The Ben Mulroney Show - Hallelujah! The Tenors swap stories with Ben

Episode Date: December 4, 2025

GUESTS: The Tenors -- Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray, Eduardo Aguirre, and Mark Masri. If you enjoyed the podcast, tell a friend! For more of the Ben Mulroney Show, subscribe to the podcast! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.chtbl.com/bms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, on youtube -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BenMulroneyShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ben on Twitter/X at https://x.com/BenMulroney Insta: ⁠⁠⁠@benmulroneyshow⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@benmulroneyshow⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@benmulroneyshow⁠⁠⁠ Executive Producer:  Mike Drolet Reach out to Mike with story ideas or tips at [e-mail] Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The next appointment is in six months. You're not alone. Finding mental health support shouldn't leave you feeling more lost. At CAMH, we know how frustrating it can be trying to. to access care. We're working to build a future where the path to support is clear and every step forward feels like progress, not another wrong turn. Visit camh.ca to help us forge a better path for mental health care. I don't think I've ever had four people

in the studio simultaneously. I certainly have never had four people this well dressed in studio before. Oh, look, the camera has to move. That's how we're doing. Yeah, please welcome to the Ben Mulrude show for the very first time, but hopefully not the last.

The Tenors, welcome. And I'm just going to give you out. Thank you for having it. It's so great to see you, Victor. It's been a long time. And, Mark, it's nice to see you as well. Eduardo, this is the first time that we meet. It's my first time.

And Clifton, you and I go way back, way back. way back. Now for the listeners at home, for the viewers on YouTube, we really do go way back. The first time we met was on Canadian Idol. Yeah, that was very, you were very supportive on that show. I have to say, you were sort of the guy I could turn to like, hey man, you got this. You're doing great. You're doing great. Yeah, but I've told you, like, and to the people listening at home, like your personal story on how you went from that to this is, it should be inspiring to a lot of people. And I think a lot of people could take lessons out of what you did. because when you came on the show, listen, I got my job because of my last name.

You got your job because you're pretty. Like you showed up on Idol, like they gave it to you. You were not, like, we'll be honest. Yeah. Your skill level wasn't there. Wasn't quite there. Wasn't there. But the story was great as well.

And you're a good looking guy, right? And that was great. And then you left. And then somehow you found yourself in the orbit of this group. Yes. And that is a, that's a level of singing that you weren't at yet. It was intimidating. So tell that story.

Because I've told you before, I think more people need to hear this story. Well, it all goes back to the power of yes, really. And at the end of the day, you know, I said yes to Canadian Idol. And it was a great opportunity. It was a growing experience. And for me, before that, I was singing at campfires around with my dad. And I just loved the art of storytelling and a music, but I hadn't had the training and the experience on stage to really justify a career yet.

But I was like, I got to get in here. And the moment I got kicked off the show, the moment I failed in front of the nation. That was when the fire was lit inside me that I will not in. stop until I get to show what I can truly do to the world and to myself. And I put everything I had into music. And then it was, what, a year and a half after that Victor and the boys and Jeffrey Latimer called me up and they said, come and join the tenors. And I was like, I couldn't believe this was happening. I'm like, are you sure you got the right name? And I thought, okay, I got to practice my opera and I got to get training. And Vic, Vic, I came into the audition

and I started to sing like an opera guy. He's like, no, no, no, no, no. Be yourself. Do what you got to do. And it was like every day, every day I was practicing. Every day I was. was training in voice and as time goes by in many things, you just get better a little bit every day and you don't give up and you believe in yourself. And for me, it was awareness that my greatest failure was my greatest lesson and nothing beats hard work. Yeah. And well, exactly. And for those who think that the sort of the voice that you have on one day is not something you can improve me. You're a testament to that, right? Now, this guy, on the other hand, was born with a voice. Sick was born. He was born beautiful and brilliant.

No, I think I think everybody has to work at it Like, you know, there is a sense of like, okay, a natural talent But, you know, when we saw Clifton the first time, there was the raw talent, there was the drive and the personality, and we knew it was going to be a success. Yeah. Because if you have that recipe, Yeah.

Then it's a sure thing if you keep focus. Yeah. And he, you know, we, we are a support group for each other. So when we have a down moment, the other guys are there to pick us up, which is the advantage of being in a group. Because, you know, the road could be lonely. Yeah. You know, and we are family.

