MulliganStew Sept 5th 2026- Guest Steve Dawson – The Volcano Brothers also Back to School music

Episode Notes

Saturday 4-6 Pacific 5-7 Mtn at CKUA RADIO

I lovingly think of Steve Dawson as the Swiss Army Knife of music.

Player.Producer. Writer. Arranger. Mentor. Creator. Recording engineer.

Specializes in guitar and pedal steel. Touring band member for Allison Russell’s Birds of Chicago and Matt Anderson.

First noticed Steve as half of Zubot and Dawson. Then long time producer / co-writer for Jim Byrnes, creative leader at Henhouse Studios in Vancouver.

After moving to Nashville years ago and opening a southern version of Henhouse Studios,   Steve has meshed with the many other talented people drawn by the music mix.

He also offers classes on advanced studio recording. Teaches artists and bands how to make that first album. On both sides of the border.

Every once in a while, he actually becomes an artist himself.

He’s just releasing an album called Light of the Hilo Moon by The Volcano Brothers. It’s a handful of some of Nashville’s best players, who all love pre-WWII Hawaiian music.

It’s a warm blend of early swing, blues and jazz.

 Remarkably, this music can’t be found in Hawaii. New generations of Hawaiian musicians headed off in different directions.

As Steve says,  ” This is not a touring band.”  They’re all busy most days in various studios around Nashville.

Heads up – This is a Vinyl album. No streaming. Recorded with no headphones, no booths, Ribbon Mics, Mixed in Mono.

Find at www.stevedawson.ca

However, Steve is touring through the West with good friend, Joachim Cooder.  Called “Duo”

Sept 9 Langley

Sept 10 Rogue Folk Club Vancouver

Sept 11 – Fish Creek Concerts Calgary

Sept  12  Elks Hall Red Deer

Sept 15 ArtsPlace Canmore

Sept 16 Jar Bar Medicine Hat

Sept 18 Old Strath Edmonton

Sept 19^th Black Diamond (beneath the arch)

Sept 20 Lethbridge (Geomatic Attic)

Sept 28—October 2: He’s teaching basic studio school in Chestermere, AB at OCL Studios. It’s a Henhouse Pop-Up Recording Session.

“Songwriters, book a spot to record with Steve and band.”

October 5– 10: another pop-up but in Gastown at Bryan Adams Studio – The Warehouse.

Nov 13 – 3-day recording workshop at Henhouse Studios in Vancouver.

October 16/17 at Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver. The latest album session. This time recreating the tracks from JJ Cale’s Naturally – with ….

Jim Byrnes
Dee Daniels
Steve Dawson
Alvin Youngblood Hart
Leo D.E. Johnson
Chuck Mead
Lindi Ortega
Marin Patenaude
Chris Pierce
Chris Smither

See what I mean about Swiss Army Knife?

ALSO  playing some back-to-school songs on The Stew

Chuck Berry, Paul Simon, CSN & Young, White Stripes live, Steely Dan. And filled a donor request for “sunny soul” featuring the work of the Memphis Horns.  Sam and Dave – Wilson Pickett – U2.

And,  OF COURSE,  we play Hasn’t Hit Me Yet!!

Complete Steve Dawson Interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast