Stuart McLean’s radio show has thrilled audiences for 22 years
With exams in full swing and stresses running high, a podcast or radio show can be a welcome distraction that doesn’t require even more time staring at a screen. The quintessential Canadian stories and music on the Vinyl Café can be just the tonic for tired minds and eyes.
For the last 22 years, the Vinyl Café has been a staple radio show in households all over Canada. The independently produced show was started in 1994 by Stuart McLean. Half of the episodes are recorded in a studio, while the other half are recorded in front of live audiences all over the country. The Vinyl Café is broadcasted on CBC on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Stuart McLean, an author, journalist, and radio presenter, hosts the show which caters to people from many different generations. The Vinyl Café is host to music and original stories written by McLean himself.
Broadcasted on CBC Radio in Canada, almost 100 radio stations in the United states, globally on Sirius Satellite Radio, and in podcasts, the Vinyl Café is heard by over two million listeners every week.
The original stories on the show feature the main characters of Dave and Morley. These popular characters have been around since the beginning, and McLean continues to come up with new material every year.
[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…facilitate light-hearted conversation among friends.[/pullquote]
The Vinyl Café provides listeners from many different generations a way to hear new music, and already established music. It also provides an alternative to TV and books by listening to the creative stories. There are no political or religious motivations behind the Vinyl Café, just good music and excellent stories. McLean views his show as a “meeting place” for various people, an opportunity to facilitate light-hearted conversation among friends. Listening to stories on the radio can be a form of relaxation for many, a chance to close your eyes and let your imagination flourish. The Vinyl Café also provides a great road trip option, or even just something to listen to at home while you cook breakfast.
Listening to the radio has been shown to have mood-enhancing effects, aiding in increased energy and happiness. The radio can also provide a feeling of “company” when alone. This can benefit people who are looking for a break from a computer, or someone who might be feeling lonely.
McLean hopes the philosophy of the Vinyl Café carries over into our lives as well. He had some particular advice for graduating students at Concordia in 2014. “Your choice is how you will accept the responsibility of citizenship,” Mclean said. “Do it joyfully. Spread optimism rather than cynicism; act with the understanding that we are all in this together.”
This quote sums up the exact feeling one gets from listening to the Vinyl Café. It is a positive, upbeat show that provides more than just entertainment, but positive stimulation as well.
Every year, the show does a very popular Christmas tour around Canada. Unfortunately, this year the majority of the Christmas shows were cancelled after McLean was diagnosed with Melanoma. Luckily, McLean has a very treatable form of Melanoma, with his doctor saying the treatment has an 85 per cent success rate. Right now, it is looking good with the Vinyl Café back on the road again, with a show yesterday in St John’s.