Phil’s Inn

In honour of the great Funkmeister, Walther Funk, Brad cranks up wall-to-wall funk . . . dance yourself stupid . . .  

Brad loves doing fill-ins . . . especially 12 - 2 pm on a wednesday - Db hawkes old shift . . .

Because it is too big to ignore, Brad decides to look at America on its 250th Birthday . . . is it right to celebrate something on life support?

Brad decides to celebrate Canada Day the best way he knows how - by being on the air broadcasting wall-to-wall Canadian artists . . . 

For no reason particular, Brad decides to devote the show this afternoon to organ music . . . that's right, organ music . . . you got a problem with that? 

After last week's show on death, Brad went into a deep contemplation of the nature of the universe - is it random or is it determined? Is it cause and effect or a roll of the dice? You decide . . . 

Returning to Ernest Becker's incredible book, The Denial of Death, Brad decides to take a risk and look at songs about death through the lens of Becker's insights and proclamations  . . . 

After one of the most chaotic and horrid shows last week, Brad goes to a tropical beach in some undisclosed location to get centred - in spite of the bad optics !!! Does he redeem himself this week? . . . you decide . . .   

in the midst of the worst rainstorm in awhile, Brad visits the Auction House to declutter the flotsom and jetsam people leave at the Inn. Lava lamps, anyone? Or David Cassidy Soap-on-a-Rope? How about a plaster cast from the Plaster Casters?

Brad, realizing he hadn't programmed a show entirely of cover versions in quite a while, heads to the Senior Baseball League's season opener, leaving behind a whole gaggle of cover versions to be played by the AI Song Generator, Chat BTO,. . . requests, of course, encouraged . . . 

With unfound broken pipes flooding most of the basement boiler room, Brad dons his waders and heads downstairs. Meanwhile, wonderful singer-songwriter Abigail Lapell spends a bit of time talking with Brad about maternity, fertility, and parenting . . . plus her amazing songs . . . 

Brad, fed-up with the dark, dreary, dismal, dank, and damp weather, decides to test drive the new Holographic Room and surround himself with a virtual English countryside. As well, comedian Eric Andrews drops in for a short visit . . . 

Famed musician and swell guy, Ken Whiteley, drops by the Inn to talk about his birthday bash next week. As well, Brad visits the stockyard in the West Side of the Inn to see how his cattle are doing. They're fine . . . 

On a beautiful sunny day, Brad decides to captain his bowling team - the Knights of the Flaming Arrow - in the Senior Bowling Round Robin Tournament. Then, lo and behold, a surprise visit from Dave O'Rama, in from Lovecast Island and bringing a ray of sunshine . . . 

Once again, folk music icon, Tom Rush, comes and visits the Inn for a spell, with stories and memories abounding. How fitting since the show examines and celebrates the music and artists of the 1960s Folk Revival . . . 

June Millington, amazing guitarist from the seminal and iconic rock band, Fanny, comes for a visit and a splendid conversation ensues. Afterwards, Brad is compelled to play a long set of music in connection to the NO KINGS global rallies . . . 

In a continuing effort to help quell the drums of war and pestilence, Brad summons the voices of angels . . .   

After much technical difficulties (damn you, Zoom !!!), Brad finally connects with famed and funny comedian Jeremy Hotz comes for a short visit to the Inn. Ther rest of the time we spend playing comic music, comics standing up, and bad jokes as a means to deflect the miserable reality the world has become . . . a splendid time guaranteed for all . . . 

Because rough beats keep slouching towards Bethlehem, Brad decides the afternoon needs music that a uplifting and life-affirming. Oh yeah - plus a visit by the director and editor of the amazing documentary "Nash the Slash Rises, Again".

With the month of February drawing to a close, Brad suddenly realizes that he hasn't really acknowledged or celebrated Black History Month all throughout February. Today, at the Inn, he solves that dilemma . . . 

Raoul of Raoul and the Big Time drops into the Inn for a visit and talks to Brad about the blues and other sundry things . . . a splendid time was had by all . . . 

A Romantic in heart and manner, Brad pulls out some songs dealing with love and all its crazy configurations. Here at Phil's Inn, we wish and hope everyone has someone to bestow Valentine's Day wishes upon. If not, love yourself . . . 

Once again, it is time for the somewhat Annual Phil's Inn Film Festival. With the temperature totally frigid, Brad is not surprised that no one showed up at the Festival. His thinking now is "Screw 'em ! More Lucky Elephant popcorn for me."

Meredith Moon, fabulous banjo/guitar/dulcimer player of Americana and original tunes drops by for a short visit and her and Brad talk about old-timey Appalachian music and stuff . . . also a surprise appearance of Jimmy Durante . . .

Esteemed pillar in the pantheon of American songwriters - Jimmy Webb - pays a short visit to the Inn and talks to Brad about songwriting, being an outsider, and what it takes to be an artist. Brad only wishes he had more to ask more questions . . . 

