This week, the Haggis Shack smells like peach pie and nostalgia as Chaz and Schatz welcome the sister of The Professor himself, Nancy Peart Burkholder, along with the host of the Bubba Bash fellow Rush lifer Cathy Rankin.
What follows is one of the most heartfelt and hilariously insightful conversations we’ve ever had. Nancy opens up the family scrapbook and lets us peek inside the Peart household — the laughter, the mischief, and the moments that made Neil more than a legend… they made him Neil.
We hear about the big brother who drummed on his sister's playpen, the teen who read everything in sight, and the man who sent postcards home from every corner of the world — still grounded by love for his family and the rhythm that started around Betty Peart’s kitchen table.
Nancy’s stories range from the hilarious to the humbling — memories of a brother who was thoughtful, generous, and beautifully human beneath the myth. She talks about the birth of Peart Family Events, how grief became purpose, and how the upcoming Legacy in Bronze project will literally set Neil’s spirit in stone.
Meanwhile, Cathy shares her own journey — from Rush fan to recording artist — and the story behind her tribute song for Neil, a collaboration that turned loss into light. There’s laughter, love, and a few tears, but most of all there’s that unmistakable hum of the spirit of radio running through it all.
🏡 Growing up Peart — Nancy’s front-row seat to her brother’s curiosity, humor, and drive.
🌍 Postcards from the road — and the quiet way Neil stayed connected to home.
💖 The creation of Peart Family Events and how community became family.
🎶 Cathy Rankin’s tribute song — healing through melody, with help from her family and friends.
⛳ Teeing off at the Pure Golf Tournament — where charity meets air drumming.
If you love Rush, if you love stories, and if you’ve ever felt that Neil’s words reached straight into your heart — this one’s for you.
So pour a Scotch, raise a glass to her big brother, and join us as we celebrate family, music, and the rhythm that never fades.
THIS WEEK'S SONG
The wheel playfully denies Nancy the opportunity to call her shot and instead we end up listening to The Larger Bowl off 2007's Snakes & Arrows. We get a special side story about what the larger bowl was about in the Peart house growing up.
SHOW LINKS
Donate! Legacy in Bronze - Help get Neil's statue erected in Lakeside Park
97 Rock Shreed & Regan's Rush Tribute
Cathy Rankin's Video for Now You've Gone
Peart Family Memorial Events - NP, GP, DP
Peart Family Coffee - The Most Excellent Way to Start Your Day
Ramona Vogue's tribute to her Uncle Neil - Radio Silence
SCHATZ'S SCRATCH LIST - RUSH TRIBUTE BANDS
Scratch your itch to hear RUSH music played live by going to check out any of these great RUSH Tribute Bands - these bands are keeping the community and the music alive - the most current, curated, and rockin' list of RUSH Tribute Bands in the world! Yeah!
Click here: Schatz's Scratch List (And say it 5 times fast!)
GO BONELESS
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