On this season finale of LIFE FREW MUSIC, Alan sits down with Canadian country music star Tim Hicks for a conversation that goes far beyond music.

Tim reflects on growing up in Niagara Falls, discovering music through his great-grandmother's organ, building a career one bar gig at a time, and eventually finding his place in Nashville and on some of Canada's biggest stages.

The conversation explores songwriting, military support tours overseas, meeting heroes, raising musical children, the changing relationship between Canada and the United States, and why kindness remains one of the most important values we can pass on to the next generation. Most importantly, Tim shares what music truly means to him—and why performing still feels as essential as breathing.

A thoughtful, funny, and deeply personal conversation to close out the season.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

05:35 - Growing Up in Niagara Falls

12:00 - Discovering Music & The Beatles

15:00 - Building a Career One Gig at a Time

16:20 - Touring With Canadian Forces Overseas

28:40 - Nashville, Canada & The Music Business

36:15 - Raising Kids in Today's World

39:45 - The Nashville Songwriting Process

44:15 - Heroes, Blue Rodeo & Bryan Adams

53:10 - What Music Really Means to Tim

Lauren Hammersley joins Alan Frew for a candid and emotional conversation about acting, performance anxiety, comedy, music, and life in today's world.

Known for her roles on Mr. D and Virgin River, Lauren opens up about the reality of auditions, self-doubt, stand-up comedy, and why music can transport us through memory and emotion.

The two also dive into the changing entertainment industry, Canadian culture, and live performance nerves. A funny, honest, and deep episode of Life Frew Music.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:39 - Meeting Lauren Hammersley

02:25 - Why acting auditions are terrifying

05:03 - How the entertainment industry has changed

08:09 - Performance anxiety and live television

09:51 - Lauren's stand-up comedy background

11:38 - Behind the scenes of Mr. D

13:49 - Canada, politics, and today's world

20:55 - Comedy culture and women in stand-up

27:27 - Music, nostalgia, and growing up in the 80s

30:35 - Why music becomes the soundtrack of our lives

36:54 - Behind the scenes stories from Mr. D

52:00 - Creativity, acting, and emotional vulnerability

1:04:00 - Final thoughts and reflections

Brian Burke joins Alan Frew for an unforgettable episode of Life Frew Music.

Known as one of hockey's boldest voices, Burke opens up about far more than the game. He talks about growing up in a large Irish Catholic family, playing hockey, going to Harvard Law, becoming an NHL executive, being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, winning the Stanley Cup in Anaheim, and his deep respect for the military after visiting troops in Afghanistan.

Burke also shares powerful reflections on the loss of his son Brendan, becoming an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, the importance of actually supporting the causes you believe in, and his current work in women's hockey. And, of course, Alan brings it back to music — including Brian's love of live concerts, the songs tied to his memories, and a wild Rolling Stones story from 1975.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:54 - Growing Up In A Big Irish Catholic Family

03:39 - Harvard Law & Early Hockey Career 0

8:14 - From Player Agent To NHL Executive

12:09 - Getting Fired By The Toronto Maple Leafs

15:39 - Afghanistan, Friendship & The Troops

18:08 - Losing Brendan & Life After Tragedy

28:15 - Becoming An LGBTQ+ Ally

32:17 - Pittsburgh, Sportsnet & Returning To Hockey

34:18 - How Hockey Has Changed

36:06 - Winning The Stanley Cup

37:16 - The Toronto Maple Leafs Today

38:46 - What Music Means To Brian Burke

41:38 - The Rolling Stones Story

45:13 - Politics, Kindness & Taking Action

49:37 - Women's Hockey & The PWHL

50:38 - Soccer, Hunting & Final Thoughts