us about this year’s KW Vegfest, being held in-person at the Kitchener Market. She gives a little history, and then goes over the Covid protocols in place, done by the Kitchener Market staff. There’s no online component, but presentations will be recorded and we’ll air excerpts on a future CCC. Mo tells us about the KW Vegfest programme, and tells us about some of the musical guests. There’s more stuff happening outside, and Mo goes over the list of vendors. We talk about transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, there are Vegan Societies to help people with this, for example the KW Vegan Society and the Cambridge, Ontario Vegan Society. KW Vegfest is put on by KW Animal Save.
Veganism is one of the ways to address climate change — animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Plant Based Treaty was recently set up to bring attention to this, and some municipal councillors are already on board.
Mo’s cat Joanie introduces herself, and we talk about plant-based cat food. Cats are obligate carnivores, they’re required to eat meat. But the only nutrient needed by cats missing in plants is taurine, so adding a taurine supplement makes plant-based cat food completely nutritious for cats.
We talk about “vegan” as an ethical choice, separate from eating a plant-based diet. Veganism includes not using any animal based clothing, not going to the zoo, not riding a horse, not using animals in any way. It’s not only animal welfare that drives people to veganism, but also climate change. Mo tells us of her experiences in seeing the effects of climate change herself.
Talking about “Ag Gag Laws”, to suppress information about the conditions for animals in industrial agriculture. Mo gives details about some of these “acceptable” practices. Content Warning: Mo gives some explicit descriptions of animal abuse. Talking about the specifics of the law, how it doesn’t do what it claims to do. There have been no incidents of disease brought in my activists. But it’s foreign and low-paid workers who are most at risk of the zoonotic diseases spread by poor working conditions in these places. Strong agricultural industry lobbying keeps this law on the books.
54m34s
Hardest Part (vocals by CJ Cooper) and Bob gives the closing credits
There’s another lockdown for the Covid pandemic, and the Radio Waterloo studio remains closed. In good news, there are now vaccinations available in Waterloo Region, and there is lots of new music from local Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Palm Springs musicians (OK, Michael Gagliardi lives in Palm Springs, but he’s got a house in Kitchener, so that counts as KWCon to me!)
Since the program is all music, there’s no podcast. If you want to listen to the music again, tune in to CKMS-FM 102.7 Radio Waterloo, or click through the artist links in the music index and buy their music!
It’s the first CKMS Community Connections show of spring, when grass is growing, birds are singing, and new music is released. The studio remains closed due to Covid so there’s no interviews, but we have lots of newly released music with several tracks from local Waterloo Region musicians!
It’s International Women’s Day, so today we’re celebrating by featuring music by the women of Waterloo Region. Sadly, there’s only an hour of CCC so we couldn’t possibly squeeze in all the wonderful musicians in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and the townships. If you’ve got some music you’d like aired on Radio Waterloo then send an e-mail at office@radiowaterloo.ca and we’ll be happy to add it to our Digital Music Library. Full information is at How To Submit Music.
Bob Jonkman talks with CKMS DJs and show hosts Val Scheer and Rob Curwain about radio broadcasting, the courses available at colleges, and their experiences.
DJs Val Scheer and Rob Curwain introduce themselves and their shows; how they got their start into radio; the courses at Fanshawe College and Niagara College; discussing home production equipment and techniques, and comparing it to the college’s equipment; transferrable skills? With Covid, even commercial radio station show hosts are working from home;
The differences between commercial radio and Community Radio: So many shows! So much freedom! The mandate for Community Radio is to provide an alternative to commercial radio. But the skills are transferrable, working at CKMS helps hone the craft for a commercial radio career. Val and Rob both have “The Voice” of professional announcers — how did they get it? Mostly it comes from yourself, but in the broadcast course people will point out voice problems. Having “The Voice” isn’t needed on Community Radio, we’re more interested in what you have to say than in how you say it.
The studio remains closed due to the Covid lockdown, and so Chelsey Danfield wasn’t able to come in. She’s been invited back for a Live, On-Air, In-studio performance as soon as everything is back to normal, but the best we can do today is play some tracks from her last album, At The Time.
We’ve also got two new album releases today:
The Soviet Influence who werein the studio in February 2020, will be releasing Socialism: An Introduction this Friday, 29 January 2021.
Dichroma will be releasing their second EP, Two next month, February 2021. We interviewed Aaron Dawe on 26 October 2020, when we talked about this upcoming release.