Brad opens the apre-ski coffee shop downstairs in the basement of the East Wing of the Inn - "Rick's Cafe Americain" - and serves up pumpkin and potato lattes, piping hot cabbage cider, and white and green bits hot chocolate with shredded coconut and old newspapers. Also members on the long-running Village Players drop in for a chat . . . 

Broadcasting from amidst a practise demonstration downtown, Brad decides to air tunes appropriate to the loudly banging of war drums this week . . . 

In spite of this morning's news about Trump and Venezuela, Brad decides to side-step the pit of despair and cynicism gaping in front of us and play things that bring a smile to our faces.  

At year end, Brad knows that though he can't offer hope, he can give comfort with his favourite cover version of 2025 . . . and a few things from du cinema . . .

With the weather dark, dank, dismal, and deary, Brad decides to set-up at the famed Phil's Inn Christmas Market and play some Yuletide tunes, something old, something new, and something blue . . . BTW - this great picture is the work of Paul Lewis, loyal supporter/listener of CIUT 89.5 FM and fellow Cabbagetowner. Remember - "the thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices" . . . Happy Holidays !!!!!

Brad sets up at the local shopping mall, succeeding in high-jacking the mall's Muzak system for a brief moment, and bumping into old friend, Christel Bartelse, who tells us about her upcoming Christmas extravaganza . . . she brought her smile and breezy personality . . .  

With yet another dark, dreary, dank, and dismal day and mood as gray as the clouds, Brad decides to just relax by the fireplace and drink Ovaltine . . .

On a dark, dank, dismal, and dreary November afternoon, Toronto Blues Legend Paul James drops into the Inn and tell stories about him and Bob Dylan, Willy DeVille, and Bo Diddley. A splendid time was had by all . . .

Join us for the station's Annual Fall Fundraising Drive. Brad is joined by Board of Directors members, Peter Rowe and his lovely wife, Carol, Henry Lewis, past programmer and regular listener Steve Russell, and Dr. Mouth. If you are a regular downloader of the station's podcasts, maybe think about making a donation . . .  

Long a favourite at the Inn, Old Man Luedecke drops by for a visit and helps Brad pronounce his last name . . . 

With the weather at the Inn this week being so dank, dark, dismal, and deary, Brad decides to build a big fire in the fireplace, get some Ovaltine, his MacGregor wool socks, and his thermal Stanfields, and just take it relatively easy for a change. Later on, Bruce Coughlan from the West Coast Celtic band, Tiller's Folly, makes a pre-recorded visit and pulls up a comfy chair. . . 

This week, Terence Enright, author of Whatever Doesn't Kill You Makes You Horny : Memories of John Franklin Candy, visits the Inn and him and Brad turn into old farts remembering their high school friend . . . 

Leslie-Anne Coles from the Female Eye Film Festival drops in for a short visit and it ALL CANADIAN day at the Inn . . . 

Brad welcomes guitarist extraordinaire Colin Linden to the Inn and then, later esteemed actor, producer, activist Jennifer Podewski drops by to talk about the Female Eye Film Festival. It's good to have guests . . .  

American guitarist, singer-songwriter Luke Winslow-King comes for a visit and we chat about his processes - writing and preforming, plus play a few of his incredible songs . . . 

This week we have a shorten version of the Inn due to a Varsity Blues football game . . . 

Brad and and a few Inn associates man the Phil's Inn Booth at the CNE, hawking t-shirts, throw pillows, and key chains. Drop by and say hello . . . 

Brad sets up the Phil's Inn booth just outside the Midway at the CNE. He is selling Phil's inn t-shirts, keychains, placemats, throw pillow, and water-based tattoos . . . and so much more . . . 

A lazy, sunny day at the Inn . . . Brad is out in the Meditation Garden and all is well with the world . . . 

Brad is drafted to perform Front Desk duties when the Inn gets super crowded over the long weekend. He doesn't get a chance to enjoy the Water Regatta at the Phil's Inn Waterfront . . . 

Esteemed musicians/composers Tony Quarrington and Paul Corey visit the Inn and we talk a bit about Norm Hacking, his music and his legacy and his birthday . . . 

Brad, suffering from acute Trump Exhaustion Syndrome, decides to use the employees' climate controlled and simulated geodesic dome to balance things out . . . chakras and cheese . . . 

with the weather just too darned hot, Brad escapes to the beach with lapping waves, cool beverages, and 147 sunscreen.

Ken and Chris Whitely visit the Inn and we talk about jug band music, the blues, Toronto music scene in the early 60s, gospel music, and cabbages and kings . . . a splendid time was had by all . . . 

in acknowledgment of the generous and affirming donations to CIUT 89.5 FM Spring Fundraising Drive, Brad decides to kill the jibber-jabber and just let the music flow . . . kinda like mix tapes . . .