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Backbeat Radio
A radio show featuring Vintage Popular Music
They don't play on the radio

Broadcast on radio stations across Canada and the U.S.A. See below for a list.

Here is a summary of the previous ten Backbeat shows that can be streamed on-demand for free. Streaming service is provided by Mixcloud, clicking on the link will take you to their site.

  • July 6, 2025

    Ella LoganThis week we feature an American jazz singer from Glasgow, the original version of 16 Tons, Dean Martin re-imagining a popular Mexican melody, a rockabilly wild man who became an Arizona State Representative and a whole lot of other favourites.

    SEE THE PLAYLIST -  LISTEN

     
  • June 29, 2025

    Kay StarrThis week's Backbeat has more of the same, but all different. We'll hear a spiritual group, The Southern Sons, perform a rather bizarre version of a WWII hit, pop and country singer Kay Starr shows her jazz roots, Slim Gaillard teaches us some crapshooter's jive and John Prine revives a Jim Reeves hit. All this and more rounded out by Howlin' Wolf, The Drifters and Frankie Lymon make for a fun hour of vintage music

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  • June 22, 2025

    Moon MullicanThe Delmore Brothers and Lefty Frizzell both give us songs about changing their ways, The Golden Trumpets are keeping the faith, literally, while Memphis Minnie revels in being down in the alley and Moon Mullican complains. Besides that we've got guitar wizards Sol Ho'opi'i, Harry Manx and blues veteran Morgan Davis along with the usual mix of jazz, blues and country that didn't make the Billboard Hot 100.

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  • June 15, 2025

    Hibari MisoraGot some international music mixed in on Backbeat this week as we hear from the Queen of Ranchera, Lucha Reyes and Japanese icon, Misora Hibari plus and American song made famous by a British Skiffle Band. It's all part of the musical fabric that's woven here every week. 

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  • June 8, 2025

    Tennessee Chocolate DropsI found another good pile of old records for Backbeat this week including one from Sister Rosetta Tharpe that doesn't appear on the usual CD compilations, so we'll spin the 78. We've also got a vintage recording from The Tennessee Chocolate Drops that forces us to ponder the question What is country music?

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  • June 1, 2025

    The Swing BilliesNothing stops Backbeat from digging up the old music many have forgotten about - where else are you going to hear harmony yodelling - and the new artists that play in traditional styles, like Brad Strang, Steve Strongman and others. All in good fun.

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  • May 25, 2025

    Hank PennyThis week's show starts off with some good food, and pairs it with good music of every description. The Jordanaires show their gospel roots, Hank Penny shows off his steel guitar player, Noel Boggs, Duke Ellington takes a word with 23 syllables and adds two more to make it fit his song. Muddy Waters, Django Reinhardt and Big Dave McLean round out another fun-packed show.

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  • May 18, 2025

    Eartha KittEartha Kitt tries her hand at rock & roll, Alex Pangman makes a plea for liberty or love, we've got songs about everything from atom bombs to dirty dishes and a sentimental ballad from the 1930s that the Everly Brothers introduced to a pop audience in the 1950s.

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  • May 11, 2025

    Skeet Tolbert and his Gentlemen of SwingLots of different musical subjects on this week's show, Joe Turner brags about his love life, Adolph Hofner sings about Joe Turner, Skeets Tolbert has an issue with a wasteful government program while both David Vest and Danny Marks lament uncaring landlords. At least Faron Young is only concerned about a party (not a political one)

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  • May 4, 2025

    Ronnie DawsonTune into Backbeat this week for lots of sunny music, swingin' music, stompin' music , blues, country, spirituals - all action packed into one brief hour of fun. You'll hear everything from blues and country veterans, jazz hipsters, modern interpreters and teenagers - like Ronnie Dawson pictured here - with attitude.

    SEE THE PLAYLIST -  LISTEN