Lyrical Workers

Join me every Thursday night from 8pm until 11pm as I explore the craft of songwriting and present some of the songs I like.  As a self-proclaimed songwriter for 40+ years, I’m always studying the songs I appreciate, and I present an eclectic mix of those songs from any of a number of different genres. It might be an interesting cover, or an exceptional musical performance, or the arrangement/ production of the song. It may be story that is told which intrigues me.  There are so many factors that go into creating a good song. See if you hear what I hear.

Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Jamie Oppenheimer moved up to Toronto in 1994 to marry and live with his wife Shauna Leigh Taylor. An industrial real estate broker in Buffalo for 20 years, and an industrial real estate salesman in Toronto for 5 years, Jamie took early retirement in 2007, when he and Shauna Leigh moved up to the Almaguin Highlands from Toronto. On Little Doe Lake in Katrine, Ontario, on the site of the old Taylor family cottage, they built their permanent residence in 2008, where they have lived ever since.

An avid writer since he was in his early teens, Jamie wrote a weekly blog 1992 until 2023, entitled The Oppenheimer Report. He began to write songs around 1989. From 1989-1995 he wrote over 100 songs and actively pursued a publishing contract, to no avail. While he never stopped writing and composing songs, he no longer actively seeks commercial recognition. Around 2013, and after realizing that there was a rich pool of talented local musicians and songwriters, Jamie ended a long hiatus from performing and began to play local venues, purely for his own enjoyment. After performing live on air at Hunters Bay Radio in late 2013, and with the support and encouragement of various hosts at the radio station, Jamie became an active volunteer. Since then, he has released a CD of his original songs, entitled IMPOSTERS GAME, and routinely releases newly recorded original songs on his radio show, LYRICAL WORKERS. In 2023, Jamie released a second CD of his original songs, entitled SONGS FROM ROOM 421, performed and produced by the multi-award-winning, Cape Breton, NS born, Edmonton, Alberta resident, Bobby Cameron. Those songs can be heard on Jamie’s website: www.jamieoppenheimer.com.

Jamie also produces a show entitled Martini Music for Hunters Bay Radio which was once hosted  by his late mother-in-law Ethel “ET” Taylor, and then later by his wife Shauna Leigh Taylor. That show airs every Sunday from 6pm-8pm.

Recognizing the value of a local radio station that is so supportive of the local community, Jamie enjoys mentoring and collaborating with promising local writers and artists. Since 2022, he has organized and hosted the Burk's Falls 3rd Friday Coffee House, sponsored by Hunters Bay Radio. It is a monthly showcase for local singers/songwriters and musicians. Before his passing, the original organizer/host was Jamie's friend Bob Gray. As per Bob's wishes, Jamie has kept the popular monthly event alive.

Jamie can be reached at jamieoppenheimersongwriter@gmail.com if you have a song you would like to hear on a future show, or wish to perform at the 3^rd Friday Coffee House.