So when it’s your birthday, what do you want for a present? In my case, I thought it would be pretty nice to have a chat with a singer-songwriter who’s earned multiple gold and platinum records, appeared on a couple of Grammy Awards broadcasts, and sang and toured with k.d. lang. Pretty far-fetched, huh?Unbelievably, this is exactly what we’re getting on this week’s California Diner! Sue Leonard, Canadian vocalist extraordinaire, is my special guest.Sue’s had an illustrious career. Known first as a session singer, you've probably heard her work before. She traveled in k.d.’s lang’s band on a couple of world tours, and was the backing vocalist on the legendary 1992 hit Constant Craving. We’ll hear an amusing and amazing story about how she got the nod to sing on what has to be one of my favorite “grown-up” songs of that era.She's also sung with Bon Jovi and Bruce Willis(!), and knows everybody who’s anybody in Canadian music. I first caught wind of her talent last year with the “Bend” album, which showcases some powerful jazzy and bluesy vocals. She phrases like a jazzer and belts like a blueser (if that’s a word. If not--it is now!)But Sue’s versatility can be found in her love for all forms of music. She’d been singing all types of music from an early age, and later on, started writing. Nowadays, songs flow into her head during the course of everyday life. She captures them, then interprets what she hears into whatever genre best delivers the goods--whether it’s blues, folk, or even bluegrass.I was able to catch up with her for a lively Skype chat while she was in Hamilton, Ontario. Although always on the go, Sue was able to sit still for 30 minutes and hang with me. We'll hear some great stories, as well as her jazzy, bluesy vocals. All in all, a great birthday present for me! Thanks, Sue!www.sueleonard.caHey! Recharged Radio now has a magazine! It’s a free monthly music e-zine called Sound of the Suburbs (not to be confused with our radio show of the same name--oh heck, go ahead and confuse it--we don’t mind!) It’s our joint effort with our friends at Perfect Pop Co-Op. You can get it on the left hand side of the home page of Recharged Radio. Just scroll down a bit, and get reading!If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, See you then!Chef Mikemike(at)rechargedradio.comMN2BDNCMaxi Dunn - Tangled TreeJet Electro - Walter CronkiteMan or Mouse - JacksonOnward Chariots - War HeroBud Rogers - Caught In A WheelBeth Thornley - You're So PonyJointpop - Please Don't Tell My Inlaws...I'm An OutlawSue Leonard InterviewSue Leonard – Drift AwaySue Leonard – Without YouSue Leonard – Dig Down DeepDuncan Faure - NightfallSarah Stanley - When I Lose My HeartLaurie Larson - Endless Thank You LoopColin Heppell - Stronger Than MePoplord - DeathBoomchick - Operation ImperialismThrowback Suburbia - It's YouTom Moriarty - Fire in the Dolls HouseNushu - Another Rainy WeekendSarah Taylor - Easy To ForgetVegas With Randolph - The Better PartLaurie Biagini - Head In The SandThree Minute Tease - Thanks for Lifting My LegChad Neaves - Something In My SoulCorner Laughers - You Two