Watch Holger on Global talking 50 Years of Natch’l Blues
CKUA celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Holger Petersen’s Natch’l Blues with a special broadcast on Saturday, November 23rd, hosted by Grant Stovel. The broadcast featured an in-depth interview with Holger himself, plus live music and contributions from many of his friends and colleagues. In his own words, Holger told the remarkable story of his five decades-long career with Alberta’s original public broadcaster.
We heard about how a teenage Holger cut his teeth as an interviewer by speaking with some of the biggest names in music. Holger shared stories about his interviews with legends like B.B. King, Frank Zappa, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Reverend Gary Davis, and many more. He walked us through how his fascination with radio and The British Invasion led him to a life-long love of the blues, and how his work on CKUA’s ACME Sausage Company set him on a path to forming his own record label. A few of Holger’s peers also joined us to reflect on his storied career, and celebrate this tremendous milestone. We also featured recorded stories and congratulations from blues dignitaries like the Big Dave McLean, Colin Linden and the Downchild Blues Band.
The broadcast also featured live performances by the Amos Garrett Modern Blues Quartet, Kat Danser, and Mike McDonald of Jr. Gone Wild – one of the many iconic acts on Holger’s Stony Plain Records label.