LIFE FREW MUSIC

Brian Burke joins Alan Frew for an unforgettable episode of Life Frew Music.   Known as one of hockey's boldest voices, Burke opens up about far more than the game. He talks about growing up in a large Irish Catholic family, playing hockey, going to Harvard Law, becoming an NHL executive, being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, winning the Stanley Cup in Anaheim, and his deep respect for the military after visiting troops in Afghanistan.    Burke also shares powerful reflections on the loss of his son Brendan, becoming an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, the importance of actually supporting the causes you believe in, and his current work in women's hockey. And, of course, Alan brings it back to music — including Brian's love of live concerts, the songs tied to his memories, and a wild Rolling Stones story from 1975.   Show notes:   00:00 - Introduction   00:54 - Growing Up In A Big Irish Catholic Family   03:39 - Harvard Law & Early Hockey Career 0   8:14 - From Player Agent To NHL Executive   12:09 - Getting Fired By The Toronto Maple Leafs   15:39 - Afghanistan, Friendship & The Troops   18:08 - Losing Brendan & Life After Tragedy   28:15 - Becoming An LGBTQ+ Ally   32:17 - Pittsburgh, Sportsnet & Returning To Hockey   34:18 - How Hockey Has Changed   36:06 - Winning The Stanley Cup   37:16 - The Toronto Maple Leafs Today   38:46 - What Music Means To Brian Burke   41:38 - The Rolling Stones Story   45:13 - Politics, Kindness & Taking Action   49:37 - Women's Hockey & The PWHL   50:38 - Soccer, Hunting & Final Thoughts

Peter MacKay joins Alan Frew for a powerful and deeply personal episode of Life Frew Music. From East Coast roots and Celtic music to politics, military service, misinformation, AI, and the soundtrack of a life in public service, this conversation covers far more than headlines. Peter reflects on what's changed in politics, why public life has become more punishing, the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families, and how music helps shape memory, identity, and meaning. Along the way, Alan and Peter share stories about Nova Scotia, Afghanistan, the Royal Family, Ireland, Willie Nelson, Joel Plaskett, and the artists and moments that stay with us forever. This is Peter MacKay in a way most people have never seen him: thoughtful, grounded, emotional, and deeply connected to the people and places that shaped him. In this episode: - Peter MacKay's Scottish and Nova Scotian roots - East Coast music, Celtic culture, and kitchen parties - What's changed in politics and why public life feels more divided - AI, misinformation, and the danger of digital manipulation - Stories from Afghanistan and the importance of supporting troops - Funny and unforgettable moments involving Willie Nelson and the Queen - Why music becomes the soundtrack to our lives Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of music, life, memory, and meaning. Show notes: 00:00 – Peter MacKay's name, heritage, and Nova Scotia roots 02:08 – East Coast music, Celtic culture, and growing up around song 05:05 – What's changed in politics and why the world feels more divided 08:14 – Why politics has become more self-serving and punishing 10:11 – How Peter MacKay got into politics 12:47 – Public attacks, family pressure, and the cost of public life 14:08 – AI, misinformation, and the danger of fake content 16:12 – Law, order, Ukraine, and the need for leadership 17:20 – Afghanistan, the troops, and music as a piece of home 21:28 – What music really means to Peter MacKay 24:22 – Music, stress, and life behind the scenes in politics 26:20 – Willie Nelson, tour stories, and star humanity 29:00 – The Queen, King Charles, and royal encounters 33:44 – Will Peter MacKay ever return to politics? 36:03 – Ireland, identity, and old assumptions 39:18 – Van Morrison, The Chieftains, and the soundtrack of life 40:22 – Peter MacKay sums up his life through music

This week we have a very special LIFE FREW MUSIC episode. Glass Tiger joins the pod!   Alan sits down with bandmates Sam Reid and Al Connelly to tell the REAL story behind one of Canada's most iconic bands.   From basement rehearsals in small-town Ontario… to grinding through bar gigs, high schools, and thousands of shows…  to global hits like "Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone" and "Someday"…   This is the journey no one saw.   They open up about:   How Glass Tiger was actually formed (from TWO broken bands) The years of struggle before success Writing two hit songs in ONE day Touring with Journey & Tina Turner Meeting legends like Paul McCartney The sacrifices behind the music And what music really means at a human level   This isn't just a music story — it's a story about persistence, identity, and legacy.   Show notes: 00:00 - Opening banter & Halifax setting 02:12 - Family roots & early musical influences 05:23 - Discovering music (radio, piano, guitar origins) 08:40 - First bands & early struggles (incomplete lineups) 12:22 - The local scene: bars, high schools, and hustle 15:12 - The chaos of early touring (yes… including the pig story 🐖) 21:03 - Formation of Glass Tiger (from two broken bands) 25:17 - Parents, sacrifice, and basement rehearsals 32:53 - "Overnight success" myth vs reality 36:52 - Breakthrough moment & record deal 41:28 - Writing TWO hit songs in one day 54:36 - What music really means (life, grief, memory)  

