Every era produces a few wonderfully odd songs—tracks that seem to appear out of nowhere and instantly define a moment in time.
“In the Summertime,” released in 1971, is one of those unforgettable curiosities. Its charm came from its stripped‑down, jug‑band feel: no drums, just toe‑taps, a banjo, a jug, upright bass, and guitars. Somehow, that homespun mix turned into one of the year’s biggest hits.
Although many remember Mungo Jerry as a one‑hit wonder, the band actually enjoyed solid success in the UK, charting nine singles—two of which reached number one.
After 50 years, the band is still active. Ray Dorset continues to write and release music. Their latest album was released in 2020. This reminds us that one-hit wonders don’t end with that one memorable entry.
Image Credit: Jackson Free Press Source: Jackson Free Press article
Brian Fuente blends Southern grit with soulful vocals and a modern rock polish — a sound that’s matured into something uniquely his.
Brian Fuente appeared on Season 2 of The Voice, joining Team Blake Shelton. His standout moment came with a fiery rendition of “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. This performance showcased his raw vocal edge. It also highlighted his stage presence. Though he exited during the battle rounds, Fuente left a lasting impression.
🌟 Life After The Voice
“Whoever you are, I hope you find your way.” — Brian Fuente
After the show, Fuente planted roots in Nashville, both musically and entrepreneurially. He married fellow Voice alum Jordan Pruitt (Season 3), and together they launched Aero Bar, a mobile cocktail experience that’s become a local favorite. Their ventures expanded into electric RVs and lifestyle branding, blending creativity with business savvy.
Musically, Fuente’s solo work reflects a mature voice — emotionally resonant, grounded in Americana, and unafraid to explore vulnerability. His songwriting invites listeners into stories of reflection, resilience, and quiet triumph.
🎶 Highlights from Their Musical Journey
🎵 Whoever You Are 💬 A melodic invitation to self-reflection, wrapped in warm instrumentation and lyrical sincerity.
🎧 Albums & EPs Fuente’s catalogue includes heartfelt singles and EPs that explore themes of identity, love, and reinvention. His sound bridges Southern rock and indie soul, with standout tracks that reward repeat listens.
Brian Fuente turned a brief moment in the spotlight into a multifaceted career. He’s created soulful tracks. He has also pursued entrepreneurial ventures. He’s carved out a lane that’s both grounded and evolving. Fans have plenty to look ahead to.
Another Friday, another delicious dilemma: what wine pairs best with homemade pizza?
Our tradition is simple — pizza night every Friday. It’s easy to make, satisfying to eat, and always open to improvisation.
The Pie. – Photo by myself
Ingredients
1 store-bought pizza shell
1 can of Western Family Original pizza sauce
Mushrooms, green pepper, and onion (rescued from the fridge)
Leftover mild Italian sausage (from the freezer)
Shredded pizza mozzarella
🔥 Assembly & Bake
No instructions needed — just layer, bake, and enjoy.
🍷 Wine Pairing
Wine: 2019 Garnacha Tinta — Las Moradas de San Martin Initio ReservaRegion: Madrid, Spain Vivino Rating: 3.9
Pizza is naturally wine-friendly, especially when topped with savoury sausage and roasted vegetables. This Garnacha was fruity, bold, and balanced — perfect for the cheese’s richness and the sausage’s spice.
Photo – by myself
đź“ť Final Thoughts
A simple meal elevated by a thoughtful pairing. Whether it’s a weeknight ritual or a weekend treat, pizza and wine never disappoint.
Angela Wolff first captured hearts during Season 1 of The Voice, delivering a powerhouse rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” that left audiences stunned. But her journey didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling—in fact, it was just beginning.
🌟 Life After The Voice
“Angela’s voice doesn’t just sing—it speaks to the soul.”
Since her time on Team Adam, Angela has carved out a niche as a deeply emotive vocalist and songwriter. Her collaborations with cellist Bryan Gibson have become a signature sound—cinematic, intimate, and hauntingly beautiful.
Angela’s 2015 EP Surrender & Release is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Tracks like “Armour,” “Honeybee,” and “Holding Hearts” reveal her depth as a songwriter and her ability to turn vulnerability into strength.
Angela Wolff may have started as a contestant, but she’s grown into a true artist. Her music is more than entertainment—it’s an invitation to feel deeply. Stay tuned for more updates in this series as we continue to spotlight past contestants who are still making waves.
Barber’s early work leaned into folk-pop, with introspective lyrics and acoustic textures. But it was her 2008 album Chances that marked a dramatic shift. Trading her guitar for a velvet microphone, she embraced the lush orchestration of vocal jazz, channeling the glamour of the 1940s and ’50s. Collaborating with Ron Sexsmith and producer Les Cooper, Chances became a breakout success, earning her a Juno nomination and a devoted new audience.
A Love Affair with French Song
Barber’s artistic curiosity led her to the South of France, where she immersed herself in the language and culture. The result was Chansons, a French-language album featuring covers of classics by Édith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, and Charles Aznavour. Her sultry, expressive delivery resonated far beyond Canada—Chansons became her most streamed album globally, with over 120 million plays.
Her latest release, ENCORE!, revisits this territory with fresh interpretations of timeless French songs. It’s not just a tribute—it’s a celebration of cross-cultural artistry.
Accolades and Artistic Integrity
Three Juno Award nominations
SiriusXM Jazz Artist of the Year
Western Canadian Francophone Album of the Year
But beyond the awards, it’s her commitment to reinvention and emotional honesty that keeps fans coming back. Whether singing in English or French, Barber’s voice carries a timeless elegance and vulnerability that feels deeply personal.
