This episode features one of the most oddly compiled LPs in my collection, The Internationally Acclaimed Olga Cunningham. Also featuring a "Traditional Hungarian Gypsy Group", Roadhouse country singer Ken Jacobson, and Ukrainian singer Josie Stepanick.
EDIT (03/2025):
In the years since doing this podcast I've researched Olga's life and career and it's as fascinating a puzzle as her LP.
Going through the newspaper archives the first possible bit of evidence of her life was this newspaper Divorce Announcement in the Edmonton Journal in 1980 by her husband, which would have been in the same time frame as the LP:
The next hit in the archives was in the Whitehorse Daily Star on April 18, 1986 announcing Olga (formerly of the Airline Inn) taking over the Trails North Cafe:
Today:
June 2, 1989 the Daily Star reported Olga being inadvertently involved in a local drugs arrest:
The last hits to date were from 1999, where Olga (now 67, according to her) rented the legendary Toronto concert venue Roy Thomson Hall to stage a concert to showcase her talents. In the story told by Olga, more of her (dubious) past life emerged:
Toronto Star, March 17, 1999
Red Deer Advocate, April 15, 1999:
And the final hit on May 14, 1999 from the Toronto Star:
Just reading between the lines it's easy to see Olga's life story blending fact and fiction interchangeably, which makes this LP (and her life) so fascinating:
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