Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies first became acquainted with living legend Lou Reed through unusual circumstances. Both artists were on the same record label, Warner/Reprise, and had briefly talked on the phone once in 1997, but later that year, Hearn was diagnosed with cancer. While hospitalized and awaiting a bone marrow transplant, Reed sent Hearn a "get well" e-mail. Touched and, no doubt, honored, Hearn wrote back and the two became friends.

More than a decade later, Hearn was recording tracks for his side-project, Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle, during downtime from BNL. When Reed's guitarist, Mike Rathke, insisted that he play on the album, those sessions led to Hearn being invited down to New York to audition for Reed's touring band. That, in turn, led to Reed contributing his signature guitar work to several tracks for Thin Buckle. And, Hearn got the job.

From there, the plot thickens: "At my first rehearsal with Lou, I noticed a man sitting in a chair listening intently," Hearn tells Spinner. "I assumed for some reason that he was Lou's manager. During the next break I walked over to introduce myself. Turns out it was Paul Simon! I asked how his day was going and he said, 'Any day I get to play or listen to good music is a good day.' That's how I feel too."

Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle's 'Havana Winter' is available now, featuring Lou Reed and all. Hearn can also be heard on recent releases by fellow Canadians the Tragically Hip, Broken Social Scene, Ron Sexsmith and Raine Maida. And, of course, on the new Barenaked Ladies album which is scheduled for release later this fall. Oh, Canada!