Tucked away just north of Kingston in the town of Westport is The Cove Inn (@thecoveinn), a hidden gem that's been quietly gaining a reputation as a legendary Canadian live music venue. Johnny and Rob visit with the historic hotel's manager and music curator, Seamus Cowan, to understand how this country-pub-turned-community-hub has become a pillar of eastern Ontario's music scene, and how Seamus crafts unique and unforgettable experiences that keep music lovers coming back for more.
Chapters:
0:22 Episode overview
2:04 Westport's 150-year old lakeside inn
5:13 The Cove's rough and rowdy roadhouse roots
7:00 A place you want to come back to
10:47 From musician to innkeeper
13:51 Delivering unexpected experiences
17:49 Forging connections and community
20:28 How curating experiences builds trust
22:54 Live music seven nights a week
24:13 Blues at The Cove: A brief history
26:23 Big acts, small stage, huge value
28:22 The Cove's holiday lineup
29:45 Outdoor experiences in the summer season
31:58 Westport's surprising summer music festival season
35:23 A vibe that keeps bringing you back
42:51 Episode credits
Episode Production Credits
Guests:
Seamus Cowan
Hosts:
Rob Howard
[email protected]
Johnny San
[email protected]
Episode Links:
The Cove Inn https://kingstonlive.ca/thecoveinn
MusicWestport https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1266840/view
WestPorch Festival https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1269740/view
Kingston concerts and music festivals https://kingstonlive.ca/
Audio production by Soundwise https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1191590/view
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Posted: Nov. 30, 2025 via
kingstonlive.ca