Gelareh and Tareq of GelaX join Bob Jonkman for a discussion on music and lyrics. Unfortunately, technical problems interfered, and the interview was not completed. When the Covid is done we’ll have GelaX back in the studio for a Live, On‑Air, In‑Studio performance!
How to pronounce Gelareh and Gelax (hint: it’s a hard G); Gelareh worked in the music industry in Iran where women aren’t allowed to sing; Tareq grew up in Palestine and Saudi Arabia; segueing from metal to ambient, trance; Dreamonic to be released Friday, 8 January 2021; introducing Mr. Square
On Sunday, 15 November 2020 the Kitchener Festival of Neighbourhoods held its Mosaic of Neighbourhoods online meeting. Allison Brown, the Celebration Planner/Multi-Media Specialist with FON sends us a report featuring highlights from the meeting. It’s in two parts, the first features the Neighbourhood Exchange program and the second part is the feedback from the discussions. Allison writes “Bear in mind that this audio all comes from Zoom, so it’s not the best.” You can read all about it on their website: Festival Of Neighbourhoods 2020: A Mosaic Of Neighbourhoods.
Taylor Davison talks about performing, recording; introducing Julian Shanahan; working on a full-length album; the songwriting, composing, and production process; getting a new song out; the debut of A Lazy Day In June.
Identifying the genre of Taylor’s music; playing live shows, the differences from produced music; dynamic range; cooperation during post-production; lyrics drive the music, writing in a “diaristic way”; journals led the way to writing music; introducing You Put My Mind At Ease.
Talking about the instrumentation for You Put My Mind At Ease, Julian explains sample libraries for horns; favourite live venues; performing online; the upcoming album, releasing an album as opposed to a bunch of singles; introducing Let You Go.
Taylor Davison’s online presence, comparing social media; starting a Twitter account (@TaylorDavMusic); working on a pop song; looking for live venues; “musician’s block”; co-writing with others; introducing Christmas Changes.
The Women’s Crisis Services Waterloo Region is holding their Gift of Hope campaign during the holiday season. By donating to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region you are providing essential services to women and children who have experienced domestic violence and come to WCSWR for support. Donate today!
How Bob came across WCSWR looking for podcasts on WR Dashboard; Jen Hutton explains what Women’s Crisis Services is and does; statistics on domestic violence; the kinds of abuse that women suffer; listing the 24 Hour Support Lines: Kitchener-Waterloo: +1‑519‑742‑5894 or Cambridge: +1‑519‑653‑2422, both available to rural townships as well; how to access shelter support; better to prevent domestic abuse from happening in the first place;
What happens when someone calls the 24 hour support line; receiving calls from family and friends; planning, and things to consider when leaving; what a shelter is like — hotel style, communal dining area; staying at the shelter until housing is available; working with community partners like thrift stores and food banks; providing outreach support after moving out; a network of shelter support services across Ontario;
Talking about the She Is Your Neighbour podcast, hosted by Jenna Mayne; origins of the podcast; introducing episode 3: A Childhood Experience of Domestic Violence with Chris Linklater
Kevin California’s origins in Waterloo and travels elsewhere, developing as a musician, using his degree in kinesiology, doing production work on his albums, credits to the staff working on Timeless, describing the Timeless video
More chatting with Kevin California: More album credits, how to shoot a music video, preparing footage for the next video and the next album. Introducing Currency.
Bob Jonkman talks to Mack Rogers and Katherine Arruda. Mack explains Life Literacy Canada and National Literacy Month; moving the Money Matters program at Kitchener Public Library online. The goal is to raise people’ confidence with finance, how to save, how to take out a loan; making sure the program is accessible to everyone. Working with TD Bank experts to explain financial products, and to be an on-going contact for participants. Katherine explains the contents of the program, how people get signed up (through the library). Providing access to financial resources online. Katherine teaches Bob the basics of financial literacy – ask questions, review budgets, get companies to reduce their rates. Talking about investments and retirements. ABC Life Literace continues to do online learning with community groups, these are all free.
56m00s
2 Lane Blacktop Lies and Bob gives the end credits and a plug for the 25 Hour Xmas Radiothon starting Thursday at 8pm.
Jim Stewart and Riani de Wet of the Waterloo Region Health Coalition return to CKMS Community Connections to talk about the new legislation for Long Term Care facilities and privatization of health care.