Yeah. So it's great. And, but, you know, there has been the, the tenors are not, the tenors of today are not the tenors of a few years ago. There's been, there's some cast changes, if you will. A few. But, but you have to make sure. So when you guys are bringing in the marks and the Eduardo's of the world,

what are you looking for in order, because you just said we are a support system. So who do you want? Yeah, Clifton, go ahead. I mean, listen. I made the same question. What I'm looking for? What are me?

We're a singing group, right? No, but it's not just a voice. You're looking for something else? Yeah, there's a foundation there. You know, the mantra in our group is hope healing and harmony. And at the end of the day, we're doing this because we want to make this world

of better plays through the majesty of music. and there's a lot of great voices out there but none quite as good as Mark Masary's obviously. He's truly one of Canada's greatest vocalists that have ever existed. He's phenomenal. We're just so blessed to have him. But at the end of the day he's one of the kindest, most sincere

and loving people that we've met and to have that package together is so rare and so beautiful and he's done so much in his solo career. I mean he's got his singles up to 50, 60 million on YouTube now, but he chose to come and join us on this adventure ride and we're just so grateful but it's the heart. It's where

where the song and the voice comes from. Yeah, but you know, Mark, there's a lot. I do have the occasional grumpy day, by the way. But everybody does and that's okay. Occasional. But there's a lot of the songs that you guys are asked to sing that means so much to people have been interpreted by a lot of people. So it's not just, you know, your ability to sing those songs because a lot of people

can sing those songs. It's the personality that you bring to the song, right? I liken it with Michael Bublae, one of the reasons he's so successful. It's not that he necessarily has the best voice. which he does. He's got a great voice. But it's what he does in between the songs. It differentiates him from other cooners, right? And you guys as a group have to bring something beyond your ability to sing the songs. Right. And so my guess is as you're bringing new members into your family, that is a consideration, right? So, Mark, why did you want to join the group?

Yeah, I've always been a fan of the guys. And over the years, I had occasion to come in and sub in when one of the guys, you know, either their wives were having babies or they were off having, you know, weddings with their family. Life, life, life. And I would get called upon to come in and sub in on some pretty interesting gigs, to say the least. Not only that, but when we did our version of the prayer, David Foster's prayer, Mark and I actually worked on the arrangement. Oh, wow. Oh, that's fantastic. Always been dear friends of the guys. And so had a great appreciation and respect for what they do. And it was just the right season in life for me. My kid was off to

university and time was a little more free for me. And it was just the right season. And so to be aligned with a brand that is so respected and has had such a great level of success, but being respected in the broader community in terms of their philanthropic work, in terms of their benevolent work and having this undercurrent mantra of hope healing and harmony. It was so aligned with who I was. So to be part of that was super, super meaningful and to be part of this journey moving forward means a lot. So thank you for those kind words, Clifton, but I'm just one of four incredible people in this

group. Well, let's talk about the fourth, Edward Allen. If you could grab that microphone, bring it a little closer. I mean, I'm looking, I'm listening to you, and clearly you hail from Scarborough. That's good. Almost. So talk to me about your journey of joining these guys. Oh, well, I met these guys through social media, you know.

Really? Was Clifton, you know? I left a comment in Emilio Stefan Instagram, and I said, oh, good luck, something like that. I love your music. Greeting from Costa Rica. and in that the same day Clifstone wrote me through the Tenor's Instagram and he told me

oh you have a beautiful voice and I don't know and I say oh thank you you know who is Emilio Stefan yeah of course we sent your profile to him and show your music and we started talking about

classical music many things I was in Latin American Idol 2009 you're a hold up hold up he's an idol alum too he's an alilum a whileum

so they but they this is I want to share because he's very humble he's not gonna brag he's not gonna brag for him real quickly they had one Latin Idol yeah all of the Latin countries all of the Latin countries

got together all of their best singers got together and performers and he was the runner up he came down to the flash two and it was him and a girl and she squeezed out the wind just barely but he's had the most successful career of the show

and he's gone on to do solo work and solo career and she won but he sings higher than her he sings out of you were not going to find a tenor that sings higher than Eduardo Aguirre it's remarkable it's almost freakish actually how high he can sing and how intense his passion doesn't matter if he's singing in in a bar or out of wedding or a friend's house or on stage with the tenors. This boy brings

more passion than you'll ever see in a singer. And we scoured Latin America to find the best tenor we could because we wanted to do an album with Emilie Westerbant, which we have finally done. You know, no one was available. Clifton's are all, Clifton's are personal manager as well.

