paintedladies

This is a special edition of Liner Notes - ‘Guest Glimpses’, short bits from longer conversations with previous guests. You’ll hear about 10 minutes of each guest’s 60+ minute chat with show host Dan Hare. Featured guests include:
ROBBIE LANE - of Robbie Lane and The Disciples reveals how the late Ronnie Hawkins gave him is big break;
PETER FOLDY - singer/songwriter of the 1973 #1 hit ‘Bondi Junction’ tells the tale of meeting the “uncool” Bee Gees;
IAN THOMAS - Juno award-winner shares tales from what he considers to be his fun life;
RAY ROPER - founder of the classic Canadian band Stonebolt explains why and how the band was a brotherhood that has resulted in lifetime friendships.
Listen to the full interview of each guest @ linernotes.ca

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson speaks with three San Francisco insiders and uncovers some great ways to experience the City by the Bay.

First, Johnson speaks with Josh Armel, owner of the Painted Ladies Tour Company. Armel discusses the city’s rich past and the unique advantages of touring San Francisco’s historic neighborhoods in vintage Volkswagen buses. Each of the lovingly restored vehicles have their own personality, not to mention eyelashes that adorn their headlights.

Next, Johnson learns how to plan the perfect literary-inspired weekend with Erica Messner, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The San Franciscan magazine. From taking in poetry readings at a local pub and tasting out-of-this-world focaccia in North Beach to whale watching around the Farallon Islands, Messner has no shortage of hidden gems to explore.

And finally, Johnson connects with MeeSun Boice, owner of the bar/restaurant Mersea on Treasure Island. The island, Boice points out, is one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets and well worth a visit. And with a new ferry service coming soon, it’s about to become much more popular.

Ian Thomas' extensive career has earned him a JUNO (for 1973's Painted Ladies), four SOCAN awards, a UNICEF Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award and many other accolades and nominations. Artists such as America, Santana, Bette Midler and even Jon Bon Jovi have covered his songs. In this extensive interview with Dan Hare Ian talks about: his days working at CBC radio; the many aspects of recording, producing and engineering records; his expansive catalogue; jingle work, "looping" John Cleese and voicing the character of Snap from the Rice Krispies Commercials; composing film scores; his success with The Boomers; the thrill of live performing with 'Lunch At Allen's, and so much more.

Bob Buckter's painting and color consulting business is responsible for the look and feel of more than 17,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco.

In this podcast, Bob picks up where he left off in Part 1. He talks about the early years of his painting business, the Colorist Movement, the history and meaning of the term "painted ladies," his brief early retirement, a failed marriage, the recent gray/blue (or what we call BORING) trend, and what he's up to next. Actually, that last link, to Annie Vainshtein's SF Chronicle article from October 2019, has some great history of Victorians and Edwardians in San Francisco. Check it out.

We recorded this podcast at Bob's home near Potrero Hill in January 2019.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather