Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe
Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe welcomes listeners into the warm and comforting world of the Vinyl Cafe. Each episode features stories about Canada’s favourite fictional family: Dave, Morley and the kids, narrated by the late Stuart McLean and recorded live in concert. For the first time ever, long-time producer Jess Milton shares rare, behind-the-scenes stories from her 15 years touring, travelling, laughing, and recording with her close friend Stuart.
This is a world that is rooted in kindness, connection, and the laughter of recognition. A world that brings people together to rejoice in our ridiculousness. A world where we celebrate the small triumphs over the adversities of the everyday: like trying to find the perfect gift for someone you love, or the first Christmas without your sister; like trying to stage manage the school Christmas pageant, or trying to defrost a turkey with a hairdryer (we’ve all done that, right?).
Join us. New episodes every Friday.
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- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 43 minutes
- Episodes
- 120
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Mechanical Mutiny - The Jock Strap & Dave and the Vacuum
“Morley thought she was the Athletic Support”
We’re all about equipment failure on this week’s pod. Those everyday items that make life easier – until, suddenly, they very much don’t!
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Parents
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Kids - Susan is Serious & Sam Goes Green
“I think I have an alien.”
This week, two wonderful stories about kids… and their parents. And Jess admits to a surprising source of inspiration for her own parenting journey.
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The Power of Song - Dave's Last Kind Word Blues
“He didn’t understand that the organic confusion that’s at the heart of the Vinyl Cafe is, in fact, the thing that makes it work.”
Is there anything that cuts to the heart quicker than music? On the …
Stealing - Sam Steals & Emil
“Crimestoppers. It’s synonymous.”
We’ve got two of Stuart’s older stories on today’s episode. One from the very early days of the show; it’s one you may not have heard before. These two stories are b…
The Movies – Sam’s First Kiss
“Of all of the theatres, in all the complexes, in all of the towns, she walks into mine.”
This week on the pod we’re at the movies, basking in the light of the silver screen. We have Stuart McLean’s …
Deception - Dave and the Sourdough Starter & A Day Off
“I have a genealogy, said Carl. Of the starter. Like a family tree. I have it in a frame in the den.”
A pandemic favourite on this week’s episode: Dave and the Sourdough Starter! And we have two more…
People from the Past - Whatever Happened to Johnny Flowers & Morley and the Century of Wind Theatre Company
“In celebration of 100 years. Big Narrows, Cape Breton. Centennial Baby.”
In our first story this week, Dave is jolted back in time by a sudden reminder of someone from long ago, someone he hadn’t th…
Love – Love Never Ends
“It’s funny the things that you miss.”
For you love birds out there, we’re playing one of our most requested love stories today. The chocolate bar story! And Jess plays an entertaining story exchange…
Cape Breton Tales - The Black Beast of Margaree & The Roundabout
“I didn’t know you were a fan of Mr. Bond…”
On this week’s episode we’re spending time in Dave’s childhood neighbourhood: Big Narrows, Cape Breton. Our first story is a hilarious tale of literary adv…
The Neighbourhood - Kenny Wong’s Contest & Late Date
“How could he explain skulking around their property when he was supposed to be inside eating”
Oh Dave, how do you manage it! This week, two more hilarious stories from Stuart McLean, stories about go…
Postcards from Canada - Whitehorse & Annapolis Royal
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Growing up - Dream Bunnies & Sam is Home Alone
“It’s a tricky thing to negotiate, the war of independence”
Today on the pod, Sam and Stephanie step towards independence, while Dave and Morley learn to let go. And Jess shares a backstory about the…
Winter – Minnedosa & Jim’s Toboggan
“Two men who should have known better, climbing onto an old wooden toboggan”
Happy New Year and welcome back to Season 5 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! We’ll be with you all the way to summer. But r…
Season 5 - Starting January 10th
Hanukkah - Dave’s Christmas Tree
“Light, said Dave, amidst the darkness.”
An extra episode for the holidays with a special story about Dave and Sam out and about on a perfect winter’s night.
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Christmas Preparations - The Christmas Card & Morley’s Christmas Concert
“There is something about sitting on a plastic chair several sizes too small for you that puts you in touch with feelings you never knew you had.”
Ah, the trials and tribulations of Christmas prepara…
All I want for Christmas… - Stephanie’s Mystery Book & Dave Makes Snow
“It will snow. And it will be deep and crisp and even.”
Some alternate approaches to festive gift giving on this week’s pod. In our first story a mysterious parcel keeps the family guessing, while in …
Christmas Chaos - Mary Turlington and Polly Anderson’s Christmas Collision & Ferrets for Christmas
“He stuck his head in the dryer. It was not the wisest decision.”
Today on the pod, two more stories of festive shenanigans. Mary and Polly try to outdo each other as the ultimate party planner, while…
Cape Breton Christmas - Morley’s Christmas Present & Dave’s Christmas Parade
“Genius should never be confused with desperation.”
Woohoo! It’s time to play some Christmas stories. This week, two stories from Dave’s hometown of Big Narrows. In the first, Dave tries to find the p…