I can tell. I can tell he sells every singer really well. I can definitely feel he's taking more of a leadership role and running the circus. Hey, guys, don't go anywhere. I'm so glad you're sticking around for another second. We're going to talk about why I've been lucky enough to be grace by your presence today. We're going to swap some old stories

and just reminisce a little bit. So don't go anywhere. The Ben Mulerner Show continues. offers unlimited travel across the network on any weekend day or holiday for just $10. And a weekday group pass offers the same weekday travel flexibility from $30 for two people

and up to $60 for five. Buy yours at go-transit.com slash tickets. Welcome back to the Ben Mulroney show. I, as Neppo Baby extraordinaire, am very used to being on this microphone because somebody handed this to me. I'm used to being the no talent guy in any room. What are you talking about?

But all made all the more put into stark relief when I'm surrounded by four exceptionally talented gentlemen like the tenors. Guys, welcome. Thanks so much for sticking around. Thank you. And if we could talk as well as you can. I talk real good.

Don't understand the gift of gab, buddy. Come on. Victor, why am I lucky enough to have the pleasure of your company today? Well, because we're friends and we just thought we'd hang out. No, because we're friends gets me one set. segment. I got two. That's right. Well, we're actually embarking on our annual Christmas tour. And we're going from east to west this time. So we did Windsor already. We just came back from South Carolina. We have Kitchener tomorrow, Toronto on Monday. Then we head up to Ottawa and right

across Canada, finishing off in Victoria, BC on the 23rd. What a beautiful see to finish. And then heading back on Christmas Eve, guys. Are we going to make it back? Hopefully, the weather's good. Yeah. Well, congratulations. There's an album as well. There's an album?

There's an album. As we mentioned, Eduardo kind of came into our world through the connection of Emilio Estefan. So we've recorded an album completely in Spanish, which was no small feat. Ben, let me tell you. But we've got it done. It's in the can. We'll release in 2026. And with that, we'll come some touring in Latin America.

So we're really happy to have a spokesperson that speaks the language. fluently, you know, because singing in it is hard enough. Speaking of Spanish, we were just in El Salvador, weren't we? Eduardo, what, tell us about that. It was an incredible experience, you know, was, did you believe in miracles? 100%? That was a miracle.

It was amazing because, for me, it was the first time doing something like that. but what you're calling. Hearing, it was amazing this. Yeah, so for the first time, people were hearing. Yeah. You know, you're going into communities where they don't have the funds to do that. Yeah.

So, be it children or adults, they're listening to their loved ones speak for the very first time. And it is unbelievably powerful, emotional. The Starkey Foundation, they've reached over 70 countries. in the world, and it was just a beautiful experience for the tenors. So I hope this lands the way I'm intending it. So they hadn't heard, I've seen those videos online where a child hears their parents' voice for the first time in it, and you can, they identify, they know it, right? They know in their heart that that's what they're hearing.

Did you, were any of them in a position to hear music for the first time from you guys? No, I mean, you mean. Like, did you sing for anybody and they heard music? We did. So there was this one girl that had a pretty extensive hearing loss that had not heard much of anything her entire life. So we fitted both of her ears with hearing aids. And we had this opportunity to just do a little a cappella piece of music for her. We did the Leonard Cohen, Alleluia, which was pretty amazing. Her first experience hearing music to that degree. And it was amazing. And there was another gentleman being fitted with hearing aids just over in another chair. He starts hearing a singing. He starts crying. It was just like, it's just like the tear fest because you're just, we take our hearing for granted and then you see someone experience that gift for the first time. And like, like to Eduardo's, you know, point, it's a miracle to be there and to witness.

