Cowboy Junkies

Update: If I can ever figure out how this artist-authorized bootleg swap site works, I'll start a "Vine" with this show. Does anyone understand this site?


I took the afternoon off from my 'real' job to produce a radio spot with Mike and Margo Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies.
That's me with Margo, Mike is in the foreground, talking to one of his legion of adoring fans.

I didn't know it until a few days before the show, but the Junkies are largely comprised of siblings and the theme of family, good and bad, is an important element of their original songs. I am definitely going to have to add some CJ records to my "get list".


This second photo offers a glimpse into the sordid underbelly of the music business.

Margo, you can see, is knitting a sweater.

Mike is being give a CD ( I think) by a mutual friend whilst simutaneously tuning his guitar.

In the foreground is a cup of water and a ballcap.

This sort of over-the-top hedonism is pretty common in the music biz but it's daunting to see up close.

Margo's sweater hit a 'critical phase' during soundcheck but she somehow managed to keep things from unraveling. That's the mark of veteran performer as well as a top-knotch knitter.
She's also got the voice of a worldly angel. Pretty, but edgy as hell. Impressive.

Mike and Margo were wonderful guests and seemed quite cozy in the somewhat funky and low-budget converted bedroom that serves as our production studio. They aren't exactly prima donnas, the CJ's. They are our kinda people.

They care about their songs and it shows. I was in the 'control room' with headphones on and I was drawn into the songs in a way that I seldom am when recording bands.
It was the lyrics and the stories they told that made me want more.
Compelling stuff...I think the sparseness of the guitar fit nicely with the evocative lyrics.

The third photo is my view from the 'control room'. Paul, the show's host, is the foreground.
The standing gentlemen is my friend of 20 years, Tim H. He had dropped in to say hello to the Timmins.I didn't know it, but Tim's early band had met and befriended the Junkies nearly twenty years ago while on tour. This friendship led to Mike meeting his wife -his wife is friends with Tim & Co- and they have been happily married for a long time. Many years. Kudos!

The Junkies seemed pleasantly surprised to see Tim- he is surprisingly pleasant- and the vibe in the studio turned into a warm "catching -up-on- old times" session. You'd be surprised how many musicians are just normal folk who like to knit, talk with friends and generally feel good about what they do.
It's contagious.

They played three songs:
-Cutting Board Blues
-Spiral Down
-Sun Comes Up

I'm a sucker for a heartfelt songs and they are really good at writing them. Honesty in music turns me on.

Obviously, I am not going to post downloads- you can get those from the band.

After they left, Paul and I edited the recording for airplay , after which we were treated to burritos.

It was a good day.