A visit with an old friend

Last Sunday was just like old times. 

I've mentioned "The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean" in my posts several times over the years, including here, where I explain what the show is/was all about. The closest American equivalent I can think of would be NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion" (and I believe The Vinyl Cafe was carried by several NPR stations in the U.S.).  It ran on CBC Radio from 1994 to 2016. We didn't start listening until later in the show's long run, but we did attend at least four Vinyl Cafe concerts in & around the Toronto area over the years, including at least two or three Christmas concerts, which always featured Christmas music and stories. 

Both the live concerts and radio show followed similar formats (although there would occasionally be a show recorded mostly or entirely in studio).  A member of the audience would be recruited in advance to deliver the opening line: "From the (venue) in (community)... it's the Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean!" Stuart would walk onstage, to thunderous applause from the audience, and deliver a monologue/essay, often related to the community and its history and culture. There would be wonderful live music, delivered by rising Canadian talent. Stuart would read at least one story sent in by a listener, and then would come a couple of his own short stories (published in 10 volumes over the years -- all Canadian best sellers). The stories focused on the adventures of Dave, the hapless owner of the Vinyl Cafe (a used record store), his wife Morley, daughter Stephanie, son Sam, and assorted friends, neighbours and extended family members. They were generally hilarious (the humour of the story enhanced by the animated way Stuart performed it) --but I'd often need to reach for the Kleenex too. 

He entertained us, he educated us, he connected us, and he made us proud to be Canadians. 

Sadly, Stuart was diagnosed with melanoma in late 2015. CBC Radio One continued to air Vinyl Cafe repeats, until December 2016, when Stuart announced he required further treatment, and was giving up his time slot in January "to make room for others to share their work." He passed away a few months later, in February 2017 at the far-too-young age of 68. 

I'm still on the Vinyl Cafe mailing list, and still receive occasional updates from his longtime producer Jess Milton, usually when there's a new short story or audio collection released from McLean's archives. And so I was delighted to learn, a few weeks ago, that CBC Radio One was bringing back classic episodes of the Vinyl Cafe, at its old date & time (Sundays at noon) for the summer months (July & August, through the September long weekend).  I can't think of anything more comforting during these turbulent times than to spend an hour with Stuart again on Sunday mornings.

And so, this past Sunday, dh scrambled some eggs and I made toast, just as we used to do when we were living in our house -- and we tuned in the radio to CBC One (actually the TV, but whatever) promptly at noon. And when I heard that familiar tagline -- "It's the Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean!" -- I teared up and had to reach for the Kleenex.

And then we listened. And we laughed. And laughed and laughed and laughed.

His voice is so missed. And so welcome. And so badly needed right now.