Ford’s 4-hour long-term care announcement too late:
Need commitment to deal with staffing crisis now
Toronto – While the Ontario Health Coalition is happy that the Ford government has finally adopted the 4-hour minimum care standard as policy, the timeline that they have given is so long that it is meaningless for the people who are suffering and dying in long-term care now, warns the Coalition. The Coalition has been working to win a minimum care standard in long-term care for more than 20 years, since the Harris government removed the existing care standard in the late 1990s. For at least 15 years this has been a priority issue and the Health Coalition has held countless events and activities to pressure consecutive governments to bring it in. Today the Ford government announced that it has adopted the 4-hour target but will not commit to implementing it until 2024/25, four years and a provincial election away.
“Too much of the government’s response to date has been focused on PR at the expense of concrete measures, said Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition. “There is much more that the Ford government could do right now to save lives and get care levels up, so announcing a care standard four years from now is just not good enough.”
“Ontarians need to know what concrete recruitment and training is going to happen right now to get staff into the homes and to move us toward the four-hour minimum average care level as quickly as possible,” Ms. Mehra went on to say.
For example:
4 months ago, at the beginning of June, Quebec’s government launched a recruitment drive backed by the full power of government and funded fully to get 10,000 PSW-equivalent workers, paid them $21 per hour for training, increased wages to $26 an hour and is deploying this small army of workers into the homes.
British Columbia’s government took action 6 months ago to provide full time work and an increased wage of $21.75 per hour for PSWs in long-term care to stabilize the workforce.
In contrast, Ontario’s government did nothing substantial in the summer months when there was a lull in COVID-19 cases and should have been planning for the fall. Finally in September, they announced funding and training for 2000 PSWs along with a series of piecemeal funding and training; no big recruitment drive, no full time work, no improvement in wages and working conditions that would attract people to this work. They also renewed the pandemic pay until March, but at $1 per hour less than it was in the summer.
“We are happy that the minimum care standard is finally, belatedly, adopted as policy but we cannot allow this to be the way that this government tries to shut down the legitimate criticism about their inadequate response. We desperately need staff in the homes now. It is in this government’s power to do more. Why will they not do it?” concluded Ms. Mehra.
Almost Four Dozen People Who Applied to Testify Before the
Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Bill 218 Limiting Legal Liability for COVID-19 Harms for Long-Term Care Homes and Others,
Cut Out of the Hearings Today
Toronto – Increasingly frustrated with the lack of accountability for the response to COVID-19 in Ontario’s long-term care homes, Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra called today’s revelation that dozens of people who applied for standing in today’s legislative hearings on Bill 218 which limits legal liability for the home operators, “Injustice heaped upon injustice,” for the families of those who have died.
A number of family members and their lawyers were among those cut from the hearings, as the Ford government has limited the hearings to one part-day meaning that there are only 15 spaces for people to be heard. The government gave almost no notice for the hearings, which are being held this afternoon, so families spent hours in the past two days reliving the horrors of the last days of their loved ones lives while trying to write up their presentations, only to find that they will not be heard, Ms. Mehra reported. “It is heartbreaking, just so wrong,” she said.
Fifty-eight people applied for standing and only 15 are being heard. The practice of severely limiting public hearings has reached unprecedented levels under the Ford government which has also changed the rules of the Legislature to enable themselves to pass bills with unprecedented speed.
“There is no reason that the government cannot extend the hearings to one more day to hear from people who have been directly impacted in the most devastating of ways,” she said. “We are calling on the government to extend the hearings and give the families the ability to have input on this legislation that directly impacts their attempt to seek justice.”
Bill 218 raises the legal bar for those suing for COVID-19 harms to gross negligence from simple negligence. It redefines “good faith effort” which usually means a reasonable and competent effort to say that long-term care and retirement homes, among others, just had to make an “honest effort, whether reasonable or not”, thereby making it both harder to sue and easier to defend. It makes these measures retroactive to March 17, 2020, the week that COVID-19 began to spread in long-term care homes, impacting more than two dozen class action and legal suits that are already underway against for-profit long-term care homes that were responsible for more than half of the COVID 19 deaths in Ontario’s homes in the first wave of the pandemic, a trend that is shaping up to be the same or worse in the second wave, reported the Coalition.
