Host & Archivist of the Blues — Documenting the Artists, Stories

Erin McCallum - Complicated Blues Woman

Singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Erin McCallum, has been delivering her brand of Blues for over 20 years. Best known for her unmistakable contralto voice, McCallum’s name has been on the marquee at countless national and international festivals and events, and the list continues to grow. With five all-original albums to her name, McCallum has received recognition (Maple Blues Award nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year and Artist/Group of the Year, International Songwriting honours, OIMA nominations for Blues artist of the year, BluesSource Canada Album of the Year for “It’s Time”, and more) from the music industry and listeners alike. McCallum’s original music is broadcast on commercial radio stations in 63 countries (terrestrial, digital, and satellite) worldwide; however, it is her authentic live performance that sets her apart from others, and justifies the tagline “Big Voice. Big Sound.”. 👉 Go behind the curtain and discover what fuels Erin’s blues—now on the Talking Blues Podcast. CONNECT WITH Erin McCallum Website: www.erinmccallum.com [http://www.erinmccallum.com] Facebook: @ErinMcCallumMusic Instagram: @erinmccallummusic YouTube: www.youtube.com/ErinMcCallum [http://www.youtube.com/ErinMcCallum] CONNECT WITH Matt Cooper https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/] https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Cooper.Broadcaster [https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Cooper.Broadcaster/]

Jon Clemence – A Spark That Still Burns.

What if one song in your teens could change the whole direction of your life? Seattle guitarist Jon Clemence holds a master’s degree in biblical studies and runs a publishing firm by day — yet the blues remain his lifelong compass. On Talking Blues, Jon shares how a single spark ignited his journey and why the music still shapes his path today. Stream it now on the Talking Blues Podcast. [https://www.talkingbluespodcast.com] Connect with Guitarist Jon Clemence: https://guitarophile.com/ [https://guitarophile.com/] https://www.facebook.com/jon.clemence.7 [https://www.facebook.com/jon.clemence.7] https://cedarpressproofreading.com/ [https://cedarpressproofreading.com/] Connect With Author | Broadcaster | Matt Cooper [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/] https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/] https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Cooper.Broadcaster [https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Cooper.Broadcaster/]

Vinyl Paradise – Malta’s Blues Power Trio

Malta isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think “Blues capital of the world.” No, rather, it’s a sun-baked speck in the middle of the Mediterranean — three main islands, stone alleys, and centuries of history crammed into 316 square kilometers. But if you know where to look, the blues have a way of finding you, even here. And sometimes, it comes roaring back out — louder, tighter, and hungrier than you expected. That’s Vinyl Paradise: Ben Bailey on guitar and vocals, Patrick Camilleri on drums, and Antoine Tonna on bass. A blues/blues-rock power trio with the chops to match their influences — Cream, the 3 Kings, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, and the audacity to make it their own. Their roots run deep in Malta’s rare musical advantage: free music education for every child. They were nurtured, encouraged, and — in Ben’s case — sparked by a certain video game that put a plastic guitar in his hands and an idea in his head. The toy didn’t last, but the idea did. One day, he was pretending. The next, he was the real thing. It’s the sort of environment where music isn’t just an afterthought — it’s part of the social fabric. Street festas with brass bands, school programs that hand real instruments to real kids, and a cultural crossroads where Mediterranean rhythm, European melody, and African groove all pass through. Vinyl Paradise grew up in that mix, and you can hear it in the way they play — tight, confident, and unafraid to color outside the lines. So join us as we take a ride across the Atlantic and the Med to check in on Malta’s blues scene — and meet the island’s number one blues export. You’ll hear the accents, the stories, and the sound that’s already crossing borders. 🎧 Listen now — your ticket to Malta’s salt air, stage lights, and a band built to go global. Talking Blues with Vinyl Paradise – Listen to the full episode at: https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com [https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com] - Listen to the Talking Blues Podcast – Stream it now or wherever you podcast. Connect with Vinyl Paradise: Website: https://linktr.ee/vinylparadise [https://linktr.ee/vinylparadise] Connect with Author | Broadcaster | Podcaster Matt Cooper – Host Talking Blues Podcast Website: www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com [http://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/] If this conversation moved you or got you thinking, join the Talking Blues Backstage Pass at https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com [https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com] It’s free, and you’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes stories, and the chance to shape future episodes.

Ira Walker - Composed, Rooted, Unshaken.

Some musicians survive the blues. Others elevate it. Ira Walker was shaped by a world where thought, art, and sound mattered—a home where classical compositions weren’t background noise, they were conversation. Where intelligence wasn’t just valued, it was expected. And yet, somewhere between the string section and the silence, a different rhythm called out. It wasn’t rebellion—it was recognition. The blues had always been there. In his father’s record collection. In the quiet encouragement of neighbors who knew talent when they heard it. In the moments of stillness that only music could fill. Raised by intellectual parents with a deep respect for the arts, Ira’s early life wasn’t so much a departure from the blues as a slow orbit toward it. Classical music gave him language. Academia gave him perspective. And a series of unforgettable live performances—Hendrix, SRV, and others—gave him fire. His West Coast vantage point gave the blues room to breathe. It let him blend structure with soul, head with heart, and instinct with insight. Over the years, Ira has built not just a career but a circle—of collaborators, confidants, and creative allies. He knows how the business moves, but more importantly, he knows how to move through it with grace. Still writing. Still playing. Still rising to the moment. In this episode of Talking Blues, Ira Walker sits down with Matt Cooper for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, influence, and the quiet power of staying true. They talk roots, records, relationships—and the kind of legacy that doesn’t chase trends, it outlasts them. If you want a glimpse into the mind of a musician who’s walked both sides of the street—conservatory and club—this is the one to hear. Stream it now on the Talking Blues Podcast. [https://www.talkingbluespodcast.com] Connect With Singer/Songwriter Ira Walker [https://irawalker.net/][https://irawalker.net/ [https://irawalker.net/]] Connect With Author | Broadcaster | Podcaster Matt Cooper [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/] [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/]]

Mark J Hunt – Built for the Blues

Mark Hunt’s Story in Wood, Wire, and Willpower Some musicians write songs. Some build guitars. Mark Hunt does both. Raised in rural Eastern Ontario, Mark is a self-taught guitarist, songwriter, and builder who’s carved out a life in music one honest note at a time. Whether he’s crafting unique, custom guitars from reclaimed materials or pouring his heart into his own blend of blues, rock, and Americana, Mark brings quiet intensity and a working-class soul to everything he touches. In this episode, we talk about: * How growing up outside the city shaped his sound and spirit * The creative process behind his new blues project * Why he builds guitars from crates, sticks, and whatever sings when you tap it * The joy of playing with Outskirts, a band that covers Blue Rodeo with love and respect, not imitation This is a conversation about tone, time, and truth—from a musician who never stopped creating, no matter who was watching. If you believe in honest craft over flash, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen to the full episode → http://talkingbluespodcast.com/ [http://talkingbluespodcast.com/] 🔗 Connect with Mark Hunt: https://www.facebook.com/huntguitars [https://www.facebook.com/huntguitars] https://www.instagram.com/huntguitars [https://www.instagram.com/huntguitars] Connect with Matt Cooper – Host & Broadcaster – Talking Blues Podcast Website: www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com [http://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com] Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Cooper.Broadcaster/ [https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Cooper.Broadcaster/] Talking Blues Podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/TalkingBluesPodcast/] If this conversation moved you or got you thinking, join the Talking Blues Backstage Pass at https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com. It's free, [https://www.TalkingBluesPodcast.com’s]and you’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes stories, and the chance to shape future episodes.