Stuart McLean facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stuart McLean OC
McLean on stage at the Centennial Concert Hall in 2008
Born	Andrew Stuart McLean (1948-04-19)April 19, 1948 Montreal West, Quebec, Canada
Died	February 15, 2017(2017-02-15) (aged 68) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Alma mater	Sir George Williams University
Occupation	Radio broadcaster, writer, professor of journalism
Years active	1974–2017
Employer	CBC Radio
Notable work	The Vinyl Cafe
Spouse(s)	Linda Read (1982–2002)
Awards	Officer of the Order of Canada

Andrew Stuart McLean, OC (born April 19, 1948 – died February 15, 2017) was a well-known Canadian radio host, storyteller, and writer. He was most famous for hosting the CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe. Stuart McLean was known for his stories that celebrated the kindness and strength of everyday people. His tales often showed how people, real or fictional, could get through embarrassing or tough times with humor and grace.

Stuart McLean's Early Life and Education

Stuart McLean was born in Montreal West, Quebec. He was the oldest of three children. From a young age, Stuart became very interested in radio. His father bought him a Motorola radio when he was sick, and this sparked his lifelong love for broadcasting.

He went to schools in Quebec, including Lower Canada College and Bishop's College School. Stuart later graduated from Sir George Williams University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After university, he worked in student services and helped with a local election campaign.

Stuart McLean married Linda Read in 1982. They had two sons, Robert and Andrew. Stuart was also a stepfather to Linda's son, Christopher. Stuart and Linda later divorced in 2002. He also supported the YMCA's Camp Kanawana, helping less fortunate kids attend camp. He was also an honorary colonel for a Canadian Armed Forces squadron.

Stuart McLean's Media Career

Starting in Radio and Journalism

Stuart McLean began his career at CBC Radio in 1974. He started as a researcher for a show called Cross Country Checkup. Later, he became a documentary maker for Sunday Morning. In 1979, he won an ACTRA Award for his documentary about the Jonestown Massacre. From 1981 to 1984, he was the executive producer for Sunday Morning.

From 1984 to 2004, Stuart McLean was a professor of journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He cared deeply about his students' success. Many former students remembered how he would help them find jobs in journalism.

During the 1980s and 1990s, he often contributed to Morningside. He created documentaries and audio stories about ordinary people and places. He felt this work helped him find his unique storytelling voice. His first book, The Morningside World of Stuart McLean, collected some of these stories. It became a bestseller and was nominated for an award.

His second book, Welcome Home: Travels in Smalltown Canada, came out in 1992. It featured stories from small communities across Canada. This book won the Canadian Authors Association award for best non-fiction book. Stuart also reported for CBC news programs like The Journal and The National. He focused on "human interest stories," talking to regular people about their funny or touching experiences. These stories inspired his most famous work, The Vinyl Cafe.

The Vinyl Cafe Show

In 1994, Stuart McLean launched The Vinyl Cafe. It started as a summer radio series about a fictional second-hand record store. The early stories featured different characters connected to the store. Later, the show focused on the store owner, Dave, and his family and friends. In 1995, Stuart published Stories from the Vinyl Cafe, his first book based on the show. The Vinyl Cafe became a regular show on CBC in 1997.

Stuart McLean on stage at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Starting in 1998, Stuart McLean took The Vinyl Cafe on tour. He performed his stories live in theaters across Canada and the United States. He often told the same popular stories, like Dave's funny attempt to cook a turkey for Christmas dinner. But he would change them slightly to keep audiences interested. Each year, one episode of The Vinyl Cafe featured the "Arthur Awards." These awards honored everyday Canadians for their acts of kindness and community spirit that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The Vinyl Cafe was broadcast every weekend on CBC Radio. It also became a popular weekly podcast. Stuart McLean's books of Vinyl Cafe stories won the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour three times. Many albums of his live performances were also released.

Stuart McLean's Health and Passing

In November 2015, Stuart McLean was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of cancer. Because of his treatment, The Vinyl Cafe stopped touring and making new episodes. On December 13, 2016, Stuart announced he needed more treatment. This meant further delays for the show. He passed away from cancer on February 15, 2017, in Toronto, at the age of 68. His collection of work was given to McMaster University.

After his death, CBC Radio aired a special tribute called Canada's Storyteller: A Tribute to Stuart McLean. Other CBC shows also honored him. Cross Country Checkup even dedicated an episode to its own version of the Arthur Awards, asking listeners to share stories of kindness.

Stuart McLean's Works

Awards and Honors

Stuart McLean received many awards for his work, including:

• ACTRA Award for best radio documentary (1979)
• Canadian Authors Association Best Non Fiction book for Welcome Home (1993)
• Rooke Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Writing: Trent University (1994–95)
• Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Home from the Vinyl Cafe (1999)
• Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Vinyl Cafe Unplugged (2001)
• Canadian Authors Association Jubilee Award for Vinyl Cafe Diaries (2004)
• Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe (2007)
• Officer of the Order of Canada, awarded in 2011. This honor recognized his contributions to Canadian culture as a storyteller and broadcaster, and for his many charitable activities.