The Health Coalition, which opposes these measures for long-term care and retirement homes, will testify before the Standing Committee on Justice Policy at 1 p.m. today and will call on the committee to extend the hearings.
Bob Jonkman and Jim Stewart talk about the state of the Covid pandemic in Ontario, and are joined by Riani de Wet to discuss long term care legislation.
58m01s
Ridin’ With A Thief
while Bob gives the end credits.
Thanksgiving, Covid safety, introducing Alt.Pop.Repeat, explaining “Counterculture”, the joy of podcasting and community radio, listing the episodes, finding counterculture, researching counterculture.
Taking pictures, retro-counterculture, having Alt.Pop.Repeat on Dash Radio, producing podcasts is timeconsuming, new episode on Tuesday 13 October 2020 about Yoga with Faith Hunter
Excerpt from Alt.Pop.Repeat‘s episode Legally High: The Cannabis Episode (w/ Tommy Chong) and the analysis, “The Sync”. The structure of podcasts, launching WR Podcasts, finding people for podcasts, podcasting is publicity, podcasting is informing people about differences and similarities, the cycle of counterculture to pop culture and back again, contacting Chrissy Newton and Alt.Pop.Repeat
Bob Jonkman chats with David Marskell of THEMUSEUM about the operation of a museum, the exhibits, the history, and upcoming exhibits. And we play some CanCon and local KWCon music too!
Bob reads the bio for Bano, now known as Astral Gates. Chatting with David Marskell: The state of THEMUSEUM during the pandemic, both physical and online. Reviewing some current events at THEMUSEUM. A bit of history, how THEMUSEUM came to downtown Kitchener. THEMUSEUM is still open for weddings; other collaborative exhibits with the CNE and Bingemans. Permanent exhibits as remnants from The Children’s Museum, some more history. Still open for walk-in visitors, seniors’ program, couples. About the Alarm exhibit (open until January 2021), the Land Back Camp exhibit, Music and Islamic Art. About the Underground Studio, a makerspace for STEAM.
Chatting with David Marskell about the branding of THEMUSEUM, with no collection it is officially THEMUSEUM of Ideas Transcending Objects; David Marskell’s background at other organizations; staffing at THEMUSEUM; partnerships with other museums and organizations; working online. Talking about funding THEMUSEUM.
Bob reads Jacob Bradshaw’s e-mail to the station. Chatting with David Marskell about show business; the structure of THEMUSEUM – Board of Directors, volunteering, marketing. Introducing the upcoming blockbuster exhibition: The Rolling Stones | UNZIPPED
56m40s
Gimme Shelter and Bob Jonkman gives the show credits
Please pardon the persistent on-screen graphic. I was trying out some new-to-me software (OBS Studio), but I don’t have enough hands to do both radio and video at the same time…
Bob Jonkman interviews musician JSP, and co-hosts the program with Felix Ranchero of Atardecer Ranchero, which airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Thursdays from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Talking to JSP about Don’t Worry, his new single made during quarantine; the ideas that led to the single, distribution on radio and Spotify; “JSP” was “Jay Superior”, discussing earlier works, and JSP’s art in other media. Talking about JSP’s studio and equipment, live performances. Introducing Don’t Worry.
Discussion with Felix Ranchero of Atardecer Ranchero / Dusk On The Ranch, Felix’s history on radio, language differences between Salvadorean and European Spanish. A bit of history of Bob Jonkman, too. Talking about community radio, how community radio works, involvement of the community. Talking about Jenniefer Stronge’s vision for CKMS Community Connections. Promoting the Host Your Own Show program, playing Rob Curwain’s HYOS promo.
Shiv Talwar and Robyn LeBron-Anders join Bob Jonkman to talk about the Spiritual Heritage Education Network (SHEN), the upcoming “Teaching Unity in Diversity” conference, the books they’ve written. Shiv even conducts a breathing workshop for Bob!
Deep Breathing Sessions with Shiv Talwar are held every Monday evening from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Zoom through the Civic Hub Online. Workshops are on hold while Shiv is giving lectures and preparing for the conference; they’ll resume on Monday, 5 October 2020.
Talking to Robyn LeBron-Anders about her books and the work she’s done on creating world religion courses. Final thoughts: Think of your children and grandchildren, and how they can live in harmony with the rest of the world.
James Blacktop joins Bob Jonkman in the studio, and Marc Reilly is on the phone as we talk about The Boys & I and the upcoming release of their first single, That Ain’t Me Anymore.
