Denise began her career in music as a MUCH Music VJ in 1985 and by 1992 was named director of Music Programming before becoming VP and General manager in 1997. In the year 2000 Denise became the first female President of Sony Music Canada and remained there for 4 years. From 2008-2011 Denise was the Executive Director of CBC English Radio. She has devoted herself to numerous charitable initiatives, working with organizations such as War Child Canada, Music Counts and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. She is a Feminist, a Humanist and a bad ass Social Activist. Denise also knows first hand that David Bowie always smelled like he had just gotten out of the shower. She has worked with and befriended many Canadian music LEGENDS such as Murray McLauchlan (who also happens to be her husband!), Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Denise Freakin' Donlon at our Muses Headquarters where we got to pick that beautiful brain of hers. We ask such questions as: Is there a fine line between a Foolish and a Fearless Question? Why is it important to mix music and World Issues? and Which musicians today embody the Music + Meaning = Magic formula?
Chanty comes out of yet another closet, the girls are so enthralled by Denise that they forget to take a picture... and the girls bliss out about how they were taken to Jazz/Peace Heaven. Other amazing Canadian bands discussed this episode are The Jerry Cans / Pai Gaalaqautikkut, A Tribe Called Red, Tanya Tagaq and Les Hay Babies.
You can find Denise' incredible memoir: Fearless as Possible (Under the Circumstances) wherever books are sold!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices