Holger Petersen is a record producer, label owner, broadcaster, author, educator, festival producer, album collector—and a serious music fan. In 1975 he co-founded Canada’s Stony Plain Records. The label has won fifteen Juno Awards and has been nominated for six Grammy's. Stony Plain is a roots and blues label with artists (past and present) including Colin Linden, Eric Bibb,Corb Lund, Jeff Healey, Duke Robillard, Maria Muldaur and many more. In 2014 the Blues Foundation presented Stony Plain with a ‘Keeping The Blues Alive Award’ for ‘Record Label of the Year’.
Since 1969, Holger has hosted Natch’l Blues on Alberta’s public radio broadcaster CKUA. At 50 years, it’s one of the world’s longest running blues program. He also hosts Saturday Night Blues, now in its 35th year, across Canada on CBC Music. He has been interviewing blues and roots music artists since the late 60’s.
Holger is a Founder and past Artistic Director of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2003 and is a recipient of two honorary Doctor of Letters Degrees presented by the University of Alberta (2012) and Athabasca University (2004) in recognition of his contributions to Canadian Culture and Public Broadcasting. In 2020 he was named to the Alberta Order of Excellence.
What are three go-to albums that inspire Holger?
Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
Kiko by Los Lobos
My Kind Of Blues by Sam Cooke
What is an interesting detail you might not know about Holger?
He loves Formula One racing.
Natch’l Blues
Canada’s longest-running blues program has been on the air since 1969. Natch’l Blues is the quintessential destination for the serious blues fan or the curious newcomer. Presented every week by Canada’s blues emissary, Holger Petersen, head of Stony Plain Records and long-time CKUA host, the program is a collection of the best music of the genre and interviews with the greatest names in blues. Most of the music that he programs comes from his own collection, and he’s constantly finding out more about regional styles along with obscure artists and labels.