Exclusive tracks recorded in the CKMS-FM 102.7 Radio Waterloo Studio are now available! Right-click on a linked track title to download!
0m00s: CKMS Community Connections theme – Steve Todd
0m23s: Angel In Disguise – James Blacktop
4m07s: James Blacktop is the first musical guest to come back for a repeat visit; talking about recording the single That Ain’t Me Anymore; this is a single, no EP yet; James and Marc Reilly playing a few gigs; That Ain’t Me Anymore is Marc’s first commercial recording. Introducing the band: Luke Ducharme, percussion, has started a family and has left the band, Nathan Bonassin is now the drummer, Marc Reilly is lead guitar, Adom Postma is the bass player. James introduces Lay Down Easy.
11m56s: Lay Down Easy – James Blacktop, Live, On-Air, In-Studio!
15m34s: That’s new music! Going from idea to production; talking about collaboration; mentioning Book of Counted Sorrows; Marc’s inspiration for music combines with James’s music; writing down the music; James gets the lyrics first, notes some chords, than passes to Marc to flesh out the music; introducing Book Of Counted Sorrows.
23m40s: Book Of Counted Sorrows – performed by James Blacktop, music by Marc Reilly, live, in-studio
27m47: Origins of Book Of Counted Sorrows; James Blacktop’s studio equipment, and on live gigs; cancelled gigs and internet gigs; starting live gigs again with plastic screens separating musicians from the audience; toying with new songs during quarantine.
43m40s: Playing cover songs at live gigs; releasing That Ain’t Me Anymore on all the usual online and streaming locations; practising when not performing; Adom Postma on YouTube Chat; trying collaboration software during quarantine; the story behind That Ain’t Me Anymore; a brief listen of last year’s studio recording; alterations to the song since last year; James and Marc chat while Bob finds the track to play.
53m45s: That Ain’t Me Anymore – James Blacktop and The Boys & I
57m56s: End credits
CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs on Thursday from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.
Chris Sherren, who hosts CKMS’s Into The Void and forms the band Deaf By Design joins Bob Jonkman in the studio for a Live, On-Air, In-Studio performance, and a chat about the music he makes.
Music for the moment, Jazz-like, improvisation. Chris describes his equipment in the studio; demonstrates a reverse loop. Recalling Syd Barrett’s reverse guitar solo; Chris’s Nighthawk guitar; the EBow.
When: Friday to Sunday, 14-16 August 2020 Where: Purple Hill Country Hall Location: 20903 Purple Hill Road, Thorndale, Ontario Website: https://www.purplehillcountryhall.com/ Phone: Call Anna for tickets: +1‑519‑461‑0538
Susan Nelson and Bob Jonkman talk about finding sources and inspiration for music; playing music together since 2013; introducing Sam and Charles Nelson, and new band member Leeanne; choosing bluegrass; the appeal of the bluegrass genre; bluegrass as a community connector; The Nelson Family Bluegrass Jamboree was a successful fundraiser; playing at the Purple Hill Country Hall on Sunday, 16 August 2020; spending a quiet year to learn new music; jamming with the public after festivals; playing at the Galt Legion with the Waterloo Wellington Bluegrass Club.
What noun? “Band”, it’s The Nelson Family Bluegrass Band; history of bluegrass; bluegrass is making a comeback in Hamilton and Toronto; reminiscing about the Elmira concerts; the wide range of bluegrass styles; discussing Lord Hear My Prayer by Robin H. McCurdy.
Bob Jonkman introduces You’re Not Alone to start on Friday from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, hosted by Sherice Alishaw, and talks about Community Radio and how you can Start Your Own Show
Mo Markham is back, but not in the studio. Because of Covid the studio is still closed to guests, so Mo joins us online.
The same is true for KW Vegfest. After the huge turnout in Carl Zehr Square at Kitchener City Hall the last two years, this year KW Vegfest is going virtual. Mo and Bob Jonkman talk about how that will work.
Bob announces the played tracks, and reads artists bios for Tye Dempsey and Kiana Smith, but Bibo remains an enigma. There’s also a phone call, but it’s not Mo Markham.
Bob introduces the Korol Music School, Melotika, and Parallax Error; a bit more information on KW Vegfest, and a promo for Liberation Hour which airs Fridays at 8:00pm on CKMS-FM