Bob's Basement: A Podcast About Change

Sam Joyce has had her first Young Adult novel published "NOT TODAY SATAN" Sam talks with Bob about the changes in the Young Adult genre of books. She and Bob share several candid momenta about losing both of her parents in recent years and her experience with the "MAID" program in Canada.

In this episode Bob pulls back the curtain on how AI has become integral to how he puts together a radio show. He also discusses how he is baffled by people who fear AI or just flat out refuse to use it. Bob shares his tips on how he made it Chat GPT into his own AIR CHECK MACHINE. Some announcers hate air checks - but some love to have the feedback and grow from it. Find out how Bob instructed Chat GPT to grade his on air breaks. In fact find out from his conversation with his Chat GPT itself as that is the guest for his episode. "BOB'S CHAT GPT" The future is here...don't be left behind!

How does that song go? It's been a while...... (Thank you Staind) Guess who's back...Bob is in the basement with a couple updates and a few bits. bob.willette@gmail.com for sales leads! hahaha

Kids in the Hall member Scott Thompson and his writing partner Paul Bellini (aka Bellini in a Towel) join Bob virtually in the basement to talk about their band Mouth Congress and the new release Valley Of Song Paul shares his on going battle with cancer and how he is feeling these days. Scott gives some dirt on the Amazon re-boot of Kids In The Hall and how hard a project was to complete. They also talk about recent Kids in the Hall Shows in Toronto at the Rivoli and Danforth Music Hall.

Bob first heard about Kasador when he was the Music Director at 94.9 The Rock. They are a Kingston based band who rock. Full disclosure Boris is the son of The Tragically Hips Rob Baker. (Who has been on this very show with Craig Northy when they were plugging their side project "Strippers Union")

So the Phoenix Concert Concert Theatre is closing. No wait. It's not. But what about this party we are throwing to say farewell....let's have it anyway! Nov 23rd 410 Sherbourne St. The Last Dance (Sorta) On this episode DJ Dwight Hybrid, DJ Paul Dinghra, Brother Bill (aka Neil Morrison), Chicken Shawarma (aka Jeff Domet) and myself all recollect the good times had @ The Phoenix over the years.

Born in St. John's Newfoundland Ken Tizzard joins Bob in the basement and talks about change in the music industry , in media and in his personal life. Ken shares some stories about song writing (He wrote the music for ALL UNCOVERED by The Watchmen!) about being on the road and about real life changes with health and mental health. Don't sleep on this episode!

When Moby released "Destroyed" the year was 2011 and I was running 103.9 PROUD FM. My friend Mike Rice (who I worked with at Edge102) was with EMI music at the time. I proposed an in depth long form interview with Moby in which we'd play some new tracks along with some old ones. Mike made it happen and I was fortunate enough to sit down with one of my favourite artists of all time. I am going to throw the odd one of these flashbacks into the Bob's Basement feed as I research my back catalogue of interviews in radio. Speaking of radio - at the end of this episode I give a little update as to what may or may not be going on with me professionally.

Blair Packham joins Bob to discuss how the "gig economy" has changed in the last 40 years. His band The Jitters were a mainstay on Toronto radio for a period with hits like "Last of the Red Hot Fools" and "Closer Everyday" being played throughout the late 80s and into the 90s. (Side note: Reunion show @ Hugh's Room Live coming up soon https://www.showpass.com/the-jitters/)

Bob Wegner isn't a household name but there is a good chance you have heard him play. Among other things Bob was the guitarist on the first Toronto production of We Will Rock You the Queen musical. A native of Hamilton Bob has lived in Toronto since 2007 as a working musician but is embarking on a change now as he relocates to Montreal. He also gives Bob (Willette) a lesson on where to start when it comes to Prog Rock.

Jesse ticks all the boxes...he's charming, he's talented, he's good looking, he's easy to work with....and yet here he is like so many.........sitting on the sideline's as traditional media tries to figure out how to move forward in our post-social media digital world. Take a listen as Bob talks to someone he was fortunate enough to work with for 2.5 years during his stint in Kingston with Corus Entertainment.

Steve is helping Bob find his way through this current "underemployment" situation. And he can help you. But most importantly, he wants to help others. Listen for Steve's SIX MAN Challenge. Steve's goal is to help reduce suicide among men. It's an epidemic, and dudes need to help dudes. https://impactivelearning.com/

A quick update about the poker dealer adventure. A little radio talk - who wants to buy a radio station? And something else (not really I wanted to keep up with the rule of 3 thing)

Fellow former Corus employee Jaimie Galloro is on the show to discuss exactly what Bob (and many others) are going through. After 20+ years with the company she has found herself "between gigs" https://www.instagram.com/jaimzb/ Jaimie and Bob discuss having early success in a creative field and finding yourself approaching 50 on the sidelines.

It's been a while but guess whose back? A quick life update and a plea to hear from you. Are you a Gen X in a creative field? Have you recently been structured out? Laid off? Bored of things? Let's talk about it. email me bobwillette@gmail.com

Hey there! Been too long, I know. There is a little life news I hint at in the start of this episode, that I can't quite go into yet...and then my episode of WISHLIST from Pearl Jam Radio. I hope you enjoy. More podcasts to come more often - I promise.

Had some technical difficulties with this one...and we are a little late getting it out. One of the best Hard Rock bands to come out of the 90s is and was FILTER. Richard Patrick is the founder of Filter. Well, he really IS Filter. In August Bob had the pleasure of talking to Richard about his days in Nine Inch Nails, the new Filter album "The Algorithm", his sobriety and of course how does it feel to write a song like "Take a Picture" and see it grow and grow and grow

Sure he was in The Spoons. Sure he was in Honeymoon Suite Sure he is one of the most talented musicians the great city of Burlington ever produced...but he is by far known most as Bob's Duke Cousin Co-host of TOAST on Toronto Mike'd Podcast. Monthly Bob and Rob join Mike and talk about music of all kinds. This time Bob and Rob talk about change...in Rob's storied career!

In December 2022 Bob travelled to Treasure Beach Jamaica. And oh what a treasure it was! There he met entrepreneur and real estate developer Kirin Singh. A fellow Canadian Kirin had visited Jamaica in 2017 and thought "I'd really like to live here!" ....something most Canadians think when they travel south. The difference here is - She has done it! Talk about change! Also check out the listing for her villa that is available for rentals - it's stunning! https://jamaicaescapes.com/treasure-beach-jamaica-destiny

Award-winning actress and activist, Loretta Swit, who received the BETTY WHITE Award from Actors & Others for Animals in 2017, joins Bob to talk about her new fragrance and her new book available at www.switheart.org. Of course they also talk about her many years as a stage and screen actor....and dive deep into the many changes that happened on the iconic television show MASH.