Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

In this episode, my guest is founding member MATTHEW GILSENAN as we take a deep dive into one of Ireland’s most remarkable musical exports — The CELTIC TENORS.

For over 25 years, The CELTIC TENORS have been blending classical technique, Celtic tradition and contemporary repertoire, appealing to audiences far beyond the traditional classical world. With more than one million albums sold worldwide and chart success across Ireland, the UK, Germany, North America, and Australia, their journey began with a multi-album deal with EMI Classics, and a debut release that became a bona fide international hit.

Along the way, they’ve earned prestigious honours including Germany’s Echo Award, performed in renowned concert halls and festivals around the globe, and sung for world leaders and international audiences alike.

Now, for the first time ever, they’re releasing a live album, recorded at the EMPIRE theatre in Belleville and currently being broadcast on the PBS network. Capturing the emotion, humour, and musical connection fans have cherished for decades, the album features traditional Irish favourites alongside classical and crossover covers — including “Perfect Symphony,” their take on Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

Currently on tour — with Ontario dates coming up and a return this November and December — I absolutely loved chatting with Matthew about the band’s beginnings, how their unique sound evolved, and what it takes to sustain a career at this level for over two decades. ENJOY!

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Hi everyone, welcome back to another season of THE TALK MUSIC Podcast!

I’m thrilled to announce my first guest is Ben Wells from global rock powerhouse, Black Stone Cherry. Born in the backwoods of Edmonton, Kentucky, Black Stone Cherry have spent over two decades reinventing Southern rock with a vicious breed of melodic-heavy riffs and soulful grit. Formed in 2001, this four-piece brotherhood has remained remarkably consistent, only recently welcoming new bassist Steve Jewell Jr. in 2021.

The band have released eight studio albums, dominated the UK Rock Charts with six consecutive #1 debuts, earned gold-certified albums, and headlined sold-out arena tours. In the U.S., they’ve had 17 singles hit the Mainstream Rock charts.

With a new EP titled CELEBRATE coming soon, our chat goes deep into how the songs came together, including the title track Celebrate, which, as vocalist Chris Robertson explains, serves as a reminder to acknowledge survival, small victories, and the importance of celebrating the simple act of getting through another day.

The EP also includes a powerful cover of the classic Simple Minds song “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” featuring Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman.

We then dive into how the songs were produced and recorded, along with an overview of the band’s incredible career so far. Enjoy!

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This week on The Talk Music Podcast, my guest is the enchanting CANDICE NIGHT— the radiant voice and creative force behind Blackmore’s Night, the internationally beloved Renaissance-folk-rock project she co-founded with her husband, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (yes — that Ritchie Blackmore, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon who when with Deep Purple wrote one of the most famous guitar riffs in history: “Smoke on the Water”).

For more than two decades, Candice has helped shape the band’s unmistakable sound — a mesmerizing blend of medieval melodies, acoustic charm, and mystical storytelling. Her crystalline vocals and poetic lyricism are at the heart of Blackmore’s Night. But Candice’s artistry extends far beyond the band as she’s also stepped into her own creative spotlight with a solo career. Her most recent album, Sea Glass, is a deeply personal and beautifully textured work featuring introspective, uplifting and cinematic songs proving she’s a remarkable artist in her own right.

In this episode, we dive into her creative world and how she brings ancient stories to life and we explore the many inspirations that shaped Sea Glass. We also go deep on how she met Ritchie when he was in Deep Purple and became a co-writer and part of his band Rainbow before the evolution of Blackmore’s Night’s signature sound.

This is Candice Night fully expressive, sharing the stories behind the songs of Blackmore’s Night and her wonderful solo career - music that continues to captivate fans around the world.

Enjoy!

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