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Hello folk music fans! Gordon Lightfoot is one of the greatest folk-rock artists of all time. And now there's a podcast celebrating and discussing his work, song by song. Every episode, your host (that's me, Mike Messner) will examine one of Gordon's songs with the help of a special guest! So if that's your cup of tea, give us a listen and give us a follow. We'll see you on the Carefree Highway!
Hello folk music fans! Gordon Lightfoot is one of the greatest folk-rock artists of all time. And now there's a podcast celebrating and discussing his work, song by song. Every episode, your host (that's me, Mike Messner) will examine one of Gordon's songs with the help of a special guest! So if that's your cup of tea, give us a listen and give us a follow. We'll see you on the Carefree Highway!
Episodes

Jan 28, 2026
Alberta Bound, Part 2
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
27 min
Picking up where Part 1 left off, my guest Jack Ward and I continue digging into this song from the Don Quixote album (1972).
Our discussion explores:
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The contrast between city winters (“brown and gritty” streets) and the purity of small-town or rural life
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How the song’s narrator balances obligations to family with a deeper romantic pull
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Why “Alberta Bound” feels like both a confession and a quiet resolution
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The song’s surprising failure as a single despite the success of the Don Quixote album
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Lightfoot’s performance of the song at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and its place in Canadian cultural memory
We also spend time on the musical construction of the track, Canadian musical identity, and Jack's work with Mutual Audio Network.
https://www.mutualaudionetwork.com/index.html

Jan 14, 2026
Alberta Bound, Part 1
Jan 14, 2026
Jan 14, 2026
33 min
In this episode, host Mike Messner and his guest, Jack Ward from Nova Scotia, begin their discussion of this song from the 1972 Don Quixote album. You'll also hear from podcasts 250 And Counting, In The President's Service, Back to the Eighties and Oldie But A Goodie.
https://youtu.be/gV1rtBnCeiw?si=8hBUJgYpO8V_bULu
www.lightfootpodcast.com

Dec 31, 2025
The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, Part 2
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2025
20 min
The meeting of the Mikes concludes, as Mike Messner and his guest, Mike Fornes of Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, discuss the group's performance content and their plans for the new year. You'll also hear from fellow podcast Mostly Folk Podcast and a word about a new fantasy novel by Rob Perrier. (Part 2 of 2)

Dec 15, 2025
The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, Part 1
Dec 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
24 min
It's the meeting of the Mikes, as Mike Messner and his guest, Mike Fornes of Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, discuss the group's mission and formation. You'll also hear from fellow podcasts How Good It Is and In The President's Service. (Part 1 of 2)

Dec 1, 2025
Fine As Fine Can Be
Dec 1, 2025
Dec 1, 2025
32 min
In this episode of Carefree Highway Revisited, Mike Messner and his guest, Tim Golding of Mechanicsberg, PA discuss this song from the 1975 Cold On The Shoulder album. You'll also hear from fellow podcasts How Good It Is, Firebreathing Kittens and Mostly Folk Podcast, and about a novel by acclaimed author Rob Perrier.

Nov 18, 2025
Steel Rail Blues
Nov 18, 2025
Nov 18, 2025
40 min
In this episode, host Mike Messner and his guest Will Kruger (making his fourth appearance on the show) discuss this song from the Lightfoot! album (1966). You'll also hear from fellow podcasts How Good It Is (which Mike is pleased to be joining), Firebreathing Kittens, and Back to the '80s, and you'll also hear about a fantasy book recently published by acclaimed author Rob Perrier.

Nov 9, 2025
Tattoo
Nov 9, 2025
Nov 9, 2025
41 min
In this episode, host Mike Messner and his guest Jeffrey Coast discuss this song from the 1983 Salute album. You'll also hear from fellow podcasts Paranormal Son, All Those Years Ago, Books Boys and Oldie But A Goodie.

Nov 4, 2025
Drink Yer Glasses Empty
Nov 4, 2025
Nov 4, 2025
36 min
In this episode, Mike Messner and his guest, Derek Buckley discuss this song from the 1993 album Waiting for You. This is Derek's second appearance on the show; he hails from Spokane, WA. You'll also hear from fellow podcasts How Good It Is, Back To The '80s, and Firebreathing Kittens, and you'll also hear about a newly published book by acclaimed author Rob Perrier!

Oct 21, 2025
I'll Do Anything, Part 2
Oct 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025
18 min
In this episode, Mike Messner concludes his conversation about this song from the 1982 Shadows album with Jerre Haskew of Chattanooga, TN, and Jerre speaks of his admiration for the bluegrass artists Billy Strings.

Oct 7, 2025
I'll Do Anything, Part 1
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
28 min
In this episode, Mike and his guest, Jerre Haskew of Chattanooga, Tennessee, discuss this song from the 1982 Shadows album -- and Jerre talks about his own journey in the music business. You'll also hear from fellow podcasts 250 And Counting, Back to the 80s, Writing the West and Musical Murders Podcast. (Part 1 of 2)
