Approximately 800 Saultites gathered at the Kiwanis Community Theatre yesterday afternoon to participate in a Canadian radio legacy.
CBC's Vinyl Cafe, hosted by humourist and author Stuart McLean, presented more than two hours of signature narratives featuring Dave and Morley, and a detailed account of McLean's trek to the top of the International Bridge.
Live music was also a big part of the show as The Vinyl Cafe prides itself on featuring Canadian artists.
Joining McLean on stage Sunday afternoon was Sault Ste. Marie's own Kalle Mattson who was also featured during tour stops in St. Catharines, Lindsay and Sudbury.
"If you listen to The Vinyl Cafe regularly, you know one thing we try to do is shine the light of the show on young and up-and-coming Canadian musicians, people you may not have heard of before, but we think deserve to have the light shone upon them. By doing that, we also hope to stand in their light," McLean said during his introduction.
"This tour has been awesome, every show has been sold out and the crowds are crazy," Mattson told SooToday.com during intermission. "[The Vinyl Cafe is] a Canadian institution and it's an awesome world to be a part of. It's very exciting."
"It's a little tough for a guy who's used to playing 12 songs a night to go on stage and play just one song then sit for half an hour, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it," he continued.
Mattson told us he's thrilled to be a part of a radio broadcast in his hometown that will be heard by more than 2 million listeners.
The Sault Ste. Marie Vinyl Cafe stop will kick off the show's 21st broadcast season, airing on CBC Radio Two on Saturday, November 1 at 9:05 a.m., and CBC Radio One on November 2 at 12:05 p.m. and November 4 at 11:05 p.m.
Later this month, Mattson will play his first shows in the United States with dates scheduled in New York City and Los Angeles.
He'll perform a number of shows across Canada before heading to Europe in early November.
Mattson will return to Sault Ste. Marie to host his annual Festivus celebration at Loplops Gallery-Lounge on December 27.
To learn more about The Vinyl Cafe, please click here.
For more information about Kalle Mattson, click here.