And if you want to check out that moment, you could go on Tenor's Music, at Tenor's Music. We have it on our social. So you could actually see the moment. It's pretty powerful. You know, I have to assume that as you're growing up and you have dreams of musical success, you have everyone everyone has a different vision as to what that means

some people want to be rock stars some people want to be opera singing but everyone has a vision in their head I have to assume that as you're building that dream in your head what you just described isn't on the list it is it is it is now it is now

and you know I think some of us you know you heard the reasons why you know people come to this group I think the healing aspect the community is a big part of that and you know music is healing yeah so the the whole um philanthropic part of the tenors is is is real we we we want that as a part of what we do yeah this group has changed all of us

i mean i'll be honest like you get into this music career you want to be a rock star you want to get on that stage you want to feel like a million bucks and you want to share your story and talk about yourself and your songs but then when you're in a group like this and you get countless emails and messages and personal experiences about how this music saved my life. Yeah. How this music actually helped me heal to the loss of my son or my daughter. Like unbearable moments in life and they turn to our music or any music for that matter to get through those moments, you're left with a sense of deep responsibility to take

every show with such reverence and you realize that in that audience somewhere there's someone, it's going to be their first show or it's going to be their last show. And to never take it for granted and never take a night off. and that's changed who we are as artists and the purpose and the reasons and the why behind we get on that stage. Well, look, and as I've told people before, you and I go way back,

but my relation with the tenors is, we want to talk about how generous you guys are. I remember calling Jeffrey Latimer, your manager, when my brother Nick got engaged, and I said, hey, any chance the guys could come because my sister-in-law's favorite song was and probably still is your version of Hallelujah. And you guys showed up in an apartment

and just sang for them, and then off you went. Like I didn't have busy you were That was amazing That was amazing And then to have you at my dad's funeral Like this morning I was a blubbering mess

Just sitting over there Going through the show And I was like oh let me just Just check out their performance From from that day again And what a what a one I mean I know he was there And I know it meant something to him

He was singing He was singing with your niece Yeah well that was so With your niece What was Yeah so it was When Iriced are smiling So for people who don't know

If my dad's funeral If you want to watch it on YouTube Watch it It's moving. But right at the end, my niece, sang my dad's favorite song in French. And then she came out at the end to sing with another great singer, Paul Ere Vieux, I think his name is. And they sang when Irish eyes are smiling. And it ended with my dad's voice chiming in singing one verse.

And what he did is years ago, he knew he'd be gone at some point. And so he went into a recording studio and he recorded all of his favorite songs for his grandkids. and somebody had the idea, hey, let's just isolate that audio track and add it. And I knew it was coming. And it still hit me like a ton of burns. It hit us.

That was a move. That was a moment. That was the moment. And, you know, for those of you who don't know, you know, your father had such a rich, rich voice. Like, if he actually took it seriously as a young artist. He was a crooner, man. he was the crewner

we got to sing with them a couple of times down in Florida right yeah he called him he called himself a frustrated old saloon singer and the older he got like he would he would like he would track it he'd get into a go to a party and Palm Beach and he'd see there was a piano and he was like just like

sidle up to it and just hang out there all in the hope to some dude would show up I was like dad you gotta stop he's so charming yeah I love it uh no it's it's meant so much to me to watch your success and with all the new faces to see that what has been special about the tenors hasn't been lost

in fact it's probably even increased it's got to make you guys feel good as you bring new guys in that I'm sure you guys get to be yourselves but also the group gets to it gets to be that thing that still means the same thing to fans but also something new

like it's quite a wonderful little alchemy that you guys have thank you yeah it comes down to the mantra and the foundations and it's beyond who we are as a singers but it's about the ideals of what the tenors stand for that's stronger than any individual tenor. And that's what keeps it going.

Yeah, it's so amazing to be part of a legacy that continues, right? And it hasn't lost its efficacy or its potency, if you will, and to be able to add our flavors to it, both heart and voice. Yeah, and at the same time, you know, like we say, I don't want it to come across like, oh, we're here to, you know, I think it's everybody's responsibility just to be here. human. Yeah.

You guys are talented and you're kind and you're funny and you dress way too well although you and your jaunty scarves. I don't know, man.

I don't know. Hey, listen. Envy. That's envy folks. I don't have any time left. So remind people how they can get information on the tour and the album

and anything, all the news of the tenors. We're going to be at all over across Canada on our Joy to the World Tour. You can get at tenors music.com for tickets or at tenors music on social.

That's right. You know, we ran out of time. I was going to ask you to sing. So, yeah. Give me something. A couple of notes as we go to break. Hallelujah. You know,