This is one of those rare cases of the universe sharing an incredible opportunity with you.

In today's episode, I get to chat with Philly musician Pete Donnelly, who counts among his achievements a number of solo releases (including his new album, "When You Come Home"), as well as a lengthy career with The Figgs, and a current residence with the legendary NRBQ.

In addition to his new album, Pete (at the time of this interview) plans a six-week residency at MilkBoy Philadelphia, along with a diverse cast of special guest stars. Check that out between January 25 - February 29, 2012.

And for more on Pete, check out:

http://petedonnellymusic.com/  

A conversation on theatre with director & choreographer Liz Gilroy, and actor David Cotton. The two (at the time of this recording) were part of Stage West Calgary's production of "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". The pair discuss not only that show, but their careers in general. 

Don't forget to check my Calgary Herald review of the show:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Joseph+Technicolor+coat+looking+good+Stage+West/5735360/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

Thongs. e-Books. Indie Publishing. Thongs...

In the second installment of this two-part interview, I wrap up my chat with author & humorist Gordon Kirkland, whose award-winning collections and novels are available everywhere (including his own website)

Check out: http://www.gordonkirkland.com/ for info on his appearances, books, awards and links to much more.

In Part Two, there's loads of info for writers and fans of humour alike!

Note: This photo is circa 2008. The "Episode One" pic is from 2006... Side Note: When will I learn to take the gum out before photo ops, or at least grin a little less like Donkey from Shrek??

In the first installment of this two-part interview, I chat with author, writing instructor and humorist Gordon Kirkland, whose award-winning collections and novels are available eveywhere (including his own website)

Check out: http://www.gordonkirkland.com/ for info on his appearances, books, awards and links to much more.

In Part One of our phone chat, we talk about his career in general, and the craft of humour-writing.

Fasten your seatbelts...

A fun, candid chat with actor Scott Valentine. Among his many stage, screen and voice-over credits, Scott played Nick Moore on TV's "Family Ties".

Included here - we talk about his career, and the production he was appearing in when I caught up with him at Calgary's Stage West Theatre Restaurant - the riotous mobster farce "Shady Business". 

Oh, and just as a word or two of caution - for the first time in this series, the language gets a little bit salty - what can I say? Mr. Valentine is a passionate, expressive gentleman!

Don't forget to check out my official Calgary Herald review of "Shady Business":

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Shady+Business+unrelenting+Stage+West/5396806/story.html

Note: There are frequent references during this interview to "viewers". There will be a shorter video version of this interview on my YouTube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/thatdanguy1

Photo Courtesy Stage West: Naomi Costain pictured with Scott Valentine

A conversation on theatre, music, acting and directing (oh, and much more...) with Bob Walton, who along with his brother is the co-creator of Mid-Life! (The Crisis Musical), and others.

He's appeared on Broadway, on TV, and across North America in live theatre, and he shares stories on all aspects of his career.

You can find out more (hold on - AFTER listening to the interview) at:

http://www.waltonbrothersmusic.com/

And, you can read my review of the production that he was here in Calgary directing at the time of this interview at:

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=67bcefe0-e192-41cf-a40a-63ce2755337b

Which appeared in print and online in The Calgary Herald, as well as online in Regina's Leader Post...

Give a listen to this interview with singer and actor Nicholas Fera Marinucci, who I caught up with during a production of Stage West Calgary's "All Shook Up" - a jukebox musical based on the music of Elvis Presley.

Nicholas is preparing to release his upcoming album "Far From Wise", and talks about that project, as well as his career.

You can find out more about him at:

www.NicholasMarinucci.com

or

www.NicholasFera.com

You can also read my Calgary Herald review of the show at:

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=d976dce9-c191-4145-843c-82a8fb24c567   

"Move Over Mrs. Markham" - the hilarious British farce written by Ray Cooney & John Chapman - running at the time of this interview at Stage West Calgary.

Join me in this interview with "The Markhams", Jane Noble & J. Sean Elliott. We have a wide-ranging discussion on this laugh-out-loud production, both of their careers, and touch on the endless travels of actors and musicians.

Don't forget, you can also subscribe to these interviews on i-Tunes, by searching for "thatdanguy's podcast".

And, read my review of the show (which ran in The Calgary Herald, online in Regina's Leader-Post, plus The National Post), at:

 http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=5612b53d-bbb4-4fdf-af1a-a733d88c727c  

(picture courtesy of Stage West Calgary)

A conversation on the craft of writing, the art of funny, and the diverse career of award-winning author Will Ferguson. Ferguson has penned best-selling titles available world-wide, such as "Beyond Belfast: A 560 Mile Journey Across Northern Ireland On Sore Feet", "Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw", and "How To Be A Canadian".

Among his many other achievements, Will is a three-time winner of The Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour, one of only five to have ever received that honour.

Listen in for some great writing tips, hilarious anecdotes, and how to expense a helicopter ride from your editor.

For more on Will, visit his website, at www.willferguson.ca  

NOTE: This interview has been excerpted, and portions appear in:

* The Spring 2011 edition of FreeFall Magazine, Canada's Magazine of Exquisite Writing.

You can get a copy from their website @ www.freefallmagazine.ca     Subscribe!!

Also:

* The Summer 2011 Edition of WestWord, The Magazine Of The Writers Guild Of Alberta

Visit their site @ www.writersguild.ab.ca (Better yet, join...)