Erica Ehm joins Alan Frew for a conversation that goes far beyond nostalgia. From her early days at MuchMusic to becoming a songwriter, speaker, and fearless creative voice, Erica reflects on the moments that shaped her career and the mindset that helped her keep evolving. She opens up about being thrown into live television with little preparation, learning on the job in front of the entire country, and navigating the misogyny that came with being a young woman in the music industry.  The conversation also dives into authenticity, aging, fear, resilience, and what success really means once the spotlight changes. Erica shares stories about songwriting, standing up for herself, touring with Glass Tiger, and why she believes being real matters more now than ever. It's funny, honest, and full of insight from two people who have lived extraordinary creative lives. Don't miss out on episode 2 of LIFE FREW MUSIC!   Show notes: 00:00 Intro – Erica Ehm joins LIFE FREW MUSIC 00:22 Alan's approach to unscripted conversations 01:26 Erica on opening for Glass Tiger 03:15 Discovering Erica beyond MuchMusic 04:16 Fame, attention, and early experiences with men 05:19 Starting at CityTV and the road to MuchMusic 07:33 Being thrown into live television at 23 09:36 Criticism, insecurity, and growing into the role 11:33 MuchMusic as cultural curators for a generation 13:25 Misogyny and dealing with rock star entitlement 16:03 Erica's childhood and early musical influences 19:19 Touring with Glass Tiger and life on the road 22:37 Quitting MuchMusic over unequal pay 26:21 Authenticity, aging, and the modern world 40:47 What music means to Erica today   Produced by BNV Media (https://www.bnvmedia.ca/) Brought to you by Zoomer.com and Zoomerradio.ca

On the series premiere of LIFE FREW MUSIC, Alan is joined by hockey legend Doug Gilmour.   This conversation begins in 1987 but doesn't stay there. Alan and Doug revisit the moment they first met during the Canada Cup, and from that starting point the episode opens into something much larger — a reflection on eras, identity, and what it meant to grow up in a time before everything was recorded.   Doug talks about the mindset that carried him through a long NHL career, the reality of playing in a more physical league, and the balance between earning respect and staying true to yourself. There's no mythology here — just lived experience.   As always with LIFE FREW MUSIC, the thread of music runs through it all. From dressing room playlists to songs that mark chapters of life, this episode explores how performance — whether on stage or on ice — is fueled by something deeper than adrenaline.   Show notes:   00:00 - Introduction   01:00 - The first meeting: 1987 Canada Cup & how it all started   02:28 - The origin of "Charlie" → "Killer" & learning how to compete   03:18 - Playing undersized in a brutal era & the mindset advantage   04:01 - No contract, training in Düsseldorf & earning a roster spot   05:42 - From defenseman to centerman: early career adjustments   07:36 - Coaches, leadership styles & what separates players from great coaches   09:41 - Growing up in Kingston: music, Hockey Night in Canada & Canadian culture   13:43 - Calgary exit, Toronto legacy & what it means to be "a Leaf"   16:14 - Leafs pressure, playoff heartbreak & whether a "curse" exists   17:09 - Old-school NHL vs today: toughness, retaliation & respect   24:30 - The state of the world, Canada identity & generational concerns   31:27 - Family, kids in music, regret & what comes next     Produced by BNV Media Brought to you by Zoomer.com and Zoomerradio.com

LIFE FREW MUSIC is a series hosted by Canadian rock icon Alan Frew — shaped by a lifetime lived through music.   For decades, Alan's world has been built on stages, in studios, and in the in-between moments that most people never see. The friendships he's formed — with athletes, artists, entertainers, and leaders — all began the same way: through music. Around it. Because of it.   Each episode feels like a reunion. Alan sits down with the people he met along the way (and still meeting to this day) to reflect on where they've been, what they've built, and how the world — and their industries — have evolved. Music is woven throughout the conversation: the songs, the scenes, the soundtrack to defining moments. But the dialogue goes far beyond it.   From career highs and personal setbacks to reinvention, culture, and perspective earned over decades, these are thoughtful, candid conversations rooted in shared history.   Season Premiere is dropping Monday, February 24th!   Season 1 includes guests such as hockey legend Doug Gilmour, former Muchmusic VJ Erica Ehm, Glass Tiger, former politician Peter MacKay, former Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, TV star Lauren Hammersly, and country music star Tim Hicks.