The Family Album and Beyond
In 2016, Jill teamed up with her brother Matthew Barber for The Family Album, a heartfelt collection of duets that explored themes of kinship and memory. It was a reminder that music, for Barber, is both a personal and communal experience.
Her songs have also found their way into pop culture, appearing in shows like Orange Is the New Black, further cementing her place as a versatile and resonant artist.
Final Notes
Jill Barber is more than a voice—she’s a storyteller, a cultural bridge, and a master of reinvention. Whether crooning in French or serenading in English, she invites listeners into a world of romance, nostalgia, and fearless artistry.
On September 6, Lori and I decided it was time for a night out. We seldom dine out, especially during our summer stays. Still, when we do, the Heidout in downtown Cranbrook is a familiar favourite. Located at 821 Baker Street, it’s a bit of a drive from where we spend our summers. However, it is always worth the effort.
🏠Atmosphere & First Impressions
The Heidout has a pub-style vibe with a subtle split between family dining and the main area. It’s open, lively, and buzzing with energy. On arrival, we were greeted promptly and seated quickly—something we’ve come to expect from their consistently attentive staff. That evening, Aimee introduced herself and took our drink order with a warm, professional touch.
🍷 Drinks & Menu Highlights
We started with a glass of their in-house Meritage, a smooth red blend that paired well with the hearty meal to come. The menu is familiar to us, and while it’s not Michelin-starred, the food is reliably excellent. This time, we both went for the Heidout Burger—mine with fries, Lori’s with salad. She always looks forward to their house dressing, and once again, it didn’t disappoint.
The burger itself was a standout: salami slices layered with aioli, crisp veggies, and what I suspect were Polski Ogorki pickles. It’s a bold combo, but it works. Rich, savory, and satisfying.
🛎️ Service & Cleanliness
Despite the full house and an event happening in their banquet area, service remained top-notch. Aimee was attentive without hovering, and everything—from the dining area to the restrooms—was clean and well-kept. It’s clear they take pride in maintaining the space.
đź’° Value & Final Thoughts
Our total came to $113.62, including wine, taxes, and tip. In today’s dining landscape, that’s more than fair for the quality and experience. Yes, it’s a bit noisy—it is a public house, after all—but we knew that going in and embraced the lively atmosphere.
If you find yourself in Cranbrook, I’d recommend The Heidout without hesitation. It’s a place we return to time and again, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit.
We went all out tonight. Hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, real salad and leftover pasta. Of course you’re wondering what wine would go with that. The winner, completely by fluke!
We have been liking Spanish wines lately,especially Rioja. This one is reasonably priced, a nice wine that Vivino rates as a 3.7. It fits our profile perfectly. Recommended as a decent wine to sit and eat hotdogs with.
Have a great evening. Will be a much better recipe on Sunday.
I will pursue a series of follow-ups with past contestants on The Voice. The plan is to pick a singer from each season in rotation randomly. This is the first post in the series. I will try to contact each choice and do a quick interview if they are willing. The interview will not include their time on the show. Instead, it will focus on their career since then. It will also cover what is happening now and into the future.
Once again, wish me luck. If there were a contestant you’d like me to contact, send me an email at johnlorieh@gmail.com and I will see what I can do
I have been reflecting on what I’m reading. I recently decided that one of my past strengths had disappeared. I vowed to rectify this. That strength was an insatiable appetite for books. Not digital, actual, real books. The book’s smell and the pages’ feel had been lost. This loss occurred over the past few decades.
I started slowly. I picked up a copy of The New Spring by Robert Jordan as a test. It ticked a few boxes based on my past interests, and I wanted to see how it went. It took a while to make it a habit, and now I am diving headfirst.
Book 1 of 14
Moved on to the 14, yes 14, novels in the series by Jordan, The Wheel of Time. It is a daunting task. I am setting a pattern for myself to continue with this task. I will complete 1 of the 14. Then, I’ll read a classic off my reading list. Next, I’ll tackle a modern novel. After that, I will return to the next in the Jordan series. Wish me luck.
Also, note to myself, add Goodreads to the main page.
These one-pan Caprese chicken thighs incorporate all the flavors from a Caprese salad. They are turned into a main dish skillet meal with chicken. Why, yes, please! We like this dish with a green vegetable or salad, with warm crusty bread. As usual, I forgot to take a shot of my dish. I even forgot to note the wine we paired with it. No matter, it was very good and will make it again, and again.
Here we go.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 lemon, zested and juiced, divided
1 teaspoon honey
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 pinch salt
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
torn fresh basil leaves for garnish
Directions
As always, pat the thighs dry and then season with salt and pepper.
Grab a large mixing bowl. Combine the balsamic, broth, tomato paste, and lemon juice. Do not add the zest yet. Add the honey, 1 TBSP of minced basil, and the garlic.
Throw in (gently) the chicken thighs and mix until coated. At this point, you have two options. You can cover the result and refrigerate it for up to 4 hours. Alternatively, you can carry on to the next step. Up to you, either way the next step is the same.
Gently place the chicken and mixture into 12 inch skillet over medium heat. When the liquid boils, cover and reduce heat to med/low. Simmer for 7 minutes or so, turn the chicken and increase to medium, uncovered. This should take 7 minutes or less for them to no longer be pink in the middle.
Remove the chicken and juices to a serving dish. Tent to keep warm. Wipe the skillet and add the oil. Add the tomatoes once the oil is hot. Watch for splatter. Let them sit for a few minutes until they blister. Stir then allow them another couple of minutes. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
Once the tomatoes are done, pour them over the chicken, top with mozzarella, lemon zest and basil. Serve promptly.
